Anthem or ...?

[zerocrossing]

Anthem to me seems like a $29 plugin and I am not even sure I would buy it for that given that I own a Polymax license already.

That's a weird take, considering Polymax and Anthem have very little in common, at least sonically.

I listened to the demo videos for Anthem and it just sounds like an ordinary, simple VA with a slightly grungy, raw sound. That isn't my thing plus Polymax was free when I got it. So at least for VA type sounds with UA plugins, it covers what I normally would want. Plus... the ridiculous number of other plugins in my library. YMMV, but I am not interested in it. If it was $29 then maybe?

That's fine, but you waltzed into a thread about what grungy synth the OP should add to their collection. It's like wandering into a motorcycle forum and explaining how you love your SUV.

There are scores of synths out there that can do clean types of analog sounds very well, but not that many that do good really good analog dirt. Good enough to compete with an actual analog synth. I consider Anthem to be one of the best in that respect. It can do clean as well, but it would be a waste of money to buy it for that when there are a lot of other plugins that do clean as well and offer a lot more. If you're into dirt, though, it's a must for anyone who uses plugins.

[Gribs]

Um... Okay

Polymax is sufficiently grungy. If it isn't then open the filter and use a distortion plugin or a recording of a chainsaw

There are other people here who think Anthem doesn't sound like an analog synth at all. I don't really care or play that game.

I stand by my statement that Anthem is a $29 synth and the OP shouldn't waste their money on it at full price. You can buy it for less already using a two-for sale, but I would still wait.

[Uncle E]

It was much less than $29 during the Mix Tape promotion.

PolyMAX is UA’s cleanest analog emulation, by far.

[trusampler]

Sounds like it's time UA makes a proper Moog Poly synth. A Memorymoog would be great from them.

[poonna]

Playing around in a modular setup with feedback from filters is a great way to get interesting tones that you wouldn't hear too often.

Thanks for the tips. I haven’t done much with Softube Modular as it’s a bit fiddly and more involved than I’d have liked. I probably should create some starter presets for it.

I very much like Anthem. I just made a quick demo to show how the filter can sound on a bass patch. No processing, just raw Anthem:

https://soundcloud.com/vortifex/uad-anthem-demo

I love the power and aggression it produces. Thanks! I’m going back and forth between this and other choices. It’s really hard.

Vacuum Pro by Air is also quite dirty.

Thanks. I’ll check it out.

UA's Black Friday sale will be starting soon. Might want to wait to see what's there before deciding.

Yeah, I’m waiting for that. The Mix Tape Bundle was great, but I didn’t want to spend $99 on other things I didn’t need. Got a few other UAD stuff already.

I'd say, go with your gut and less about what you think that you need feature wise. The truth is, you could make almost any of them in Softube Modular, at least in terms of features. Play with the demos and listen to Youtube tutorials and patch demos. See if that makes you lean towards something more.

Thanks. It’s like running in circle somehow. I was convincing myself I could get the Anthem sound elsewhere, but seeing how effortless it is producing such sound brought me back again. I’m also considering TVS Pro because I don’t have GForce Oberheim/SEM synths yet, and this one is both cheap (during sale) and unique, so it’s a contender, though not quite in the aggression department.

[zerocrossing]

Playing around in a modular setup with feedback from filters is a great way to get interesting tones that you wouldn't hear too often.

Thanks for the tips. I haven’t done much with Softube Modular as it’s a bit fiddly and more involved than I’d have liked. I probably should create some starter presets for it.

Softube Modular isn’t great for making patches from scratch, IMO. It could really benefit from some attention from a UX designer. What I do is make sub presets using the factory patches as if they’re just fixes architecture instruments. I’ll often add or replace modules.

I very much like Anthem. I just made a quick demo to show how the filter can sound on a bass patch. No processing, just raw Anthem:

https://soundcloud.com/vortifex/uad-anthem-demo

I love the power and aggression it produces. Thanks! I’m going back and forth between this and other choices. It’s really hard.

It definitely has a great character.

I'd say, go with your gut and less about what you think that you need feature wise. The truth is, you could make almost any of them in Softube Modular, at least in terms of features. Play with the demos and listen to Youtube tutorials and patch demos. See if that makes you lean towards something more.

Thanks. It’s like running in circle somehow. I was convincing myself I could get the Anthem sound elsewhere, but seeing how effortless it is producing such sound brought me back again. I’m also considering TVS Pro because I don’t have GForce Oberheim/SEM synths yet, and this one is both cheap (during sale) and unique, so it’s a contender, though not quite in the aggression department.

Think of it like this, it’s not like you are barred from buying more plugins in the future. Whatever decision you make now can be augmented with something else later. I avoid this kind of consternation by buying everything.

[poonna]

Think of it like this, it’s not like you are barred from buying more plugins in the future. Whatever decision you make now can be augmented with something else later. I avoid this kind of consternation by buying everything.

That’s true. I guess I often spend too much time figuring this out than worth it.

[_leras]

I listened to the demo videos for Anthem and it just sounds like an ordinary, simple VA with a slightly grungy, raw sound. That isn't my thing plus Polymax was free when I got it. So at least for VA type sounds with UA plugins, it covers what I normally would want. Plus... the ridiculous number of other plugins in my library. YMMV, but I am not interested in it. If it was $29 then maybe?

Whether you need a synth or not, those two sound nothing alike.

[_leras]

Thanks. It’s like running in circle somehow. I was convincing myself I could get the Anthem sound elsewhere, but seeing how effortless it is producing such sound brought me back again. I’m also considering TVS Pro because I don’t have GForce Oberheim/SEM synths yet, and this one is both cheap (during sale) and unique, so it’s a contender, though not quite in the aggression department.

You can get in the ball park with a rolled of filter, a good saturation and some lexicon reverb.

Anthem isn't perfect and doesn't have the biggest sweet spots, but it sounds more real than digital and can sound amazing.

[zerocrossing]

Think of it like this, it’s not like you are barred from buying more plugins in the future. Whatever decision you make now can be augmented with something else later. I avoid this kind of consternation by buying everything.

That’s true. I guess I often spend too much time figuring this out than worth it.

Yeah, no doubt I’ve spent too much over the years, but I partially think of it as “entertainment.” Some people spend way more on sports related stuff. My wife and daughter love going to plays and buying theater merch. I enjoy exploring new plugins, though I do make sure new ones offer something different than what I have, and sometimes that’s just a different sonic personality.

[felis]

TVS Pro - fun, inspiring, sounds great, easy to use, reasonable price - that'd be my choice from what you're considering.

OB-1 sounds great too, but it's a whole different vibe.

And while Multipoly is a modulation monster, it always sounds a bit tame to me.

[Uncle E]

I enjoy exploring new plugins, though I do make sure new ones offer something different than what I have, and sometimes that’s just a different sonic personality.

That’s why I love demos that have noise bursts or time outs. You can keep using them until those things get annoying, which is a pretty good indication that you’re using them enough to buy them. When demos only allow 1-2 weeks of use, I usually end up shelving and never revisiting them.