2025: The Year of the Monster Synth

[zerocrossing]

We got Serum 2, Omnisphere 3, Absynth 6, Zebra 3, Falcon 2026. Even Massive X got updated. I probably forgot things too. Pigments 6 and Current 2 were this year, I think.

2025 killed it, people. What's next?

We have the Zebra 3 Beta not the actual finished product that's for 2026

I have all of them however

U-he’s betas are more stable than most companies’ final releases.

[darrenr]

“As with previous updates, Pigments 7 is available for free for existing users, who can update now via Arturia’s Software Center app.” - from post on MusicRadar.

Maybe they are only charging me 69 bucks

[Old Norse]

Maybe they are only charging me 69 bucks

That's just a hiccup while they're updating the store, don't you think?

[aMUSEd]

“As with previous updates, Pigments 7 is available for free for existing users, who can update now via Arturia’s Software Center app.” - from post on MusicRadar.

Maybe they are only charging me 69 bucks

The offers page is a bit whacked - it's offering it to me for $99 and I already have it

Just try the ASC - it should just auto update

[Old Norse]

Just try the ASC - it should just auto update

Yup, downloading as I type this.

[zerocrossing]

My favorite thing about Current is that it doesn't feel like one of those "monster" do-it-all synths- everything in it feels deliberate and in service with the other functions. It's incredibly deep, but it feels like you never have to search for anything. Experimenting usually makes something sound more interesting and less often like garbled chaos. I think Serum 1 and Pigments are in a similar spot, but Serum 2 has sacrificed that usability a bit in place of more features (and Pigments may end up that way).

For me, the sounds I get from massive synths rarely end up being worth the time or effort, and slightly more focused ones are just more fun. I'm looking forward to trying out Zebra 3 to see how I get on with it.

Come to think of it, I rarely use supersynths for "supersynth" sounds. For most music the sounds are just too much. I use them as preset machines a lot of the time (like most people) and do sound design as well but usually for nothing too over the top. Most of the time I want simpler sounds. Tone2 has nailed sophisticated design, yet fast and playable presets- I've stayed away so far from Current for whatever reason, I think it was the sub thing that put me off at first...

What the OP calls monster synth I think of as a hybrid synth but not in the vintage hardware emulation style. The taking full advantage of software style, usually involves wave tables and a lot of modulation and often samples in some form. Omnisphere, Blue 3, Ana 2, Absynth, Icarus, Pigments, Falcon, Halion, Avenger, Rapid, Current, Serum, Phase Plant, Equator, Zebra (even though no samples), Massive X (same), Dune 3 (same), maybe Kontakt. Some are missing. We all know. Bit of a grey area of course.

I try not to have too many at once as they are typically so darn deep in just doesn’t make sense to have more than a few.

But yeah for 2025, was pretty stoked to see Omnisphere and Absynth updated. Serum update won me over and also finally picked up Dune 3. Not updated this year but just took me a while.

Yeah, I don't think there is really a reason to own so many supersynths. "Simpler" synths and emus have been more interesting to me as of late. LOOSE BRAINSTORM: Most synths will eventually have to have incredible random features, perhaps use AI, (like to use random preset/controls) and be nice and sleek (Absynth 6, Halogen)- Icarus is amazing for this like stated above; and you can see sales for Synthmaster which I like, going down this BF which I chalk up to difficult design, cpu hungry, no random, more popular synths added throughout time, and more deliberate synths being made imho, hope they can continue on and innovate...

EDIT: Synthmaster 2 and One were some of my most used synths for a time.

One of the misconceptions, and a very persistent one, is that there’s some duty to use as many features as possible on any given instrument. That’s as silly as being expected to eat everything in a chafing dish at a buffet. Maybe you could, over the span of many visits, but a “monster synth” can be about having a variety of features available, not necessarily having to use them all for every occasion.

[zerocrossing]

Two Pings Only

I’d be happy if they just fixed the interface to run on modern monitors and added MPE.

[zerocrossing]

My broken crystal ball says "two more weeks"

(It only gives me the power to view context clues)

I hear it will come out in two weeks, along with a new healthcare plan.

[zerocrossing]

Is this the first paid Pigments upgrade? I don’t remember what version I bought originally but I think I’ve been getting major releases for a while

I think so. I bought v1 and I’ve never had to pay for an upgrade before now.

[andypryce]

“As with previous updates, Pigments 7 is available for free for existing users, who can update now via Arturia’s Software Center app.” - from post on MusicRadar.

Maybe they are only charging me 69 bucks

Did you misbehave?

[KBSoundSmith]

Is this the first paid Pigments upgrade? I don’t remember what version I bought originally but I think I’ve been getting major releases for a while

I think so. I bought v1 and I’ve never had to pay for an upgrade before now.

It's a free update. I already have it installed and running.

The new filters are really nice, at a quick listen -- I always felt Pigments was a bit on the softer side, these can be pushed into harsher territory but can be used together to color the sound with a lot of variety. I tried running the Reverb filter through Rage variations, some interesting timbres to be had.

[whassup]

So the "I can't talk about it" was about Pigments 7?

[twal]

Maybe the site is not recognizing you own Pigments in the first place and the discount is because you own other products? Wrong account? Glitch? Time to probe them

[darrenr]

Maybe the site is not recognizing you own Pigments in the first place and the discount is because you own other products? Wrong account? Glitch? Time to probe them

I think you guys are right, that offer was just because I own a KeyStep. ASC just downloaded the update no problems. Sounds and looks great!

[twal]

My favorite thing about Current is that it doesn't feel like one of those "monster" do-it-all synths- everything in it feels deliberate and in service with the other functions. It's incredibly deep, but it feels like you never have to search for anything. Experimenting usually makes something sound more interesting and less often like garbled chaos. I think Serum 1 and Pigments are in a similar spot, but Serum 2 has sacrificed that usability a bit in place of more features (and Pigments may end up that way).

For me, the sounds I get from massive synths rarely end up being worth the time or effort, and slightly more focused ones are just more fun. I'm looking forward to trying out Zebra 3 to see how I get on with it.

Come to think of it, I rarely use supersynths for "supersynth" sounds. For most music the sounds are just too much. I use them as preset machines a lot of the time (like most people) and do sound design as well but usually for nothing too over the top. Most of the time I want simpler sounds. Tone2 has nailed sophisticated design, yet fast and playable presets- I've stayed away so far from Current for whatever reason, I think it was the sub thing that put me off at first...

What the OP calls monster synth I think of as a hybrid synth but not in the vintage hardware emulation style. The taking full advantage of software style, usually involves wave tables and a lot of modulation and often samples in some form. Omnisphere, Blue 3, Ana 2, Absynth, Icarus, Pigments, Falcon, Halion, Avenger, Rapid, Current, Serum, Phase Plant, Equator, Zebra (even though no samples), Massive X (same), Dune 3 (same), maybe Kontakt. Some are missing. We all know. Bit of a grey area of course.

I try not to have too many at once as they are typically so darn deep in just doesn’t make sense to have more than a few.

But yeah for 2025, was pretty stoked to see Omnisphere and Absynth updated. Serum update won me over and also finally picked up Dune 3. Not updated this year but just took me a while.

Yeah, I don't think there is really a reason to own so many supersynths. "Simpler" synths and emus have been more interesting to me as of late. LOOSE BRAINSTORM: Most synths will eventually have to have incredible random features, perhaps use AI, (like to use random preset/controls) and be nice and sleek (Absynth 6, Halogen)- Icarus is amazing for this like stated above; and you can see sales for Synthmaster which I like, going down this BF which I chalk up to difficult design, cpu hungry, no random, more popular synths added throughout time, and more deliberate synths being made imho, hope they can continue on and innovate...

EDIT: Synthmaster 2 and One were some of my most used synths for a time.

One of the misconceptions, and a very persistent one, is that there’s some duty to use as many features as possible on any given instrument. That’s as silly as being expected to eat everything in a chafing dish at a buffet. Maybe you could, over the span of many visits, but a “monster synth” can be about having a variety of features available, not necessarily having to use them all for every occasion.

You're right. I prefer to look at it like this- I think people have the misconception that more is better and buffets are optimal, that spreading oneself with a plethora of tools is optimal, and spending time at said buffet, if one is visiting one, is optimal.