Surge vs top free/paid synths

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EvilDragon wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 9:25 pm You won't find Python API on practically anything commercial out there.
That's a feature, not a bug! :D

Really, all it needs is good GUI scaling. Feature-wise, it's quite complete for the average plonk.
I started on Logic 5 with a PowerBook G4 550Mhz. I now have a MacBook Air M1 and it's ~165x faster! So, why is my music not proportionally better? :(

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vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 6:08 pm For example, if I import a perfect Saw, the 3D shows it correctly, but the actual waveform is filtered with what seems to be a very low frequency high pass filter, and ends in a different waveform than the one that was imported.
Did you try disabling the scene highpass? It's next to the waveshaper (for some reason :) ), right click and press "enabled" to turn it off.

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Andreya_Autumn wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 7:28 pm
vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 6:08 pm For example, if I import a perfect Saw, the 3D shows it correctly, but the actual waveform is filtered with what seems to be a very low frequency high pass filter, and ends in a different waveform than the one that was imported.
Did you try disabling the scene highpass? It's next to the waveshaper (for some reason :) ), right click and press "enabled" to turn it off.

Yes, but it does nothing regarding to this waveform/wavetable filtering. Is seems like a default DC filter or something, but I can find a way to disable it.

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vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 6:08 pm('Classic sawtooth' also has this "filtered" shape by default).
Classic and Wavetable oscs have a DC filter at the end by design, you cannot remove it, hence the belly in the waveform. Use Modern oscillator instead (note it is higher CPU usage).

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EvilDragon wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 10:57 pm
vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 6:08 pm('Classic sawtooth' also has this "filtered" shape by default).
Classic and Wavetable oscs have a DC filter at the end by design, you cannot remove it, hence the belly in the waveform. Use Modern oscillator instead (note it is higher CPU usage).

Thank you for the information and confirming!
If I may give my opinion, I think that this filter should be optional, if anything. I believe it's important to respect the imported content (even more if this is what the user desires). However, I respect this decision if it is final.

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EvilDragon wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 1:46 pm It's not for beginners, but it rewards patience with very fast workflow once you "get it". And IMO, it doesn't really take all that long to "get it".
:tu:
No auto tune...

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vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 11:12 pmThank you for the information and confirming!
If I may give my opinion, I think that this filter should be optional, if anything. I believe it's important to respect the imported content (even more if this is what the user desires). However, I respect this decision if it is final.
It's there for a good reason IIRC, I don't think it's a good idea to remove it, even if it's optional.

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EvilDragon wrote: Wed May 27, 2026 8:11 am
vanerio wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 11:12 pmThank you for the information and confirming!
If I may give my opinion, I think that this filter should be optional, if anything. I believe it's important to respect the imported content (even more if this is what the user desires). However, I respect this decision if it is final.
It's there for a good reason IIRC, I don't think it's a good idea to remove it, even if it's optional.

Well, if you mean that this is beneficial due to Surge’s own nature, I'll trust you.
But mathematically and sonically, this is totally unnecessary and thousands of other synths prove that.
To be honest, this is a significant decision, and a synth should never force it on the user if they decide otherwise IMO.

Even mathematically and sonically this decision makes a big impact when using RM or PM when using waveforms with DC, as they will be drastically changed. For example, this is the same wave filtered and unfiltered. Modulation will be drastically different.
filter.png
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You can chalk it up to "character" ;)

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EvilDragon wrote: Wed May 27, 2026 9:09 am You can chalk it up to "character" ;)

Wouldn't it be even more "Maximalist" if this was optional? 8)
Python scripting and maximum freedom but enforcing a filter seems weird!
Is this OK if I make a formal FR in GitHub?

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OK I just checked how things sound when removing the highpass. It's not good at all, you get low end thumps on note release in Classic and Wavetable oscillators if it's not there.

So, no, we won't be adding that option, sorry. I think this is inherently tied to the fact that both Classic and Wavetable oscillators are using BLIT method for waveform generation.

By the way, Window oscillator doesn't have this highpass (and also it doesn't use BLIT). If you set the Window type to Rectangular, you will get the wavetable as is (somewhat reduced in volume though).
Last edited by EvilDragon on Wed May 27, 2026 10:30 am, edited 1 time in total.

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The presence of a DC offset in a modulation can be replicated 100% with the addition of a fixed offset.

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Here is an electric bass patch that has become my 1st call thanks to Surge XT...

The string oscillator is in front of the WT oscillator and that's the key to the sound....

The WT is the electric bass from NI Massive and it's OK, but it's the exciter that makes the patch come alive...

This is the basic patch I just adjust the parameters as needed...

Try it and see :wink:

It's so simple....

You don't need GB's of samples clogging up your system when you have all of these great oscillator choices available to you in Surge XT :tu:
BAS Aj Elec Burst MA.zip
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Last edited by digitalboytn on Wed May 27, 2026 11:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
No auto tune...

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ampetrosillo wrote: Wed May 27, 2026 10:30 am The presence of a DC offset in a modulation can be replicated 100% with the addition of a fixed offset.
This is not true. A filter is not mathematically a substraction. So adding a value does not replicate it.

Sorry I misunderstood. The DC filter we are talking about is not in modulation, so cannot be fixed by adding a value to compensate.
Last edited by vanerio on Wed May 27, 2026 11:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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EvilDragon wrote: Wed May 27, 2026 10:27 am OK I just checked how things sound when removing the highpass. It's not good at all, you get low end thumps on note release in Classic and Wavetable oscillators if it's not there.

So, no, we won't be adding that option, sorry. I think this is inherently tied to the fact that both Classic and Wavetable oscillators are using BLIT method for waveform generation.

By the way, Window oscillator doesn't have this highpass (and also it doesn't use BLIT). If you set the Window type to Rectangular, you will get the wavetable as is (somewhat reduced in volume though).
It's a shame to be honest... I thought this could be resolved :(.
Window oscillator doesn't work for what I'm looking for (importing a wavetable cleanly). The results are completely different for some wavetables (for example try to import Serum 2's default wavetable).
Anyway, I really appreciate your time!!

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