Surge vs top free/paid synths

[EvilDragon]

I don't own Serum so cannot really test that, unfortunately. But again, if you set the Window parameter to Rectangular, it will import the wavetable cleanly, as far as I can tell from the stuff I have installed.

If you just used the default state of Window oscillator, then yes it won't import cleanly because triangular window is applied by default...

[Andreya_Autumn]

I'm wondering if perhaps you may be overthinking this.

Is it important that the output waveform *looks* the same on a scope?
Why, if so?

If not, are you looking for exactly the same *sound*?
If so, you need to consider that different anti-aliasing strategies and other DSP details will create subtly different sounds for the same input data. Serum 2 and our WT oscillator are not the same code, and will not give you *exactly* the same result. Removing the DC filter would not change that.

The DC filter itself also will not, in the overwhelming majority of cases, meaningfully change the sound of the continuous wave. The only difference you would hear is a loud THUMP at the start of a note, assuming a fast enough attack to hear it. Like ED said, that difference does not seem useful enough to warrant the switch you're asking for. And again, it would not do what you seem to think it would.

[EvilDragon]

Besides, if all wavetable synths were reading the wavetables the same way, it would be really very boring.

[vanerio]

Well, if I am pretending to use my wavetables, I want them as they are. Don't want to be forced to use a filter. It doesn't feel good to me, that is just my opinion. Of course you don't care and that is OK. But I care. As I said before this is not only visual either.

Thank you very much EvilDragon! You are right, using Rectangular Window is a workaround there. I did something wrong before.

[Seluvis]

Surge can easily go head to head with a lot of commercial Synths, the fact that it is free and being updated by a dedicated community only adds to its potential.
The range of sounds Surge can produce places it in a very respectable position.
It was also ahead of its time in many ways.

[ksandvik]

Surge XT is amazing, a no-brainer to install.

[tekpumper]

I wish i could get into VCV Rack more, like a randomise feature. Apart from that it's probably the deepest Free-ish Plugin

[Echoes in the Attic]

Surge is a fine synth, but is many years old. If you like the sound, use it, but most of the payware out there arguably has better-sounding, newer filters and oscillators.

Don't forget that not everything in Surge is old. It also has newer filters and newer oscillators and newer FX, that are demonstratably higher quality than what was in Surge originally...

(Exception being the Alias oscillator but that one is intentionally made to do what it does!)

Do the factory presets mostly make use of the new oscs and filters? I can’t say the raw sound quality appeals to me much but I think the features and design are great.

[havran]

For those with more experience across the board with software synths: how does Surge compre with other big free and paid names (e.g., Vital, Pigments, Massive X, etc..)?

The fact that it’s open source makes me think it could be incredible since there’s so much potentially helpful and creative support available- but I don’t hear of it mentioned very often- so maybe it’s not?

Curious to your opinions on it

To do what? To sound how?

[EvilDragon]

Do the factory presets mostly make use of the new oscs and filters? I can’t say the raw sound quality appeals to me much but I think the features and design are great.

Things are very much all over the place. But yes there's a greater chance if you see something new in 3rd party patches section that it's using the newer features, that's par for course. Not always, but oftentimes.

[soundman007]

the fact that it is free and being updated by a dedicated community only adds to its potential.

But it has been on version 1.3.4 for I don't know how long

[ksandvik]

1.3.4 still sounds good, no need to worry about sound quality and version levels, if it's good it is good.

[emef]

the fact that it is free and being updated by a dedicated community only adds to its potential.

But it has been on version 1.3.4 for I don't know how long

have you tried the nightly builds?
https://github.com/surge-synthesizer/su ... ag/Nightly

[EvilDragon]

We are ramping up for 1.4 most likely this Summer A lot of things have happened!

[Andreya_Autumn]

Well, if I am pretending to use my wavetables, I want them as they are. Don't want to be forced to use a filter...
... Of course you don't care and that is OK.

Right. I do understand where you're coming from. It's also totally fine to me if you like the WT synthesis in Serum 2 more than Surge (I would probably agree). I/we do actually care though! It's just I'm 99% sure the difference you're hearing isn't because of the DC filter.

Here's the thing: The only time you get your wavetables "as they are" is if you play them back as a plain audio file at their native sample rate. To get different pitches, morph between frames, minimize aliasing, etc etc... every wavetable synth uses some kind of interpolation and anti-aliasing strategy. The sound/character you hear in Surge's WT osc is the sound of the BLIT strategy it uses. Serum chose a different one and therefore sounds different. If you don't like Surge's sound right now, I can practically guarantee you would still dislike it without the DC filter. Maybe more even, due to the DC thumps.

Just want that to be clear also for anyone else reading this. Again, totally fine if you prefer something else!