Synth recommendation for a newbie

[Halonmusic]

Free is the way to go. Way pay when yo can get great free vsts that sounds great?

Check out Full Buckets collection:

https://www.fullbucket.de/music/vst.html

[JO512]

SEM V is good but not stable with me, so I can't recommend it. The old version was great however.

That's too bad! SEM V seems stable on my setup (Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, 16GB RAM, Core i5 2500 from 2011, MSI motherboard, 2 Samsung EVO SSDs, Reaper, Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd gen, NI Komplete Kontrol S61 MK1). I haven't used it super-extensively yet, however, so maybe it will crash on me at some point. *fingers crossed*

I haven't really had obvious stability problems with any plugins. I have a crash once in a great while, but it doesn't seem to be one company's plugins any more than any other. What I have problems with is DPC latency! I think I have it completely conquered and then it rears its ugly head again for no obvious reason! I probably just need a new and faster machine with a PCI audio interface! And then I'd probably have other problems! An empty bank account for one! And I need the money for more plugins!

[JO512]

Free is the way to go.

There is a lot you can do with free stuff, no doubt. I honestly think I was making more and better music when I was using free stuff! One of the big drawbacks of free plugins is that, with a few exceptions, they are so ugly! Yes, I know, design and marketing teams are expensive! But I am a sucker for a pretty interface! Makes the plugins sound better all by itself! The power of biased perception!

I haven't tried the Full Bucket's stuff. I like Surge and Xhip though, as well as a few others. And I still prefer the free Cloud Seed to most paid reverbs. I do a bit of visual stuff too, and I still can't believe how good Blender is for free software! Amazing! Free doesn't necessarily mean bad!

I just wish I could get a free Linnstrument!

[Tannaliini]

Visual aspect is important also for me. Most ultimate scenario: I like to try stuff with an interface where I can see what I’m doing Since some synths tend to have very small knobs & even smaller text/numbers etc...
Not saying this is the case only with free synths!

Stability: I’ve been testing Serum and it crashes ALL the time (in FL Studio & in Reason). It happens when trying to open sounds via the Brwoser & then getting back to the synth (doesn’t happen if I select sounds on the “narrow” way).

With Synthmaster One I had some crashes (again FL & Reason both). Not as many as with Serum, but still.

Dune3 demo - no problems. Works very nicely. Same with Pigments, no issues. At least not with my testing.

For me, stability is important.

[EnGee]

Yes I agree. Stability is the most important for me as well.

Well, for Synthmaster One, I went and downloaded the beta 2.9 directly. It is stable with Studio One (maybe the One is the reason ), but I could find one bug, very trivial bug! Pitch Bend doesn't reset to middle! But it's only visual

I have assembled my pc about 2 years ago I think! It's running great with Ryzen 1600X and nVidia 1060 (I play games though). The Presonus iTwo audio interface is still running great for more than 3 years now and Presonus is active updating drivers. Still, some synths brings my pc to its knees, like Korg ARP Odyssey (some few presets). I use usually 128 buffer size but with High Performance in Power Options.

From the most stable synths is Sylenth1. This is damn stable in most every DAW. U-he synths also are top notch quality.

Now, for the best value, you can't beat Computer Magazine DVD! You can buy an issue and get great CM synths like Bazille CM, Dune CM, Aalto CM, Sythmaster CM and Curve CM (I might forget something!) Oh and I got Thorn CM, although not sure it's with every issue. All that for like 5.99 pounds (or was it dollars!) Anyway, you get great effects as well, and a punch of samples. Maybe, this is a one step above the free synths if you don't want to spend more money

Not sure about Thorn CM, but it was included in the issue 2018 July. Anyway, to give a taste of Bazille CM, which included in every issue:

[focusrite]

So I just demo'd pigments for the first time and thought the filters were ok. I prefer Hive's and even synthmaster one's SVF filter. Hive seems to have a lot more nonlinearity cooked in. I am really not a fan of the workflow of pigments. There's way too much going on visually and things are not placed intuitively for me. I do love the noise oscillator in analog mode. Hive's unison rips it to shreds IMO.

Watch the number value as you adjust the envelopes (or anything) in Synthmaster one. It's super buggy. You it jumps all over the place, it's near impossible to get it exactly where you want it to be even when holding shift

Knob settings work fine on WIN 10 for me

[Halonmusic]

Free is the way to go.

There is a lot you can do with free stuff, no doubt. I honestly think I was making more and better music when I was using free stuff! One of the big drawbacks of free plugins is that, with a few exceptions, they are so ugly! Yes, I know, design and marketing teams are expensive! But I am a sucker for a pretty interface! Makes the plugins sound better all by itself! The power of biased perception!

I haven't tried the Full Bucket's stuff. I like Surge and Xhip though, as well as a few others. And I still prefer the free Cloud Seed to most paid reverbs. I do a bit of visual stuff too, and I still can't believe how good Blender is for free software! Amazing! Free doesn't necessarily mean bad!

I just wish I could get a free Linnstrument!

Yes Surge and Xhip are great synths. I have to check out Cloud Seed, have heard of it but never tried it myself.

I know some interfaces is not the prettiest, indeed. I do like a good design myself. A free Linnstrument would be cool

[Kwurqx]

A bit off topic...but with some relevance...

On Valdemar Erlingsson - Cloud Seed (not listed as a product on KVR)
https://github.com/ValdemarOrn/CloudSeed

You will need some knowledge (and patience) the get the best results. There are just a few presets. And the whole thing is very flexibele. But with flexibility comes complexity.

You can compare it to opening up the hood (via the Edit button) of (free) Voxengo - OldSkoolVerb (which I suspect few people do).
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/oldsko ... by-voxengo

You have control over things like the individual delay timings and the amount and order of blocks. And then there are the 4 Random seeds. These are actually (potentially huge) numbers that are saved as part of the program, influencing behaviour.

Be carefull not to (internally) overdrive it...or you will get crackles (clipping peaks, I guess). Not unique for this tool. Other FX and synths may suffer from this too.

[peakles]

Hi there! yeah, I'm playing with some demos - pigments included, which is available for 2 months. Then I have some time to get used to it or to choose another one. Stability is definitelly essential for me as well. =) And I also like desing, I think that it is important to me to enjoy the instrument I'm studying in...

But I got really curious about this:

Now, for the best value, you can't beat Computer Magazine DVD! You can buy an issue and get great CM synths like Bazille CM, Dune CM, Aalto CM, Sythmaster CM and Curve CM (I might forget something!) Oh and I got Thorn CM, although not sure it's with every issue. All that for like 5.99 pounds (or was it dollars!) Anyway, you get great effects as well, and a punch of samples. Maybe, this is a one step above the free synths if you don't want to spend more money

Not sure about Thorn CM, but it was included in the issue 2018 July. Anyway, to give a taste of Bazille CM, which included in every issue:

What are the differences between the "regular" synths and the "CM" ones? As far as I could read they functions simmilarly to the "original" ones but with less resources, is that right? Thanks!

[Kumi_27]

What are the differences between the "regular" synths and the "CM" ones? As far as I could read they functions simmilarly to the "original" ones but with less resources, is that right? Thanks!

Yes, they are more or less limited compared to the full versions.
They might have less or no onboard fx, less modulation options, limited polyphony, 3 oscillators instead of 4 or something like that. Depends of the developer of the CM version.
For example, Dune CM has no effects and only one modulation matrix page, compared to full Dune v1.

PS. There's also Dune BE (Beat Edition), with full mod matrix and only without effects

[peakles]

Yes, they are more or less limited compared to the full versions.
They might have less or no onboard fx, less modulation options, limited polyphony, 3 oscillators instead of 4 or something like that. Depends of the developer of the CM version.
For example, Dune CM has no effects and only one modulation matrix page, compared to full Dune v1.

PS. There's also Dune BE (Beat Edition), with full mod matrix and only without effects

Great! Thanks a lot for replying! =)

[EnGee]

Yes they are of course less than the full versions as Kumi_27 stated. But they are absolutely great! From my experience:

- Bazille CM has two oscillators instead of four in the full version. The full version has high quality mode. But still, Bazille CM is great sounding synth. It has mind blowing step sequencer! It is a complex synth though and the learning curve is high little bit. It is a great intro also for those synths with cable modulations instead of the Matrix (I have the full version). I recommend the Groove 3 tutorial for the full version. It is the best I could find

- Aalto CM is monophonic while the full version is polyphonic. Still, great especially for weird sounds. It is based on Buchla synth, so it got very unique FM oscillator. I sometimes prefer the monophonic! Because it uses much less CPU!

- Dune CM is identical to Dune 1 but with half the modulations matrix slots and without effects. To be honest, I like the interface and workflow more than Dune 2 and Dune 3 (I have both). It is the oldest Dune, so the GUI is not big. Still, it is a great sounding synth .
Now, Dune 3 is a killer synth. It has killer effects (really high quality effects) and the filters are second to none. The sound quality is top notch. The learning curve is not high, but the workflow needs some getting used to. No visual feedback though, so for beginners, it might not be so friendly. Still, it has a beautiful GUI.



- Thorn CM is a crazy gift!! It has very few differences from full version. 2 oscillators instead of 3 and effects can't be re-positioned. I think this is all. Oh, and for me I take the CM version above the full version because of the protection! CM version doesn't need a protection! While the full version needs a software to be installed and being online (something like NI native access i suppose). I still use the CM version, but I don't have the full version.

- SynthMaster CM was buggy when I tested it. Anyway, the full version is amazing (I'm thinking of crossgrading from SynthMaster One). SynthMaster (not One) is a complex synth geared originally to the dance crowd. I had version 2.7 and sold it, but the 2.9 version seems so good (damn! I feel the GAS again!).

There are also some effects that I still use in Reaper (for example). Very handy and top notch like Toneboosters limiter CM and some reverbs. Just buy the DVD, you won't regret it, but as I said I'm not sure if Thorn CM is included in every issue. Anyway, it is less than 5 pounds (about $8 NZD, just bought the June issue now!). Yes, it is included

[peakles]

Yes they are of course less than the full versions as Kumi_27 stated. But they are absolutely great! From my experience:

- Bazille CM has two oscillators instead of four in the full version. The full version has high quality mode. But still, Bazille CM is great sounding synth. It has mind blowing step sequencer! It is a complex synth though and the learning curve is high little bit. It is a great intro also for those synths with cable modulations instead of the Matrix (I have the full version). I recommend the Groove 3 tutorial for the full version. It is the best I could find

- Aalto CM is monophonic while the full version is polyphonic. Still, great especially for weird sounds. It is based on Buchla synth, so it got very unique FM oscillator. I sometimes prefer the monophonic! Because it uses much less CPU!

- Dune CM is identical to Dune 1 but with half the modulations matrix slots and without effects. To be honest, I like the interface and workflow more than Dune 2 and Dune 3 (I have both). It is the oldest Dune, so the GUI is not big. Still, it is a great sounding synth .
Now, Dune 3 is a killer synth. It has killer effects (really high quality effects) and the filters are second to none. The sound quality is top notch. The learning curve is not high, but the workflow needs some getting used to. No visual feedback though, so for beginners, it might not be so friendly. Still, it has a beautiful GUI.



- Thorn CM is a crazy gift!! It has very few differences from full version. 2 oscillators instead of 3 and effects can't be re-positioned. I think this is all. Oh, and for me I take the CM version above the full version because of the protection! CM version doesn't need a protection! While the full version needs a software to be installed and being online (something like NI native access i suppose). I still use the CM version, but I don't have the full version.

- SynthMaster CM was buggy when I tested it. Anyway, the full version is amazing (I'm thinking of crossgrading from SynthMaster One). SynthMaster (not One) is a complex synth geared originally to the dance crowd. I had version 2.7 and sold it, but the 2.9 version seems so good (damn! I feel the GAS again!).

There are also some effects that I still use in Reaper (for example). Very handy and top notch like Toneboosters limiter CM and some reverbs. Just buy the DVD, you won't regret it, but as I said I'm not sure if Thorn CM is included in every issue. Anyway, it is less than 5 pounds (about $8 NZD, just bought the June issue now!). Yes, it is included

Hey! Thank you VERY much for the comprehensive explanation. =) I would just like to confirm. I can just buy the latest CM issue (or can I buy, for example the April issue?) and I can download the synths, is that right? Do you buy it in which website? I found just the print versions. (e.g. https://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/ ... ck-issues/ )

Thanks again!!

[EnGee]

You're welcome Just buy the latest one if you want. I bought it here:
https://www.zinio.com/gb/computer-music-m3730 then you go to https://www.filesilo.co.uk/ to register your magazine (they ask you about a specific word in a page), then when you register, you can download the contents

[peakles]

You're welcome Just buy the latest one if you want. I bought it here:
https://www.zinio.com/gb/computer-music-m3730 then you go to https://www.filesilo.co.uk/ to register your magazine (they ask you about a specific word in a page), then when you register, you can download the contents

Great! Thanks again!!