Synthmaster - why is it so cheap sold?

[atya]

Long time SM (1&2) user here who just happens to love the sound of those synths even though I've spent more time with VPS Avenger lately, mainly because of the granular feature and the fact that they finally dropped Codemeter . Soundwise though I'd still give a slight nod to Synthmaster 2 ... I'm simply getting more goosebumps out of the latter ... YMMV.

[chk071]

I feel like it is a capable synth and I enjoy using it, it can sound good, but I do find more often than not it seems to be lacking in a certain "sonic depth" that I find in other synths. For example Massive X just has a weight to it that I don't quite reach as often with Synthmaster. Just in my experience.

I am glad to have it as a tool though.

I agree. Might be just something subjective, but, I find it very mediocre sounding. It lacks character. One of those synths where I would find myself way too often dialing in EQ and saturation.

[LeVzi]

I just wish there was an easier way to get updates , like a central installer (Softube, arturia, izotope etc) for SM ONE and SM 2 and player, and keep your expansions all in one downloader.

I hope the next version gets something like that, because the hardest thing I find is keeping up with all the updates, the dev is a machine with updating the synths. Probably the most active guy for it I know.

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

I work with both Synthmasters last few years and still enjoy how advanced and same time friendly architecture is,but also wonder why kv331 don't explain widely how capable these synthesizers are.
I wouldn't know it if i wasn't sound designer,normal users are not interesting about workflow,modulations so on,just want nice sounds.
Both are capable of crazy twisted sound, not many synths have so much modulation sources via other modulators.
Man get impression that they don't know how good product they have:)
No idea why is so humble everything with them
Weak point is fx section,some build fx are top notch,other not so in my opinion.
Cheers

[JonSolo]

One of the best soft synths ever.

[Caine123]

i wonder is synthmaster one not in synthmaster 2? or what is the difference?

[Examigan]

Niowiad explains the differences pretty well here:

viewtopic.php?t=505179

[zvenx]

I think SM3 is suppose to somewhat merge the two? That is SM3 should be able to play back SMOne and SM2 presets...
Or maybe i am just misremembering.
rsp

[SparkySpark]

I think SM3 is suppose to somewhat merge the two? That is SM3 should be able to play back SMOne and SM2 presets...
Or maybe i am just misremembering.
rsp

Well, if you add SM 1 to SM 2, I guess you'd get SM 3.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[SparkySpark]

...normal users are not interesting about workflow,modulations so on,just want nice sounds.
Both are capable of crazy twisted sound, not many synths have so much modulation sources via other modulators. ...

Interesting, I guess I need to make more of an effort with the SM's.

[dmbaer]

No idea why is so humble everything with them

You might be inclined to humility too if your wife had a PhD in electrical engineering.

[felis]

....That alas wouldn't change its impression of it being a cheap synth..
Rsp

Maybe I'm reading your posts wrong, but it sounds like you think that people don't appreciate a good deal when they run across one.

[zvenx]

I am saying that if a Ferrari was priced at $40,000 instead of $140,000, it wouldn't have the prestige it has now.

It makes synthmaster seem like a cheap synth that doesn't really compare with the more expensive synths.

That this thread even exists, lends credence to that to me.

Rsp

[chk071]

Hey... I guess we can discuss all day long about the dev selling himself short, but, Synthmaster seems to be a big success for him, so, who can prove him wrong.

I wished all soft synths would be priced like that. Obviously, it's possible to make good business with such prices.

Frankly, 99 € would be a good price for a soft synth for me. I rarely paid more, buying in sales mostly. 150 to 200 € is pretty expensive. Already get some cheap hardware for that. And, if you consider that something like Studio One is about 390 €, that would be two soft synths for a whole virtual studio environment, including instruments and effects. Bit excessive.

[vata44]

I am saying that if a Ferrari was priced at $40,000 instead of $140,000, it wouldn't have the prestige it has now.

It makes synthmaster seem like a cheap synth that doesn't really compare with the more expensive synths.

That this thread even exists, lends credence to that to me.

Rsp

While I see where you’re coming from about perceived value vs scarcity value. I think what is rather interesting about software vs anything hardware like a car or something, is once the software is created, minus future update costs (management, bugs, added features, etc). The product VERY low marginal costs to produce copies to sell. At that point it’s a serial number generated with a push of a button, I imagine, or an entry into some database and a key created.

I think it’s a super wise move to sell something globally at a reasonably lower price than try to corner a niche market. For so many people around the world $50 is actually a lot of thinkable money to spend on a synthesizer. A noise making device that has nothing to do with survival or being able to make rent….

For those that have extra money and buy DAWS and dabble in their luxury free time, or careers and then want to expand out some day. I believe a relatively highly reviewed inexpensive synth might just be their first purchase outside of their DAWs package. Seems much easier to gamble on well regarded $50 toy / tool rather than stepping into a Ferrari like Falcon, Halion, Omnisphere, etc.

Synthmaster is a great synth, lots of potential for a creative person. It’s sound isn’t always as rich or deep as I’d like, and I think if the GUI had a little organizational change, it will be a super famous synth. If VSTs ever gain fame status.