Non-emulation VA synth recommendations.

[zzz00m]

I don't think people actually calculate sin though, they'd have a lookup which would in essence be the same as a waveform/sample of sin.

You should read Urs Heckmann's (u-he) blog on the topic.

To oversimplify a complex topic, Urs doesn't literally calculate a sine wave or look it up. He actually calculates the behavior of analog circuit components that create an analog waveform. Hence the term analog modeling.

https://urs.silvrback.com/analogue-modeling

"My understanding of analogue modeling in the most simple terms is this: In analogue modeling we use formulas that deal with voltages and currents. These formulas are furthermore based on the understanding of the electronic components used in a circuit, and how they're wired up."

[Uncle E]

It was about two months. We were among the first to introduce native M1 support for our plugins, and long before most DAWs supported native M1 plugins to begin with.

Richard

King

[Uncle E]

I'm sure there's more than one way to do it. I don't think people actually calculate sin though, they'd have a lookup which would in essence be the same as a waveform/sample of sin.

Forgive me if I’m missing your point but analog synths don’t output true sine waves.

[WatchTheGuitar]

In response to the Urs quotes…

That’s narrowing the definition of what a VA synth is to just ones that model existing circuit behaviours e.g. a WASP style filter or a SH-101 style VCO. That may well be someone’s definition of what a VA synth is or seeing it as “VA done right”, but it’s not necessarily the only game in town. Anyone can make a fake analog synth by outputting a sine wave and adding some pseudo-random slop and there must be countless other ways of emulating analog without going near circuit modelling.

[zzz00m]

In response to the Urs quotes…

That’s narrowing the definition of what a VA synth is to just ones that model existing circuit behaviours e.g. a WASP style filter or a SH-101 style VCO. That may well be someone’s definition of what a VA synth is or seeing it as “VA done right”, but it’s not necessarily the only game in town. Anyone can make a fake analog synth by outputting a sine wave and adding some pseudo-random slop and there must be countless other ways of emulating analog without going near circuit modelling.

By that argument, It would appear that something like IK Syntronik is a great VA synth...

[chk071]

Considering that VA is a term which existed long before sophisticated circuit simulation, I think it's safe to assume that it basically... means shit. It means that you emulate the sound of analog in digital. Nothing more, nothing less.

Funny how such an innocent question as in the OP can create such almost philosophical discussions though.

I couldn't care less how this is achieved, by the way. But, I surely appreciate that nowadays tech has become that good that software is a real alternative for people who want to work in the box, or can't or don't want to afford the real deal.

[WatchTheGuitar]

By that argument, It would appear that something like IK Syntronik is a great VA synth...

But, however (un)successful it is at it, they are all emulations of existing synths.

[zzz00m]

Funny, but I've owned a hardware Roland JV-1080 since the 90's, and never considered it a virtual analog synth, even though it can "emulate" the sound of one. There are many digital synths that can sound analog. What about the Nord Lead?

Just thinking that it would be nice to have generally accepted definition for the term VA... but that's obviously futile at KVR...

[zzz00m]

By that argument, It would appear that something like IK Syntronik is a great VA synth...

But, however (un)successful it is at it, they are all emulations of existing synths.

So there you go, trying to twist the thread back onto the original topic!

[chk071]

Just thinking that it would be nice to have generally accepted definition for the term VA... but that's obviously futile at KVR...

I think the definition is pretty much in the term.

It really doesn't matter what is under the hood. Especially as the end user won't even know what's under the hood anyway.

Although in terms of analog modelled filters, ZDF filters seem to be the only way possible to get "real" analog behavior from digital filters. However the actual tech is working, which I wouldn't understand anyway.

[zzz00m]

Although in terms of analog modelled filters, ZDF filters seem to be the only way possible to get "real" analog behavior from digital filters. However the actual tech is working, which I wouldn't understand anyway.

[BONES]

There are many digital synths that can sound analog. What about the Nord Lead?

Exactly! V/A, as a term, was around for years before VSTi existed. Nord Lead is the obvious one, and I think it was Nord who coined the term, but Yamha's AN1x was a V/A that didn't seek to emulate anything in particular, as was Virus.

[revvy]

VA, emulating analogue, with subtractive synthesis, oscillators, filters and so on.

Oh what fun the first time I jammed on a Nord Lead 1 at Sonar festival, back in simpler days.

[digitalboytn]

Although in terms of analog modelled filters, ZDF filters seem to be the only way possible to get "real" analog behavior from digital filters. However the actual tech is working, which I wouldn't understand anyway.

That pretty much sums up this thread...

It doesn't matter what category you want to put any synth into....

That is totally irrelevant and a waste of precious time..

The bottom line is the sound that it creates and how you utilise that sound in your music ....

Keep it simple stupid

[Uncle E]

I don’t know, ZDF filters is an absolute minimum for me at this point. Filters make a huge difference. You can say it’s all tech babble and that’s fine, I just personally don’t want to go back.