Best soft synth for beginners? Reaktor 6/Dune 2/Omnisphere/Zebra 2?

[pottering]

Kadenze has a great free course for learning synthesis using Reaktor:

https://www.kadenze.com/courses/sound-s ... aktor/info

[Distorted Horizon]

But hive uses only 2 oscs? does this not also restricted the possibilities?
In addition, hive should not sound particularly warm. is that correct?
Maybe I just download the demo version

2 main oscs and 2 sub oscs. Depends about the DAW you're using but for example BWS and Live make layering pretty easy When it comes to sound, the "warmth" or "coldness" is usually pretty much dependant about the user, not the synth.

[Cinebient]

What DAW do you use? Mostly each DAW today comes already with a few soft synths.
Otherwise i would pick Dune 2 from these.
Of course you demoed them already and should know the answer now.
Omnisphere 2 is in general the best from my view for all kind of sounds and genres.
Happy searching....

[Elektronisch]

Zebra 2 and Dune 2 are both easy and user friendly.

I understand Zebra 2 might be a turn off because it offers alot in 1 screen. But make no mistake Zebra 2 is a lot simplier then it looks.

Unlike most of synths that has multiple synth modes (fm, subtractive and ect) Zebra has those in modules where us for example in Dune 2 you have to select in a dropdown menu. If you get the structure of the Zebra 2 its fairly easy to get an overview and use it like a regular synth. Right side is for generators +filters, left side is modulation, middle is routing, bottom fx and filters.

If you add lets say 2 subtractive oscs, another envelope and filter you basicly "built" yourself fairly simple synth thats easy to program and make patches.

[deastman]

I would start with Dune 2, because it is easy to use, sounds good, and is very flexible. After you feel that you've exhausted all that Dune 2 has to offer, then you might want to consider picking up Reaktor.

[Aloysius]

I would start with a synth that's very popular if you want to find plenty of tutorials on Groove3, YouTube and other sources.

[V0RT3X]

if you take the time to learn Zebra, you will be well rewarded. It can teach you a lot about VA,wavetable synthesis, FM, Physical modelling etc.

Another option to learn later would be U-he Bazille, and while it might not be as beginner friendly as zebra, it can compliment Zebra2 quite nicely.

Edit: I know lots of people are saying Zebra is complex, but you have to remember that it's only as complex as you want it to be. You can do a whole lot with just one OSC in Zebra, and if you don't believe me then check out Zebralette (which you get for FREE when you download the Zebra2 demo).

One of the best perks of Zebra2 is the low CPU usage and high sound quality.


Here are some good sound examples of Zebra2 at it's best.

[EnGee]

I would go with Dune 2 as well. It is a great synth and can do most everything. It is a very capable synth, and you won't outgrow it!

You can treat it as a subtractive synth at first and learn the basics using one layer, then you can build more complex sounds using wavetables, FM and more layers!

Other similar options to Dune 2 to consider are Spire, Massive and Largo IMO. They are all have nice GUI and sound and can be used as subtractive synths or/and wavetable synths.

[jpga]

Omnisphere 2 the only synth you need.

[Tearing Riots]

I really like the idea of starting out with reaktor. It´s a steeper curve, you need to be a bit more technically inclined but you´re learning the real thing.

[fmr]

I really like the idea of starting out with reaktor. It´s a steeper curve, you need to be a bit more technically inclined but you´re learning the real thing.

I already said that Reaktor would be a good start. Not starting by building his own Ensembles, of course (a long path has to be done before that). But the Library has things like Soundschool Analog, whose ancester was the basic tool for a series of articles by Peter Gorges teaching the basics of synthesis, Nanowave, which is a good wavetable synth, Junatik, a very simple synth inspired in Roland Juno series, the Green Matrix, a traditional subtractive with three oscillators and a very complex matrix modulation, Sum Synth (additive), Carbon, Kaleidon, Steam Pipe, FM4 and FM4 dual (Frequency Modulation), etc.

These alone will give him material to learn basically ALL that is there to learn about many synhtesis techniques. And if he wants more, the legacy libraries and the User library have countless examples in basically ANY synthesis technique that exists.

Reaktor is like an entire universe, and is the best for someone who wants to start "from zero to eternity". Of those mentioned in the OP, the only one that could rival, in terms of flexibility, but even that at a considerable distance, is Zebra 2. But Zebra is very complex to start with for a newbie.

Omnisphere is essentially a ROMpler, very expensive, and from the pont of view of synthesis versatility is miles behind. Even Dune has more to offer than it.

[ew]

I really like the idea of starting out with reaktor. It´s a steeper curve, you need to be a bit more technically inclined but you´re learning the real thing.

I already said that Reaktor would be a good start. Not starting by building his own Ensembles, of course (a long path has to be done before that). But the Library has things like Soundschool Analog, whose ancester was the basic tool for a series of articles by Peter Gorges teaching the basics of synthesis, Nanowave, which is a good wavetable synth, Junatik, a very simple synth inspired in Roland Juno series, the Green Matrix, a traditional subtractive with three oscillators and a very complex matrix modulation, Sum Synth (additive), Carbon, Kaleidon, Steam Pipe, FM4 and FM4 dual (Frequency Modulation), etc.

These alone will give him material to learn basically ALL that is there to learn about many synhtesis techniques. And if he wants more, the legacy libraries and the User library have countless examples in basically ANY synthesis technique that exists.

Reaktor is like an entire universe, and is the best for someone who wants to start "from zero to eternity". Of those mentioned in the OP, the only one that could rival, in terms of flexibility, but even that at a considerable distance, is Zebra 2. But Zebra is very complex to start with for a newbie.

Omnisphere is essentially a ROMpler, very expensive, and from the pont of view of synthesis versatility is miles behind. Even Dune has more to offer than it.

^ This ^

ew

[Vell Muziq]

Take Sylenth1 it's classic VA synth.Next month buy my E.M.P soundset when it is released - hundreds of presets,all you will ever need for EDM :)Brutal advertising muahahaha

[V0RT3X]

One downside to using some of the older Reaktor library ensembles is that they really vary in sound quality and ease of use. Don't get me wrong, Reaktor is incredibly powerful to those who know how to take advantage of it and you get incredible value for your money. However with that said, it is confusing for a newbie and takes a considerable amount of time to learn and get the best results out of it.

Furthermore as much as I love the quirky stuff in the UL, I think that some of the best sounding reaktor ensembles are ones that require you to pay extra for (Monark, Razor, Form, etc). So if you want something with the quality of Zebra2, Dune2 or even Omnisphere, then you need to buy those because trying to program something similar in Reaktor would be incredibly difficult (maybe even impossible).

The OP could start with Reaktor, learn it's quirks and then eventually get Dune2 or Zebra2 for a quick workhorse VA. But If they want a quick but powerful synthesizer system to learn i would NOT recommend Reaktor in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, Reaktor is a MUST-HAVE Imo, but it can be an intimidating thing to start with.

Another real bonus to using Zebra or Dune is the optimization that goes on in the engines, which afaik you don't often get in Reaktor unless the ensemble builder is really really good and this usually means you have to buy it.

[egbert101]

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