UAD PolyMAX - This thing is Sick

[vitocorleone123]

PolyMax sounds great - better than many analog synths. Since it isn't actually emulating anything, who cares how analog it sounds if it sounds great? I sure don't. I easily choose PolyMax over several analog emulation synths I have based on sound quality... but I'd choose it more easily if it had just a touch more modulation (e.g., even 2 modulation slots like Repro).

Well, yeah... PolyMAX is ridiculously limited for modulation. I'd be bored with it in 2 hours.

If you think it sounds great, have at it. I think it sounds very good but a bit on the bland side and I've got half a dozen synths+ that sound as good in their own way and which are sonically far more flexible and interesting.

There's no reason for a software synth that, as you say, isn't even a specific emulation, to be so limited. It's a weird affectation.

I don’t have a lot that sound as good - because there’s aren’t a lot that sound as good (I’ve used a lot of soft synths and have quite a few, too). But there’s definitely several that do. I agree that it’s not super analog drifty sounding (which is a good thing since I have plenty of those, including analog hardware) - kinda “DCO” style or digital through analog filters combo I really like.

The designer’s intent was a great sounding synth that’s super easy to dial in basic sounds. They did that really really well. Too well, maybe, because they also lost sight of actual users, I think. A few mod slots would’ve gone a long way. Opal is a better overall synth, but not quite as simple to use.

[Uncle E]

Opal freebie when?

[zerocrossing]

Ok, so from my perspective, here's where they fall a little short as instruments:

1. No MIDI Learn

2. Hardwired MIDI assignments - this is even worse than having no MIDI learn

3. Not all GUI parameters are automatable. There are quite a few things on the Minimoog at least that can't be automated or controlled by a control surface.

4. Plugins sound "good" but not "best in class" good. Example: the Rhodes isn't great. The Hammond doesn't even stack up to the IK version. Neither IMO stack up to Acoustic Samples VTines and B5 respectively. I've never even bothered to try their piano. Have that well-covered.

5. audiouser720 says the VCA in Polymax saturates when pushed. Great! Now where's the clean output volume trim to dial the volume back after boosting the VCA? Oh right. There isn't one! You'd need to use another plugin afterwards.

6. Opening the browser, moves the GUI to the right. That's just weird and just bothers me.

They're pretty good instruments overall, and sound good, but they're not as good at being instrument plugins as their FX are at being FX plugins if you get what I mean.

I also don't agree that PolyMax has the same level of character as the new Prophet Rev 4's. I have both and PolyMax is much more refined (which was a good word choice) sounding. Nowhere near as sloppy as the Rev 4 from a voice variation perspective. Nowhere near as much drive at normal output levels.

What are genuinely best in class sounding plugin synths in your opinion? Genuinely asking

It really depends on what you're talking about. If you're talking about a plugin that's trying to pass itself off as an analog synth, that's one thing. If you're talking about a synthesizer in general, that's a totally different thing. The truth is, almost all software synthesizers sound good these days. Whether or not they have the kind of character you like, well that's another story.

The first scenario, definitely. Pass itself off as an analogue synth.

In that case… (I’m no particular order)

Repro
The Synapse Audio emulations
The newer Arturia emulations
The Softube emulations
Knifonium
Strobe II
Cypher II
Polymax
The newer GForce emulations
Roland Cloud emulations

Don’t even start with fxpansion. Those 2 were the absolute best. Always makes me so angry. Never gone forgive for abandoning them

Cypher 2 is one of my most used plugins. Still working great for me in Windows 10. You can still buy it. Why do you think it’s abandoned?

[zvenx]

Because there hasn't been any update, no vst3, is it even apple silicon native? Since Angus left, what two years ago?
Last update Feb 25th 2021
So it may still work on most systems. Still works on my Intel mac and pc, but I have stopped using them because I expect one day it will stop. So I have weaned myself off them.
If one day there is a new update I would be happy and for sure calling it abandoned won't be true.
Btw alchemy still works on my pc, doesn't stop it from not being abandoned (except of course for Logic users).
rsp

[Guiscard]

I would have never bought it but it sounds great for synth brass sounds, the presets are great and the reverbs sound lovely!

[vitocorleone123]

I would have never bought it but it sounds great for synth brass sounds, the presets are great and the reverbs sound lovely!

I paid $26 or so for PolyMax and it’s easily worth twice that. The regular asking price is a joke, though.

[SteinyFritz]

Because there hasn't been any update, no vst3, is it even apple silicon native? Since Angus left, what two years ago?
Last update Feb 25th 2021
So it may still work on most systems. Still works on my Intel mac and pc, but I have stopped using them because I expect one day it will stop. So I have weaned myself off them.
If one day there is a new update I would be happy and for sure calling it abandoned won't be true.
Btw alchemy still works on my pc, doesn't stop it from not being abandoned (except of course for Logic users).
rsp

Cypher 2 runs natively as a VST3 on my M1

[zvenx]

Hmmmm...Are you sure?
I am pretty sure I have the latest version (I use to beta test for them when Angus was there and fxpansion existed, up to the very last day he was there), and I don't have a vst3 version.

I wasn't sure about the Apple Silicon thing though, I seem to think he made sure he did some of that before he left.. I think.
But for sure no vst3..
please send me a screen shot of your vst3 version in your DAW.

Equator2 is vst3 though.

rsp

[Examigan]

On the Roli page it says:
"Native M1 Mac support for Standalone and Plugin versions" but it doesn't say which plugin versions
https://roli.com/products/software/cyph ... 2-overview

[zvenx]

Yeah, I think Angus did Native Apple Silicon but NOT vst3.
rsp

[SteinyFritz]

Hmmmm...Are you sure?
I am pretty sure I have the latest version (I use to beta test for them when Angus was there and fxpansion existed, up to the very last day he was there), and I don't have a vst3 version.

I wasn't sure about the Apple Silicon thing though, I seem to think he made sure he did some of that before he left.. I think.
But for sure no vst3..
please send me a screen shot of your vst3 version in your DAW.

Equator2 is vst3 though.

rsp

I stand corrected, you are right. It's VST 2 only.

[zvenx]

Thanks for letting me know.
Yeah you had me worried there .
rsp

[Dirtgrain]

The number of times my internet has gone out this summer has led me to avoid UAD VSTs in new projects. Blech.

[funky lime]

The number of times my internet has gone out this summer has led me to avoid UAD VSTs in new projects. Blech.

if you gotta ilok, usb dongle is the only way to go IMO. and considering the price tag of UAD's old dongles, $50 is a steal

[MadDogE134]

yeah the only time i need the internet for UADx natives is when i install one and activate it... after that i just uninstall UA Connect. i used to hate ilok and it's dongle until i had one lol and the only reason i hated it was because of all the old horror stories from the first version dongle. i have both v2 and v3 dongles and never once had a problem. but it is up to the individual i suppose. avoiding ilok is doing yourself a disservice imo. i think some of the finest effects and instruments require ilok and many require the dongle itself.

as for the title... i just nabbed polymax and really like the sound of it but i am mainly a guitarist (although i have been doing a lot of mixing and mastering since i don't perform anymore) and only use synths for fillers.

cheers