KVR Audio

JunSev · Post by **JunSev** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:54 am

What I was trying to specify is what Icarus is able to do, of course I didn't mention anything about personal experience because I wanted to show the synth as it is, what is capable of, and why is so underrated.

But if you ask me, I love everything about Icarus sound, I like to make pads, plucks, keys and more; It really never disappoint me. Is my favorite synth.

● Is not a CPU killer.

● Is not a RAM exterminator.

● it sits well in the mix always with the ducking for the FX section.

Again, we should try to put things in a objective way, but this is why I like Icarus.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:58 am

Chipspeech was on last year too, high up. And the year before. But they don't allow you to just pick any synth. They give you a list and go "Here, pick one of these." If your favorite isn't on the list, oh well, you're screwed.

Totally worthless and pointless list. They should almost be ashamed to post it.

If I had an audience like Music Radar, I'd post a real poll where you have to name your synth on your own. Would be very interesting to see what the top synths would truly be.

goldenanalog · Post by **goldenanalog** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:10 am

JunSev wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:25 am https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/th ... day-621799

So I just saw this article and in this top according to users (that maybe don't know anything about Icarus or what is capable of).

I simply can't comprehend how in a top of 25, Icarus is not there, I mean, it should be at least in between 10 best, most powerful and versatile synth available; at the end what I see is that this result is only bias and because of popularity.

Icarus has multiple synthesis, is not only a wavetable synth, also has additive, sample, FM and way more synthesis than many (if not all) of the competition, huge possibilities with morph modes, perhaps the biggest collection of filters in a synth, and more; This poll is only another prove that no because something is trending means necessarily better/right/good.

- and 6 months from now, if the same poll was taken again: you may see a different list -

IME: the best thing to do with a list like that is to explore synths that you may not know much (if anything) about, JunSev. *Don't worry* if your favorite synth (Icarus, in your case) isn't listed - it doesn't matter - because a lot of lists like the one you're referencing are essentially meaningless; other then for informational purposes - like I said: maybe take a first or second look at something that you haven't (Plogue Chipspeech; Vengeance-Sound VPS Avenger, in my case)

Guenon · Post by **Guenon** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:12 am

wagtunes wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:58 am Chipspeech was on last year too, high up. And the year before. But they don't allow you to just pick any synth. They give you a list and go "Here, pick one of these." If your favorite isn't on the list, oh well, you're screwed.

Yeah... Hah, it still seems surprising that it goes all the way up to position 6, though. Out of a list of all these monsters, I mean. For such a niche product.

And nothing against Chipspeech itself, of course! Seems really very nifty. Just wondering out loud. It probably just has a really strong fan base etc...

Spencer Maddox · Post by **Spencer Maddox** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:32 am

Guenon wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:12 am
wagtunes wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:58 am Chipspeech was on last year too, high up. And the year before. But they don't allow you to just pick any synth. They give you a list and go "Here, pick one of these." If your favorite isn't on the list, oh well, you're screwed.
Yeah... Hah, it still seems surprising that it goes all the way up to position 6, though. Out of a list of all these monsters, I mean. For such a niche product.

And nothing against Chipspeech itself, of course! Seems really very nifty. Just wondering out loud. It probably just has a really strong fan base etc...

Yea that one was a bit Peculiar.
I Also did not know SM had the following it did. I was suprised how well it did. Don't get me wrong Both Synthmaster and its little brother are tremendous Synths but it shocked me that It did better then Serum.

Sidenote Sylenth and Massive, the Ol Classics, are at risk of falling out of the Top 10 Soon.
Times are-a-changin.

Or at least if this poll is to be trusted which...It's probably not

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:50 am

If we could get One Ping Only on the list, it would win for sure!
Amiright?

Dillinger · Post by **Dillinger** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:18 am

Examigan wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:47 pm Timbre Wolf is the most
underrated.

For the market price, you maybe right.

Sampleconstruct · Post by **Sampleconstruct** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:39 am

Icarus has become my goto wabetable generator/editor, it's quality of resynthesis is outstanding, there are plenty of options to tweak, smoothen and modify the wavetabled results and the exported wavetables can be used in other wavetable synths/players.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:05 am

Teksonik wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:06 am
chk071 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:07 pm
Teksonik wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:35 pm My point being is how did such a new synth get so many votes so soon ? Not a very scientific poll to say the least.
It's not a poll at all. It's all a matter of how good the article writers rated the specific synth.
"this round-up is based on your votes: we put together a list of what we consider to be the best VST/AU plugin synths right now, and asked you to choose your favourite".

No different than a Poll here with a predetermined number of possible responses.

Oh, you meant CM's poll. Arturia Pigments doesn't even show up there though?

Wait, my bad, it does. But only on rank #15.

SLiC · Post by **SLiC** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:09 am

Pigments and Zone are great new synths with their own unique features and both are easy to program...so many great synths!
Icarus has maybe the best wavetable generator and a pretty unique synth as well, but not as easy on the eye or easy to use as the aforementioned.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:44 pm

I tried Zone and didn't like its sound at all. It is very harsh and clinical, the kind of sound I think of when people say something sounds too "digital".

SLiC · Post by **SLiC** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:13 pm

A lot of people said the same of Serum, I think a lot of wavetable synth can sound harsh/digital but they cut through the mix, and in a world of VA it can be a refreshing change!

Personally I like Zone a lot (although I waited until recently to pick it up now its £89), you can go 'warmer' with simple subtractive waves and the ladder filter, but I have better VAs for 'that' sound, for me its the 32 step sequencer on the controls that make it 'fun' and great for animated pads and 'modular' like sequences. Sure this can be done in a DAW, but Zone makes it really fast and intuitive and I love saving modulation 'sequences' and then using them to different sounds. The provided wavetables are actually pretty good (I think the filters are good as well), but its one page workflow and the sequencer that is the start of the show with Zone. I have VST's that may sound better (Like Icarus!) but I am using Zone as I like to program it!

Stefken · Post by **Stefken** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:50 pm

As far as wavetable synths go , Icarus has the warmest sound for me.

DJErmac · Post by **DJErmac** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:57 pm

Icarus is my bassline synth. Always. In every single project.

JunSev · Post by **JunSev** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:56 pm

DJErmac wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:57 pm Icarus is my bassline synth. Always. In every single project.

It indeed has a very nice low end, it can replicate pretty well the sound of the TB-303 or SH-101, despite of its "digital" fame.

Tone2 Icarus is the most underrated synth in Existence.