KVR Audio

sergiofrias · Post by **sergiofrias** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:19 pm

What's in your opinion a vst softsynth indistinguishable from hardware sound? (Analog Synths like the prophet 5,oberheim obx/8,juno 60,jupiter 8,odissey,polysix etc.)If possible send some sound comparison between your vst synth and analog synth patches.

Gonga · Post by **Gonga** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:34 pm

The best I've heard so far is Zebra. It has the best attack, and that's something few VAs have at all. Even ACE can't touch Zebra in the attack. Zebra has a lot of tech devoted to getting an authentic attack, which is why I now use Zebra to emulate minimoog bass. No recordings yet, as I'm working on another project with Omnisphere atm.

If you haven't tried the demo, it's time.

MaxSynths · Post by **MaxSynths** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:36 pm

As far as I know that VST doesn't exists. Also the VST versions of sample based instruments (see Korg M1) sound different.

ariston · Post by **ariston** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:52 pm

Why is this important to you?

Lotuzia · Post by **Lotuzia** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:54 pm

Nice Emulations : ImpOSCar, Korg Legacy Cell synths, Xils-lab synths. (ime )

Not strictly emulations but nice VAs : Vaz synths, Ace.

LtZ

sergiofrias · Post by **sergiofrias** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:59 pm

Gonga wrote:The best I've heard so far is Zebra. It has the best attack, and that's something few VAs have at all. Even ACE can't touch Zebra in the attack. Zebra has a lot of tech devoted to getting an authentic attack, which is why I now use Zebra to emulate minimoog bass.

totally agree with you,i'ved found Zebra to have the best attack,since we can easily control the envelope's attack curve ...but something about sylenth1 filter saturation makes me think that the sylenth1 filter can sound more analog that xmf filter in zebra with some overload in analogue mode.but i can be wrong.

sergiofrias · Post by **sergiofrias** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:05 pm

ariston wrote:Why is this important to you?

Nice question,i have done that question to myself a lot of times...i want my tracks to sound analog,fat and warm and not digital cold,lifeless...

shanecgriffo · Post by **shanecgriffo** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:29 pm

Work on your songwriting , people wont care...

(and there's always plenty of channel strip/character comp eq, saturation etc plugs to toast your tracks anyway)

himalaya · Post by **himalaya** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:32 pm

.i want my tracks to sound analog,fat and warm and not digital cold,lifeless.

You can make quite a number of VA synths sound like that. As long as the basics are good, ie: good quality oscillators and filters, snappy envelopes (which is indeed difficult to get right in software), then look out for several options which will help:

- VAs with some type of 'drive' in the signal chain, which is very important in lots of analogue style patches. Filter drive is especially important. It does not have to be set to full on, but a little drive here or there adds 'body' to the sound, which when filtered is very nice indeed.

- The next important thing is, random sources for your modulation. It is very useful if these random sources are not only per note-on, but also, per velocity note-on. These random sources is what will give subtle yet essential animation to a patch, and that in turn will make it more 'fluid' or 'organic'. Again, it's not about detuning like mad, but using these in a very subtle yet audible manner.

- Then, what is very useful is a good selection of LFOs. One or two is not enough, which will only be sufficient for your vibrato and some other modulation like PWM. But, if you have access to more LFOs (which is rare in VA synths) then these can be used to add more subtle variation and when assigned to specific destinations, like oscillator fine pitch, phase, etc. they can add more aliveness after the note is pressed. 'Sample & hold' waves at slow rates are best for this purpose.
So, the random parameters take care of each key-on press, and LFOs take care of what happens after you have sustained the key. When done with care it will make the patch very analogue-like indeed.

Obviously this is not the whole story, but using just these basics will help to get nice chunky and 'alive' sounds (desperately trying to stay away from saying 'warm' sounds lol).

trimph1 · Post by **trimph1** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:42 pm

First off...thou shalt not use 'warmth' to describe sound of a VA.

I actually use Zebra a lot myself, but for other than its emulative properties. Same as my other VST's...VAZ modular and others...they all get processed into my mixes with all manner of effects, both VST and stomp boxes/racks...

I just work on my songs..don't worry about how 'near' to such and such something gets....

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:52 pm

sergiofrias wrote:i want my tracks to sound analog,fat and warm and not digital cold,lifeless...

Your best bet is an analog synth ... if that's not an option check out Poly-Ana and impOSCAR. Also, Bazille by uhe sounds great, and is free while still in beta.

ariston · Post by **ariston** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:04 pm

sergiofrias wrote:
ariston wrote:Why is this important to you?
Nice question,i have done that question to myself a lot of times...i want my tracks to sound analog,fat and warm and not digital cold,lifeless...

I think that the overall mix of the track will probably be more important than whether or not the oscillator pitch drift is modelled to 99% accuracy. That's just my take, though - which doesn't stop me from amassing soft synths.

A few recommendations:

Synth Squad is awesome, but it's a tweaker's synth. Himalaya has done an extremely impressive set of "retro" patches for it which should be right up your alley.

Zebra has been mentioned and doesn't need an introduction.

Imposcar 2 is... ohhhh.... sooooooo.... wonderful. Yumm. I spent four hours today just goofing off, testing presets, rolling my own... basking in that SOUND...

You should also check out Olga: underrated, oodles of character and oomph, and when you drive her hard, she breaks up like a cranky old Polyvoks.

randyandyvandaman · Post by **randyandyvandaman** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:11 pm

I just work on my songs..don't worry about how 'near' to such and such something gets....

Has to be best quote of the year.

Yes we all tend at times to worry about this sound or that sound.

By working on our songs surely means the structure/form and hopefully everything else will fall into place. Then perhaps the song will mix itself so to speak.

Cheers.

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:13 pm

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:18 pm

Let's turn it around the way it should be......What hardware sounds as good as software?

indistinguishable from hardware ??