KVR Audio

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:51 am

Over the last few weeks, I've played around with the demos for Massive and Sylenth1. I haven't spent much time on the former, but I feel pretty comfortable with Sylenth.

I was about to pull the trigger on Sylenth until I downloaded the Dune demo yesterday. I like it a lot, but it's still too early to determine whether I like it more than Sylenth. However, with the student discount (I'll be a student for 2 more months), Dune is only $70.

Given the lack of updates for Sylenth and the big price difference, would it be more sensible to purchase Dune? I've read all the comparison threads--my question has more to do with cost/benefit considerations.

FWIW, I want to produce dance music. I'm also on a tight budget--even though NI is offering a great deal on Komplete, I can't afford it.

Thanks.

lnikj · Post by **lnikj** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:56 am

Dune CM with Computer Music is Dune with half the modulation slots and without the effects section. You might be able to make do with that for now and maybe upgrade to Dune 2 which Richard@synapse is working on at the moment later when you have some more dosh.

Search for Spire on the forums too - that sounds like it might fit the dance sounds you're after when it is released and will be on special offer at release time AND it might have a future which is questionable with Sylenth.

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:13 am

Wow the Spire gui looks great. Thanks for the heads up.

schnapsglas · Post by **schnapsglas** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:35 pm

DUNE BE. Look for it...

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:14 am

Thanks. I'll look into Dune CM and BE as well as other free synths like Synth1 and NoiseMaker.

That said, I still have up to $200 set aside for a go-to synth. I'll probably wait for Spire's release before I make a purchase.

redsunmuzik · Post by **redsunmuzik** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:31 am

Aubrey Lamont wrote:Thanks. I'll look into Dune CM and BE as well as other free synths like Synth1 and NoiseMaker.

Theese are already go to synths.

If you learn them inside out you will realize they are very powerfull.

Btw if you get dune cm you will get synthmastercm which anonther great one.

roon · Post by **roon** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:47 am

As others already suggested I would go with CM plugins. Just pick up any issue in paperback if you're able, or buy it trough http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/m ... ck-issues/.
Alternatively, if you are based in Germany, pick up Beat Magazine. In both situations you are facing one time cost of around 7 euro.
Additionaly, I would take that 200$ you have for your disposition and buy U-He Diva http://www.u-he.com/cms/diva - True power-horse. One of the best sounding synths I've ever encounter. Really CPU hungry though, but quality that plugin offers is really outstanding.
So, all in all - Pick up CM or BM and go with Diva. It will set up you real good.

recursive one · Post by **recursive one** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:53 am

redsunmuzik wrote:
Aubrey Lamont wrote:Thanks. I'll look into Dune CM and BE as well as other free synths like Synth1 and NoiseMaker.
Theese are already go to synths.
If you learn them inside out you will realize they are very powerfull.
Btw if you get dune cm you will get synthmastercm which anonther great one.

+100500

By buying current issue of Comuter Music you get Dune CM and Synthmaster CM which can do almost any synth job in dance music. Also you get Zebra CM that is heavily stripped down compared to the full version, but still very serious synth. Imo, these three synths are pretty enough to get you started.

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:48 am

the cm plugs are also a great way to demo the synths without the usual demo restrictions, giving you a better chance of finding which works best for you before sending your 200. dont want to spend your whole budget on a synth then two weeks later wish youd bought something else.

plus you get a fair few other bits too

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:30 pm

Thanks, all. This has been really helpful.

So far I have Dune BE, Tyrell, Synth1, and TAL NoiseMaker. They all seem pretty amazing for freebies.

After playing with these for a while, I plan on demoing Diva (recommended above) and ANA.

I forgot to mention that I'm a Mac-user. So, although Sylenth1 has impressed me more than any of the synths I've tried out so far, I'm really reluctant to shell out close to $200 for a synth that lacks a 64bit AU and hasn't been updated in ages.

Phil Sonic Academy · Post by **Phil Sonic Academy** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:31 pm

Hey Aubrey... check out the free sound design videos when playing with ANA to see how it all works!

http://www.sonicacademy.com/Training+Vi ... .5.cid5610

If you need any help give me shout on the Sonic forums!

recursive one · Post by **recursive one** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:12 pm

Aubrey Lamont wrote:Thanks, all. This has been really helpful.

So far I have Dune BE, Tyrell, Synth1, and TAL NoiseMaker. They all seem pretty amazing for freebies.

After playing with these for a while, I plan on demoing Diva (recommended above) and ANA.

I forgot to mention that I'm a Mac-user. So, although Sylenth1 has impressed me more than any of the synths I've tried out so far, I'm really reluctant to shell out close to $200 for a synth that lacks a 64bit AU and hasn't been updated in ages.

Don't buy Sylenth if you are on Mac, Mac guys report big troubles (on Win everything is fine though).

ANA is nice. Not the only synth you need, but many great sounds can be made with it. Considering the price, amazing value for money.

With Diva, prepare to sacrifice your CPU. Also take in mind that huge part of Diva's value comes from it being capable of very accurate representation of vintage analog synth sound. If you do not badly need this kind of sound it may happen that the price and CPU load do not pay off for you. You actually may like Zebra more than Diva so be sure to try it out too.

roon · Post by **roon** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 12:59 am

recursive one wrote:
Aubrey Lamont wrote: With Diva, prepare to sacrifice your CPU. Also take in mind that huge part of Diva's value comes from it being capable of very accurate representation of vintage analog synth sound. If you do not badly need this kind of sound it may happen that the price and CPU load do not pay off for you. You actually may like Zebra more than Diva so be sure to try it out too.

Sorry for that in advance, but i happen to disagree with you on that one. If you don't use very sophisticated patches with multiple voicing and stuff, you can easly run 2-3 instances of Diva along with other less demanding plugins on a half decent machine with no problem. Diva can be CPU challenging offcourse, but it's always depending on how you use it.
And TBH i find Zebra waaay much harder to program or even tweak than Diva, and that is AFAIK important issue for a begginer

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:12 am

To be more specific, if I purchase a synth in the near future, I'd want it to be a workhorse synth... hopefully VA since I already spent time learning Sylenth.

Re Diva: If I'm going to spend money on a synth, I'd probably want to be able to run a lot more than 2-3 instances of it. I also don't think I'd care how "analog" my synth sounds.

Re Zebra: I like Zebralette, and I plan to get Zebra down the road when I move away from EDM. But for the time being, might it be overkill? I'm definitely a beginner.

Phil Sonic Academy · Post by **Phil Sonic Academy** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:33 am

did you try ANA yet?

it does sound like exactly what you are looking for... I use it for everything. Very few sounds it cant make (except for FM and Sync which we are working on).

Id be happy to give any sounds a go... always up for a challenge.

First synth