Finally Dove Into MPowersynth

[wagtunes]

With all the complaining that people do about synths (you'd think they all sucked) I thought I'd be one of the ones to actually say something nice about a synth.

I purchased MPowersynth earlier this year when it was on sale for a paltry $88. To say that was a steal would be a gross understatement. But I didn't realize how much of a steal until today.

After all these months, I finally dove into this thing. And yes, i confess, my motives were totally mercenary (to create a sound library to sell)

What I didn't expect however, after having programmed hundreds of synths in my life going back to 1979, was how incredibly versatile this synth is.

To say I am virtually drowning in a sea of options would also be a gross understatement. This is the closest thing I've seen to a modular synth without actually being modular. I don't think I will scratch the surface of this synth no matter how much time I spend on it or how many patches I make. Needless to say, this library will be HUGE.

What I don't understand, according to what I've heard from others on this forum, is how there are relatively few 3rd party libraries for MPowersynth compared to other soft synths. Is that because this synth IS so deep and relatively difficult to program at an advanced level? I know I had to crank out the manual just to find my way around a few things. The numbers of filters and FX alone is mind boggling.

I mean could you throw anything more into this?

To the creator of this beast, my hat is off to you. You did an amazing job. Once I finally wrapped my head around the mod wheel assignment functionality (admittedly not my favorite system) I was able to still do what I wanted even with its limitations.

This may very well be my largest library yet. In fact, I will probably be spending a good part of the rest of this year putting it together because these patches are very time consuming to make because of all the parameters available to me.

Anyway, like I said, with all the complaining that people do about soft synths, I thought it would be nice to just let you know what an amazing job you've done.

Thank you.

[Gregorius]

I would have tested this synth some time ago, but it I couldn't install it without getting warnings from my antivirus program. This thread got deleted after some people confirmed and discussed it. But anyway I saw some (bad) videos on the homepage and from others.

I totally agree you need lots of time getting into it. And thats not the fun part!
Like this whole modulation thing. There are many synths where modulation can be done easy within a few clicks. And also alsmost every modern synth lets you assign multiple modulators to a single target without problems. MPowerSynths developer said this won't be possible because of its versatility - but thats exactly what takes versatility away.
And there are missing features like osc phase settings on retrigger. If it should reset the phase or start with a random phase changes the sound in a dramatic way.
Unison can just be done for osc 1 (which are "highly optimized"), for cpu reason. But even the FL Studio internal synth "Sytrus" has an overall unison without really affecting the cpu.

What's also very annoying are these popups. You can't do anything without opening 2, 3, 4 or 5 of them.
Another thing are the graphics. I know sound designers (including me) who don't feel comfortable with it. Regardless if there are knobs, sliders or whatever you can change the style into.

Maybe you can get nice experimental sounds out of it, but for most common usage there are other synth with the possiblities to get very quick the sounds you want. And to be honest I did not hear any sound in some demos that can't be done easily in other synths - synths most people already have! So why buying another one? Why buying this one?

The head behind MPowerSynth seems to be someone who can write good algorithms. But these are bundled and presented in a bad way. MPowerSynth is made in a way the developer can say: "you can do this, you can do that, there are optimizations at this point and some there". This is coding sugar, but not what customers are interested in.
I doubt he is using his synth. Else he would know that the workflow is a pain in the neck. Or he is using it and has a workflow that is completely different from all others. You either like this synth or not. Most do not. I think thats why there are no 3rd party soundsets for it. Soundsets are made for synths having a good spreaded customer fundamental. I doubt MPowerSynth has these. I don't know anyone who's using it and I havn't seen any review. I found it on one of the later google pages.

This should not sound like a bad review. But thats the impression you get from this synth and also from this company. I can recommend reading some threads in its forum part. There tons about customers complaining about the developers attitude. But thats another chapter of a story.

[MeldaProduction]

wagtunes: Thank you very much!

gregorius: I suppose you can see that here you have one person completely contradicting what you said? You came up with quite some accusations... I'm perfectly fine with the fact that you don't like it. But don't speak for everyone . Believe it or not, there are many people who love the the synth. There are always people who complaint, and thanksfully here's about 10x more who are positive . And there are many people who "like the developer's attitude", in fact many people come here with saying that "if there's someone to do X, it's here" .
I assume you are someone who wanted some specific features you have in another synths and I denied them. Sorry about that, but if I deny something, it's for a reason. I'm pretty sure that for every missing feature there are 2 that don't exist in the other synth . Well, MPowerSynth cannot have "everything". Especially since you don't like popups so much. Again believe it or not, many people love those.

You are probably used to the classic synths, small ones, everything on one screen. No problems with that! . Keep using them. But stop spreading everywhere that "everyone hates something" if it is not true. I love popups. I love MPowerSynth. I measured the performance against many synths and it is extremely fast despite it has the cleanest oscillators (with one competition though ). And believe it or not, I'm personally using it! In fact, it is the only synth I use . And Melda plugins are the only plugins I use, completely . Sure I do check lots of other stuff for inspiration though ...

EDIT: Not true, damn, I use certain instruments from a competition for acoustic sampled stuff .

So let's just agree that this synth is not for you, I don't have a slightest problem with it, music is an art after all, and I sincerely wish you luck with your music!

[Gregorius]

What I don't understand, according to what I've heard from others on this forum, is how there are relatively few 3rd party libraries for MPowersynth compared to other soft synths.

But don't speak for everyone So let's just agree that this synth is not for you, I don't have a slightest problem with it, music is an art after all, and I sincerely wish you luck with your music!

Hi MeldaProduction. I dont wanted to attack someone nor speak for everyone. Wagtunes said something I agreed with. And I wanted to explain why I think it is how it is - from my experiences. Most things I said were facts other users (or you) already confirmed in threads. So all is cool.
I would really like to hear some of your tracks where MPowerSynth was used. Maybe your results sound so amazing that I change my mind. So its your chance to get another customer
But yes, at the moment this synth is not for me cause I heard nothing (the demo songs at your homepage) that can't be done with others easily.

[synzh]

I also have MPowersynth, and appreciate all it can do, and the base sound, for sure; but I must admit that it seems a bit awkward to quickly "bop around" and make some settings while the creative flow is still going. I must second I can't stand the popups either.
It would also be really nice to have some good sound designer presets in the factory banks; some that show off features sure, but mainly to show off the sounds that can be made (I myself am not good at sound design.)

[lnikj]

@wagtunes - I'm with you here, except that I've just jumped on board with this weeks madness discount, after demoing it on and off for a year or more.

@gregorius - welcome to KVR! That is quite a first post!

I don't think this is a bread and butter synth. I do think that it is the biggest set of algorithms ever piled into a single synth. However, if you are looking for a supersaw then I think certain well known 'EDM' synths would be a better choice. Whilst we are on TLAs, let's try 'VFM'.

Many people don't like the interface, and I agree that aesthetically it is not the most lovely thing I have ever seen, but it is a vector based interface, and you need to get used to them, because that is the way the things are going, and not before time for the ageing and visually challenged amongst us!

You would really struggle to stick that amount of power into a single window.

@Vojtech - I'm surprised you have any time left to make music

[MeldaProduction]

Inikj: Hehe thanks, I actually didn't have much time for the last 2 years, always working ... Thanks god music is partly work too as I can say to myself "why the hell not, it's testing" . But I seem to finish nothing... I did recently finish a CD with my band though... I'll get a link when our damn leader finally puts it online... some people...

[kokotte]

HI Vojtech,
people must understand that :

you have your own vision of what your product would be, people must respect that, it's ,for me , the only way for make innovative things, in music,it s an obligation:).
your interface is your interface and no other products are like your!
After that, people complain, complain but some like Wagtune and me( and a lor of users too) find it so inspiring, please, continue in this way, i m boring about the new Sylenth1 vsti who go out every 6 months!

waiting for your new monster : MYYY
(instant buy)

[satYatunes]

It's a pretty good synth. Not run of the mill stuff. There is a learning curve initially but once you get the hang of it, it's all good.

[ZentralmassivSound]

It's a pretty good synth. Not run of the mill stuff. There is a learning curve initially but once you get the hang of it, it's all good.

I agree.

And I think the complexity demands popups. It's so mighty, you have so many options, if you organized all that in tabs it would be far more difficult to keep the overview. Popups allow you to keep two things in sight at the same time, and that is a very good thing.

The difficulty of stacking multiple modulators on a single target is a minus, I agree, but otherwise the modulation options are best on the market I would say. Also the FX section is best on the market. This synth is gigantic with a few drawbacks. It definitley allows for more creativity than other synths because you have so many possibilities. And once you got used to the workflow it is actually very smooth working with it. For me the many many plusses clearly dominate over the few minusses.

[Synthetic Wav]

once you get used to mpowersynth interface and workflow it's easy and quick to program (well after it depends how complex you want it to be, but the interface for programing is not bad at all in fact )

[Tagirijus]

I can just say the same: MPowerSynth is great, some learning curve, yes, but after that you will get familiar with it. Popups are indeed a good think. Not only because of the complexity, but also because of the one workflow you will love, while using Melda-plugins. I really love that all the Melda plugins and the synth is in the same style. With this, you can get a new tool and you will learn it faster, since you are used to the controls etc. Just a very great concept in my opinion.

[MeldaProduction]

Thank you very much folks!

kokotte: Don't worry, over the years I changed things a lot many times if the suggestion was good and I definitely don't regret it. But switching to classic simple tools, analog simulations and other stuff like everyone else is not going to happen here . I just do it my way . Some will like it, some won't, that's life .

[goldglob]

Thank you very much folks!

kokotte: Don't worry, over the years I changed things a lot many times if the suggestion was good and I definitely don't regret it. But switching to classic simple tools, analog simulations and other stuff like everyone else is not going to happen here . I just do it my way . Some will like it, some won't, that's life .

So sadly nothing like this planned Vojtech?

[Touch The Universe]

is there really no phase set for the osc's? I'm okay with everything thing else, but this. Is there a workaround or different method employed for this synth?