Sylenth1

bought it 2 years ago. the sound has completely knocked me out every day to this day. the graphical user interface and the various skins are also delightful and make working with them a lot fun. it's one of the best.

I really have many VST-synths (from Hive2, Diva, Zebra to all of Native Instruments, VPS-Avenger, Serum, Synthmaster...). All of them have there strength and weaknesses. I have tried to use them, but it was always too hard to find into the synths.

Not so into Sylenth1! This is really an amazing synth which is able to produce so many different colors of sound in an easy way! After checking out the factory and many free presets I was suddenly able to produce e-pianos, guitars, brasses, strings, organs which are sounding convincing and unique.

The interface is clean and easy to understand. The sound is brilliant, full of pressure and gives a real analog feeling. And the fun factor is high.

Sure, there are some things which should be offered: maybe some more possible destinations for modulation. Maybe some better reverb. Maybe some more slots for modulating positions. Maybe some more waveforms for the oscillators. But it won't hurt that much when you have found your way how to use the existing settings. You will be able to get most times better results than with many other synths.

In my studio setup Sylenth1 has a fixed place. I only can recommand it.

Still surprisingly good, still irreplaceable.

Every time i decide it's obsolete and had to retire it, i create something new and original, other synth do not inspire me to do.

Legends live forever...

4/5.

Great sound. Although its beena while since its updated, the sounds are still very useable in today's context:).

I keep seeing reviews about this synth being outdated compared to newer synths. So far, imo the presets o here are better than most vst's i have used.

best and most easy to use VST synthesiser, with this many/wide sound options. i make Basedrums, Hoover, ARP's Atmospheres/pads for 10 years now with sylenth, no sound was to hard for sylenth, always working even with a pentium 3 processor with 512 MB RAM.

It doesn't get any easier than this... If you don't have Sylenth1 in your collection, you're not a producer. Coming from hardware, Lennar Digital was the first to make me realise what we could do inside a PC. Even back then when cores were low, this thing would make our speakers sing. I never liked it's look but it's look is perfect, everything's where it needs to be. If you don't understand synthesis, a few hours with Syleth1 and all will be revealed.

I have bought the previous version of Sylenth1 years ago here at the KVR Marketplace - it was a great second-hand buy. Sylenth1 is a unique and fantastic synth, with many inspiring sounds. I'm sure Lennardigital was among the first developers who realized how important is the quality of the factory presets. And if you want more presets there are plenty of free and commercial on the net. About the GUI: even the previous version was OK, but this new version (v2) with the scalable GUI is awesome (+ new skins are planed and coming soon). You don't need a multicore CPU to run this, Sylenth1 uses VERY LITTLE CPU.

V2 uses a new authorization, so it's not simple serial anymore - but it's ok for me. It's interesting, that other developers create "similar" synths, like U-he Hive, or Synthmaster One, but Sylenth1 one remains an alltime classic. I just call these kind of synths v2 synths, that become even better with the new version, so I only can compare Sylenth1 to synths like ImpOSCar 2, FM8, Z3ta+ 2, Blue II, Predator2 ...

And what about a future v3 - who knows?

I bought Sylenth1 because my DAW came with a bunch of advanced synths that were just way over my head. Almost immediately, great sounds were flying out of my speakers faster than I could dial them in. But eventually, I felt I had gone as far as I could go with such a simple synth -- so I sold it. What a mistake that was. Nothing else hits the sweet spot the way Sylenth1 does -- believe me -- and it's the only synth I've ever purchased twice. Now I have a couple hundred patches programmed for it, and I still stumble upon new, useful, wonderful musical sounds seemingly without trying.

I don't think any other softsynth has as much sprezzatura as Sylenth1. Also, you can't beat its sound quality / CPU usage ratio.

After demoing some new plugins I still find myself using Sylenth1. I don't exactly know why. Maybe it's the ease of use, the sound quality or just the performance and workflow. I love how limited it is in a good way. You can't mess up a sound, it's just not possible. But nonetheless you can get wild cross modulations and depth out of it. The latest ui improvements perfectly fit into my definition of good looking.

It's a bread and butter synth resulting in so many available widly genre spread soundsets. So the lack of own creativity can get balanced with the work of other professional sound designers.

Good warm and generous sounds, what's not to like :)

I especially enjoy the ARP "Good Times"

Sylenth1 is a must have for any serious EDM producer. I use Logic Pro X and Sylenth1 with the 32 Lives app (purchased from their site and needed because it is not compatible with LPX without it). It works flawlessly with 32 Lives and I highly recommend that combination.

It took my productions to the next level right out of the box. The layout of the synth is intuitive if you're familiar with other common software synthesizers. The sounds are amazing... some of them are setup so well out of the box that it felt like they wrote my melodies and bass lines for me.

Their customer support is second to none. I had an issue with my order and they responded within several hours, over the weekend no less, with a resolution.
If you're a student be sure to inquire about their educational discount.

In my opinion you can't lose with this product.
John.

For me the Sylenth1 is a 'must have'. Maybe some would consider the look-and-feel a bit old fashioned, but the straightforward design is the reason why it's also a good synth for beginners. The sound quality is very good, while CPU usage is relatively low. There are endless possibilities to tweak the sound and, if you are lazy or need some more inspiration :-), there are lots of interesting preset (patches) packages for sale for the Sylenth1. I use the Nexus 2 and Massive as well (both interesting and good), but i keep on using the Sylenth1 as my main synth.

This is the choice for beginners. Easy to step in. Great lead sounds, really nice filters and FXs. Great presets and much of them. This one is the ruler in his section. You are able to start from zero with his huge preset banks where he shows his incredible sound. Note that Sylenth is in my opinion not really made for athmospheric soundscapes, Leads, SFXs and Arps, I forgot basslines are what it is made for.

EDIT: Sylenth1 is taken down to a 9 because it isn't perfectly analog. But it does have great effects. It's GUI doesn't freeze and it the synth does function properly most of the time.

RE: EDIT. Sylenth1 has exclent analog all around. Even in the lows and highs. Very changeable and tangible from smooth to gritty all around in any frequency. Tip, FLANGER helps A LOT.

EDIT:

Sylenth1 is great for trance. Also Various EDM such as house and electro. Dubstep not so much but can do wobbles well and is easy to program to MIDI keyboard controller on the fly. MIDI mapping seems great. It can find it's way to any genre but perhaps not exactly the way your personal flavor might want.

It's sounds like a Virus when you add saturation the right way. It can also sound real similar to other analog synths that way as well using different saturation. I use Ableton Live Saturator for excelent results.

Fun and easy to program. Very stable and in 64-bit too. I like the GUI and reminds me of a Virus ice cream sandwich.

It's not cheap but if you need a trance synth it might be the one you want.

Registration is easy and E'mails are pretty prompt. It's very nice.

CONS: I don't see this as a GREAT versatile synth but it CAN get somewhat versatile.

PROS: GREAT leads. Decent lows and highs. Analog filters are cool with added saturation.

EDIT:

I would like to add that i like that this synth isn't overly saturated. Who would like to add their own saturation for a unique integral sound to their works? I would! With sylenth1 I really can make it sound like different synths with the right saturator. Great to change this synth yourself in the lows high and mids with your DAW. It's a synth that sounds great and then better later.

I like Sylenth1 effects and the EQ seems to be necasary. Even on regular 2 pole it adds dimension without adjusting. This synth is very multi dimensional. Multiple oscilator and volume controls and voices. All done well.

ARP's are awesome. Never seen anything like it.

I only rated this thing an 8 because I feel it can't do absolutely everything well. Im comparing to thee ultimate synth possible in a way. It's a dated synth and lacks some programing features. Still, I would rather have this than a hard to manuever analog. Hey I got MIDI mapping and multiple tracks here with this.

Don't hate_relate. EW YUH.

P.S. Sylenth1 is a breeze and a blast to program with. So very fun and rewarding when your in the groove and grace your way to taste! Bless you.

Sylenth1 is probably the best known vsti. It is so famous and popular that you'd have thought it would have been on version 4 by now. While I won't open that can of worms here, I will say this, that fact will not affect my review. As far as I am concerned, it is what it is now and that is what you buy it for.

User interface:
I love it. Didn't like it much at first, but I appreciate it now. You can get familiar with this synth very quickly, most everything you need is available without changing any tabs. It is not too ugly. It kind of has a classic look.

Sound:
This is why it is so famous. The Sound of Sylenth1 one is brilliant. I go off this synth sometimes in favour of something more complex, or an emulation or something, but in the end whenever I do come back to it I am hit by the sound quality. It may not be able to do as much as many synths out there but what it does it does better than most synths out there.

It's sound is really snappy, more so than just about any synth I've tried. Lennar is a genious that's for sure. It's partly this sharp immediate sound that has made it such a mainstay of dance music, then of course it is also the unison. While it is not actually a "unison" mode like you get on some synths, (the oscillators are stacked) it does the job. Fat leads, lush pads, complex timbres, you got it.

Filters:
The filters are great. I will not say sublime, but they are very good. They don't sound quite analog to me, in that their character is somewhat digital and predictable, but they are excellent and you can't make them sound bad. The drive is very good, it screams more than most VA's and adding just a small amount is genuinly useful.

Effects:
They are good if you ask me, partly because they are so flexible. This part of the synth really reminds me of hardware. With some of the old hardware synths they used to give you a lot of options. Many new ones dumb these down in favour of simplicity. Perhaps reflecting the shift in the userbase. Anyway, the reverb has a stereo width control, which I use alot to create mono-reverbs which give the sound more "body". I will still apply my stereo external reverb later.

The delays, sometimes I use the internal sometimes the external, but this is also very flexible.

The phaser is very good as far as they go. It's not the best out there, but it is far from the worst.

The distortion: Great! It offers bit reduction which I love to use a lot. The foldback and overdrive sound very good. Not quite as convincing as the real thing but it's a very usable sound in a modern context.

Features:
I like the features of Sylenth1. I like that it is simple. In fact what is given is just enough complexity that you can really do a lot with it. The sheer amount of soundbanks available for this thing prove it. I love the two layer design, the fact that Lennar gives you copy and paste functions for envelopes and oscillators makes it a breeze. The mod slots give you lots of room for sound design and the destinations are good. Phase modulation works excellently.

This is where I knock one point off though, we could have had PWM, that would have made it so much more versatile, however there are ways around this, it just would have been nice to have it plain and simple. Sync & FM would have been great too. But some how it feels like it wouldn't be Sylenth1 if it had these features.

Documentation:
The manual is a great read. In it LennarDigital shows a lot of confidence in his synth. He explains how well coded it is and how good it sounds, and he is right. It's nice to see such confidence, he was clearly aiming for the professional world of musicians and studios.

Value:
This synth is what, $180 or something? It is not the cheapest synth around but so what, if you wanted something of this quality in hardware form you'd be paying much more. In fact if you buy soft synths of lesser quality you will only spend more in the long run trying to find a good sound.

Stability:
Very stable. I've never had any problems with it.

Conclusion:
While it is not for everyone, it should certainly be considered. It is not at all just a trance synth, (there really is no such thing anyway) it is versatile.

I really recommend this synth to anyone who wants a synth hardware or software, analog or digital. If you love electronic music you will probably find something to like in this synth. It is a work-horse and a go to for real solutions.

i just started reviewing plugins at kvraudio, and now am developing an addiction to reviewing. :-)

i've been using sylenth1 for less than a year, which makes it still very new to me, although it's been around for centuries (in computer years, anyway).

i have acquired and/or made a LOT of presets for it. so i use it all the time. in fact, it's been my 'go-to' synth for a while now.

here's what i love: the sound, and the simplicity of the interface. it's GREAT for arps, basses. buzzy pads, leads, weirdness. it's defined the sound of my work for a while now, and am very happy about that.

it's easy to work with; 2 simple layers, and a very logical layout. some plugins give me a headache just looking at them (or hunting down, say, the master output knob)...sylenth1 is easy to program or tweak.

it IS ugly. so it goes. no one listening to music cares about that LOL; the SOUND is the bottom line.

here's my issue: it hasn't been updated in YEARS. so it's still a 32bit AU on my mac (while EVERYTHING else i use has been upgraded to 64bit); and the very-last version (a beta), does not play nice with Logic and Lion. ugh.

i LOVE this synth, and will continue to use it. but newer plugins (dune, for example), are starting to fill in space in my music (and am keeping an eye on where logic goes next; am dreading the day i can no longer run ANY 32bit AUs).

otherwise...for the sound, it's a great buy. AND...there are a MILLION soundsets out there for it. despite it's age, there are NEW soundsets coming out all the time; it's obviously a beloved synth.

it's a 10star plugin really, but am '1 star disappointed' it's not being maintained.

we'll see where things go, but right now, i live or die by it.