quote:

Originally posted by RichieV my opinion regarding the evolution of sound design tends to gravitate around the use of effects on traditional synthesis. I find combining new effects with traditional synth sounds can result in more interesting sounds.

That's a very good point - it seems like adding new/improved effects is another common theme amongst the new updates.

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quote:

Originally posted by LfmC Saturated with VA synths? Yes. Saturated with GOOD VA synths? No.

A few people have said this - frankly, I'm not seeing it. I've looked at so many different subtractive synths and they're basically all adequate and all almost the same.

I think that the real reason so many people say that these soft synths aren't very good is simply that the patches aren't very good, or that there aren't enough of them. Which leads us to this point:

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I've been noticing just the opposite - it seems like I've gotten a lot more free banks for my synths this year than the last 5 years or so combined.

I've noticed this as well, to an extent, although I still think it's nowhere near enough. I hope the trend continues because I'd much, much rather have 10 great patch banks for 1 subtractive soft synth than 10 different synths with generic libraries that all sound basically the same. I actually prefer to use samples sometimes because of the TLC that goes into those, in contrast to the half-baked effort that usually goes into default patches.

I say put the eggheads to work creating new and original patches instead of new generic synths. Price them reasonably and I think they'd attract a much larger customer base (real customers, not mass piracy).

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quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut A few people have said this - frankly, I'm not seeing it. I've looked at so many different subtractive synths and they're basically all adequate and all almost the same. I think that the real reason so many people say that these soft synths aren't very good is simply that the patches aren't very good, or that there aren't enough of them

I disagree. At least as far as I'm concerned, I make my own sounds from scratch, so presets mean nothing to me. Unfortunately, real synth tweakers are a dying breed...
What I do see is an overflow of a lot of generic sounding synths which have zero character wrapped in a pretty interface. And the fact 95% of synthedit and synthmaker plugins are utter crap doesn't help either, especially since they make up a huge part of the overall selection.

For example, as anyone who own a Virus Ti and who is actually good at programming a synth can tell you: It's just amazing how 80% of the tweaks you make on it just sound good. It's almost impossible to make it sound bad. And since the Ti is basically a VST in a box, it begs the question: Why are there so few VST's which give such good results? Why is it that so many VST's need painstaking tweaks and tons of effects to make them sound just ok?

I'm not saying there are no VST's who have this kind of quality. But there are still quite rare IMO.

Just my 2c..

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also worth mentioning that the virus B has been ported so it isn't a question of dsp.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik There's also a very well-substantiated rumor going around that reFX is going to release Vanguard 2 very soon - apparently, it was originally slated for this month, but will probably not be released until early next year. Mike's very own reply to the question of an updated version on the reFX forums were "Wait and you shall receive". I also have it from a very reliable source that another well-known synth in EDM circles will be getting a major "Version 2" update early next year.

Intresting news about vanguard 2

So can you give us a clue about the other synth which will be getting a version two upgrade?

I hope it's V Station or Z3ta

quote:

Originally posted by Jason_R So can you give us a clue about the other synth which will be getting a version two upgrade? I hope it's V Station or Z3ta

Sorry, I've probably said too much already, but I will say that you might be disappointed.

Speaking of rumors and Z3TA, about a year-and-a-half ago Cakewalk (who now owns RGC:Audio and employs René Ceballos [Z3TA developer] as its primary synth designer) announced on their forums that they would be introducing a new "super synth", but it never materialized and Cakewalk hasn't said much about it since. Some people think that Beatscape, which was developed by René and added to Sonar in version 7, is the super synth, but Beatscape is neither a synth nor do many people consider it "super" (it actually kinda sucks IMO). So, who knows, we may still see this super synth at some point and it will likely be primarily a René product. My guess is that, if and when that happens, it will be much more than "Z3TA II".

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I believe the 'other' updated synth for early next year will be from a dev who is well known for saying nothing about updates.

That's what MY sources tell me anyway

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I have a feeling that if a Zeta 2 came out or something similar, we'd all jump on it. At least to try it.

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quote:

Originally posted by Fledz I have a feeling that if a Zeta 2 came out or something similar, we'd all jump on it. At least to try it.

Probably.. but what's wrong with that?

Z3ta is one of the jewels of the VST world. Maybe a bit overused, but still a good all around VA. There are worst things than getting v2... like getting Sonic Timeworks SH-1001 v2
Anyone remember that train wreck?

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