Ran through about 5 synths and demos that I have just using some basic detuned saws...

Seems like Massive/Absynth, compared to MOST of the other synths I tried including Z3ta, Vanguard, Predator and Albino, sounds brighter, but also lacking some depth... like going to a lighter gauge string on a guitar.

I have noticed in the past that my rendered songs do sound a bit tinny.

Has anyone noticed this sort of timbre difference as well?

Are there recommendations for a good, FULL sounding synth as I'm looking to buy a new one.

Virus

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quote:

Originally posted by ClearWater Are there recommendations for a good, FULL sounding synth as I'm looking to buy a new one.

I highly recommend downloading the Tone2 Gladiator2 demo. Also, spend an hour or so with its tutorials (in the user's manual pdf) to get a real sense of what this thing can do and to see what HCM synthesis adds - I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Omnisphere is incredible as well, but there's no demo available, so it's a pretty expensive gamble - that said, I don't know of too many people who have purchased it and been disappointed. On the contrary, I think most people are very pleasantly surprised that it's not just for cinematic scores. It's a deep synth with a huge sound.

Sylenth1 is pretty full-sounding as well, but is pretty limited compared to the others and, at the same cost, Gladiator 2 blows it away IMO in terms of sound and features.

U-he Zebra sounds awesome from the demos I've heard and many people love it, but I don't own it so I'd just recommend trying out the demo.

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I can't think of the preset name right now, but Genesis has some insanely powerful trance sounds. To my ears, it has clearly established itself as #1 when it comes to the saw saturating. Check this video out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-32RY7UhNo

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Have a look at the Rob Papen stuff, arturia's synths, oddity, pro 53... the fact that massive and absynth sound different isn't a bad thing, all synths have their own character. But those two certainly aren't appropriate for everything.

There was a thread on here called "put your money where your mouth is" where different sounds of various synths were compared.

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with out any doubt it has to be sylenth

Well imo certain synths are better for certain sounds, and yes each one naturally has its own sonic character.

Sylenth is good, but also a cheese machine imo. I just have no reason to use it when I already have z3ta which crushes it imo.

Z3ta is like a thin sounding virus and is good for bass, pads, leads, and fx.

Albino I rarely use for leads, they always sound to "albinoish" but I will use it for pads, ambient sounds, plucks and more rarely bass.

Vanguard imo blows for everything, sure it can be integrated into a good trance track but I just hate 90% of the sounds that come out of it, if anything maybe just pads and gates.

Genesis is another good synth, because of its deep sounds I use it mostly for leads, its good for other sounnds too but if I'm looking to save CPU (which I always am) I only usually use it for a single sound.

Gladiator is another fun synth, it IS capable of making great sounds, but I don't like HCM synthesis because I never took the time to understand it. So naturally I'm ignorant here.

Sytrus is one of my favorite synths, its a bitch to program but I only really learned because it was my first main vst that I used. I can get fairly deep and bright sounds from any category. But even when you know how to program it - its still extremely annoying compared to other synths.

Massive I liked but I think its overrated still. Its got great routing/modulating capabilities but it couldn't really do anything special, or at least anything special enough that I actually need. Its a bit overkill imo, I don't need controll over every single g/damn aspect of a sound, just found myself wasting more time with its knobs then actually getting results.

Absynth is great but I never got past its presets.

FM8 is also great but I never got past its presets.

I'd still have to say in the end its not neccesarilly which sounds the best, but what just agrees with how you prefer to work and program synths.


The main synths I use are z3ta, albino, sytrus, genesis, and v-station which I didn't mention.
V-station is just too easy to program imo, although its lacks depth imo, still manages to find its place in a lot of my tracks.

But all in all vsts are toys, if you want a real sound machine get a TI, Nord or analog like a Spectralis.

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Sequencers: FL Studio 9XXL & Reason 3.
Main Synth Bass GTs - Pro-53, V-Station, Sytrus, Subtractor, Trilian, Blue, Sylenth & Z3ta.
Main Synth Lead/Pad GTs - Z3ta, Sytrus, Sylenth, Vangard, Albino & Nexus.
Main FXs GTs - Waves Plugins, Soundtoys, Volcano, FL Native FX.
Hardware - Truths, Echo Audiofire, Virus Snow, & Novation Xio Midi-Synth.

Anyone try the Oberheim emulation OP-X?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F78H6mPcETM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWLNulIW8RI

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Last edited by Kismet7 on May-05-2009 at 02:16

IMO, Gladiator is the best all around synth for trance sounds, I use many synths and this is the one that I find myself constantly going back to. Its most likely one of closest to the virus sound imo.

I am excited to try some of the newer ones coming out though, like Waldorf Largo, and the Squad synths from Fxpansion.

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My point of view (random list):
1. Zebra2 has a lot of fans - it sounds warm

2. Audjoo Helix is great plugin. Some state that it has best software supersaw potential. It reminds me Z3ta - it has wavetable and analog oscillators and it has some waveshaping options. Those who like Z3ta, definitely should check Helix.

3. Genesis CM - one of the best freeware / magazinware plugins. example of common trance lead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWsz4eVEePI

4. Tone2 Gladiator - innovative, great plugin

5. Synapse Toxic II 2.5 - it's probably the cheapest monster synth (49 $). great FM Synthesis, 6 oscillators. Personally I think that it's not so popular because of this FM Synthesis. Some people are scared of it while Toxic can be used as typical Subtractive Synth as well. My favourite synth.

6. ReFX Vanguard - I don't know. Maybe it's just me but i've never liked it.

7. Novation V-Station - after 6 years it still sounds very good. I would say that with Z3ta+, over time, it proven to be best synth.

Sure it has only 8 voice polyphony so it's not the best for pads but the sound is clean, bright.

8. Z3ta+ - it's a beast, it has that hmm analog feeling. I hate the gui but everything else is gorgeous.

9. Sylenth - there's a reason why for example Airbase uses it. It sounds hmmm digital but it sounds great. It lacks some modulation possibilities but for me that's top quality synth. Not overcrowded, tons of presets, quick learning curve. Those who like hmm analogue feeling - just skip it

10. Glass Viper - pretty unknown synth. Just google for it, im sure you'll like it. It's all about movement in Glass Viper. Very innovative synth

11. Outmeal - very good freeware synth with possibility to draw your own waveforms. it's my top hmm 5 best freeware instruments

ps. to be honest i'm not a fan of NI synths. well, I like Pro53 the most And actually I dont know why. They sound very nice but I guess the combination of UI, complexity just draws me away. I like to create presets, some synths are almost inviting me to create some (I love V-Station and Synapse Toxic II 2.5 for that) but no NI plugins. I know most synthesis types, im rather experienced synth programmer but NI plugins are just overwhelming...

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