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The Best Trance VST/AU SoftSynths of 2005
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| alanzo |
VSTi:
Virtual Studio Technology Instrument (a.k.a. SoftSynth). A fully software synthesizer that will run in your sequencer or stand alone (VST/AUs are not compatible with Propellerhead Reason; sorry)
Many of these are available for both Windows and MAC and are noted as such. The first list is of commercial instruments, the second is of freeware instruments. All of the information below was taken directly from the manufacturer websites (as noted). I did not give a review for any of them as I want to leave that up to the readers of this to decide on their own.
Other resources:
http://www.kvr-vst.com � A database of VST/AU/DXi Instruments and FX. Contains information on nearly every software synthesizer that has ever been open to the public, both freeware and commercial (contains many instruments that I did not feel the need to mention here for various reasons).
http://www.patcharena.com/ - A database of free presets for nearly all of the below software synthesizers.
Notes:
If you are experiencing a delay between the time when you press and key and when sound comes from your VST/AU instrument, be sure ASIO is turned on in your sequencer�s sound device properties.
DX means DirectX Instrument; a format not as efficient as VST/AU and not as commonly used; another option of you are having compatibility problems.
All of the below are analog synthesizer emulations except for Edirol Orchestral, Spectrasonics Atmosphere, & Spectrasonics Trilogy.
Commercial
RGC:Audio z3ta+ 1.40
Formats Available: VST, DX
Specs: http://www.rgcaudio.com/z3ta%2B.htm
Audio Demo: http://www.rgcaudio.com/downloads/tracks/epinephrin.mp3
Usable Demo:
VST: http://www.rgcaudio.com/downloads/d...a%2B140demo.exe
DX: http://www.rgcaudio.com/downloads/d...BDXi140demo.exe
Full Version Price: 149 �
Distributor Information: http://www.rgcaudio.com
Native Instruments Pro-53
Formats Available: VST, AU, RTAS, DX
Specs: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?pro53_us
Audio Demo: http://dj-rob.vugaming.com/mp3/dj-r...-%20preview.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...pro52macdemo_us
MAC: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...?pro52pcdemo_us
Full Version Price: $199 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...s_us&no_cache=1
Free Trance Presets: http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~almarc04/v...2004_pro-53.rar
Native Instruments FM7
Formats Available: VST, AU, RTAS, DX
Specs: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/pag...d=fm7_us&type=1
Audio Demo: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/pag...d=fm7_us&type=1
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.native-instruments.com/i...hp?fm7pcdemo_us
MAC: http://www.native-instruments.com/i...p?fm7macdemo_us
Full Version Price: $299 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...s_us&no_cache=1
Native Instruments Absynth 3
Formats Available: VST, AU, RTAS, DX
Specs: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?absynth3_us
Audio Demo: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?absynth3_us
Usable Demo: N/A
Full Version Price: $339 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...s_us&no_cache=1
Native Instruments Reaktor
Formats Available: VST, AU, RTAS, DX
Specs: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?reaktor_us
Audio Demo: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?reaktor_us
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?r4pcdemo_us
MAC: http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?r4pcdemo_us
Full Version Price: $499 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.nativeinstruments.de/ind...s_us&no_cache=1
JP-8000 Ensemble for Reaktor: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...733#post3683733
Novation V-Station
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.novationmusic.com/nov_ro...tation_over.htm
Audio Demo: http://www.soundwizard.de/Sounds/ww...%20Soundset.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.novationmusic.com/downlo...tation_demo.zip
MAC: http://www.novationmusic.com/downlo...ionDemo.pkg.sit
Full Version Price: $220 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.novationmusic.com/nov_ro.../distrib_1.htm#
reFX Vanguard
Formats Available: VST
Specs: http://www.refx.net/pro_Vanguard.htm?lang=eng
Audio Demo: http://www.refx.net/downloads/Vangu...nature-Demo.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.refx.net/downloads/Vangu...nguard_Demo.zip
MAC: http://www.refx.net/downloads/Vangu...rd_DEMO.pkg.zip
Full Version Price: $70
Distributor Information: http://www.refx.net
impOSCar
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.gmediamusic.com/gforce/i...r/impOSCar.html
Audio Demo: http://www.gmediamusic.com/gforce/i...os/impOSCar.mp3
Usable Demo: http://www.gmediamusic.com/gforce/i...OSCarDemos.html
Full Version Price: �99.95 - $179.95 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.gmediamusic.com/gforce/i...r/impOSCar.html
Access Virus|Powercore
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.tcelectronic.com/Virus
Audio Demo: http://www.soundwizard.de/Sounds/ww...l%20Schleis.mp3
Usable Demo: http://www.tcelectronic.com/Default.asp?Id=2996
Full Version Price: $400 USD, additional $200 for optional unlimited license
Distributor Information: http://www.tc-now.com/Default.asp?Id=1509
NOTE: The Virus|Powercore requires a Powercore DSP card to be installed on the host system.
Albino 2
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.linplug.com/Products/Albino_2/albino_2.htm
Audio Demo: http://www.linplug5.com/mp3/RobPapen_A2_Demo1.mp3
Usable Demo: http://www.linplug.com/Download/download.htm#Albino
Full Version Price: $199 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.linplug.com/Shop/shop.htm#Albino
Korg Legacy Collection
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_...y/pk_legacy.asp
Audio Demo: http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_...y/pk_legacy.asp
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.korg.co.uk/downloads/klc_win_demo_en.zip
MAC: http://www.korg.co.uk/downloads/klc_mac_demo_en.dmg
Full Version Price: $500 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_.../pk_legacy.asp#
AudioRealism Bassline (Roland TB-303 Emulation)
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.audiorealism.se/products.htm
Audio Demo: http://www.audiorealism.se/demos/ABL_Demo_1_3xABL.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.audiorealism.se/demos/In...ine_PC_Demo.zip
MAC: http://www.audiorealism.se/demos/In...ST_Demo.pkg.sit
Full Version Price: $135.30 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.audiorealism.se/shop.htm
VAZ
Formats Available: VST, DX
Specs: http://www.software-technology.com/
Audio Demo: ://www.software-technology.com/info/softech/vaz2010/v2/Sounds.mp3
Usable Demo: N/A
Full Version Price: Modular 3: $389.06 USD 2010 v2: $194.48 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.software-technology.com/orderinf.htm
Discovery
Formats Available: VST
Specs: http://www.discodsp.com/pdf/discovery_specs.pdf
Audio Demo: http://www.soundwizard.de/Sounds/ww...l%20Schleis.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.discodsp.com/download.asp?id=5
Full Version Price: $150 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.discodsp.com/discovery/
Edirol Orchestral (Real-World Instruments Sampler: Orchestral Sounds)
Formats Available: VST, AU
Specs: http://www.edirol.com/products/info/hq_orchestral.html
Audio Demo: http://www.edirol.com/products/info...estral.html#mp3
Usable Demo: N/A
Full Version Price: $300 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.edirol.com/corporate/wherebuy.html
Spectrasonics Atmosphere
Formats Available: VST, MAS, RTAS
Specs: http://www.spectrasonics.net/instru...atmosphere.html
Audio Demo: http://www.spectrasonics.net/instru...here/demos.html
Usable Demo: N/A
Full Version Price: $400 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.spectrasonics.net/distrib.html
Spectrasonics Trilogy
Formats Available: VST, MAS, RTAS
Specs: http://www.spectrasonics.net/instruments/trilogy.html
Audio Demo: http://www.spectrasonics.net/instru...logy/demos.html
Usable Demo: N/A
Full Version Price: $349 USD
Distributor Information: http://www.spectrasonics.net/distrib.html
Applied Accoustic System Ultra Analog VA-1 v1.0.1
Formats Available: VST, DX, AU, RTAS
Specs: http://www.applied-acoustics.com/ultraanalog.htm
Audio Demo: http://www.applied-acoustics.com/so...aAnalogDemo.mp3
Usable Demo:
Windows: http://www.applied-acoustics.com/pr...alog101Demo.exe
Mac: http://www.applied-acoustics.com/pr...alog101Demo.dmg
Full Version Price: $ 199
Distributor Information: http://www.applied-acoustics.com
Freeware
Superwave P8
Formats Available: VST
Specs: http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm
Audio Demo: N/A
Download: http://home.btconnect.com/christoph...rwave-p8-16.zip
Developer Website: http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm
RGC:Audio Triangle II
Formats Available: VST, DX
Specs: http://www.rgcaudio.com/triangle_II.htm
Audio Demo: N/A
Download: http://www.rgcaudio.com/downloads/freeware/T2111.exe
Developer Website: http://www.rgcaudio.com/triangle_II.htm
Synth 1
Formats Available: VST
Specs: http://www.geocities.jp/daichi1969/.../readmeeng.html
Audio Demo: http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~almarc04/v..._audio_demo.mp3
Download: http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~almarc04/vsti/synth1.zip
Developer Website: http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconV...5005/softsynth/
Free Trance Presets:
http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~almarc04/v...th1_presets.zip
reFX Claw
Formats Available: VST
Specs: http://www.refx.net/pro_Claw.htm?lang=eng
Audio Demo: N/A
Download:
Windows: http://www.refx.net/downloads/Claw/Claw_1.0.zip
MAC: http://www.refx.net/downloads/Claw/Claw_1.0.sit
Developer Website: http://www.refx.net/pro_Claw.htm?lang=eng |
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| thecYrus |
| great list, alanzo! |
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| moore |
| What about Linplug Albino? I think it deserves a spot.. |
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| Sonicstyle |
space is gone for the presets, will re-upload them if I get space somewhere |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Sonicstyle
space is gone for the presets, will re-upload them if I get space somewhere |
Once I get back to school in a couple weeks I'm going to re-host all of the pics on my server, resize them so they don't take up so much space on the page, and provide hosting for all the additional things like presets and such.
^All of the above so long as this thread replaces the current VST synth sticky |
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| cheesy |
| Awesome. It would be great if you added which platforms each was available for (i.e. Mac, PC, etc) |
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| Subtle |
| this is as much VST instrument as a sounddiver :rolleyes: |
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| DJ-Igloo |
| nice post alanzo |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Subtle
this is as much VST instrument as a sounddiver :rolleyes: |
that's like saying a MIDI Controller and a Hardware rack synth are the same thing.
Being that the Virus|Powercore requires a hardware DSP card, it does take away from the 'softsynth' title that is applied to it at times, but it remains a VST/AU instrument thus I felt it was a valid addition to my list.
@cheesy: Nearly all commercial VST/AU instruments are available for both MAC and PC. This is why I felt it wasn't neccesary to use this as a statistic for each of the instruments. As for the freeware instruments, if a MAC version is available, a link is provided to download it. |
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| Dj Pyster |
| Nice list, I use 50% of those VSTi and their great. |
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