My Top 10 Synths

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cryophonik
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2007/11/13 13:42:33 (permalink)

My Top 10 Synths

Ah, what the heck - I don't subscribe to Computer Music magazine, so here are my Top 10 soft synths (yes, I included romplers )

10. Rob Papen Albino 3
9. reFX Vanguard
8. Dimension Pro
7. Rob Papen Blue
6. NI Absynth
5. Rapture
4. Spectrasonics Atmosphere
3. Z3TA+
2. reFX Nexus
1. NI Massive

The order (especially among the top 5) can vary on a daily basis and is subject to change without notice.

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#1

25 Replies Related Threads

    Distortion
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/13 14:06:30 (permalink)
    What!?! No XYZ synth? Your list stinks.

    Just kidding. I don't even own 10 synths. You certainly got some nice ones in your Top 10 though. I really cannot argue with any of your choices.
    #2
    Trusty
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/13 20:17:37 (permalink)
    Why not...

    10. Zebra 2 (I have to buy this one day...)
    9. DropZone (I am loving this thing. Especially when I don't want Dimension Pro, and need more control than Dimension LE...It is perfect, and if Dimension Pro is ranked #1, this has to be here somewhere by default...for my uses anyway)
    8. Korg MS-20 (Korg Legacy Cell)
    7. Rapture
    6. Reaktor5 (Its software)

    I could get by with just my top five, which is why they are my top five.

    5. VELOCITY (Hey, it's my drum/one shot sampler...I use it in everything I make)
    4. Intakt
    3. Microtonic
    2. z3ta+
    1. Dimension Pro
    post edited by Trusty - 2007/11/13 20:29:59
    #3
    fac
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 00:00:12 (permalink)
    Mine would be (in no particular order):

    - VAZ Modular
    - z3ta+
    - Rapture
    - Korg Legacy Digital Edition (mostly because of the WaveStation)
    - Microtonic
    - ImpOscar
    - Cameleon5000
    - ShortCircuit (I'm lovin' it)
    - Dimension Pro

    Ok, they're not ten, so what?

    http://facproductions.net

    Lots of gear. Not enough time.
    #4
    mumpcake
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 00:25:33 (permalink)
    In no particular order
    - Jamstix
    - RM IV
    - Dim Pro
    - Rapture
    - Pentagon
    - Vertigo
    - Triangle II
    - Rhino
    - Organized Trio
    - Delay Lama
    #5
    DelvarWorld
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 01:03:28 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Trusty

    5. VELOCITY (Hey, it's my drum/one shot sampler...I use it in everything I make)


    Now I may have my terminology way off, but isn't that just a sampler, not a synth?
    #6
    fac
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 01:48:30 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: DelvarWorld


    ORIGINAL: Trusty

    5. VELOCITY (Hey, it's my drum/one shot sampler...I use it in everything I make)


    Now I may have my terminology way off, but isn't that just a sampler, not a synth?


    Technically, both are very similar. Especially in the software world.

    http://facproductions.net

    Lots of gear. Not enough time.
    #7
    :10:
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 06:58:22 (permalink)
    -RMIV
    -RAPTURE
    -DIMENSION PRO
    -X-TREME FX

    thats pretty much all I use now.

      
    #8
    syrath
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 07:39:49 (permalink)
    Sylenth 1
    Zebra 2
    Rapture
    Dimension Pro
    z3ta+
    Stylus RMX
    Velocity

    Thats the ones I use. Id say Sylenth 1 and Zebra 2 are now my 2 favourites.
    #9
    wrench45us
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 07:58:40 (permalink)

    synth i use every night (practice/composition)
    Lounge Lizard

    synths i use a lot:
    absynth, rhino, battery, microtonic, Tera

    synths i use, but less often
    Dim Pro, Kontakt, Reaktor, FM8, B4

    synth i may start using
    Zebra

    synth that periodically nags my sense of gear lust
    TruePiano

    I could make a list of synths I own but rarely if ever use but that would be embarassing
    I'd have to face how much this 'hobby' has cost
    but then we'd all understand why I don't get too fired up about new products these days


     


    #10
    Distortion
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 10:51:57 (permalink)
    Dim Pro
    Z3ta+
    Fabfilter Twin
    Zebra2
    Guru
    -edit- I forgot ImpOscar! That is definitely in the list.


    I don't yet own Rapture, so can't vote for it yet.
    post edited by Distortion - 2007/11/14 12:40:27
    #11
    cryophonik
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 11:54:52 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: syrath


    Stylus RMX
    Velocity



    Well, if we're including drum VSTs, I need to rethink my top ten - Stylus and Battery 3 would have to be in there and probably both in the top five.

    Stuart - have you tried any of the Ilio SAGE expanders? I'm considering picking up Skippy's NoizBox and/or Ethno/Techno. I'd love to hear your (or anyone else's) opinion on their expansions before I decide to buy.

    cryophonik   |   soundcloud  |   Facebook

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    #12
    Prevalence
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 13:15:06 (permalink)
    I see that Z3ta often gets voted above Rapture. I've recently bought Rapture and I am now considering Z3ta as well. Question is, which is best? And do they overlap much in the sounds?

    Best Regards, Paul
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    #13
    ecamburn
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 14:15:55 (permalink)
    Top 7 beginning with 1...

    Albino (I actually prefer 2 to 3 in many ways)
    Battery
    Synth1
    Reaktor-favs=steampipe,carbon,junatik
    Imposcar
    Dimension
    Vanguard

    Trying to go deeper into fewer synths and keep things simple.

    e
    #14
    wrench45us
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 15:25:36 (permalink)

    eric,

    why do you prefer Albino 2 to 3?
    is it a sound character thing or ease of use or ???



     


    #15
    Trusty
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 23:40:02 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Prevalence

    I see that Z3ta often gets voted above Rapture. I've recently bought Rapture and I am now considering Z3ta as well. Question is, which is best? And do they overlap much in the sounds?


    I am sure many people would argue that this is due to sentiment...I am not one of those. z3ta+ is really a synth that will not go out of fashion. I've loved this thing for a long, long time. And despite Rapture having more in depth bells and whistles (step generators and Envelope Generators...etc...), for a straight-forward synth with serious power and a work horse capabilities, z3ta+ keeps giving and doesn't disappoint.

    I think Rene has basically said that Rapture and z3ta+ have about 80% of the same capabilities as far as sounds...but that last 20% difference between them takes them into infinity in each direction in terms of power one has over the other (and vice versa) in different tasks that makes both still desired side by side in the same set-up...I think he's right.

    In short: There ain't no best between these two, at least, in my opinion (but until I have had Rapture long enough, z3ta+ will be my favorite of the two).
    #16
    Trusty
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/14 23:42:55 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: ecamburn

    Reaktor-favs=junatik



    I agree with that one for sure. I use that all the time and from what it has given me in terms of music, it has by itself paid for Reaktor at least ten times over. Worth the price alone in my opinion.
    #17
    fac
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 00:38:02 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Distortion
    I don't yet own Rapture, so can't vote for it yet.


    I voted for various synths that I don't own, but I wish I did (e.g., VAZ Modular, Rapture, Korg Wavestation). The reason I don't plan to buy them is because I still use quite a few hardware synths that do the job.

    If we took hardware synths into account, my favorite synths would be:

    - A nice analog modular (these are basically custom synths, so I can't be more specific)
    - Clavia Nord G2 (I only have a micromodular, but the G2 should rule)
    - ImpOscar (I loved the demo. I bought the FutureRetro pack. I'm waiting for it to arrive)
    - Korg Wavestation (software or hardware - this is the granddaddy of Rapture)
    - Waldorf MicroWave XTk
    - Dimension Pro (as far as romplers go, this one's quite good)
    - Cameleon5000
    - Korg MS2000 (cheap, great sounding synth, can do some Rapture-ish stuff)
    - Lounge Lizard (I love EP's - thanks to Wrench for reminding me about this one)
    - ShortCircuit (still can't believe it's free)



    http://facproductions.net

    Lots of gear. Not enough time.
    #18
    fac
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 00:39:30 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Trusty

    ORIGINAL: Prevalence

    I see that Z3ta often gets voted above Rapture. I've recently bought Rapture and I am now considering Z3ta as well. Question is, which is best? And do they overlap much in the sounds?


    I am sure many people would argue that this is due to sentiment...I am not one of those. z3ta+ is really a synth that will not go out of fashion. I've loved this thing for a long, long time. And despite Rapture having more in depth bells and whistles (step generators and Envelope Generators...etc...), for a straight-forward synth with serious power and a work horse capabilities, z3ta+ keeps giving and doesn't disappoint.

    I think Rene has basically said that Rapture and z3ta+ have about 80% of the same capabilities as far as sounds...but that last 20% difference between them takes them into infinity in each direction in terms of power one has over the other (and vice versa) in different tasks that makes both still desired side by side in the same set-up...I think he's right.

    In short: There ain't no best between these two, at least, in my opinion (but until I have had Rapture long enough, z3ta+ will be my favorite of the two).


    z3ta+ for its mod matrix

    Rapture for its step sequencers

    Ain't no overlap in there.

    http://facproductions.net

    Lots of gear. Not enough time.
    #19
    ecamburn
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 02:09:53 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: wrench45us


    eric,

    why do you prefer Albino 2 to 3?
    is it a sound character thing or ease of use or ???




    ease of use. the main diff between 2 and 3 was the addition of layers ala dimension. My simple mind can only handle sound shaping in one dimension. also the gui changed a bit with 3 and I'm very familiar with 2's gui.

    eric
    #20
    syrath
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 02:44:00 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: fac
    - Dimension Pro (as far as romplers go, this one's quite good)



    I think that calling Dimension Pro a rompler does it a bit of disservice, its a lot more than that, and was diesigned to be more like a synth that can act like a sampler, rather than a rompler.
    #21
    puffer
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 11:07:10 (permalink)
    Why not? Always fun to do an inventory.

    No particular order but that whereby I remember them (thus my most trusted will be towards the top):

    Zebra2
    impOSCar
    microTonic
    Albino2 (I've never upgraded more out of inertia; not sure what 3 brings that I really need)
    z3ta+
    Rapture
    Motion
    oatmeal (Grymmjack skin)
    Absynth
    FM7

    But always use a lot of samples, so Kontakt2 and DimensionPro would be high on the list if I were including those, as well as BFD & DR-008


    digitallofi.bandcamp.com
    #22
    fac
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/15 21:49:46 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: syrath


    ORIGINAL: fac
    - Dimension Pro (as far as romplers go, this one's quite good)



    I think that calling Dimension Pro a rompler does it a bit of disservice, its a lot more than that, and was diesigned to be more like a synth that can act like a sampler, rather than a rompler.


    Actually, if you look at the architecture of any modern rompler, you'll see they're all very similar: you have a few layers (typically 4) which consist of an oscillator (playing a sampled waveform), passed through one or two filters, and then into some effects. Some parameters (typically, frequency, amplitude, and cutoff) can be modulated by envelopes or LFO's, and that's about it. Whether Dimension Pro should be classified as a rompler or not, I don't know, but it certainly fits the scheme.

    Now, this shouldn't be taken as "disservice", as you put it. Romplers *are* synths, and some are *very powerful* synths. But for some reason, people tend to think of romplers as simple sample players, which IMO they are not.

    http://facproductions.net

    Lots of gear. Not enough time.
    #23
    philly
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/16 03:27:03 (permalink)
    I don't have 10 vst! but this is what I use

    FM8
    Reaktor 5
    Charlie Retro Organ
    Lazysnake
    Drumular
    microtonic
    and Squid Tron Collection for Sampletank LE
    #24
    ATS
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/16 04:18:51 (permalink)
    My Top Ten Synths

    1. Gladiator (so cool - not out yet though)
    2. Firebird - the only synth I actually enjoy somewhat to program
    3. Vanguard - It gets much use
    4. BLUE - love it
    5. Octopus - like it better than FM8
    6. Filterbank - it's a synth and effect - got lots of use on my last cd as an effect (like vocals on take me to the sun)
    7. Analog Factory - WOW it just covers so much ground
    8. z3ta+ - used it forever - since it came out years ago
    9. Toxic 3 - sits in a mix so well
    10. Sytrus - it's amazing

    Really I have more but I'll stop there and i only picked ones I own
    #25
    pwal
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    RE: My Top 10 Synths 2007/11/16 08:54:39 (permalink)
    again, in no particular order:

    zebra2
    firebird+
    rmiv
    wusikstation
    rapture
    discovery
    lounge lizard
    string studio

    p


    list of stuff
    #26
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