razor
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Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
Hey Group-- Does anyone have any recommendations for current sounding soft-synths that would work for Pop Rock, Alternative Rock? I have kontakt, but it could be a stand-alone too. I'd like to see if I can grab one whilst many vendors are having big sales. Thanks! 
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jude77
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/11 16:45:49
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/12 01:32:48
Can you give us a few examples of the type of bands you like?
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/11 17:53:01
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/12 01:32:52
Look at Synthmaster, it's very versatile and suitable for most genres, there are a lot of preset packs for different styles.
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Mesh
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/11 18:30:15
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/12 01:32:54
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Bajan Blue
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/11 18:54:53
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/12 01:32:58
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abacab
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/11 21:29:13
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/12 01:33:09
Glyn Barnes
Look at Synthmaster, it's very versatile and suitable for most genres, there are a lot of preset packs for different styles.
+ 1 for SynthMaster. There is a Winter sale until Jan 6th. You can get the SynthMaster 1+2 bundle for $77. http://www.synthmaster.com/
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razor
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 01:25:37
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jude77
Can you give us a few examples of the type of bands you like?
Hey Jude (sorry, had to) It's hard for me, but here are a couple of current songs (with retro influences) that probably are good representations of the type of synth sounds I'm looking for: Foster the People (Sit Next to Me) Empire of the Sun (Walking on a Dream) Surprising how similar the key intros are to each other when I listened to them back to back!
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razor
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 01:32:32
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Thanks, all! Between this forum and one other, here is the list I put together to check out: - Synthmaster
- Hybrid 3
- Dmitry Sches Thorn and Diversion
- Serum
- Sylenth
- Diva
- Rob Papen synths
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msmcleod
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 01:57:28
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abacab
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 03:16:22
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msmcleod
Synthmaster would be my first suggestion, but also checkout AIR Xpand! 2, which is quite often on sale... like it is now for under £4: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1560-Xpand-2
I have SynthMaster, Hybrid 3, and Xpand!2. I wouldn't actually classify Xpand!2 as a synth, as it is more of a ROMpler, although stuffed with a wide variety of sounds. Very useful for quickly sketching up a few tracks! But for someone that already has Kontakt, it is probably mostly an overlap, regardless of the price point. If you want to keep the budget under $1, you cannot go wrong with Hybrid 3. A lot of modern synth sounds to be had with that for the price!!! It really has a good sound. with two layers and two step sequencers. Great for moving sounds, sequences, arpeggios, etc. But SynthMaster overall for the value that you get is hard to beat! There are multiple synthesis types available, including classic virtual analog and wavetable. SynthMaster also a lot of very good preset expansions from skilled sound designers as add-on options to go with. They cover everything from the vintage to the modern sounds, and the expansions are available individually or as an "everything" bundle. http://www.synthmaster.com/
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pwalpwal
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 13:44:31
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are all the suggestions still "current"? a lot of current musicians are trying to make their synths sound "vintage" so it could be more about the sound rather than the synth... but for a "do all" i'd suggest synthmaster (it really does all, pretty much) and zebra2 from u-he (rather than diva, which is an analog emu)
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razor
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 16:21:40
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msmcleod
razor
Thanks, all! Between this forum and one other, here is the list I put together to check out:
- Synthmaster
- Hybrid 3
- Dmitry Sches Thorn and Diversion
- Serum
- Sylenth
- Diva
- Rob Papen synths
Synthmaster would be my first suggestion, but also checkout AIR Xpand! 2, which is quite often on sale... like it is now for under £4: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1560-Xpand-2
Wow, $5 US. Can't beat that. I'll check it out too. Thanks!
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kitekrazy1
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 21:11:47
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/13 18:40:22
All of them. Also check your Kontakt library.
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dmbaer
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/12 21:29:54
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☄ Helpfulby jude77 2018/12/13 16:49:45
First, it would be helpful to know your anticipated price point. Secondly, it would be useful if we know how proficient you are with tweaking sounds vs just wishing using presets with minimal tweaking.
Synthmaster, for example, is a huge value for raw bang for the buck. But to take full advantage of a large collection of presets, you would want to purchase quite a few of the expansion packs (and there are some very fine ones available).
Rob Papen Predator 2, on the other hand, costs more than Synthmaster and doesn't have the range of Synthmaster in terms of types of sound production possibilities (no sample playback for example), but it comes with thousands of immediately usable presets (and a good browser for finding types of presets you are interested in). You could easily make an argument that Predator 2 is the better value based on the presets it ships with.
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razor
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/13 18:51:41
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All great info. I agree, there are a lot of soft synths that you can tweak to make current sounding patches, but with my production schedule, I would rather start off with presets that are already fairly close to the mark and then just make some minor tweaks, add layers, etc. Most times it comes down to a matter of taste, but the suggestions you've all provided were very helpful--and I do appreciate it. 
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abacab
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/13 20:38:14
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I can't help but hear 80's synth pop in some of the current pop music. Here's a list of the vintage gear that made those vintage sounds. https://www.musictech.net/2018/09/the-10-synths-that-made-synth-pop-and-2-samplers/ Arturia Analog Lab 3 has 6500+ preset sounds from many of those vintage machines, taken from the Arturia V Collection (modeled virtual versions of those vintage synths). The user friendly browser in Analog Lab will let you search across the library for the type of sound you are looking for. Then you can use the smart controls within each preset to tweak the sound to your liking. No deep editing here, but just quick adjustments to things like filters, envelopes, FX, etc. Check out the free demo! https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/analoglab/overview
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emeraldsoul
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/14 02:24:40
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Dune 2? Soon to be Dune 3. I couldn't say how "current" it is but I like it and think it sounds more "hi res" than some of the others.
I have xPand which is so cheap and dirty and useful, but not top-shelf sounding. I have Sylenth, which is old fashioned goodness. Pretty rich sounding as well.
It's probably more important to write a good song or arrangement, than to quibble over any of the tools at this level.
cheers,
-Tom
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abacab
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Re: Looking for Current Sounding Soft Synths
2018/12/14 02:49:01
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2018/12/14 21:53:07
emeraldsoul
It's probably more important to write a good song or arrangement, than to quibble over any of the tools at this level.
I agree, and I think that is the point of the OP's question. If you have tools that you can quickly dial in something roughly sounding close to what you have in mind, you can stay on track. Otherwise you can easily go down the rabbit hole of sound design, and forget about writing a song. There is plenty of time (and tools) for finding the "perfect" sounds to mix your song with later.
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