what is the best-sounding softsynth to use in Sonar x1?

I tried putting some different ones in the effects area and it seems like the only one I kinda know how to use is the TTS-1.

Then with some of the others, I can't even hardly get some of them to play anything and not familar with them.

The TTS offers a nice variety of sounds, but some of them really aren't very realistic and you have to get creative to try and find or make a good sound out of it. Trying different and comparing different presets, adding some reverb or chorus or other effects-after it has been converted to an audio file even, etc..

So it gets kinda limited with what you can do in terms of quality sound. Some of the presets/virtual instruments sound downright bad and very fakey.

So I was wondering is what is the most realistic sounding softsynth to use in Sonar x1? There was one I didn't try out-said I had to register the thing first. And then, how in the world do you use it? :)

My bro has a keyboard upstairs that could make midi pieces(lacking the midi cables), but I'm not trying to create midi pieces so much as taking existing ones I get online and sculpting them into something nice and realistic sounding and not clinky. 

So I pretty much just use the mouse, keyboard and software and try to sculpt it by choosing whatever instruments that sound half-decent.

What do you recommend? I'm not really that good or familiar with using softsynths and also all the capabilities in X1.

This is a very broad question, at lot depends on what types of music you like to work with. For orchestral music, I use Garrison Personal Orchestra. There are other orchestral libraries out there that specialize more and cost more as well, but this one is fairly complete, very easy to use, and goes for $149.

Not only broad but also subjective. For an old freebie GM synth I think TTS-1 is pretty good but of course there are better options available. How much £/$ do you want to spend?

Realistic sounds + Kick ass samples + great all kind of sounds--->   KONTAKT 5 and libraries.
http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-5/




BEST Software synth. ----> Omnisphere
http://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere.php

If by "realistic" you mean sounds like real instruments, you need a sample player for that and Dimension Pro is the best soft synth included in Cakewalk for that purpose. If you need more realism, then Native Instruments Kontakt is probably the best bang for the buck.

After that come sample libraries that provide specific instrument simulations and those can get expensive depending on what you want.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

As the others have pointed out, DimPro is the best option in Cakewalk for natural, acoustic sounds (it does weird, too).

However, it sounds like you are used to GM sounds - that is, General Midi.  The files you are finding on the internet or where ever are probably meant to be used w/ this format.  In the early days of soundcards they included sampled instrument sounds, and developers came up w/ GM, so that a midi file could tell any soundcard to play this instrument w/ these midi notes.  This info is part of the midi file and happens before the first note.

Piano is one, midi channel 10 is for drums, etc. etc.  GM is a mapping convention so any of these 2nd generation, sample cards could play standard midi files.  We've kept it all the way to today.  And surprise, TTS is the only GM synth in the Cake arsenal.  It should sound better than the better spec'ed DimPro is that it plays the piano for the piano part, rather than a tuba.

Other than the "effects" problem you are having, simply "insert" an instance of Dimpro (or synth of your choice) into a channel.  If you aren't playing it but using GM midi files it will be a mess, since the GM is spitting out all the music parts on 16 midi channels while DimPro is playing all those notes on one preset.  You'll have to edit the GM file down to single channels and assign each channel to a separate instance of DimPro.  And find the proper sound for it.  A lot of work, tho you can learn a lot if you are experimenting.

Basically, if I am following you, the problem lies not in the synth, but in the midi files you are using.

@

The OP needs to define what it is they're looking for... and it'll be a whole lot easier to find it.
ie:  If realistic sounding acoustic piano is a high priority, you won't find those sounds in a GM or "Synth" type instrument.  

If the OP wants to cover maximum ground with just a couple virtual instruments, I totally agree with Freddie.
Kontakt 5 (acoustic/electric "real" instruments) and Omnisphere (Synth sounds)

Cool. Thanks for some different ideas here. I will consider Kontact 5 and Omnisphere for future reference. 

I was mainly referring to bundled synths that are part of Sonar X1, but appreciate the other discussion as it pertains to the subject.

Consider me dumb in terms of using synths/softsynths or at least ignorant. I have a lot to learn.

I will try out Dimensionpro sometime. That might be the one that I have to register first before I can access it.

Just want it to sound good.

I have no idea how they make the midi files online generally(well not much), but maybe they started out as "poor" quality midi files in the first place-so maybe that makes them sound crappy in TTS-1-as AT was mentioning.

So it's better to go to track views then and -insert synth, rather than going to the effects bin and simply adding it there I take. I'll have to try it out. 

I'd like to get a cheap midi controller like an M-audio for around $300 at some point-that can create midi pieces, utilize them and also has some drum pads I think and knobs to individually adjust some things.

I took a midi piece online for a Cranberries song-Ode to my Family, which I like a lot and have been trying to make it into something enjoyable with my limited knowledge. Changed most of the original presets to the piece(the original midi file). Sounds kinda folky almost. I'll prob put it on youtube and in the songs section after a while.

I love realistic strings and piano sounds. No doubt.

Diva is the "best sounding" soft synth i have ever played by a mile. It actually comes close to the best synth i have ever played. It costs money though and is based on many analog synthesisers of yesteryear.  Allows you to throw a jupiter 8 oscilator into a juno 60 filter kinda thang and does it impressively well.  It also has a sound of its own, absolutely pure and beautiful.  Works fine with x2 and is 64 bit of course. Demo available. Seriously impressed. If any readers havent tried it, just download it and have a listen for yourselves. It really is a gamechanger as they say it is.
 
Z3TA is full of features and the presets allow you to think you are paul oakenfold until you hear it in a mix, then it sounds a bit thin. A triumph for appeal and features over sound.  Dim pro is great.  My fav of the cakewalk bundle is rapture. It is one i would probably buy if it wasnt bundled with x2. I dont think you can just get by on the cakewalk stuff. Effects wise you probably can.
 
But yeah, diva is the absolute mutts nutts.

You may also want to consider picking up a maschine mikro mk1 for 150 quid. you will get basic kontakt, reaktor, a full version of massive softsynth,   which is very good if you ignore the harsh digital presets and make your own sounds, 6 gig library and komplete elements. The best bang for buck bit of kit out there at the moment if you can track one down.

Otherwise just get into sonar and see what it has to offer. There is enough there to keep you going for months.  

I would rate Alchemy,Zebra2 and Diva as my top synths that I use all the time.

For real instruments I use EWPlay but Kontakt is just as good. 

By the way, realism also depends on your composition technique. Even with expensive libraries, you need to have a good knowledge of available articulations and use them correctly to create a convincing sound.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview