Softsynths

[Selidor]

Ja, I agree, and I think the same of digital hardware synthesizers as well. If I want something that sounds like an Oberheim analogue sound, I'll buy an Oberheim analogue... but if I'm going to get something digital I'll get something that isn't trying to emulate analogue, like the Korg Wavestation or Yamaha DX-7... and if I want something that sounds like software, I'll get software. Mind you, I tend to think software really shines when it comes to sampling -- especially concerning percussion -- or sequencing hardware gear.

Just my opinion though.

[chrisso]

Agreed.
I actually prefer some of the multi sample analogue libraries, even though you can't tweak much and have to go with the pre-programmed sounds.
Softsynths are an awesome NEW instument.
I've heard a few of the Moog and Arp emulations and they weren't that close IMO, but were fine as another sound source.

[msl]

Yep agreed, I mean whats the point if you "really" want that sound go for the original. Mind you I think most people who ask for that just want something that sounds "like" the classic, cause they read somewhere that so and so used that synth and they want to sound like them There are a quite a few softs that I like for what they do themselves not what they can copy. Try out Camel Audio's new Alchemy, great sounding and deep synth, great effects too.

[Phaidon]

I think a lof of it has to do with the cheap a** marketing that the softsynth companies follow in order to get attention:
I mean, would anyone care as much if the Arturia CS-80v wasn't called CS-80??,or Moog Modular, Jupiter 8,the list goes on...

[chrisso]

Also, to be fair I think a lot of people are hoping they can get somewhere near the vintage analogue synth sound without paying vintage analogue synth prices.
That's understandable.

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Also, to be fair I think a lot of people are hoping they can get somewhere near the vintage analogue synth sound without paying vintage analogue synth prices.
That's understandable.

Exactly.

And some of us, like me at present, can't even afford the software emulations which is why I really dig the fact I can use Hybrid, Vacuum, Xpand2! and Mini Grand from the PT8 LE upgrade — for the price of admission

[Stiff]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Seems like people are always asking if a softsynth can sound like an Oberheim, ProphetV or Jupiter 8.
I think softsynths sound like softsynths, and probably should be used in a way that plays to their strengths.
Just my 2.0c

Yes. I think it's the same thing with EQ, compression and... well, you name it!

It's the developers own fault to some extent though. I wish more of them simply made software - be it synths of fx - that takes advantage of the digital technology and does what digital does best instead of claiming they've made an identical Minimoog.

[Stiff]

Originally Posted by C Heat

Exactly.

And some of us, like me at present, can't even afford the software emulations which is why I really dig the fact I can use Hybrid, Vacuum, Xpand2! and Mini Grand from the PT8 LE upgrade — for the price of admission

Yeah, AIR rock thumbsup
You can do a lot worse than Hybrid and Vacuum.

[Mans]

Originally Posted by Stiff

Yes. I think it's the same thing with EQ, compression and... well, you name it!

It's the developers own fault to some extent though. I wish more of them simply made software - be it synths of fx - that takes advantage of the digital technology and does what digital does best instead of claiming they've made an identical Minimoog.

Absolutely. That's exactly why I like zebra so much. A totally unique synth by someone with original ideas and the ability to code them.

[plaid_emu]

Originally Posted by Phaidon

I think a lof of it has to do with the cheap a** marketing that the softsynth companies follow in order to get attention:
I mean, would anyone care as much if the Arturia CS-80v wasn't called CS-80??,or Moog Modular, Jupiter 8,the list goes on...

I really think it's a great idea and it somewhat appeals to me. I don't see myself going for a modular system or a Jupiter-8 anytime in the future, but I would find it interesting to experience a taste of how these synths worked as far as signal paths and interactivity of modules are concerned. While they might not sound exactly like their counterparts, you have to admit some of these emulations manage capture some of subtle essence and vibe of the originals. I don't think anyone would spend the most productive years of their lives coding and developing them if that weren't the case (and the overall consensus).

[kasprouch]

hmmm...

saw an episode of Top Gear that nailed it... The Golf GTi MkI is much faster than the Golf GTi MkV... An elevator from 2009 is much slower than the one from the 70's, because back in the day it didnt feel obliged to talk to you... and on and on and on... i.e. the world today is slower... (the complete opposite is true for the musician/producer/engineer of course thanks to the DAW)

and for me there's less quality as well! Nobody's stopping the big boy synth companies from rebuilding even crazier, better sounding synths than the old ones... why should a billion year old compressor cost £40'000! A crumbling corpse of a synth over £10'000!

Whats stopping these vst companies from remodelling these products to 100% perfection with the use of character plugins that emulate the product heating up and changing tune! c'mon, we went to the moon didnt we? (didnt we )




argh....


The nostalgia will never die because shit was better back then! Or there was more love, either one or both...

[faun2500]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Seems like people are always asking if a softsynth can sound like an Oberheim, ProphetV or Jupiter 8.
I think softsynths sound like softsynths, and probably should be used in a way that plays to their strengths.
Just my 2.0c

Disagree!

I hae used a few hardware synths before (and heard countless on records) but I like working with (and the sound of) the soft synths I use. I have tried loads of soft synths over the last 10 years or so and IMO I only use the best ones - Blue, Albino, Mini Monsta, Korg Legacy collection. (others I rate tho include absynth, z3ta, Rapture and Reaktor)

The last hardware synth I bought was a VIRUS TI end of 2008. It sounded nice and had some cool features but it wouldn't bloody work and i sent it straight back!!

Go listen to the mini-monsta and tell me you need PHATTER!

[Phaidon]

Originally Posted by faun2500

Go listen to the mini-monsta and tell me you need PHATTER!

Yeap, I need PHATTER!

...so I got a Studio Electronics SE-1X!

Good luck with your monsta!

[alexp]

Originally Posted by faun2500

Disagree!

I hae used a few hardware synths before (and heard countless on records) but I like working with (and the sound of) the soft synths I use. I have tried loads of soft synths over the last 10 years or so and IMO I only use the best ones - Blue, Albino, Mini Monsta, Korg Legacy collection. (others I rate tho include absynth, z3ta, Rapture and Reaktor)

The last hardware synth I bought was a VIRUS TI end of 2008. It sounded nice and had some cool features but it wouldn't bloody work and i sent it straight back!!

Go listen to the mini-monsta and tell me you need PHATTER!

Compared to my Minimoog???? Doesnt stand a chance

As you were.


alexP

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by faun2500

Disagree!

I hae used a few hardware synths before

The last hardware synth I bought was a VIRUS TI end of 2008. It sounded nice and had some cool features but it wouldn't bloody work and i sent it straight back!!

It doesn't sound like we are talking about the same synths.
I'm talking about software clones of classic Oberheim or classic Roland.
Not comparing a Virus Ti to the current crop of softsynths.
I give a thumbs up to products like Absynth, Albino, Omisphere.
Mostly because they aren't trying to reheat a souffle.... in other words claiming to sound like a real Mini Moog or Jupiter 8.