Too Many Softsynths: Need a good synth!

[sleepwalker]

I've got a 2.53 Core 2 Duo 13" with 4GB Macbook and I can record 28 simultaneous tracks while playing back 28 simultaneous tracks while running FX and VSTi's at 160 sample buffers. Oh, Ableton Live Suite 8

Upgrade your memory for sure. That machine should be sufficient.

Originally Posted by seancostello

RAM is CHEAP right now. I would definitely get 4GB. If the machine will take 8 GB, I would go for that right away. A RAM increase will significantly improve the speed of your machine.

ValhallaShimmer is pretty light on the CPU. I designed it on my trusty 2006 MBP, and I can run a ton of instances on that machine without any stut-tering. Of course, you'll be running other things as well, but I designed Shimmer to be thrifty.

Here's an example of several series instances of ValhallaShimmer processing a $59 analog synth, the Korg Monotron:

http://soundcloud.com/seancostello/monotronshimmerdrones

The raw synth waveform being processed by ValhallaShimmer:

http://soundcloud.com/seancostello/monotrondronenoshimmer

In general, you can use effects to turn the simplest synths into huge soundscapes. The Eventide H8000 is the ultimate example of this, with something like 1000 unique algorithms in there, and 35+ years of R&D behind it. Run a Casiotone through one of those, and it will sound beautiful.

For bang-for-your-buck hardware, get a rackmount Yamaha FM synth (often found for around $50), and run it through a Moogerfooger lowpass filter, to get the analog sweep and overdrive. Then get a bunch of plugins going, or cheaper older rackmount gear from Alesis, Ensoniq or the like.

[teamsterjim]

Wise ideas by Sean Costello.
I use rackmounted hardware synths like the SE-1 and FS1R and once you send them into quality hardware, DSP or VST effects you can do lots of great stuff.
On the other hand if you have money and want people to remember your name, buy a Solaris and modulate anything anywhere all in realtime, no PC or Mac needed.

[syzygywell]

Here is a picture of Claes Björklund's set up in a different thread. iamamiwhoami

It's pretty old school but I have to agree to get this sound I'd go for a computer upgrade and Alchemy & Omnisphere, or just go hardware with the kurzweil. The sounds and effects on that thing are amazing.

[soundmagus]

To OP - For the sort of stuff you showed in your original clip the bst software synth at the minute is THIS!

And if you have $1500 to spend you can probably buy its friends as well HERE!

Top notch tools with high end sound

Mark

[JLOAKS]

Originally Posted by seancostello

RAM is CHEAP right now. I would definitely get 4GB. If the machine will take 8 GB, I would go for that right away.

My current model iMac seems to only take a maximum of 4GB, which I plan on upgrading ASAP. It's a pity because it seems like it was less than a year late to be able and have a maximum storage of 8GB.

Originally Posted by seancostello

ValhallaShimmer is pretty light on the CPU. I designed it on my trusty 2006 MBP, and I can run a ton of instances on that machine without any stut-tering. Of course, you'll be running other things as well, but I designed Shimmer to be thrifty.

Nice! Well now I have an even bigger incentive to try it out to support of fellow GS user!

Originally Posted by soundmagus

To OP - For the sort of stuff you showed in your original clip the bst software synth at the minute is THIS!

And if you have $1500 to spend you can probably buy its friends as well HERE!

Thanks for the link, I am studying the hell out of these recommendations tonight!

Originally Posted by syzygywell

Here is a picture of Claes Björklund's set up in a different thread. iamamiwhoami

It's pretty old school but I have to agree to get this sound I'd go for a computer upgrade and Alchemy & Omnisphere, or just go hardware with the kurzweil. The sounds and effects on that thing are amazing.

If you look at that post of Claes Bjorklund's set up again you'll see that I posted it
I am very fond of that project and those sounds... It's hard to tell exactly what is being used but it appears as though a bunch of vintage synthesizers running through a bunch of effects units are a possible answer.

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

Eventide DSP-4000 will suit you just fine and $900 gets you one:

Eventide DSP4000 Harmonizer Effects Processor | eBay

Nice find and thanks for the link! Am looking into this as well.

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by JLOAKS

Thanks for the link, I am studying the hell out of these recommendations tonight!

Just go with the Omnisphere. If too expensive, go with u-he Zebra2.

I thought you already had these - if not - get them - they give exactly the sound you're after.

[Myrok Rolles]

best advice i can offer is to upgrade the computer. It will make a world of difference, it has been the single best investment in my studio.

soft synths are only getting more powerful, and better.

in the end its your choice but a synth probably won't benifit you nearly as much as a new rig.

[zvukofor]

I might think there's something wrong with your OS on mac, because i have roughly the same HW configuration and can use 8 heavy synths (think of NI Reaktor, FM8, Massive) at the same time with 5ms latency. Of course, it uses nearly 70% of processor, but man, no glitches at all. As for couple of zebra2, Sonnox channel strips on every channel and other stuff...well, i'm thinking of getting more powerful MBP )) But no, no more HW synths )

[syzygywell]

Originally Posted by JLOAKS

If you look at that post of Claes Bjorklund's set up again you'll see that I posted it
I am very fond of that project and those sounds... It's hard to tell exactly what is being used but it appears as though a bunch of vintage synthesizers running through a bunch of effects units are a possible answer.

Ha I should have checked. I was up with insomnia, heard the song (at 2:34 I about fell over it was so bloody fantastic) and knowing the trainspotter I am just wanted to hook you up.

I have an iMac 24" 2.9 duo 4 gig machine and never really spike over 18%. I don't run tons and tons of softs at the same time being mostly hardware but I have run about 6 tracks, stylus rmx, omnisphere, kontakt and Xils while adding quite a few effects chains and several hardware/audio tracks. and I'm not getting glitchiness in Ableton 8 which is cpu hoggy compared to logic.

Some people swear by Alchemy. It just hasn't clicked for me although I hear great stuff from it. Omnisphere def has that metal scrapin sounds in droves. Kurzweil is harder to program but would be my first choice. I just love that machine more and more all the time enough so that I keep thinking about adding the pc3 and still keeping my 2661.

[StringBean]

Originally Posted by syzygywell

Kurzweil is harder to program but would be my first choice. I just love that machine more and more all the time enough so that I keep thinking about adding the pc3 and still keeping my 2661.

Would you say that the fact that a hardware synth is easier to use is why you prefer the kurz over softsynths or are you one of the seemingly enlightened individuals who gave up softsynths a long time ago b/c they never sound as good as anything analogue? I guess I'm asking your personal opinion if going hardware is for ease of composition or if its a purely aesthetic preference. I'm gonna go with what makes the best music even if I can get the same sound quality from a softsynth. I imagine no softsynth sounds as nice as a pc3 but don't you end up running it through a DAW anyway?

[syzygywell]

Originally Posted by StringBean

Would you say that the fact that a hardware synth is easier to use is why you prefer the kurz over softsynths or are you one of the seemingly enlightened individuals who gave up softsynths a long time ago b/c they never sound as good as anything analogue? I guess I'm asking your personal opinion if going hardware is for ease of composition or if its a purely aesthetic preference. I'm gonna go with what makes the best music even if I can get the same sound quality from a softsynth. I imagine no softsynth sounds as nice as a pc3 but don't you end up running it through a DAW anyway?

Nope not enlightened at all . Generally I prefer the sound of hardware and the ease and flexibility of software. I love it all really. I have a lot of digital synths and a few analogue.

I think that omnisphere is far easier to program than the kurzweil. Initially I thought I had made a mistake buying the k2661, it was my first synth, and I couldn't wrap my head around the manual or what I was doing at all. I felt like an idiot. Now 7 years later I get it far better and I've noticed how well it sits in everything I do. By itself it didn't impress me so much but wow does it play well with others.

I say no limits. do whatever works. run soft synths into hardware, sample hardware into other hardware, resample. Be all ITB all OTB Whatever delivers.

[Digital-Haven]

Originally Posted by StringBean

I imagine no softsynth sounds as nice as a pc3 but don't you end up running it through a DAW anyway?

Kurz is a softsynth as well.

It's all about algorithms (and some DSP). And i don't think Kurz will give theirs away in some form of a cheap PC softsynth, after two decades of hard research and development.