recommend me a soft synth, I love my Xpand and ..

[cary chilton]

I would like to maybe buy a softsynth for my pt 7.1 if it is as good or better than xpand!

Any recommendations? No criteria needed here folks just tell what you like using in commercial use or for fun.... I think I read that Absynth3 is killer.

[ejwells]

McDSP Synth One is nice, the Arturia Synths are nice, I like G-Force's M-Tron, I like N.I.'s B4 II.
Hybrid is alright, all the syths listed above are better, IMNSHO

[cary chilton]

do all of these work with pt le? does absynth3 suck?

[cary chilton]

I just want to be sure since this is the pt le forum...

[ejwells]

Yes, they all work with LE. I have them all. Absynth is great too.

[cary chilton]

Thanks E~! Could you please explain the strengths of the synths in your list?
Where did you buy them?

[ejwells]

Cary-

The strengths of the Arturia synths I have (Minimoog, Moog Modular, ARP 2600, Prophet V, and CS-80) are the unbelievable attention to detail in the sound and GUI.

The M-Tron (for me) is a must have. Fake strings always have a tendency to sound fake, and the Tron strings sound GLORIOUSLY fake, which to me is a good thing.

McDSP's Synth One is just a great sounding, easy to use general synth.

Same with Absynth.

Native Instruments B4 is crucial to me, as I simply can't afford a real Hammond.
Not only do you get every Hammond sound known to man, you also get Farfisas AND Vox Continentals.

I also have MOTU's Symphonic Instrument, which is great bang for the buck.
There are CERTAINLY better (and more expensive) symphony programs out there, but for the money the MOTU program sounds pretty darned good.
Better than IK's Miroslav mess, and MUCH better than the Garitan Personal Orchestra.

[3over3]

I'm seconding the Arturia synths.

If you want to buy just one, go for the Modular - it sounds great - plenty of character and presence, although it's very complicated. The CS80V was mildly disappointing, but the others made me smile.

If your plug-in bill climbs too high, don't forget to look at Reason which has the advantage of integrating with PT. Similarly, a nuclear option may be to consider Logic although it'll mean using a Mac! The bundled plug-ins always surprise me that they're actually good. There are a couple of slightly weaker ones, but, hey...

Also, for under $100 you can get a VST wrapper and find loads of random free VST noises. And there are always the always-value-for-money RTAS freebies lurking around.

Absynth makes the heart grow fonder.

[Sonny in London]

Another vote for the Arturia synths here, they're wonderful.

The M-Tron too is fantastic, a real keeper.

Reason is a great option too as you get a regular synth and a granular synth along with two samplers, a drum machine, a REX player and a ton of effects, all within a fun, easy to use environment that integrates perfectly with PT. Conceivably you wouldn't need anything else.

NI's Reaktor is another all powerful synth (and God knows what else besides) that can do more than you would ever imagine.

However, if you need just one and you love XPand, I highly recommend Hybrid.
It's full of great features, easy to use and has a phat sound.
All the AIR VIs are incredible, I just got Velvet and it's stunning.


Peace


Sonny

[filosofem]

However, if you need just one and you love XPand, I highly recommend Hybrid.
It's full of great features, easy to use and has a phat sound.

Yeah, I second that Sonny. Hybrid is great, Cary, very easy to programme, great Modulation, MIDI Learn for both Part A and Part B independantly and simultaneously, ...it'll have you communicating with the whales in no time. Highly recommended!






filosofem