I would start trying Massive X. Very original, extremely powerful. Nearly flexible as a modular (you can change wiring of all modules). Maybe not easy, but very rewarding when you get what you need. Anyway, every sound designer has his tastes, obviously
100%. For something that was so universally hated when it came out - the lack of visualization, only 2 WT oscs that you can't add/modify, only 1 multimode filter, etc - it is capable of SO MUCH. The routing, the various modes, the ease (imo) of multiple modulations of the same parameter. Ability to add your own samples via noise oscillators. I hope NI's new parent company is going hard to add 2023 must have with Massive X's capabilities.
Couldnt agree more with this list. Excited to see a Preset playthrough coming! The only one I dont like is Ana2. But SERUM is def the best. Great video
Wonderful list, but you have a super glaring omission that is just as powerful as any of the most loaded synths here (Dune 3). Also, if you like Diva and the U-HE Line, you'll also like anything made by AirMusic (VacuumPro, Hybrid 3 and Xpand are incredible). Another incredible line are the Tone2 Synths (Gladiator and Icarus especially) Others not mentioned that are good: Sylenth, Spire, Carbon Electra, F-EM (powerful), Izotope Iris 2, Synthmaster Pro/One, and last but not least check out Thorn by Dmitry Schthze.
I basically use Zebra 2 for anything. Even bass, 4 osc FM, and i know how to make the algorithms. Learning curve is way higher than the rest of the synths on the list, but it's worth it. I created some metallic pads and i tought that it was made with real instruments, 0 samples, pure synthesis, even percussive ones and other absolutely insane stuff... It feels like my creativity is limited with others on the list minus anomalies like UVI Falcon and Omnisphere 2, or some synths from Arturia and Roland Cloud.
I can never understand people who put things like serum, sylenth or nexus (which isn't even a synyh) over zebra. Zebra is my favourite but i can understand putting phaseplant, avengers or falcon. I would not say that zebra is hard to use at all, 10 minutes tutorials are enough to get you almost perfectly going. I really would praise zebra for days for what it does
Synthmaster, OPX pro II, Xils lab, gforce, arturias other synths, softube, synapse audio, and I agree with Uhe, Omnisphere, and NI but IK is also worth it on the usage of bread and butter sounds like NI is. Oh and I may want to include UAD synths in here as well.
Diva by u-he is excellent. My favorite all time emulation that hits the mark (the interface is not perfect and takes some learning) is OP-X Pro II by SonicProjects. It's just fantastic.
Great review and I agree with most of your thoughts on these~!~ this was just a little fast paced for me...I like a little more time with the demo part!! Thanks again for a great review!!!!!!
If I have falcon, pigments and Iris2 would serum be a good addition I like that you said it’s easy to work with and creative. It’s under 200 bucks so that’s pretty good too !
I tried it. I know people make nice patches for it but wasn't easy for me to get nice sounds out of it. Maybe it was my lack of knowledge, patience...But I found Odin2 and that's just for me. The only thing that doesn't make sense there is why when you do additive synthesis you don't hear the sound. Other than that it's perfect for me.
It's a pity that Phase Plant is not included in this list, if we exclude the problem with the sampler - it is a wonderful and very flexible synth. If from my side, then 1. Phase Plant, 1.5.Surge, 2. Zebra, 2.5.Vital, 3. Current 4. Pigments(great synth and could be higher, but in the 5th version there is still a problem that was in the 4th - my i7 12th generation cries when I load more than 3 pigments with sophisticated settings), 5. Falcon, 6.Dune, 7.Diva, 8.Serum, 9.Rapid, 10.Avenger. Nexus and Omnisphere -amazing, but it romplers - thats why take lot of space, and u can get any sound they have with synthesis.
So many good VST synths. Sylenth1 is still good. Even got a recent update. Of course U-He synths and Omnisphere and the others on your list. Avenger is overlooked. Dune 3 is often overlooked. It has great sounds and Kevin Schroeder doing presets. Pigments is gaining popularity and power and now v4. Viper is good for PC users. Arturia synths keep getting better such as the SQ80. Roland Cloud legendary synths are good for classic sounds and IK Syntronics 2 Max. GForce came out with a killer Oberheim OB-E 8 voice. And Cherry Audio. Good Full Bucket synths for a donation. NI Massive X has great sounds. XILS classic synths. And more ... I use PluginGuru Unify to manage synths and presets. Also use it to create layers of synths and add vst effects and automated MIDI options.
Decent selection but I'd add at least Synthmaster 2 and Massive X for the versatility and lively sound characters of those two synths. At least technically (apart from the lack of WT import on Mx) both outperform something like Serum by some stretch. Another thumbs up for Dune 3 and the older Air Music synths.
Guys. But is there a synth with RANDOM generator of sounds/patches/pads that randomly creates a synth sound of various complexity, so I don’t have to create it from scratch. And if I like that randomly generated sound/patch I can further edit/modify it and save it for future use. I guess it would be some kind of FM synth etc. Right? Thnxx ❤
Great list! And I too am a U-he fanatic so had no problems with half the list being from said company:) But… ANA2? I could think of several synths richer and deeper than that, starting with Dune 3, which is a FANTASTIC synth.
The problem with this kind of videos is they don't mention synths native to a DAW. I was Messing with some synth native to Cubase. I was very tempted switching to Cubase just to use their synths and sounds. I Use FL Studio but it's more me adapting to it than adapting it for me. The mobile version is better but you are limited on synths. You can automate everything but it would be nice if you could do more inside the synths themselves. Anyway, the main point here is that DAW synths don't get mentioned. But someone may like a synth in a DAW and buy the DAW for the synth or synths it may offer.
@tristen_grant I don't remember. I downloaded Reaper years ago. Opened few things and moved on. I end up buying Mixcraft and it has synths I already had FL Studio and it has synths. I know Cubase has some synths, Reason, Logic and others have some synths. I am just saying that it might be better idea to get a DAW with synths rather than buying synths that in some cases cost more than a DAW. If you are using Reaper for recording guitars and other hardware and mixing you may not be looking for full package. But for me it matters-financially, practically.
@@nihiqallam5616 yeah but especially for fluctuating notes/pitch it isn’t really intuitive. Synths with a built in arp will let you just select for a note to be played down or up however many semitones you’d like. On Serum you need to fiddle with the line and it’s just not easy unless I’m missing something
Great Video. Serum has always been outside of my price point, and they never run sales on it. I least I never find them, and I think that is intentional. I have tried the demo, and it is indeed great and free, and paid presets are bountiful. My favorite synths are by Rob Papen. I don't think anyone sounds like him. I brought Explorer recently, which is basically all of his synths for about $100.00. It was a sale. Thousands of Presets. I also caught the recent UVI Sale and picked up Vintage Vault. If you can't create with this, you probably need to not make music. LOL 😀
@@DaddyKing603 Serum has a rent to own option through a 3rd party affiliate. Splice. They also got other rent to own options too. I may try out both serum and pigments 4
I was trying to find an cheap alternative to buying u he hive 2 because I don’t wanna spend 150$ right now and this guy immediately puts hive 2 in second place…. Looks like I’m out 150$, whatever Ik it’s gonna be amazing considering how much I adore diva
One day Serum is going to be forgoten just like Massive was. I wander if Vital is the new hype or there is something else that is lurking behind the corner.
Diva is just as much overused as Massive, if not even more. My number 1 is Pigments. By far. No other synth gives me so much joy in creating new sounds. Omnisphere is my number 2. Its presets are far superior to Pigments, but it's no fun to create new sounds with it. My number 3 is Softube Modular.
Great video, excellent picks. To the viewers, don’t judge synths by their presets. Learn to use a synth like Serum and learn synthesis in general. Judge synths for their sound, features and synthesis capabilities.
Wow! Nothing about Dune3, Sylenth, Spire, Falcon, Halion, Phaseplant, FM8, Synthmaster/One, the Korg/Roland/Arturia collections, Rob Papen's synths? I mean, Hive is nice, but to leave out Sylenth? ANA is good, too, but no Falcon? I also like Pigments, but to include it while ignoring Synthmaster? And honestly, Vital is a superior wavetable synth to Serum which decidedly has no place sitting at #1. That should be held by Diva or Sylenth or Falcon. And honestly, Avenger is superior in every way to Omnisphere. It's less of a ROMpler and has vastly better sound quality, synthesis methods, and effects. Just my opinion, of course. You're free to your own opinions. But I do feel many of these really miss the mark.
I find serum too digital souding, cheap sound. I found better softube emulations, also al u-he synths, geforce synths more rich and deep sounding. For all around and quitr versatile Ana is way better than serum. More analoge, vintage style and also modern style. Better filters and more options. Viper is amazing virus emulation. I never found Arturia plugins sound any good, soft and chessy. Sylenth1 is also very good. So best sound, model 80, best all around Ana.
Dude I'm starting to think XFer is paying youtubers and producers to push Serum as the best VST in the game because it's alright but holy shit it IS NOT the number 1 "of ALL TIME" like dude cmon now
@ every lol edm could mean anything there are like a thousand sub-genres. Some of the biggest names in edm prefer spire, sylenth, and diva, but the entire beat maker community would for sure disagree with me. I do like Serum btw I just think it’s overrated.
Sad to see Dune 3 didn't make the list. Other than that pretty solid. :)
i own that one too
I would start trying Massive X. Very original, extremely powerful. Nearly flexible as a modular (you can change wiring of all modules). Maybe not easy, but very rewarding when you get what you need. Anyway, every sound designer has his tastes, obviously
100%. For something that was so universally hated when it came out - the lack of visualization, only 2 WT oscs that you can't add/modify, only 1 multimode filter, etc - it is capable of SO MUCH. The routing, the various modes, the ease (imo) of multiple modulations of the same parameter. Ability to add your own samples via noise oscillators. I hope NI's new parent company is going hard to add 2023 must have with Massive X's capabilities.
Couldnt agree more with this list. Excited to see a Preset playthrough coming! The only one I dont like is Ana2. But SERUM is def the best. Great video
Wonderful list, but you have a super glaring omission that is just as powerful as any of the most loaded synths here (Dune 3). Also, if you like Diva and the U-HE Line, you'll also like anything made by AirMusic (VacuumPro, Hybrid 3 and Xpand are incredible).
Another incredible line are the Tone2 Synths (Gladiator and Icarus especially)
Others not mentioned that are good: Sylenth, Spire, Carbon Electra, F-EM (powerful), Izotope Iris 2, Synthmaster Pro/One, and last but not least check out Thorn by Dmitry Schthze.
I basically use Zebra 2 for anything. Even bass, 4 osc FM, and i know how to make the algorithms.
Learning curve is way higher than the rest of the synths on the list, but it's worth it. I created some metallic pads and i tought that it was made with real instruments, 0 samples, pure synthesis, even percussive ones and other absolutely insane stuff...
It feels like my creativity is limited with others on the list minus anomalies like UVI Falcon and Omnisphere 2, or some synths from Arturia and Roland Cloud.
I can never understand people who put things like serum, sylenth or nexus (which isn't even a synyh) over zebra. Zebra is my favourite but i can understand putting phaseplant, avengers or falcon. I would not say that zebra is hard to use at all, 10 minutes tutorials are enough to get you almost perfectly going. I really would praise zebra for days for what it does
Unless this was stock presets based then i dont even care about the order
Sold that synth zebra kills my hands
Xpand2 and Sonic Cat's Purity should be up there!
brother you make great reaper content! subscribed!
UVI Vintage Vault gets heavy usage here.
Synthmaster, OPX pro II, Xils lab, gforce, arturias other synths, softube, synapse audio, and I agree with Uhe, Omnisphere, and NI but IK is also worth it on the usage of bread and butter sounds like NI is. Oh and I may want to include UAD synths in here as well.
Diva by u-he is excellent. My favorite all time emulation that hits the mark (the interface is not perfect and takes some learning) is OP-X Pro II by SonicProjects. It's just fantastic.
My all time faves too. They both sound incredible 🙂
Great review and I agree with most of your thoughts on these~!~ this was just a little fast paced for me...I like a little more time with the demo part!! Thanks again for a great review!!!!!!
Im going to post a video of a preset playthrough this week
look into phaseplant, my personal favorite
Thanks man such a good video!!
If I have falcon, pigments and Iris2 would serum be a good addition I like that you said it’s easy to work with and creative.
It’s under 200 bucks so that’s pretty good too !
I am looking at Falcon but I have Serum, Vital and Phaseplant, just not sure if I even need Falcon but it is VERY impressive....
thank you so much for presenting repro to me shits amazing
I can't believe UVI Falcon 2.8 ain't mentioned here! 🤦🏽
No synth1? The absolute GOAT? 🤷♂
I tried it. I know people make nice patches for it but wasn't easy for me to get nice sounds out of it. Maybe it was my lack of knowledge, patience...But I found Odin2 and that's just for me. The only thing that doesn't make sense there is why when you do additive synthesis you don't hear the sound. Other than that it's perfect for me.
It's a pity that Phase Plant is not included in this list, if we exclude the problem with the sampler - it is a wonderful and very flexible synth. If from my side, then
1. Phase Plant,
1.5.Surge,
2. Zebra,
2.5.Vital,
3. Current
4. Pigments(great synth and could be higher, but in the 5th version there is still a problem that was in the 4th - my i7 12th generation cries when I load more than 3 pigments with sophisticated settings),
5. Falcon,
6.Dune,
7.Diva,
8.Serum,
9.Rapid,
10.Avenger.
Nexus and Omnisphere -amazing, but it romplers - thats why take lot of space, and u can get any sound they have with synthesis.
Dune 3, Viper, Synthmaster, Absynth
Viper is good but needs updates
Why no Spire it’s good too
the bests for me are Ana, Nexus3, Serum, Repro, Hive, Triton, Pigments and I´d add Heatup 3 (similar to Nexus)
All I really use is Avenger and Heatup3 I have to install my Nexus 3 when I get a chance
So many good VST synths. Sylenth1 is still good. Even got a recent update. Of course U-He synths and Omnisphere and the others on your list. Avenger is overlooked.
Dune 3 is often overlooked. It has great sounds and Kevin Schroeder doing presets. Pigments is gaining popularity and power and now v4. Viper is good for PC users.
Arturia synths keep getting better such as the SQ80. Roland Cloud legendary synths are good for classic sounds and IK Syntronics 2 Max. GForce came out with a killer Oberheim OB-E 8 voice. And Cherry Audio. Good Full Bucket synths for a donation. NI Massive X has great sounds. XILS classic synths. And more ...
I use PluginGuru Unify to manage synths and presets. Also use it to create layers of synths and add vst effects and automated MIDI options.
Yeah what about UVI Falcon 2.8???
Decent selection but I'd add at least Synthmaster 2 and Massive X for the versatility and lively sound characters of those two synths. At least technically (apart from the lack of WT import on Mx) both outperform something like Serum by some stretch. Another thumbs up for Dune 3 and the older Air Music synths.
Guys.
But is there a synth with RANDOM generator of sounds/patches/pads that randomly creates a synth sound of various complexity, so I don’t have to create it from scratch. And if I like that randomly generated sound/patch I can further edit/modify it and save it for future use. I guess it would be some kind of FM synth etc. Right?
Thnxx ❤
Great list! And I too am a U-he fanatic so had no problems with half the list being from said company:)
But… ANA2? I could think of several synths richer and deeper than that, starting with Dune 3, which is a FANTASTIC synth.
Agreed, Dune is a monster! ANA is alright.
Lists like these are really a personal choice. It's like who is the greatest band ever. Everyone has different tastes.
What happens to Phaseplant?
Good point. It definitely should be in the list.
@@trummelbach6065and it definitely should be top 1
How about Electra x & Electra2 ? It was good see Avenger there.
Really dig Electra2, just didnt quite make my list as I dont use it as much as other synths
Why 15 min and no sounds? So we dont have to download 20 demos
no Roland Zenology pro? that is so sad
I didn't hear 1 sound. 🤔
There's a separate video for no talking and just the synth sounds on my channel
@@reapertutorials1947 I salute you! 🤩
RAPID IST SUPER ....❤🎉
The problem with this kind of videos is they don't mention synths native to a DAW. I was Messing with some synth native to Cubase. I was very tempted switching to Cubase just to use their synths and sounds. I Use FL Studio but it's more me adapting to it than adapting it for me. The mobile version is better but you are limited on synths. You can automate everything but it would be nice if you could do more inside the synths themselves. Anyway, the main point here is that DAW synths don't get mentioned. But someone may like a synth in a DAW and buy the DAW for the synth or synths it may offer.
Does Reaper have built-in synths?
@tristen_grant I don't remember. I downloaded Reaper years ago. Opened few things and moved on. I end up buying Mixcraft and it has synths I already had FL Studio and it has synths. I know Cubase has some synths, Reason, Logic and others have some synths. I am just saying that it might be better idea to get a DAW with synths rather than buying synths that in some cases cost more than a DAW. If you are using Reaper for recording guitars and other hardware and mixing you may not be looking for full package. But for me it matters-financially, practically.
Dune 3! ❤
I feel like Serum can’t be number one since it doesn’t have a built in arpeggiator, as much as I love almost everything else about it.
You can literally do that by using lfo
@@nihiqallam5616 yeah but especially for fluctuating notes/pitch it isn’t really intuitive. Synths with a built in arp will let you just select for a note to be played down or up however many semitones you’d like. On Serum you need to fiddle with the line and it’s just not easy unless I’m missing something
Dune 3 should have been included
I love your pronunciations! I am the same.
Great Video. Serum has always been outside of my price point, and they never run sales on it. I least I never find them, and I think that is intentional. I have tried the demo, and it is indeed great and free, and paid presets are bountiful. My favorite synths are by Rob Papen. I don't think anyone sounds like him. I brought Explorer recently, which is basically all of his synths for about $100.00. It was a sale. Thousands of Presets. I also caught the recent UVI Sale and picked up Vintage Vault. If you can't create with this, you probably need to not make music. LOL 😀
Friendly advice definitely spend the money on serum it's so worth it you will never look back and you will literally fall in love so quick
@@reapertutorials1947 I think I will get it eventually.
@@DaddyKing603 Serum has a rent to own option through a 3rd party affiliate. Splice.
They also got other rent to own options too. I may try out both serum and pigments 4
Love serum
Where Sylenth1? :(
Please check out TOne 2 synths
I think you will like them great video
guess phase plant will remain a professional secret
Phase plant is great. Just not in the top heap for me. But great still! 👍
Shhhhhh don’t tell them keep it to yourself
I was trying to find an cheap alternative to buying u he hive 2 because I don’t wanna spend 150$ right now and this guy immediately puts hive 2 in second place…. Looks like I’m out 150$, whatever Ik it’s gonna be amazing considering how much I adore diva
One day Serum is going to be forgoten just like Massive was. I wander if Vital is the new hype or there is something else that is lurking behind the corner.
wander
Ana and vital better then rapid and avenger? Huh? Where is phaseplant even? What's going on
Diva is just as much overused as Massive, if not even more.
My number 1 is Pigments. By far. No other synth gives me so much joy in creating new sounds.
Omnisphere is my number 2. Its presets are far superior to Pigments, but it's no fun to create new sounds with it.
My number 3 is Softube Modular.
Nexus2 its old sound. I stop used Nexus2)))
xpand and gladiator is good too
Omnisphere 1 bruh??? 🤦🏽
Great video, excellent picks. To the viewers, don’t judge synths by their presets. Learn to use a synth like Serum and learn synthesis in general. Judge synths for their sound, features and synthesis capabilities.
no massive x
All these r free vsts
Avenger gang!
VPS Avenger ?????
Please call it software synth or plugin. VST is only one of the many plugin formats.
People don't search for topics that way... vst is an easy way for people to search
Wow! Nothing about Dune3, Sylenth, Spire, Falcon, Halion, Phaseplant, FM8, Synthmaster/One, the Korg/Roland/Arturia collections, Rob Papen's synths? I mean, Hive is nice, but to leave out Sylenth? ANA is good, too, but no Falcon? I also like Pigments, but to include it while ignoring Synthmaster? And honestly, Vital is a superior wavetable synth to Serum which decidedly has no place sitting at #1. That should be held by Diva or Sylenth or Falcon. And honestly, Avenger is superior in every way to Omnisphere. It's less of a ROMpler and has vastly better sound quality, synthesis methods, and effects.
Just my opinion, of course. You're free to your own opinions. But I do feel many of these really miss the mark.
I have a tiny violin synth for you 😂
He mentioned Sylenth.
@@tristen_grant i stand corrected.
@@reapertutorials1947 obviously you missed the part about it being my opinion.
Weird when you were happy to express yours.
This is great, except for the fact I can't listen to any of them so it's not a useful review.
I find serum too digital souding, cheap sound. I found better softube emulations, also al u-he synths, geforce synths more rich and deep sounding. For all around and quitr versatile Ana is way better than serum. More analoge, vintage style and also modern style. Better filters and more options. Viper is amazing virus emulation. I never found Arturia plugins sound any good, soft and chessy. Sylenth1 is also very good. So best sound, model 80, best all around Ana.
tri surge xt
Absolutely SURGENT XT is a beast and it is FREE, and it uses little computer power !!
Dude I'm starting to think XFer is paying youtubers and producers to push Serum as the best VST in the game because it's alright but holy shit it IS NOT the number 1 "of ALL TIME" like dude cmon now
@@EverTruu different strokes for different folks. The entire EDM community would disagree with you.
@ every lol edm could mean anything there are like a thousand sub-genres. Some of the biggest names in edm prefer spire, sylenth, and diva, but the entire beat maker community would for sure disagree with me. I do like Serum btw I just think it’s overrated.
@EverTruu even the best of the best NOISIA, switched to Serum from fm8 Its just so easy and intuitive. But I feel ya
Repro is meh
no demon sounds 0/10
Serum most horrible sounding synth. Had it for years - never liked it
Serum? Clone factory 😂
Explain? Pretty sure you can make anything in there. Not sure what you mean
NEXUS is not vsti!!
It’s a rompler lol
blah blah blah all talk and no DEMO exactly the kind of youtube video I despise.
Poor you 😢
You didn't need to keep watching.