With a virtual analog vst of course. Software synths have come a LONG way from the early days, and some vst soft synths can really move air like their older meaty grandpas (especially in the context of a mix). But which vsts are capable of that low ballsy sound with breathy whispering buzzy highs?
Here is a list that should get you going. Feel free to comment with additions, especially freeware!
Polykb - amazing sounds. A lot of soft synths tend to sound similar. This synth actually really has its own sound. Really lush spacious pads, and a whole assortment of other unique sounds. But it uses a dongle. A dongle, in this day and age! People can use a crack for free, with no dongle, but XLIS' customers get to pay for it, AND buy/be burdened by a dongle. It is laughable. I recommend skipping this one until they come around. Come on XLIS! I really want to buy this one!
Okay, here is a video by Torely. This guy is a trip,
if you've never seen him before... let's just say he
is high on life.
Poly-Ana - This synth sounds good. Bottom line. It sounds good. 3 oscillators, 3 envelopes, 2 lfo's, and some mad modulation options. All that is actually meaningless. It just sounds good. A little pricey for such a small company. I like my synths around the $100 mark. But still. Just demo it and you might be opening your wallet.
Whatever you do, don't watch this video!
Trust me, Poly-Ana is WAY better than this.
But a balding guy playing a keytar...
okay, maybe you should watch it.
Curve - This synth is capable of analog sounds, but it also has a lot more going on than that. Fast envelops, drawable waveforms, an active community with patch sharing, and more than that, this is a hungry company that wants to make incredible music making tools. They are always updating this thing. Take the demo for a spin, see what you think. They just did an Easter discount, and they're always up to satisfy their customers, so check em out.
Check this vid. I think they've updated this synth
since this was made, but it sounds incredible, and
there are now some modulation options.
Check back in for part 2. I haven't saved the best for last this time, as all of these sound great and have their own little things that make them special, so you'll just have to try the demos.
if you're very very good it doesn't make any difference. but almost nobody is.
ReplyDeleteThanks i have a mate who was searching for good analog synth will send him this link thanks :)
ReplyDeleteAnalog synths are something I always wondered about with production. If I were to invest a lot of time into learning to produce, I really would like to make the jump to analog. I think in this day and age it really is something that can offer a little edge to anybodies sound. Even though obviously, they aren't going to magically make rubbish tracks good.
ReplyDeleteAaaah, them keywords - warmth and richness. Still saving up to buy myself an analogue!
ReplyDeletei use aurturia vst, nothing comes close
ReplyDeleteArturia is in pt.2, haha, stay tuned. Personally think the polykb has a better sound. But undoubtedly, those Arturia synths are among the best. WITHOUT A DOUBT!
ReplyDeleteYaaaay...! Nice write up, i always feel bad using VSTs for analog sounds though, I enjoy touching the real thing.
ReplyDeletethats interesting i always wanted to know more about that!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out some of these demos
ReplyDeleteokay this is such an awesome post. would you perhaps know if there is anything that comes with FL9 that would do the same? Im all for getting on some analogue sounds but dont really want to shell out for another vst !
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Keep up the good blogging!
ReplyDeleteNice post, there was a cm mag article that went into this pretty deep, lots of good tips on re-amping as well.
ReplyDeletehelpful stuff cheers. not gunna lie i enjoyed that video
ReplyDeleteI will definitely check these out. Need something with a bit more thickness vst wise as my Korg MS-20 kind of makes a lot my my vsts sound a little thin in comparison now...
ReplyDeletethat video of that asian dude is great
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletecool
ReplyDeletenice! you know your stuff :P
ReplyDeleteWow you have a lot of great information here! I dabble a little with electronic music production and have always loved the rich tones you get from old analogue synths. Up to this point I usually just scour older songs for samples to use, but it would be nice to create tracks with more original compositions.
ReplyDeleteI saw this video recently where Danny Byrd actually bought the same synthesizer that The Prodigy used on their 1992 release Experience and it had all of those awesome old skool rave synth sounds. But since I lack the money and resources to find one for myself, it would be great to re-create some of those analogue sounds digitally. Cheers! +follow
Man I seen Torely's videos, he has like every VST >_<
ReplyDeletei really love this vid!
ReplyDeleteWow, that poly-ana thing really amazed me! My preference has been live instruments so far, but now I've started thinking about trying some cool synth... Thanks!
ReplyDelete