Synthesis: Virtual analogue, wavetable, additive, sample and granularĪrturia’s Pigments has been a roaring success, with the previous iteration being voted as the best soft synth of the year by our readers in 2020.

Perhaps it’s best to consider them as cousins if you have to, but certainly not closer relatives than that.” It’s Massive then, and yet, of course, it isn’t an update to Massive in the strictest sense. In our review, we said: “The Massive X bonuses are the stupid numbers of modulation options, the insert effects that can be oscillators, the Reaktor-like Routing section, the noise – how much? – the sounds (the sounds!) and the looks (and resizable screen!).

There are also three blocks of 10 send effects, nine filter types and two additional phase-modulation oscillators to load up on top of the two main wavetable oscillators. Massive X is certainly worth experimenting with, boasting a plethora of modulation possibilities, a unique routing section, over 170 wavetables and 10 wavetable modes. The long-awaited update, Massive X, arrived in 2019 with a totally new design – so different, in fact, that NI has kept the original Massive available to download as a different entity. Native Instruments’ Massive made a name for itself during the rise of dubstep, thanks to a rich sonic palette and modulation engine that made it ideal for complex, moving basslines.

The best software polyphonic synthesizers at a glance:

We’ve rounded up 19 of our favourites, all with their own quirks that will keep you busy for hours on end.

READ MORE: 10 of the best freeware soft synthsįrom legendary models to complex modular setups and newfangled instruments, there are countless software polys to choose from.

Software can faithfully emulate iconic models, offer brave new sounds, and even present fresh ways to synthesise audio – all at prices that are typically far lower than their physical counterparts.

The User Interface (Nice Design, Clear View Modes, Scalable etc.There are many reasons to opt for a software synthesizer over a hardware one.

The Preset System (A good structure & quality of presets).

The Sound Quality (The Raw Sound, The Filters, Effects etc.).

The Synth Engine (Features and control of the Oscillators & Wavetables).The Synthesis Method (Additive, Subtractive, FM, Wavetable etc.).Best Synth VST Plugins.jpg 1920×1080 1.38 MBĪre you looking for amazing Synth VST plugins? While “Best” is of course always subjective, here is a complete top list (based on input from fellow composers): Best Synth VST Plugins

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