I used to have a top ten synthesiser page.
But then I realised that it was a stupid idea.
But then I realised that stupid ideas are my forte.
And that everybody loves an argument.
1 Hanging in there at Number one is still Steinberg’s Padshop2 – put in any single sound, twiddle those knobs and out comes an instrument. It’s like when sampling was new you tried every noise you could find, but in this case it actually works across a large slab of the keyboard. Everything loops cleanly right away. Sample all your hardware and then sell it off. And it has all the analogue synthesiser features. Just instant gratification.
However the file system is a bit tricky.
2 Xfer Records Serum2 – the original contemporary* wavetable synthesiser reboot puts on some damn fine boots, including spectral sampling and a quick clean layout that leaps way ahead of all the copy cats. And it’s not expensive. You can trust them to keep you well fed.
*Yeah I know that Waldorf was first. Their interfaces suck.
3 Roland System 8 – every old Roland synthesiser put in a blender. Yep I mean that. Bugger the Jupiter 8. No need to buy expensive old keys, and you even get some early DX7 sounds on top. Very easy to use. Hardware and software available.
4 Korg opsix – an FM synthesiser that can also be just about any other synthesiser that you need. What would you like? 6 oscillators each with their own filter? DX7 FM? Physical synthesis? No worries! The 8-op Leviasynth will probably creep into this territory but cost a hell of a lot more. Hardware and software.
5a Roland JD-XA – an analogue that screams cold blue murder while it soothes with stacked cool red samples. The peak of Roland’s 1990’s period. Misunderstood hero.
5b Novation PEAK – on the other hand – if you really really want analogue sounds but still want the new cool digital stuff like wavetables the PEAK will serve you well. Not quite as cold svelte as the Ultranova, but it can make a Kawai 100F brain melt noise no problem. Hydrasynth is close but not as bitchy.
6 The Real Suspects OsTIrus – is free software that emulates the Virus TI, which is no longer on sale. This is really a vote for the Virus – a fun machine with its own sound that I’ve used in actual music. That’s a great freebie right there.
7 Spectrasonics Omnisphere – a lot of people like having large pre-made libraries of samples. If you really want that then at least buy the weird version with bowed bowler hats and pianos on fire. Spectrasonics has become more normal but the old stuff is still in there.
8 OB-Xd I have to put an American keyboard in here somewhere. But they are so expensive here’s a software version that does the same noise. And yes I have played it against the real thing. Save the money.
9 Korg Minilogue XD – 4 voice (or stack for 8 voices) analogue synthesis of very Korg nastiness BUT also digital plugins for all kinds of weird and wonderful noises alongside. Would be higher on the list except it’s a bit fiddly to get things going.
10 Roland TR8s – Got to mention a drum machine – it’s a complex drummer that wants to take on every possible rhythmic and sequencing idea. Not easy – but rewarding.