best synth for trance

[the_noodlemeister]

Can anybody please give me some advice / opinions on which are the best hardware synths out there for creating the sounds of trance music circa 1999-2001? Thanks in advance

[tekkentool]

Virus C or JP-8000

[the_noodlemeister]

thanks - is the virus c better than the virus b then for these sort of sounds?

[Stab Frenzy]

Well the C didn't come out til 2002 so for that real authentic 99-01 trance sound you should use an A or B.

Or you could just use any digital synth, dial in the right patch and then coat it in reverb and you're done. The sound of trance is a lot more to do with the production than the synth used. The Novation synths from around that time would be worth looking at as well, could be cheaper than a Virus and are just as suitable.

[stephen]

Try the Yamaha AN1x, check out JayB's demos on Youtube to see if that's what you're after.

[meatballfulton]

The Virus is still thought of as "the" trance synth. The big changes from B to C were increased polyphony, the "Moog" filter and more FX. Turn one on to sample the presets and there's trance and acid sounds galore.



The C sells used for $100-200 more than the B. The A is only worth considering if you're really tight for cash as it's the cheapest used, but the most limited of the 3.

The current TI and TI2 models are pretty pricey but have 2x/3x the polyphony of the C, added more osc and filter types and many more FX. Most importantly they can be used as a VST inside your DAW over a USB connection...something I think we'll be seeing more and more of in the future.

The Roland JP8000 and Yamaha AN1X both have the "supersaw" waveforms that you still hear in trance tracks to the point of overkill.

[sam]

Back then we used JP8000's and juno 106's...Before that it was Xpanders and Alfa juno's.

[the_noodlemeister]

Great!! Many thanks for all your responses. Checked out the JP8000, AN1x and both the virus b and c. They're all exactly what i'm after! Cheers!

[Stab Frenzy]

Check out the Novation Nova and Supernova as well, or you might be able to find a KS4 or KS5 for a good price, they're great for it too.

[KulshanStudios]

For the era you're talking about, the best synths you'll want would be...

JP8080
Nord Lead 3
SuperNova
Q
Virus C

Of those, the C, NL3, and JP are gonna be the most affordable options. Qs and SuperNovas are starting to fetch a hefty premium, and the JP8080 has been rising in price lately too

If you're on a smaller budget but want that era of sounds, the Mininova is a fantastic option that a lot of trance producers sleep on

You can hear it in action down here, playing classic Alphazone and Beam & Yanou riffs

https://youtu.be/PH5mI-NYNlI