Modular softsynth

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:09 am

Are there any modular softsynths like the Nord modular but that don’t need their own hardware?

Something close to nord modular though were you can pick your own modules and everything I’ve used moog modular and it’s allright but I want something more modern.

Any ideas?

Analog Freak · Post by **Analog Freak** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:21 am

Have you tried synthedit? It's one of my personal favorites.

energetik · Post by **energetik** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:52 am

What about Reaktor? Or if you're feeling brave Max/MSP?

matrix · Post by **matrix** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:53 am

You can actually run the G2 Modular software without the hardware. People that own the G2 say there is no audible difference. I put up a post on it here: http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2006/01 ... ar-g2.html

The only limitations are:

* Polyphony is limited to one voice while the hardware has a maximum of 32 voices per sound.
* The demo can only play one sound at the time while the hardware is 4 part multitimbral.
* A couple of modules are disabled.
* The demo does not support audio in and MIDI out.

Analog Freak · Post by **Analog Freak** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:57 am

Wow, this software is going to keep me busy for weeks. Thank you Matrix!

Lumpy · Post by **Lumpy** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:01 am

Applied Acoustics Tassman is really good. Easier to use than Reactor.

Native Instruments Reactor. One of the most flexible but very hard to build your own.

Arturia Moog Modular V. A big old Moog system. Probably the easiest to use.

KLAXON · Post by **KLAXON** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:02 am

I give my nod to Max/MSP. There is a bit of a learning curve but once you get the hang of it the possibilities are endless.

Pighood · Post by **Pighood** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:11 am

Reaktor....f**k ENDLESS. Who needs to roll your own when there's HUNDREDS of free ensembles out there in the NI library. Absynth is unsneezeable also. Version 4 is just about out.

Tassman is unique in design...very old school, very oriented towards acoustic emulation/physical modelling/FM. VERY easy to use.

Crystal is FREEWARE, and insanely flexibile.

A couple of new tri-oscillator semi-modulars: Surge and MX4. Both sound phenomenal.

Zebra2....spooky-a*s UI & easily reconfigurable. COME ON, Urs!!!!!!

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:10 am

Thanks guys tassman seems really cool I’m going to check that out max/msp looks nuts I'm sure it's awesome but I want something a little more simple

I've been using the clavia demo but I never got to into it because it's just a demo but I didn't realize how few limitations it had until now maybe I’ll dig a little deeper

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:49 am

Anyone know of any that are like doepfer or analog systems
Where you could pick from different modules and then patch away?

Post by **THM** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:22 am

What about the Arturia MOOG Modular V ?

www.arturia.com

kk994 · Post by **kk994** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:52 am

ex_action_figure wrote:Anyone know of any that are like doepfer or analog systems
Where you could pick from different modules and then patch away?

Synthedit... It can be hard to get synthedit to sound great (it'll sound good but it's tough to get it to sound great) but it is a lot of fun and very easy to use. I think once you use synthedit it spoils you against evrything else. It has the best interface going. It's just click and connect. There are a lot of third party modules so you can download a few and try them out.

Max/Msp sounds a lot better IMO. I tried some comparable patches in both like FM and Max/Msp sounds a lot better. The learning curve is a lot steeper. For me it's not as much fun to use. You seem to be constantly dealing with numbers and converting one set of numbers into another. That bit's a piss off for me. Also Max/Msp is more geared toward manipulation of audio. For example it has no Doepfer style oscillators you have to make them from ground up everytime...

Reaktor and Generator before it never really did it for me. It was expensive and I never really though it sounded that great.

I'd try out Synthedit. It's shareware so its not costing you anything and they have a fantastic user community. Very friendly and helpful..

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:27 pm

Moog Modular V, while amazing, is still a fixed system. I think he wants to be able to place modules himself. Not that you'd need alot of more modules in that system, but still..you need to learn how to work it to get much out of it.

There is a great free modular synth that let you place modules yourself.
http://www.karmafx.dk/

The modular is on the lower part of the page. Completely free, and sounds wonderful. You place the modules you want, then draw connections between then with the mouse (or right click and select destination). The cool thing is you get an oscilloscope visual of the signal on every module. So you can see the sawtooth wave fluttering about in realtime when you play it. And the virtual cables are behind the modules, not in front like the MMV. So nothing gets in the way of tweaking.
KarmaFX was voted as the best free modular system in Computer Music magazine not long ago. They set it next to Reaktor, a monster package, and gave it very high marks compared to the big commercial one. He designs the modules from scratch, so it doesn't sound like "just another synthedit frontend"

krushing · Post by **krushing** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:01 pm

I'll second Zebra 2. It's amazing. VAZ Modular is another good one, and finally KarmaFX Synth is pretty similar and best of all - FREE.

ocp · Post by **ocp** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:31 pm

ex_action_figure wrote:Anyone know of any that are like doepfer or analog systems
Where you could pick from different modules and then patch away?

Give the G2 demo a serious try, that's as close as you'll get