What synthesizers don't sound synthy?

Discussion in 'Education' started by Incontro, Feb 8, 2025 at 2:42 PM.

  1. Incontro

    Incontro Ultrasonic

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    Would you please name any synthesizer which doesn't sound synthy and sounds more natural?
    Thanks!
     
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  3. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    [​IMG]
     
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  4. Will Kweks

    Will Kweks Rock Star

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    Physical modelling ones can sound pretty "non-synthy" when played properly. A lot of romplers too. But the played/programmed properly is the key. There's a clip out there with a 303 doing a fairly convincing upright bass. Makes you wonder what the hell the designers of that one were thinking really.
     
  5. Radio

    Radio Audiosexual

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    Here are 2 very good sounding free plugins:

    dexed - FM Plugin Synth modeled on the Yamaha DX7 ---> https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/
    Nils' K1v is a classic rompler that emulates the Kawai K1 --> www.nilsschneider.de/wp/nils-k1v/
     
  6. Lian

    Lian Newbie

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    My go to for "analog-ish" synth sounds is Diva. Another one i started using a bit more lately is Knifonium when I'm looking for a bit more unconventional sounds especially for bass and leads.
     
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  7. triggerflipper

    triggerflipper Audiosexual

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    What do you mean by "natural" ?
     
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  8. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    [​IMG]
    And here... we... go
     
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  9. Will Kweks

    Will Kweks Rock Star

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    Obviously if we define natural to be the opposite of synthetic, then we want something that's antinatural to be natural.

    Kind of like in physics where matter-antimatter collisions create a lot of energy with nothing else left, here we're presumably attempting something similar, destruction of things to create a hell of a lot of noise.

    ...I think.

    @Radio

    While Dexed/DX7 (or any 6-op FM synth) is indeed a great synth, "natural" would not be the first word to describe it.
     
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  10. SacyGuy

    SacyGuy Producer

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    marijuana
     
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  11. Demloc

    Demloc Platinum Record

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    The ones from Physical Audio on the sister site can sound pretty convincing depending on what type of sound you're after. I'm in love with Derailer but the new ones like Preparation are very good as well.

    But if you're after a violin that doesn't sound violinish, well... good luck :wink:
     
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  12. Plendix

    Plendix Platinum Record

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    You really need to define what you're after.
    Like VSL stuff does sound very real and not at all synth like. When you go for orchestral stuff. Or there are awesome (whatever) - piano libraries out there that sound quite like the real thing, same for guitar.
    Your "what synth doesn't sound synth like" can be anything. Early rompler like the proteus stuff for instance. Sounds horrible to our ears. But definitely not synth like. Not like a minimoog or a DX 7. My best guess is you're going for the workstation sound? Like yamahas genos or montage?
     
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  13. Crinklebumps

    Crinklebumps Audiosexual

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    It depends on which notes you're using and your understanding of them.
     
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  14. Mynock

    Mynock Audiosexual

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    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Auen Fred

    Auen Fred Rock Star

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    smeg doing the reverse thing now ?

    ...man ppl dont even read op post ...wtf...they want it it seems..
    ------
    here is my glorius post :
    pm and fm .....natural= instrument/field recording sortish things
    case closed
    -----
    op whats your favorite 3 non synths synths ?
    wasnt there a fart synth ....
     
  16. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    Modartt Pianotec 8 for one.
     
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  17. Haze

    Haze Platinum Record

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    Stylophone - sounds exactly like a Stylophone.
     
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  18. FrankPig

    FrankPig Audiosexual

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    It doesn't get any more natural than the water synthesizer demonstrated by Synthesizer Patel:

     
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  19. Will Kweks

    Will Kweks Rock Star

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    As long as you keep them locked up, they're bloody expensive!

    The entire Music 2000 competition is solid gold, one of the best Look Around You Episodes!
     
  20. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    The best example of this to me are the SWAM instruments. If played convincingly (using a suitable controller) and in a mixed track, you could easily mistake them for real instruments. Sculpture (stock physical modeling synth in Logic) will almost never be so convincing imo. The only physical modeling synth I have is the Korg Z1, which is obviously very early; but it is the same way. Always sounds like a synth to me. Linnplug Sax Lab is maybe my favorite "almost sounds like a real instrument" plugin, even though it is quite old too; but it is very light on resources. With so many available Kontakt and Falcon libraries of real instruments, I'm not sure why this is even important; unless you are trying to find some lightweight plugins for an older computer or for use in your really busy projects. There are many EPs which are convincing enough.
     
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  21. Will Kweks

    Will Kweks Rock Star

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    Agreed, the "played convincingly" is the key.

    I never got much into physical modelling for the same reason, just use a sample with properly voiced notes and it's all good. Had a Z1 briefly and never even bothered to figure out the models there, I just used it for the very synthy and spacy sounds (which it excels at). But I digress.
     
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