I got so many I can’t list them all here but Korg Triton is very good at that 90s atmosphere, travel back in time to the first days of disc based consoles and windows 98.. Omnisphere is probably mandatory in this thread, and I also recommend stuff like Falcon, Pigments, XV-5080, VCV etc… there’s plenty of VCV modules to get you started on making a lush evolving atmosphere and sometimes it’s all about adding some effects to more simpler sounds and stretching or smearing them across time and space. Sloom is great for that and you can’t go wrong with PaulXStretch

 

I assume most people seeking out a JP8080 know this... but to add, the 8000 had...not great build quality. The capacitors will fail early. Very early. Like 20 years ago or so this started happening, and unlike most synths, they are not quick or easy to swap out due to the board design. Signal path near the outputs also commonly needs replacing. So when you look at going rates and see that the 8080 rack sells up to 1.5-2x what the keyboard does its a combo of two things - 1. More features in the 8080 and they're all useful. Polyphony, ext. inputs, more waveforms, fx, etc 2. 8080 was built better and doesn't have those problems. So if you buy a 8000 that hasn't been serviced for capacitors, it'd be a good idea to see what tech options and lead times you've got around you. Less of an "if", more of a "it will" (the fix uses much better parts, there should be no expectation of a 2nd failure until after you're too old to care).

Supernova 2 also has DAC issues but that's a much easier fix. If you're not handy with solder, 15min benchtime at a tech.

Also, Waldorf Iridium is definitely worth a look for pads (the keyboard, desktop, and core versions all have to same software). Filters on Quantum are a joke for the price difference, not at all worth it unless you get a used mk1 (also same software, only functional difference is channel pressure rather than polyphonic aftertouch). Mk1 and 2 as well as Iridium are the only in production synths that use the fatar tp8s though.. so that might be worth a mk1Q too.

 

You can't go wrong with Diva, and of course Zebra2 has worked quite well for Hans Zimmer.. But one I personally love for lush pads is Synapse Audio Obsession (an emulation of the Oberheim OB-Xa). Out of the box pad presets will make your lady moist. Haha

Or just throw ValhallaShimmer on just about anything.

 

Absynth 5

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2025 at 11:15 AM

I second this.
Korg Wavestate or Wavestation. Also the NordLead Emulation from DSP56300 NodalRed.
Or Osirus Pads from the Virus C.

Try as much "analog" as you can.
Good pads needs to be very "3D" but needs to leave space.

Many modern VST pads are too strong and sound like a "Wall"

 

This is another from the Absynth camp. Very mind-expanding


.

 

Virus Ti, Korg Wavestate, Omnisphere, Diva, that's what comes to my mind first.

 

But, but, but, that's a stock DAW plugin, how can that possibly be good enough? Don't I need MORE, MORE, MORE, to make a decent pad?