A software synthesizer, also sometimes known as a virtual synth, is a computer program designed to create and control a variety of sounds. The concept of the modern synthesizer was defined by Robert Moog in the mid to late 1960\’s, but software synthesizers did not become popular until the late 1990\’s.
Here are the most recent posts at Synthtopia about software synthesizers.
Arturia has introdued Farfisa V, a software recreation of the Farfisa Compact Deluxe, with some additional features from the Duo Compact series. The new virtual organ, for Mac & Windows, uses physical modeling to emulate the original. Arturia says that they modeled the real behavior of each component, right down to the transistors, oscillators, filters and built-in effects.
Audionomy has introduced DM2 – a new synthesis-based drum machine, from the creator of DM1. DM2 is powered by Pure Data, an open source language for audio and visual synthesis. Along with a polymetric sequencer and an extensive song mode, DM2 includes a fully graphical editor for creating drum sounds. Here’s the official video intro:
Arturia today introduced Synclavier V – a new version of the classic Synclavier digital synthesizer for OS X & Windows. New England Digital’s Synclavier was originally introduced in 1979, and, back then, cost as much as a house. But, because of its unique capabilities, the Synclavier quickly found its way into top studios, movie soundtracks and recordings, including iconic… Read More $200,000 Synclavier Synthesizer Now A $200 App
iZotope has announced VocalSynth – a new plugin for OS X & WIndows that specializes in voice synthesis and vocal effects. VocalSynth offers four vocal engines – Vocoder, Polyvoice, Compuvox, and Talkbox – alongside specialized vocal effects and pitch correction. Here’s the official video intro:
Developer Martin Lüders has released PG-8X v2.0, a free virtual analog synthesizer for OS X & Windows, inspired by the Roland JX-8P.
Lethal Audio has launched, with an inaugural release, Lethal synthesizer that offers a 5GB library of ‘commercial quality’ sounds. Here’s what they have to say about it:
Wide Blue Sound has released Eclipse, a soft synth that they say offers a ‘sound that is darker, heavier, more forceful and aggressive.” Under the hood, the synthesis engine ‘orbits’ between four sound channels to create timbres that infinitely evolve over time. The channels can be shaped with several filter types, followed by a custom global… Read More Wide Blue Sound Releases Eclipse Soft Synth
Developer Jan Ostman let us know about a new 8-bit synthesizer project that he’s created, Minimo. “I got very inspired by the Roland A-01 with it’s 8-bit synth,” notes Ostman. Here’s a short video preview:
Developer Nikolozi Meladze has introduced NS1 – described as ‘a simple and intuitive virtual analog subtractive synthesizer’ for iPad. NS1 works as an Audio Unit extension inside a host application such as GarageBand or MultitrackStudio.
Developer Marinus J.G. van de Molengraft has released DrumPerfect Pro, described as a ‘human feel drummer’ for iPad. What sets it apart is the fact that it’s designed to be more of a virtual drummer, rather than a drum machine. Here’s a video intro:
