What synths do top composers use?
- Thread starter Pier
- Start date
Jeremy Morgan
Senior Member
Knifonium I tried for the first time yesterday and ...wow
handz
Senior Member
Same same 10+ year ago it was quite nice vsti. Easy to use back then
really weird question on a forum like this. Who the hell does not want to know what top composers use here?
Bee_Abney
How long have I been out?
I don't have it, but I understand that it has certain limitations. I believe it uses samples, but whatever it uses, there is a finite number of them to play with. It's unusual way of combining sound sources means that you may find yourself making sounds that you wouldn't have otherwise, but it may make it difficult (or different enough) so that that, added to the limited sound sources, makes it less ideal for building patches according to a plan or pre-imagined sound.
Also, I hear it is great for pads. I don't know how it does with textures, but I doubt it is a good all round workhorse.
And, it's a recent synth, and top composers are old, grizzled and experienced with older, grizzlier synths.
None of that should put you off it!
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OP
OP
Pier
Senior Member
Ok I admit it was a bad titleEvery time I see this thread I can't help but see
But everyone understood what I meant!
sostenuto
AKA _ doubtingtom37
@ Tatiana Gordeeva surely got in my head with earlier creations. Dune 3 is top complement to Omni v2.8, yet will impose major study/learn time.
Abyss really should. as well, but guessing more 'fun' _ ( rhymes with nun ) in the process.
Bee_Abney
How long have I been out?
I think it will be fun too. But I find designing sounds in Falcon fun, so it seems like my opinion on fun is nun too reliable!
chillbot
Sock Muppet
I am top composer for sure.
I use (in this order, for software not hardware):
Omnisphere
Zebra
Hive
However were I really top composer or at least reasonably well-paid mid composer with a smallish staff I would have a dedicated person or peoples that would design me both bespoke and original patches and sounds/sound design for every project utilizing these synths which I would later release to the public for a small or reasonably fair price using my name/image or the name/image of the project if allowed. Maybe people have done that already, I dunno.
I use (in this order, for software not hardware):
Omnisphere
Zebra
Hive
However were I really top composer or at least reasonably well-paid mid composer with a smallish staff I would have a dedicated person or peoples that would design me both bespoke and original patches and sounds/sound design for every project utilizing these synths which I would later release to the public for a small or reasonably fair price using my name/image or the name/image of the project if allowed. Maybe people have done that already, I dunno.
Alchemedia
Decomposer
KEM
The TENET Guy
chocobitz825
Senior Member
It’s synthesis…I mean…maybe they used hive, but you could make a similar sound with a number of other synths. I just find it odd to focus on the software more than the technique. I can understand the curiosity, but not so much the inclination to imitate. Just because HZ used Zebra doesn’t really mean it’s something we all need to use. Shouldn’t we be trying to find our own unique sounds?
Jeremy Morgan
Senior Member
The question was "what synths do the top composers use" not "if I wanted to imitate the pros what would I need to use".
darkogav
Active Member
God forbid originality. Everything needs to sound like it was made out of Hans' basement.
whinecellar
Jim Daneker
I don’t know what those standards are, but man, it’s just the opposite for me: Dune is the synth against which all others are measured, at least in terms of sheer sound quality, ease of use, and inspiration factor. It’s just a monster in every way. Omnisphere is up there with it for sound an inspiration, but I absolutely hate using it - it feels like swimming in quicksand much of the time.
YMMV of course, but it’s a head scratcher to me that any synth lover wouldn’t have Dune high on their list!
Bee_Abney
How long have I been out?
I agree that Dune 3.5 matches Omnisphere for the sounds that it does well; but I suspect Omnisphere is a bit more versatile. If you are going to have, and learn, more than one synth, I'd certainly pick Dune over Omnisphere for sound. But, you know, tastes vary. I like using Omnisphere, but it does trouble my CPU on occasion. (So does Falcon, but only for the sounds that no instrument can do without troubling my CPU).
Not being a synthspert, Dune 3.5 may be lacking in all sorts of ways that I don't know about, but I am attracted to the smooth but robust sounds.
Bee_Abney
How long have I been out?
I think that depends on the job and how much you want it and a reputation as a reliable professional. Or, in my case, yes. Yes, I want to find my own unique sounds. But finding my own unique voice as a composer or musician would probably come first for me.
Outside of the fact that everyone's sound is unique somewhat (yes, there are of course degrees of uniqueness; if it referred only to absolute uniqueness it would have no value as a comparative), I'm never going to find a unique voice, way of playing, or composing. So, I generally focus on trying to express myself (hence my last song 'I hate my phone falling out my back pocket into the loo' or the perennial favourite 'I don't want to get up, but I don't want to stay in bed'), or write something that does a certain job, as well as I can.
But you do raise some interesting questions for another thread, if you wanted to start it. Such as, 'What have I learned from X?' or 'What is the wildest, least used instrument that is still sort of good?' Or some such.
OP
OP
Pier
Senior Member
I agree it's one of the best sounding synths, but in that bit you quoted I'm referring only to the UI.
