Lookin' for some analog - Any SoftSynths As Good as The ION?

If its one thing my studio needs (or, what I think it needs:D), its more analog tones. My AX-80 is defintely analog phat and gritty, but limited in the things it can do. The Z1 does a nice VA sound, which i like a lot. The K5000S and JD-800 are mighty in their digital splendor, and the VZ-1 can do analog 'like' tones with its own PD flavor.

I dont really have room for another synth, but the reviews Ive read of the ION,its price and features, make it look mighty attractive. Are there any softsynths that are as fun to use, and sound as good as, the ION? Im big on nice user interfaces, so Im open to picking up a Novation SL 25 or something, or maybe just the ZeroSL to sit on top of my A80

What about an old 'true' analog like a Yamaha CS-15 or something similar? JD-990 with the Vintage Synth card?

Just looking for some opinions.

The only two softsynths I've heard that sound decent are wayoutware 2600 and the CS80V, but you get way more filter options with the Ion. And most of those Ion filters sound pretty good. As for a softsynth equivalent of the Ion, there ain't one out there.

Thanks for the link Marzzz....Zebra sounds nice. Still think the ION sounds better though.

http://www.alesis.com/products/Ion/Demos/

Honestly though, the Andromeda smokes them all:

http://www.wohmart.com/a6/audio/

You obviously like the Ion. These things are subjective. Personally I think that there are quite a few computer soft synths (the ion is a soft synth, after all) that sound better. given that the Ion is digital, I assume you are referring to virtual analog - in many cases the soft synths go way beyond virtual analog, but...

I think that Zebra, Tera, Vaz Modular, MX4, all sound better and are far more flexible than the Ion. I know I'm forgetting some. I also think that the Waldorf Q sounds better and is more flexible than the Ion. However nothing beats subjectivity - if you like the sound of the Ion more than the others, well, then more power to you.

The Andromeda does sound better than all of these for analog sounds. After all, it IS actually analog.

don't know if you'd find them 'analog sounding', but i like the sound of Z3TA+ and Imposcar.

Pro-53 sounds pretty good too.

How about getting a real analog? You said you don't have room for another synth, but a Matrix 1000 doesn't take up much room at all. You can pick one up for about $250 US. Some of the softsynths mentioned cost almost as much, if not more. Tera is 300 Euro, though admittedly it does a lot that a Matrix 1000 can't! But it's analog you're after, so go for the real deal, says I.

Originally posted by joxer96 How about getting a real analog? You said you don't have room for another synth, but a Matrix 1000 doesn't take up much room at all. You can pick one up for about $250 US. Some of the softsynths mentioned cost almost as much, if not more. Tera is 300 Euro, though admittedly it does a lot that a Matrix 1000 can't! But it's analog you're after, so go for the real deal, says I.

Tera actually sells for WAY less than that. For instance, audiomidi.com has it for $225, which would be about 175 Euro.

But I agree with you in that if you really want analog, nothing beats real analog. I always want to throw out the Evolver in this context, since they sometimes go for real cheap used, and they are extremely powerful and good sounding...but, obviously, lacking in polyphony. What are we talking about? I can't remember...

rogue ales make a damned fine imperial pilsner.

o, and i prefer the sound of applied acoustics' ultra analog to that of the ion, although the ion's a more flexible synth {all those filter models are nice}.

edit, fixed typo.

also, neither of which still sound like a real analogue, though both are musically pleasing.

to be honest, its funny how so many raved about "tera" wat a great, lots 2d movement only synth

and Vaz Modular that just sound old... so its suppose to be like "real thinner sounding old school analogo synth.... and never being updated anymore

Pro-53 is cool for chords and fast arps, but not so cool for big leads or unision, or one finger players

Haven't had the Imperial Pilsner. I've been drinking the Hazlenut Brown Nectar, or something like that...

I couldn't get into Ultra Analog - I thought it sounded too 'perfect'. But, on the other hand, it does sound awful good. Can't remember - maybe it was the lack of mod routings...well, it's been a long time. I love Tassman. Maybe it didn't seem like it was worth it to spend more on Ultra Analog. (Edit - insert typooo)

lost you on Tera. Vaz Modular sounds fantastic in my opinion- wish it was here on my mac. Last I heard the developer is working on the next version. He has posted as such on KVR. I've never heard anyone other than yourself describe it as 'thin'.

do you edit sounds or only use presets?

impOSCar's as fat as a fat {censored} wot is fat already.

Did I mention it's fattitude?

No. Maybe I missed it.

Read the post above your last one then.

i trust my ears

it's thin, its demos on its website are thin, its presets are thin, lots cool movements, effects, modualtions with the press/triger of one key, that have very little 3D movements. its sound tend to sit back in the sound field and not being upfront nor with 3D image quality (the reproduction of 3d sound field is vage on low end monitor or multimedia speaker's with low end soundcards)

their earlier Steinberg D'cota have the same characteristic. fine if you want the sound to just sit in the back

theres no way it's as 3D as impOSCar

Vaz ... jv1080 ... have more dimention than its sound, real decent analogs... warm and round with translucent 3D image

oh, rave period of ravity is also kind of funn, sorry i just can't help... and ... that sampletank hype period...

they are cool fillers but not heor synths

oh and i use mostly presets with some effects and filter/env tweeking and later Eq during mixing

but then IMO if the presets of a product arent going to show much of the synth, then that means the developer's aural isn't too musical as oppose to others that know music and know how to mix

Perhaps consider that I was joking...

Thanks for the responses!

Honestly, Ive listened to nearly every demo if the A6 from that link I posted, and Im going back and forth between fumbling for my credit card (NO!) and looking around my studio for stuff to sell. THAT"S what I want.

When I just re-arranged my studio and bought the synths I did, I didnt really go with a VA because between the Z1 and Z3TA+ (my favorite softsynth - I have the Virus mod for it as well and its pretty cool) - I have a lot of that ground covered. Ive used VirSyn Tera before and while its pretty cool, I dont think the sound is all that special. The vocal and formant stuff it can do is really cool - but honestly I much prefer the sound of my K5000S. I havent checked out VAZ yet Ill have to check out the demos.

Saying 'A VA is just a softsynth' is partially true, I guess. There's something to be said for dedicated hardware and the software specifically designed for it though. My 266Mhz PlayStation2 plays video games WAY better than my 266Mhz Pentium 2 ever did

That's true too. Most 80s-90s era synths have horrible presets for modern electronic music, but are quite powerful machines once you get into them. Im pretty startled of what my little Casio VZ1 is capable of.

I think the Andromeda is what Im really looking for. I'd better spend some good quality time with the hardware I have before I go in on that kind of purchase though. Maybe by the time Ive learned how to program the Z1 and K5000 Ill have enough money saved to buy an A6

yeah, whatever

Well, you did ask about softsynths- so I suggested Zebra. The ImpOSCar also sounds very analogish. Personally, I am a big fan of the Yamaha CS-80 (and actually owned one for awhile) and have the Arturia CS-80V, but I have to say I have gotten better "CS-80-ish" sounds out of Zebra than the CS-80V.

I hate to say this, but I am beginning to think that Arturia is better at emulating the LOOK of vintage synths as opposed to the SOUND. I am waiting for the next update of CS-80V, hoping they will prove me wrong.

As a result, I am more in favor these days of softsynths that break through the analog paradigm (don't try to exactly emulate a particular vintage synth), yet can still SOUND very analog if you want them to. So far, Zebra is my favorite in this regard.

I tried the Micron again today, and with a quick listen it does sound very good, and it is major bang/buck. I would prefer a rack unit though. Of course if you really want ANALOG, then Andromeda is the way to go- there will probably never be anything like it again (damn Numark!).

Zebra does sound very cool, thanks for recommedning it. And I totally agree with you here, one reason why Im a fan of the new Korg Radias (for as much as Ive read about it) - its not pretending to be an analog synth, although it can do those kind of things, its something totally new and exciting.

Isnt Numark going to continue the production on the A6? I hope so. Current used prices are ~$1500, and there's a lot of really nice synths to be had in that price range. It will be a tough decision once I have the cash in hand...the PEK and Waldorf Q are damn spiffy as well.

Still though...I think Andromeda sounds wicked. It just sounds so *huge*...Id like to hear some demos of it in Mix mode with all the oscillators stacked and detuned...*shiver*

Dude stop GASing for everything and get a Rompler and make some music, I'm just saying...

Your threads have excellent discussions though~

This from the hack with 35 synths....great advice, huh?

Ok, I completed avoided fish tacos this time.

LOL - thanks for the concern BillyWa but trust me I am quite busy working on tracks! Most of my recent time has been spent learning the new synths, getting back to sequencing in Sonar, etc. I do try to post up at least one mp3 demo a week Im bringin my Rompler in to get fixed tomorrow

Its The Sickness man, it never goes away.

I am going to see what happens if I don't buy any more synths . You guys gotta help me with step 1. Admit to synthaholism, or what ever its called. Where's A D S R when I need her...

It seems in vogue to diss Arturia, but I still think their synths have quite a lot of good points.

The TimewArp2600 sounds aces though. Minimonsta is ok. Legacy is ok. AudioBassLine Pro is pretty good.