analog isn't really doing it for me..

[Machinesworking]

but it's a deceiving name IMO.

Perhaps deception is a little overstating it but the name certainly led me to be somewhat disappointed. I was expecting it sound so much more analog than other VSTi. But I don't think it does much better than the super freebie that is Synth1.

Right now for me the most analogue VSTi have is VAZ Modular - but it's PC only.

OP-X's sound demos sound rather good but with VAZ I rarely see the need to go elsewhere for that sort of sound in a VSTi.

Moog Modular came close. I would assume that Arturia in general are probably good at it. Though if I didn't own an old moog I probably would get the
Minimonsta, Ohm Force collaborated on it and I like their filters.

[leedsquietman]

Both minimonsta and Arturia's mini moog 2.0 are class virtual synths.

I'm not objective because I'm a bit of an Arturia fanboy, owning Jupiter 8V, Prophet V, Minimoog 2.0 and Analog Factory. Excellent emulations with very minimal aliasing, but I don't pretend they are going to sound as good as the real hardware (I'm old enough to have heard most of the originals, owning a minimoog once upon a time which I bought from a pawnbrokers for 80 pounds when analog was not in vogue), although they are all pretty great virtual representations that give you a bold flavour.

[Khazul]

Ive never got on with analog - think its the UI I just dont gel with, also I have never thought it is exactly the most CPU efficient plugin arond either.

For ballsey analog flavour - then Sylenth1 and ACE. For maximum flexibility - then Massive, but while massive is very powerful there is something about it that makes me think 'plastic'.

Some people mention fabfilter twin - its 'nice' sounding to me - I cant say it ballsey or really anything in particular - its just 'nice'. Its filters are its plus point, but I always end up getting more characterful sound out of the others. Lots of modulation options etc so very flexible.

Be warned ACE and Massive are total CPU hogs and I cant recommend them unless running an a fast i7 beast especially if you want to have some CPU capacity left over to run decent reverbs etc.

[jsn]

I like Analog, but I don't think it sounds very analogue.
There's a brittle edge to the high end that simply doesn't exist in my analogue synths, the filters respond in a clinical way as well.
it's more like a virtual analogue to my ears. That's not a bad thing, but it's a deceiving name IMO.

Yes, Analog has a character of its own. The sound is being generated by mathematical models and not by actual analogue circuitry (found in a synthesiser employing electronic circuits). I agree it does not have the same character as an actual analog synthesiser. Although, I do not see this as a downfall, nor do I find it misleading. The 'analogue-ness' of Analog is being modelled with complex algorithms instead. This is stated in the manual.

Nearly every synth one can come across, software or hardware will possess its own character, layout and other small (hidden) differences. This makes it very worth while to explore the full potential.

Here you see an article that is a Q&A with an AAS developer, Philippe Dérogis. He is explaining a bit more about their methods and intentions with physical modelling. http://www.applied-acoustics.com/techtalk/aastech/

[leedsquietman]

Massive has an 'eco' mode which helps quite a bit, just remember to turn it back on to best quality before exporting audio/mixdown. Ace by admission of the developer can be CPU intensive, but it's not the worst.

Arturia's JP8V burns CPU load like nothing else (turning down polyphony and unison voicing helps) and Omnisphere can also be brutal (although it too has an eco mode).

[3phase]

Predator causes Live to crash.

I recorded my whole album in Live using Predator about 4-5 instances per song. Probalby more than any other soft-synth I own. Live never crashed due to Predator once. Not sure what's not working for you. But to the OP, don't assume this is true for everyone. Predator has been a glitch-free VST for me and I've made heavy, heavy use of it, always in Live, for over a year now.

-M

Hmm. wonder what it is then. I have a new imac, up to date legal Ableton. I downloaded a demo of predator when I was on about live 8.1.2 or something, in the spring. It kept crashing Live. Spent a bit of time exchanging emails with Bob Papen. Anyway never did demo it properly before th trial ran out so recently I got a 'cough' copy of it, just to give it a fair trial, but I think it still crashes now and then so I don't really use it. It has a good sound. Not so keen on the visual side, my eyes aren't great, I nee a clean clear, light coloured interface. Anyway, good to know it can work with Live and glad someone corrected me on that as it were, cos I dont wanna slag it unfairly.

all version of L8 had differnt problems with different plugs at different times... many get sorted..what was true with your 8.12 version dont has to be true for a previous version or later versions of live.. try with the latest beta and you know more...

[Machinesworking]

I like Analog, but I don't think it sounds very analogue.
There's a brittle edge to the high end that simply doesn't exist in my analogue synths, the filters respond in a clinical way as well.
it's more like a virtual analogue to my ears. That's not a bad thing, but it's a deceiving name IMO.

Yes, Analog has a character of its own. The sound is being generated by mathematical models and not by actual analogue circuitry (found in a synthesiser employing electronic circuits). I agree it does not have the same character as an actual analog synthesiser. Although, I do not see this as a downfall, nor do I find it misleading. The 'analogue-ness' of Analog is being modelled with complex algorithms instead. This is stated in the manual.

Nearly every synth one can come across, software or hardware will possess its own character, layout and other small (hidden) differences. This makes it very worth while to explore the full potential.

Here you see an article that is a Q&A with an AAS developer, Philippe Dérogis. He is explaining a bit more about their methods and intentions with physical modelling. http://www.applied-acoustics.com/techtalk/aastech/

There is a clinical nature to the sound and the frequencies are all too clear, with analogue gear you can get a fat heavy bass that doesn't have a biting high end yet still cuts through, in playing with Analog I found that the filters and oscillators don't really get that sound, it's more like a VA synth, which is fine, but let's face it, the insinuation with Analog as a name is starkly clear. I think it would have been more appropriately called VA, that's all.

[JEpic]

I like Analog, but I don't think it sounds very analogue.
There's a brittle edge to the high end that simply doesn't exist in my analogue synths, the filters respond in a clinical way as well.
it's more like a virtual analogue to my ears. That's not a bad thing, but it's a deceiving name IMO.

Yes, Analog has a character of its own. The sound is being generated by mathematical models and not by actual analogue circuitry (found in a synthesiser employing electronic circuits). I agree it does not have the same character as an actual analog synthesiser. Although, I do not see this as a downfall, nor do I find it misleading. The 'analogue-ness' of Analog is being modelled with complex algorithms instead. This is stated in the manual.

Nearly every synth one can come across, software or hardware will possess its own character, layout and other small (hidden) differences. This makes it very worth while to explore the full potential.

Here you see an article that is a Q&A with an AAS developer, Philippe Dérogis. He is explaining a bit more about their methods and intentions with physical modelling. http://www.applied-acoustics.com/techtalk/aastech/

There is a clinical nature to the sound and the frequencies are all too clear, with analogue gear you can get a fat heavy bass that doesn't have a biting high end yet still cuts through, in playing with Analog I found that the filters and oscillators don't really get that sound, it's more like a VA synth, which is fine, but let's face it, the insinuation with Analog as a name is starkly clear. I think it would have been more appropriately called VA, that's all.

Uhhh it is a VA synth.... if it were an analog synth it wouldn't be in your computer...

[Machinesworking]

Uhhh it is a VA synth.... if it were an analog synth it wouldn't be in your computer...

Like I said, soft synth Moog modular comes pretty dammed close to a hardware moog sound.
Analog sounds not like any analogue synth I've heard, but more like a hardware VA synth like the Nord Lead!

It's not a major dig, as the Nord and a few other hardware VAs are almost as respected as analogue gear.
All I'm saying is the description seems weak, but not for the reasons you're thinking.

[rikhyray]

Uhhh it is a VA synth.... if it were an analog synth it wouldn't be in your computer...

Like I said, soft synth Moog modular comes pretty dammed close to a hardware moog sound.
Analog sounds not like any analogue synth I've heard, but more like a hardware VA synth like the Nord Lead!

It's not a major dig, as the Nord and a few other hardware VAs are almost as respected as analogue gear.
All I'm saying is the description seems weak, but not for the reasons you're thinking.

This thread made me play with Ultra analog a bit and is not as bad as I initially felt and retired it before ever using. The stripped name makes it worse, you expect analog and there is hardly anything analog about it.
Reminds me of visit to Tibetan monastery where I was offered tea. Weird looking pinkish milky saltish liquid, had serious problem to drink, did it not want to offend the host,was forcing myself to swallow it, not without disgust,but suddenly realized "it is not tea, it is a soup!" and started to even enjoy it.
Same with Analog, once you hear it as it is and dont expect Arturia or analog emulation, neither try to get something analogish it might be useful synth. I already used it for the first time ever in a song yesterday added some "extra" with it to existing bass line.

[Poster]

Uhhh it is a VA synth.... if it were an analog synth it wouldn't be in your computer...

Like I said, soft synth Moog modular comes pretty dammed close to a hardware moog sound.
Analog sounds not like any analogue synth I've heard, but more like a hardware VA synth like the Nord Lead!

It's not a major dig, as the Nord and a few other hardware VAs are almost as respected as analogue gear.
All I'm saying is the description seems weak, but not for the reasons you're thinking.

I always thought VA is a pretty stupid name as well as the only thing VA refers to is the typical signal path and subtractive synthesis..
VC, virtual circuitry would've been more adequate, but not selling very well..

[dum]

If they called it 'Meh' instead of 'Analog' it would be everyone's go-to softsynth.

[jsn]

If they called it 'Meh' instead of 'Analog' it would be everyone's go-to softsynth.

Interesting point

There was never a claim made that this would be The VA synth emulation to replace all of your hardware. Personally, if I would absolutely require an overwhelming analogue presence in a piece then I would record straight from my Juno. If I didn't own this one then I would find a fitting sample. I would not stop at emulation because this still has not achieved the chaotic and warm quality, to my ears, of the real thing. Plus each piece of hardware possess certain small quirks that give it a personality when one plays a phrase of music and/or adjusts parameters in realtime. That is another discussion entirely. The analogue-ness of a production is not what garners my interest in most cases, rather the intrigue you create within your composition and in most cases general sound design, a rhythm and/or general flow of the piece. I never find myself in a club or at home thinking "WOW, this recording is sounding just like my Juno standing by the wall in the studio. This is so good." I realise that is mostly subjective so I will leave it at that.

Back to the point, Live's Analog is a very capable instrument. Anyone who is programming with it (besides looking for the phattest bass in the world) will be able to tell you they have ended up with interesting and usable material. One must take a moment and read the manual and discover where the potential lies besides blocking one's mind and inhibiting the imagination with the word "Analog". Yes, some information on the interface is quite small and one must click to different pages while editing but I like the compactness of it all for some reason personally. In retrospect, perhaps they should have employed political correctness in choosing the name of the instrument? When I purchase a car that is called Civic I do not expect that by driving it this will create a sense of community from those situated around me on the motorway.

Edit: Again, I cannot recommend enough to give Nick's "Sound Design in Ableton Live: Analog" video series a try if you are new to the instrument or needing a refresher course with it. No, he is not instructing how to make "phat" and "wobble" bass but if you listen close you will get a few nice general subtractive synthesis tips.

[anybody human]

There's a brittle edge to the high end that simply doesn't exist in my analogue synths, the filters respond in a clinical way as well.
it's more like a virtual analogue to my ears. That's not a bad thing, but it's a deceiving name IMO.

It is a little sharp/thin in the high end, I'd agree.

I watched the ACE video posted earlier. Thanks for posting that Newecho, finally made sense. Built a couple of patches and really enjoyed it. Don't often get inspired by soft synths anymore but ACE is very cool.

On a different note, I have the Xils3 and don't really dig it but his new synth PolyKB looks interesting. Only 30 of the original were ever made so that makes a software version is more of a plus IMO. It has a some nice features like panning (and virtual placement) of the voices. The original had unique oscillators;
"The thing about these oscillators, is that they are continuously variable from TRIANGLE through SAW, SAW/SQUARE and SQUARE PULSE WIDTH. This means they sound quite unusual, and can be modulated all over the shop." For a while I was really into wavetable synthesis, another reason this synth intrigues me. The original must have been awesome.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2010/07/ ... ab-polykb/

Edit: BTW Xils Lab guy worked on the Arturia synths.

[dum]

^^^ Cool story, bro.

Any idea how the PolyKB sounds ?