Ableton Forum

Hello together!

i want to buy my first Softsynth thats not in the Live 9 Suite.

I want something powerfull and versitaile, yet easy to learn and get more into synthesis. Synthmaster is 50$ at the moment while Zebra2 costs 200$. Is Zebra worth the 150$+? Is somebody here using both and can tell me the main difference and help me a little bit with my decision?

thanks in advance!

Fckthwrld

http://www.kvraudio.com/product/synthma ... io/reviews



I dunno Synthmaster. Zebra2 is the awesomest and has a great interface, but I don't think it is 'easy to learn' - I think it will take a while to master its subtleties and complexities.

Zebra is never on Sale so if you decide to sell it after you wil get 170-180 USD back.

Both are powerfull, I personally would pick zebra because I like the interface more.


But you can try both!

I really like Synthmaster, it has very good sound and has a little bit more "standard" type interface than Zebra. Both are very good, had Zebra years ago but sold it since I wasn't using it very much. Still have Synthmaster and use it fairly regularly. I probably will pick up Zebra again some day though (maybe when version 3 comes out). I'd say grab Synthmaster while it's on sale. It's got enough to keep you busy and learning for years. Really cool multi-oscillators, wavetable stuff, FM etc... You can do some neat stuff with the stereo image and unison with the oscillators. There are also lots of presets available for it if that's your thing.

Honestly they really are both great, I'd say get em both eventually.

Take a listen to Camel Audio Alchemy too You might like that one as well.
http://www.camelaudio.com/Alchemy.php

Knowing what I know now, having been at this "music stuff" for just over a year ... if I was going to pick up my first soft synth, it would be Dune 2 from Synapse Audio. I think it sells for about $179. The free DuneCM synth is my go-to soft synth, but I've been holding out for a sale before I pick up Dune 2. /fingers crossed

The sound is incredible, it lets you use a mix of subtractive, wavetable, and fm synthesis, has a really powerful and flexible sequencer, and an amazing modulation matrix. The basic interface is easy enough to grasp if you're just getting started, but has tons of features that you can master as you go for a long time to come.

I've tried the Zebra 2 demo, but the interface just seems overwhelming to me. I know a lot of people with way more experience than I just love it though. /shrug

Saw the Synthmaster discount so I thought I'd download the demo. No good. Similar cold thin harshness to Serum. Browser doesn't work as well as it should, but a million times better than Sylenth's browser. Prefer Zebra to Synthmaster for everything, prefer Sylenth's sound over Zebra (but only just), prefer Zebra browser over Sylenth. Overall, Zebra is the best. If Sylenth had a prettier interface and both parts showing simultaneously, and a sensible browser, it would be the best.

Don't forget, Hive is coming out in December.

JIMO.