What's your go-to synth?

[Kidd Cabbage]

Well?

I'd say mine is Massive, since I know it real well and it's pretty versatile. I love how modular the envelopes are - though I'm sure I end up using those as a crutch at some points. On the other hand, I hate how the envelopes are ADSR, as opposed to AHDSR. I also have a hard time keeping my synth sounds simple, just because how powerful Massive is - most of my sounds end up way too huge and complex.

So what's yours? What do you like and dislike about it? What genres and sounds do you use it for?

[Rozovian]

Omnisphere. The way it uses samples means it quickly fills up what little memory I've got with big pad samples, and it's quite a powerhog. Still, it does just about everything, and the interface is really easy to use.

I hate having to use it multi-timbrally tho, Logic doesn't do multi-trimbral conveniently.

Other synths I use a lot are FM8 and Logic's own ES2, tho nowadays just to keep the computer running or because I have some nice, simple ES2 presets I've made before. Dunno how the rest of my top synth list looks, but Absynth and Massive are both there, somewhere. Among freebies I'd say FreeAlpha gets the most use.

[Nase]

synth1 (boring).

it doesn't do everything but my needs are simple enough most of the time. it does the job.

if i want to delve deeper or just waste my time with endless twiddling i go for fabfilter twin or oatmeal, among others.

[Chernabogue]

Toxic. It has cool sounds and presets, and it is very easy to use, even if it has a lot of (complex) options!

[avaris]

Omnisphere hands down.

Sylenth1 is really quick and easy to make bread and butter sounds with.

[Anorax]

I like the Artemis synth by B. Serrano.

Also, his other synths are very useful too.

all freebies.

[Dissidia]

Alchemy and it's libraries, it's easy to customize and automate with pleasing results. It does use up a bit of cpu, but since I upgraded my cpu it hasn't been a problem.

[Hy Bound]

Reaktor... I know its more of a sleeve to add synths and stuff, but any time i can't think of something i need to add, i pull up Reaktor and have at it. Such a great tool.

[loomcore]

Either Reason's Malström or the Korg microKORG. The Malström was the first softsynth I ever used, and it's so versatile I always find myself coming back to it, especially when I need a particularly filthy bassline Similarly with the microKORG, I've had mine for so long now that I can just leap on it and start making noises with no fuss; it's pretty much second nature to me now, and I've had many a lush pad out of it over the years.

[Kidd Cabbage]

I've also been getting down with Cakewalk's z3ta, too. I like the way it sounds a *lot*, and it's very capable. The arpeggiator and effects are great, too (no arp in Massive :c). The interface is hardly very intuitive, though, and that's my biggest problem with it.

[WillRock]

Reasons Thor.

Any kind of sound I want, I can always make it with Thor, and it doesn't take a genius to use it either.

[Sixto]

Omnishpere or Nexus. I'm a preset kinda guy when it comes to synths.

[SonicThHedgog]

i borrow this baby http://www.vintagesynth.com/moog/voyager.jpg

for vst's, sytrus and bio toxic (great sampler as well) blow any soft synth out the park. they just sound more fat then any other synth to me. i mean altho they same with fl , i bought them just to use them in other daws.

then theres massive only for its wavetables

[OverCoat]

VOPM

...

what?

as far as HARDWARE synths, I got this baby:

[Anorax]

i borrow this baby http://www.vintagesynth.com/moog/voyager.jpg

Believe it or not, Mixcraft actually has two decent VSTs based off of Moog synthesizers.

MiniMoog >> MiniMogue VA (freebie)

MemoryMoog >> Messiah Memorymoon, which is actually great because this synth would be 40 dollars otherwise, along with it's "brother", Memorymoon synthesizer.

[Modus]

I like Nexus and Alchemy. Nexus has the sweetest presets, but I have EQ problems with it for some reason.

[Nabeel Ansari]

I'm stuck between Zebra 2 and Sytrus.

[SonicThHedgog]

Believe it or not, Mixcraft actually has two decent VSTs based off of Moog synthesizers.

MiniMoog >> MiniMogue VA (freebie)

MemoryMoog >> Messiah Memorymoon, which is actually great because this synth would be 40 dollars otherwise, along with it's "brother", Memorymoon synthesizer.

lots of soft synths are great, just arnt that fat *cough*massive*cough*

[Anorax]

lots of soft synths are great, just arnt that fat *cough*massive*cough*

I know what you mean. Although, these serve their purpose, and they sound pretty decent.

[JH Sounds]

I can get by with synth1. It's my go-to whenever I need specific, nostalgic sounds, and the interface is pretty intuitive for me.

[Anorax]

Could never get Synth1 to work. Have no idea why. Just couldn't.

[djpretzel]

I've also been getting down with Cakewalk's z3ta, too. I like the way it sounds a *lot*, and it's very capable. The arpeggiator and effects are great, too (no arp in Massive :c). The interface is hardly very intuitive, though, and that's my biggest problem with it.

I thought no one else would say this It's definitely one of my faves; however, it seems like its default levels are WAY loud - first thing I do after loading it up is always taking it down relative to everything else.

Rob Papen Blue is another favorite, and I like Cakewalk Rapture as well.

[noTuX]

FL Studio's Voodoo synth.

[Flexstyle]

Image-Line Harmless and Toxic Biohazard, Wusik.com Wusikstation, and Cakewalk z3ta+.

Harmless: Super-phat sounds are really easy to make. Great for deep basses, screaming leads, and those wobblin' dubstep sounds.

Toxic Biohazard: Tons of power under the hood. I'm very familiar with it, so I can make nearly any sound I want. Tends to be a bit CPU-hungry, though. Actually, that kinda applies to all my favorite synths....

Wusikstation: I realize this beast has more to it than just the presets, but I have yet to need anything but a quick look through the many banks available to my Wusik.com subscriber's account to find an utterly usable sound.

z3ta+: Super-powerful. Older technology, but still one of the most versatile synths ever made.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention 4Front TruePianos and Garritan Personal Orchestra, my two favorite "real instrument" plugins.

[zircon]

Zebra 2 is extremely powerful and flexible, plus it's very easy to program. Definitely my go-to.