Welcome, music enthusiasts, creators, and innovators!
It’s a pleasure to share my insights and expertise on a topic close to my heart: Best synth VST Plugins.
As a professional in the music industry, I’ve had the privilege of exploring countless VST plugins, and I’m thrilled to guide you through the best of the best.
With the vast sea of plugins available, how do you choose the right one?
I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different plugins, understanding their features, and assessing their capabilities. The result? A carefully curated list of the best VST synth plugins that suit a variety of needs and genres.
Let’s dive in and explore the magic of music production together!
1.Serum by Xfer
Serum a state-of-the-art wavetable synthesizer that brings high-quality sound and visual aesthetics to your fingertips. A dream synth, Serum offers a fun and creative workflow, allowing you to dive deep into sound creation and alteration.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, and AAX in 64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 7 SP1 or later
- macOS 10.11 or later
Features
Serum boasts many features, including a built-in wavetable editor, ultra-clean oscillators, a modulation system, real-time wavetable manipulation, various filter types, a suite of effects, and advanced unison capabilities. It also comes with over 450 presets and 144 wavetables.
Sound Quality
With its focus on eliminating unwanted artefacts and ensuring high-precision resampling, Serum offers a top-notch sound quality that is crisp, clean, and free of unwanted frequencies.
Functionality
The plugin offers a convenient and efficient workflow. From its drag-and-drop modulation system to its real-time wavetable manipulation, Serum facilitates an easy yet deep exploration of sound synthesis.
User Interface (UI)
Serum presents a visually appealing, intuitive, and workflow-oriented interface. This makes the process of creating and altering sounds enjoyable rather than tedious.
Support and Updates
The developer provides robust support and regular updates, ensuring that Serum continues to serve its users effectively while keeping up with the fast-paced changes in the world of music production.
2.Sylenth1 by Lennar Digital
Sylenth1, a virtual analog VSTi synthesizer that redefines the meaning of quality and performance. This isn’t just your average synth; it’s a sound and music production powerhouse designed with the producer’s perspective.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, and AAX in 32/64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 7 or later
- macOS 10.09 or later
Features
Sylenth1 is packed with features that make it a standout. It houses 4 alias-free unison oscillators, 2 state-of-the-art analog sounding filter sections, and an array of modulation options. Not to mention, it comes with a master effects section complete with 7 professional-quality sound effects and an arpeggiator.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is top-notch, delivering warmth and clarity that can compete with hardware synths. Whether you’re playing the deepest basses or the highest bells, the oscillators perform exceptionally well across the frequency range.
Functionality
Its functionality is impressive. With 16 notes of polyphony, you can play up to 512 voices simultaneously. Plus, it’s optimized to reduce CPU usage to a minimum, allowing you to produce quality sound without overtaxing your system.
User Interface (UI)
The graphical interface is designed for ultimate usability. It’s intuitive, easy to navigate, and allows you to fully unleash your creativity without getting bogged down in technicalities.
Support and Updates
The team behind Sylenth1 offers robust support and regular updates, ensuring you’re always equipped with the latest features and improvements. So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you can trust that this synth will keep up with your evolving needs.
3.Omnisphere by Spectrasonics
Omnisphere is a remarkable blend of power, versatility, and extraordinary sonic potential. Trusted by top artists worldwide, this award-winning software synthesizer is a must-have tool for any serious music producer or sound designer.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, and AAX in 64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 7 SP1 or later
- macOS 10.11 or later
Features
The 2.8 version comes with a plethora of features including Hardware Synth Integration, a new Hardware Sound Library, and an expanded synthesis engine. It boasts over 14,000 sounds, 58 FX Units, and supports audio import. Plus, the addition of Flow Capture™ in the standalone app makes recording a breeze.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is top-tier, delivering a rich, immersive sonic experience. With a vast library of sounds and effects, it can produce everything from classic analog tones to cutting-edge modern sounds. The audio import function allows for further customization, making the possibilities virtually endless.
Functionality
The functionality is impressive, with a powerful arpeggiator, granular synthesis, and a doubled mod matrix. The Hardware Synth Integration feature transforms over 65 hardware synthesizers into hands-on controllers, bridging the gap between physical and virtual instruments.
User Interface (UI)
The UI is user-friendly and intuitive, supporting a high-resolution interface that’s resizable to fit your workspace. The modernized GUI is designed to streamline your workflow, making it easier to navigate and use.
Support and Updates
Spectrasonics offers solid support with regular updates, keeping the software running smoothly while continually adding new features and enhancements. The company’s dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in their responsive support team and detailed online resources.
4.Minimonsta2 by GForce Software
Minimonsta2 is a powerful VST Plugin that takes the sonic replication of the legendary Model D to the next level. It blends the simplicity of the original design with a host of innovative features, offering musicians an enhanced experience and a broader range of tones to explore.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, AAX (64bit)
System Requirements
- Windows 7 or later
- macOS 10.13 or later
Features
This plugin boasts a fully-scalable UI with three skins for customization. It includes a new patch browser with 800+ presets, four programmable Macros, a 4-stage envelope, and an alternative bass-preserving ladder filter. It also introduces a new Reverb effect, a Vintage control for adding subtle analogue imperfections, and expanded Velocity controls for extra playability.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of Minimonsta2 is exquisite, offering a faithful replication of the Model D. The new features allow for a greater range of tones, from fat to fierce, and searing to sizzling. The Vintage control adds a touch of analogue warmth to the sound, making it even more authentic.
Functionality
The functionality of this plugin is top-notch. Improved audio engine, and powerful preset browser make it easy to use and navigate. The programmable Macros and selectable 4-stage envelopes allow for easy manipulation of sounds, offering a great deal of flexibility to the user.
User Interface (UI)
The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with a fully-scalable design that can be customized to suit the user’s preferences. The new patch browser makes it easy to find the right sound, and the programmable Macros allow for quick and easy sound manipulation.
Support and Updates
The support and updates for Minimonsta2 are commendable. The company offers a detailed manual and helpful tutorials for users. Regular updates ensure that the plugin stays compatible with the latest operating systems and DAWs, and any issues are promptly addressed by the support team.
5.Model 72 Synthesizer by Softube
Model 72 Synthesizer System, a vintage synth time machine meticulously modeled down to the smallest detail from 1972 hardware. This monophonic legend offers an authentic sound that’s incredibly warm and smooth, making it a perfect choice for music producers and sound engineers.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, and AAX in 64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 11 or later
Features
The Model 72 Synthesizer System is a complete package, offering an instrument, an FX version, an Amp Room module, and seven Modular modules. It’s enhanced with modern features like doubling and spread for a stereo-like sound image and an expansion panel for finer details of the oscillator behavior.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of this plugin is unparalleled. It replicates the warmth and smoothness of its 1972 hardware counterpart, resulting in an incredibly authentic sound.
Functionality
This plugin offers multiple versions for different applications. It can be used as an instrument, as effects, in Modular, and in Amp Room. It also includes a unique feedback loop trick, providing a range of sound possibilities.
User Interface (UI)
The user interface is intuitive and easy to use. It features a tone generation and mixer section, envelopes and filter section, a modulation section, and an output section, all designed to provide a seamless user experience.
Support and Updates
The developers offer support and regular updates, ensuring the plugin remains compatible with the latest operating systems and DAWs. Users can also access a wealth of resources and tutorials through the official website.
6.Diva by U-He
Diva is a Virtual Analogue synthesizer, developed by U-He. It captures the spirit of five decades of analogue synthesizers, providing unmatched analogue sound and an authentic resonance behavior.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, AAX in 32/64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 7 or later
- macOS 10.10 or later
- Linux
Features
Diva offers an impressive range of features, including over 1200 factory presets, mix-and-match panels for custom layouts, five oscillator models, and five filter models, all based on classic synth hardware. It also includes two host-syncable LFOs, two stereo effects slots, and a host-syncable arpeggiator.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of Diva is top-notch with authentic analogue sound. The zero delay feedback (ZDF) filter design ensures an authentic resonance behavior, providing a rich and immersive audio experience.
Functionality
Functionality is a strong point of Diva. The VST Plugin offers a vast array of modulation options, with per-voice oscillator detune and user-definable modulation source.
User Interface (UI)
Diva’s user interface is both intuitive and customizable, with a resizable UI from 70% to 200%. The MIDI learn page and editable list add to the ease of use, making it a user-friendly choice for both beginners and professionals.
Support and Updates
U-He provides regular updates to enhance performance and functionality. The latest update, 1.4.6 (revision 15017), was released on September 12, 2023.
7.Hive 2 by U-He
Hive 2, developed by U-He, is a sleek, streamlined, and supercharged synthesizer that offers a clear layout and easy workflow. It’s surprisingly CPU-friendly without sacrificing flexibility or audio quality, making it a go-to choice for producers and sound designers.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST and AU in 64bit
System Requirements
- Windows 7 or later
- macOS 10.10 or later
- Linux
Features
Hive 2 boasts a wide range of features such as low CPU usage, 2 oscillators with standard waveforms, 2D wavetables, tunable sub-oscillators, drag & drop modulation assignment, and a unique 8-step shape sequencer with 4 independent outputs. It also includes a scale quantizer with a pre-defined list of scales and 2 function generators.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of Hive 2 is impressive, delivering a high-definition audio experience. It offers a wide range of sonic possibilities, from classic analogue sounds to cutting-edge modern synths, all with a pristine sound quality that stands out in any mix.
Functionality
Hive 2 offers a high degree of functionality with its extensive modulation matrix, arpeggiator, step sequencer with real-time recording, and 7 rearrangeable effects. Its flexible signal routing, wavetable support, and quality effects ensure a wide range of sound design possibilities.
User Interface (UI)
Hive 2’s user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with a clear layout and easy workflow. The resizable UI, ranging from 70% to 200%, and the alternative Izmo skin offer a personalized user experience.
Support and Updates
U-He provides excellent support for Hive 2, with regular updates to improve performance and add new features. The latest update, Hive 2.1.1 (revision 12092), was released on August 10, 2021, bringing improved resource management for better performance.
8.Spire by Reveal Sound
Spire Synthesizer, developed by Reveal Sound, is a software synthesizer that effortlessly combines the power and flexibility of software with the tactile immediacy of hardware. Its unique sound and extensive features make it a powerful tool for both professionals and beginners.
Specifications
Compatibility
VST, AU, AAX in 32/64bit
System Requirements
Windows 7 or later
macOS 10.8 or later
Features
Spire Synthesizer is packed with features, including 4x multimode polymorphing oscillators, 9x unison voices on each oscillator, 2x multimode filters with analogue and digital types of filtering, and a high-quality built-in FX processor. It also boasts a flexible modulation architecture, 2x steppers, an arpeggiator, and over 1000 factory presets.
Sound Quality
Spire Synthesizer delivers superior sound quality, offering the best of both analogue and digital worlds. Its unique unison engine is capable of imitating different types of unisons like supersaw and hypersaw, producing a rich, full-bodied sound.
Functionality
The functionality of Spire Synthesizer is second to none. With its user-friendly interface, flexible modulation architecture, and vast range of presets, it offers endless possibilities for sound design and music production.
User Interface (UI)
Spire Synthesizer features an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Its clear layout, easy navigation, and responsive controls make it a joy to use, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner.
Support and Updates
Reveal Sound offers excellent support for Spire Synthesizer, with regular updates to enhance performance and functionality. In addition, the company provides a comprehensive online manual, video tutorials, and a dedicated user forum for support and community engagement.
