The VST Synthesizer Tier List

Back with another synth ranking tier list, this time we are doing software / softsynths / VSTs. What do you think? Agree or disagree with my rankings?

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#synth #synthesizer #tierlist #synths

[aldo]

Another nod here for Pigments, lovely synth. Two others I would add personally are 'Phase Plant' (which could be the Serum-killer best ever soft synth IMHO) and Unfiltered Audio's 'Lion', which takes a bit of work but is really cool with a MASSIVE amount of amazing FX and modulation options.

[compucorder]

The sound of the V collection synths has improved massively. And the SQ-80 is fantastic. So, it's a little unfair to Arturia V comparing an old version on sound, when that's exactly what they've improved. Although, I understand you haven't tried the latest version. But, Arturia Pigments is their S tier synth, especially as each new version is adding great new synthesis models, making the price super value, especially as it often goes on sale for 99 or so. I prefer it to Serum, it's more powerful/flexible. UVI Falcon is even better than Alchemy. And Phase Plant is the other S tier synth. While Korg Native OP-6 is a big modern improvement on what Dexed can do, and you might find programming it much more fun.

[andrewstrong]

I've found that TAL Noisemaker is a really good free synth from TAL. Also, great list and I lvoe your music. Will be checking a lot of these out!

[peakexperience]

Can't believe you missed out Pigments, Spire and Zebra 2.

[adriandonal]

I agree with you except Repro-5. For me it is S tier :D i also encourage everyone to try UVI Vintage Vault, they are sampling vintage synths, sounds better than Arturia's offer in my opinion

[christinepaluch]

I would say the CURRENT versions of Arturia's V collection is an S. The SQ-80 is dead on accurate and it is a very esoteric wavetable synth that not many people know and it supports MPE. I owned one. Its great. The EP 73 is arguably one of the best ones out there. The buchla music easel is excellent. These plugins thrive around the edges and the more recent models, not necessarily the old ones they originally came out with. Stuff like the synclaiver, emi, sq-80, buchla, emulator, etc. I have to admit the arp2600 model made me eventually get an arp 2600. Also keep in mind with much of analog gear there is a great deal of variation that happens from identical synths. Especially for things like minimoogs and arp 2600s. Unless it is a DCO synth, two identical models can sound radically different because of component differences and how they were maintained.

[arcticfoxstudios]

Omnisphere is a high B for me. It's a little too long in the tooth and the workflow is lacking compared to newer synths. UVI Falcon is my S Tier synth along with Vintage Vault and several other modules. Sounds just as good as Omnisphere but way more functionality. Nice video.

[kaspartambur]

+ there's this amazing Oberheim VST synth called OB-Xd, which just is insanely good sounding for a digital thing.

[BirdYoumans]

I couldn't help but smile when you started talking about Diva. My experience exactly. Never paid for a soft synth until then, but that opened the gates. I had it about 2 or 3 days in the demo when I realized I kept going back. So I paid the fee. I loved it so much, and since I had Tyrell and Zebralette and loved them as well, I tried the other U-he plugs in demo. Too late. I fell in love and paid the money. Anyone who writes software that good deserves to be paid so that hopefully we will see more from them. I now own the free ones along with Diva, Hive, Zebra legacy and the Pro bundle one and five. I love those synths. I don't use all the synths mentioned here, but largely agree with the ones I do have, tho for me, all the U-he's are out of the park homers!! It's hard to believe how good they are. Love Dexed as well since I had and still have one of the original early DX7's which had one of if not the best keybeds ever put in a synth in the non weighted class. But even tho I own the real thing, it hasn't been turned on since I got Dexed. Just too easy to use as a plugin. Good video by the way.

[MrJemabaris]

I think Pigments should've been included in the list!

[kierenmoore]

One, Surge XT, Pigments, Phase Plant …
We need updates to your tier lists (expanding/updating both) 😎👍🏼

[PrimaudiaRecord]

Great list of synths, i agree with your tiers.
Some others i would recommend, best first.
VPS Avenger
Equator 2
Pigments 4
Europa (Reason Rack plugin)
Spire

[dmhound]

some other great synths that i own, myself:

UVI Falcon (such a good synth, despite me not using it as much, but i plan to change that)
KV331 Synthmaster
Parawave Rapid
Melda MSoundFactory
Sonic Academy ANA 2
Roland D-50 (the VST version)
Surge (its a free synth, but its just spectacular)

[teddygroves]

low key an underrated/not as well known new one is the UAD minimoog VST - I've tried multiple diff minimoog emulations and nothing compares in terms of accuracy and tone in VST form. I own a Moog little phatty and for bass tones I honestly choose this VST moog emulation more than an earlier Moog hardware model. If I had the $$$ for a subsequent 37 or something, I'm sure that would be an improvement, but I honestly was blown away to how realistic this VST is. Even the tuning of the different oscillators is so realistic feeling, you can't just snap on to an exact +5, +7 etc. Defs check it out!

[rockyAQ]

Of the ones I know I completely agree with you. Pigments would definitely be high on my list though. Surprised it wasn’t included.

[FlockofAngels]

I use Kontakt a lot but my favorite synths are Falcon and VPS Avenger and Nexus is great for arps as well.

[spoogiedaboogieman]

Pigments, Falcon, and Synapse Obsession are must tries!!!

[ModePhaser]

Solid categorizing! Was really wondering where you landed on the Serum Vs. Vital debate and liked what you had to say about it. I tend to use soft synths as a place holder for when I'm ready to track my hardware, but sometimes I won't lie I'll get lazy and just use the soft synth. lol. Just to add one if you haven't had a chance give the Knifonium from Plugin Alliance a shot when they put it on sale. It's pretty solid. Great video as always, thanks for sharing your thoughts on all these soft synths. FM8 was my first true love when it came to soft synths so it was nice to learn that Skrillex used it to make his growls. I was one of those that thought it was done on Massive. Cheers!

[NotSoSilentPete]

I do understand why Omnisphere got an A tier. That UI and thousands of presets are a bit daunting for someone used to modern ultra clean UI. But for me it's an automatic S-Tier. It sounds amazing, you can do every kind of synthesis, use samples etc The preset are also fantastic. I'm a film composer and Omni gets used in every single projects. I would recommend trying the new sonic extensions that they released last year. Much cleaner UI and crazy sounds.

[icebough]

Diva is hands down the best synth I’ve ever used