to Guitarhacker

I guess a friendly disagreement on this one is in order, and not to get too far off OP's topic - while I have all the usual suspect softsynths, and yes I DO USE THEM, however, more often than not I use external HW. Why? - you turn them on and they work:

No install issues, no license/registration issues, no boot issues, no must be connected to the internet issues, no where did the fracking VSTi install?, no "forgot to turn this on first and have to shut down and restart," no "this (new) or (old) x-bit OS" needs a new version to work," no "why is that patch wrong? " or "what the H*ll was that?" …

And yes, I like the HW sounds (patches) I have crafted on those HW synths over the years.

Another plus of HW is that with my MIDI keyboards those synths are already turned on anyway (as is my rack) I have no "just controller" keyboards except a small iRig Keys Pro I keep next to PC. to use my GK equipped guitars I also have the HW synths and racks turned on, the only controllers that I have must have the PC turned-on are again the iRig Keys, my Fishman TriplePlay equipped guitars, as well as using my MIDI Guitar by Jam Origins SW.

Best of all: sometimes I don’t even turn my PC on! wink


But I do use Softsynths - I even drop my sliderules (for REAL!) and use a calculator once in a while.


BACK TO OP:


I agree Forte Dxi and TTS-1 are basic, but even in lieu of any other softsynths between just Forte and TTS-1 you could produce a pretty decent tune, I just wouldn't try to score your next historic Opus with them!

Plus there are MANY free softsynths (including drum SW).

As Robh explained Sampletank 2 and 3 have free versions. There is a free soundfont (SF) player SfZ from Cakewalk, as well as the free Plogue sforzand (Google it) allows you to use some good free SF's files from across the web. Then other free tools allow you to construct your OWN GM banks of soundfonts. Then there are free analog synths, etc. start at Kvr

http://www.kvraudio.com/developer/kvr-audio

Frankly, you could in just a few weeks or months building a really great set of FREE softsynth sounds and make them your goto's! It's just a matter of time, web connection speed, and do you want to spend no money, very little money, a modest amount, a lot of money, or like some of us "OMG HOW MUCH DID I JUST SPEND!" grin


Have fun, make music, enjoy life

Larry

Last edited by Larry Kehl; 01/02/15 06:09 AM.
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