When searching for a new soft synth there's quite a few things that you will need to take into consideration. The most important factor to think about is what are you going to be using it for? This might seem straight forward (for making music, right?), but there are literally thousands of choices out there that can make finding the right one for the job really difficult.
Soft synths come in all shapes and sizes; they range from straightforward replicas of classic hardware gear to completely new 'out there' devices that use unorthodox synthesis techniques.
If you're a beginner and new to the whole production thing then you might want something that's really easy to use but has a great sound. Where as if you've had years of experience with using synthesisers then you might be looking for something much more advanced that will help to trigger your creativeness.
When it comes to music production everyone has a different approach, a soft synth that works well for one person won't necessarily work well for you. It's well worth having a good look at what's available before you dive straight in and spend your money on something that you might later regret.
Here we will look at the main questions that you should be thinking about before you settle for your instrument of choice.
- Do I actually need it?
This is the first question that you should ask yourself. Sometimes you just have to sit down and think ‘could my money be better spent elsewhere?’
If you already have a handful of soft synths at your disposal then you should definitely be asking yourself this. Familiarising yourself with your existing instruments will do you better in the long run, it’s best to learn the synths that you already own inside out before deciding that you need a new one.
Your money might also be better spent upgrading your studio. Replacing that old midi controller or investing in a new pair of studio monitors might be a better use of your money.
- What style of music will I be producing?
The style of music that you make will also dictate what instruments you will be using. Different genres have different sounds that make them unique. The right synthesiser can help you get the sound that you’re looking for, but the wrong one will only cause frustration when working on your next project.
For example: If you produce modern dance music or EDM then you will be looking to create different sounds to someone that’s producing Hip-Hop.
99% of developers will offer a demo version or free trial to potential customers; although some of these demos can be highly restrictive they will give you a good chance to try out the software before you commit to buying.
- How much am I willing to pay?
The Price of software instruments varies from company to company so it’s important to know what your budget is. A lot of independent computer musicians don’t necessarily have that much spare cash, so price is usually a hot topic when choosing new gear.
If you’re looking to save as much money as possible then you might consider using freeware instruments. The Internet is full of freeware developers that offer their products for free. Sometimes even bigger developers offer freeware instruments in hopes that the user will come back to buy one of their other flagship products.
However, if you’re going down the freeware route then be careful. Freeware can be hit and miss at best and developers don’t always offer support for their products. It might be worth looking at the plug-in ranks on KVRaudio.com to filter out the best free instruments that are available to you.
Where am I going to buy it from?
Buying software instruments online is relatively easy but first you have to decide whether you’re going to buy straight from the developer’s website or from a specialist online retailer such as pluginboutique.com. The advantage of using an online retailer is that all of your purchases will be kept nice and organised for you in one place. There’s also the added bonus of earning virtual cash that you can put towards future purchases.
However you can always try your local music store to get a physical copy of your desired instrument. Many software companies and online music shops also give you the option to order a physical copy. This can come in handy if you have a dedicated music computer that doesn’t connect to the Internet.
Remember, when looking for a new instrument for your creative arsenal choose wisely and do the research to make sure that you’re getting the best value for your money.
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