The Ultimate Guide to the Top VST Synths of 2024
Top 10 VST Synths in 2024
The landscape of VST synthesizers continues to evolve, offering producers more power, flexibility, and creativity than ever before. Here’s a countdown of the top 10 VST synths in 2024, highlighting their key features, popularity, and price range.
10. Vital Audio Vital
Overview: Vital is a fresh contender in the wavetable synthesis arena, offering visually striking waveform manipulation and an intuitive user interface. Top Features:
- Advanced wavetable engine
- Modulation and spectral warping capabilities
- Extensive preset library
- Popularity: Its powerful features and accessibility make it a favorite among EDM producers.
- Price Range: $25 to $80, with a free version available.
9. Eventide Generate
Overview: Generate stands out with its chaos oscillator and Buchla-inspired design, delivering unique and complex soundscapes.
Top Features:
- Chaos oscillator for organic textures
- Extensive modulation matrix
- High-quality effects
- Popularity: Preferred by sound designers and experimental musicians for its unique sonic capabilities.
- Price Range: Around $149.
8. Cherry Audio Harmonia
Overview: Harmonia combines sample import, wavetable synthesis, and lush pads to create versatile and rich sounds.
Top Features:
- Multi-mode synthesis engine
- Extensive modulation options
- User-friendly interface
- Popularity: Popular for creating cinematic and ambient music due to its lush and expansive sounds.
- Price Range: Approximately $59.
7. Tracktion Novum
Overview: Novum excels at granular synthesis and stem splitting, offering epic sounds and an innovative approach to sound design.
Top Features:
- Granular synthesis engine
- Intuitive stem splitting
- Powerful sound design tools
- Popularity: Highly regarded for its ability to create evolving textures and intricate soundscapes.
- Price Range: Around $99.
6. Kilohearts Phase Plant
Overview: Phase Plant is a modular synth with a unique workflow, offering endless sound design possibilities.
Top Features:
- Modular synthesis environment
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- Wide range of effects and modulation options
- Popularity: Loved by producers for its flexibility and powerful sound creation capabilities.
- Price Range: $169.
5. Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2
Overview: Omnisphere 2 is an iconic synth known for its vast library of over 60,000 sounds and deep synthesis capabilities.
Top Features:
- Massive sound library
- Multiple synthesis engines
- Comprehensive modulation and effects
- Popularity: Favored by film composers and electronic music producers for its versatility.
- Price Range: $499.
4. Arturia Analog Lab
Overview: Analog Lab offers access to thousands of legendary sounds from Arturia’s award-winning V Collection of 24 faithfully modeled instruments.
Top Features:
- Over 6500 presets
- Streamlined user interface
- Combines multiple synthesis engines
- Popularity: Great for musicians who need a diverse palette of sounds without the complexity.
- Price Range: $199.
3. Xfer Serum
Overview: Serum is a cutting-edge wavetable synth, widely used in EDM, with powerful visual waveform manipulation tools.
Top Features:
- Advanced wavetable engine
- Intuitive interface
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Popularity: Renowned for its pristine sound quality and ease of use in EDM production.
- Price Range: $189.
2. U-He Diva
Overview: Diva is an acclaimed virtual analog synth that emulates classic hardware synths from Moog, Roland, and more.
Top Features:
- Authentic analog sound emulation
- Flexible architecture
- High-quality presets
- Popularity: Praised for its warm, analog sound and versatility in various music genres.
- Price Range: $179.
1. Arturia Pigments
Overview: Pigments is a powerful synth with four engines (analog, wavetable, granular, additive) and great modulation capabilities.
Top Features:
- Four diverse synthesis engines
- Extensive modulation options
- Intuitive visual interface
- Popularity: Loved for its comprehensive sound design possibilities and user-friendly experience.
- Price Range: $199.
Conclusion
The VST synth market in 2024 is packed with innovative tools for music producers. From the versatile Arturia Pigments to the authentic analog emulation of U-He Diva, these synthesizers are essential tools for modern music production. Whether you’re crafting intricate soundscapes or producing punchy electronic tracks, this list represents the best in the industry.