Software Synthesizers

This section is basically a quick rundown of the basic merits and drawbacks of todays current software synthesizers in comparisson with their analogue counterparts...

Over the past decade software synthesizers have become more and more powerful and accesable to amatures and professionals alike, but when comparing software to hardware in general I notice the following limitations:

• Character/Warmth. (analogue vs digital)

- assuming you are recording to a high standard (clear of noise) the first thing that becomes clear is the low end that you hear when an analogue synthesizer is used, generally speaking the standard components used in home computers cannot physically recreate the full frequency content and alot is lost in the process of converting this analogue sound into something that can be stored digital (your wav file). However this being that these frequencies occur outside the threshold of human hearing this usually isnt a problem,

• Character/Warmth. (software vs software)

- Although the processed implemented could be the same all synthesizers, even software ones, will have their own character. This can be because of things program-unique algorythms that do the same things but in different ways/orders or the actual analogue to digital conversion processes that take place when exporting a portion of audio.
- Another 2 main factors that contribute the a synth's character are the number of oscillators and the way they are combined/subtracted etc (subtracive synthesis vs additive etc etc).

• Output (analogue vs software)

- the best part about Software is that you never leave the digital domain, meaning that quality remains the same and does not deterierate while editing ..and in theory no noise should enter the recording over time or through editing unless intentionally.
- Another bonus with some software synthesizers is the ability to export sound at multiple formats/bitrate etc, this will ofcourse colour or distort the output (wav) content producing variations of an initial sound that can useful in lots of creative ways when producing music or sound design.
- If live performance is a big factor in how the synthesizer is going to be used it must be said that its always good to have a dedicated rotary or botton/pad to tweek or punch when you need to turn something on/off or alter a parameter.

• Output (software vs software)

- The most important factor in recording is to capture sound at as high quality as possible so output format will by default be wav file. The higher resolution the better. As synthesizers and computers get more powerful were able to capture our sounds at higher and higher resolution, with this in mind its always a good idea to take a look at what output options each program has to offer.
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• Analogue vs Software in general

- Not really a fair comparison when you think of it, on one hand you have something that you can touch that in some cases can be unreliable in the most fun ways and on the other hand you have something that is FAR more reliable, portable and accessable (availablity and price).

- Another good thing software has to offer is its ability to practically store an infinite variation of sounds as presets, which can then be automated at a later point.

- ability to export audio at high resolution is another bonus software has over analogue as you dont need external gear to record a sound.

*unfinished*