Can software sound as good as hardware? These are the most analog-sounding soft synths.
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths
Plugin synthesizers just keep getting better and better. In the 25 years since Steinberg released the first soft synth, Model E, the sound quality of virtual analog has improved by leaps and bounds. Thanks to advances in computer processing and the coding abilities of clever developers, we’ve now reached a point where software can sound as good as hardware.
I realize that’s a contentious statement. Some of you may be shaking your heads and calling me an idiot right now. That’s fair. But I also think I’m right. Maybe when isolated and compared head-to-head, you may be able to tell the difference. But no one listens to music like that – or even makes music like that. In a mix, virtual analog can be just as warm and gooey and unstable as the real thing. And, more crucially, it can be just as creatively inspiring.
Here, then, are five plugins that I think sound every bit as good as hardware. They’re my picks for the most analog-sounding soft synths on the market today. Did I miss any of your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths: u-he Diva
u-he’s Diva is one of the first soft synths that made people think, “Software really can sound as good as hardware.” We listed it as one of the seven best-sounding synths, and now I’m also calling it one of the most analog-sounding soft synths.
On the market for 13 years, Diva is something of a modern classic. Beyond just the warm sound, it’s a joy to work with because of its ‘best of all worlds’ modular approach. Based not just on one classic synthesizer but on a whole bunch of them, you can mix and match oscillators, filters, and envelopes from synths like the Moog Minimoog, Roland Jupiter-8, Korg MS-20, and more.
Although it’s getting a little long in the tooth, it’s still a wise software investment. Long live Diva.
- u-he Diva product page
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths: AudioThing SX1000
AudioThing does things a little differently. Mostly known for its (often unique) effects, for its first analog synthesizer, the developer has decided to emulate the Jen SX1000, an Italian monosynth from 1978. An unusual choice from an often unusual company.
Whether you’ve always wanted a Jen SX1000 or not, you should check out SX1000, as it sounds just wonderful. The emulation is spot-on, and thanks to added polyphony, you can use it for more than just bass and lead duties. The new sub-oscillator, Roland Juno-60-style arpeggiator, and four stomp box-like effects extend the usefulness even more.
Best of all, SX1000 is extremely affordable, meaning you don’t have to sell a kidney to get great analog-style sound in the box.
- AudioThing SX1000 product page
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths: Acustica Audio Thing
Acustica Audio is another developer that’s mostly known for effects but recently debuted its first synthesizer. That synth is Thing, an emulation of the Roland Jupiter-8 that sounds ridiculously lush and analog-like. One of the most analog-sounding soft synths? I’d say so.
Actually a suite of two instruments with the eight-voice Thing-8 and streamlined, five-voice Thing-5, Acustica’s instrument uses a combination of analog circuit behavior modeling and the company’s usual convolution-based approach. This results in a soft synth that is just bursting with analog-style goodness.
Acustica Audio’s Thing isn’t cheap, unfortunately. However, there is a free, two-voice version called Thing-2 if you want to see what all the fuzzy fuss is about.
- Acustica Audio Thing product page
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths: Softube Model 84
Roland’s Juno-106 is one of the most beloved synthesizers ever made. Although relatively simple in terms of synthesis, it has a wide sweet spot (some say it’s ALL sweet spot), making it an excellent go-to synth for sounds of all kinds. It’s also a popular one to emulate, and one of the best has to be Softube’s Model 84.
Modeled down to the circuit level, Model 84 recreates the ‘80s classic in all its glory. It also adds a few modern touches like velocity plus aftertouch control over amp, filter, and pulse width. There’s also an enhanced unison mode. Users of Softube’s Modular and Amp Room environments will like that they get the best bits from the synth as seven Eurorack-style modules plus the famous chorus in the amp modeler.
Of course, it wouldn’t make it into this article if it wasn’t one of the most analog-sounding soft synths, and it’s certainly that – as are all of the entries in Softube’s Model series,
- Softube Model 84 product page
The Most Analog-Sounding Soft Synths: Brainworx bx_oberhausen
Oberheim’s SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module, if you please) is lauded as one of the best sounding synthesizers of all time. If you’re going to emulate the SEM, you better bring your A-game. That’s just what Brainworx and Plugin Alliance have done with bx-oberhausen, an oddly named yet beautifully emulated SEM recreation.
Using its Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT), which replicates the variations found in individual components, Brainworx has made a SEM plugin that sounds gorgeously full and present. bx-oberhausen also goes beyond the original, with up to 32 voices of polyphony, a unison mode, FM and a bunch of effects from its own roster, including the Máag Air Band.
There are lots of great Oberheim plugins out there, some even official like the ones from GForce, but for my money, I like the sound of bx_oberhausen the best.
- Brainworx bx_oberhausen product page
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