Software synthesizer
A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth or virtual instrument is a computer program for digital audio generation. It works like a common synthesizer, but is realized entirely in software. A software synthesizer will typically respond to MIDI calls like a normal synthesizer module. Propellerhead ReBirth popularized the software synthesizer.
Types of software synthesizer
Software synthesizers can run as stand-alone applications or as plugins within other applications.
There are various audio plugin formats that allow implementation of software synthesizers including:
- VST cross platform
- DirectSound, part of DirectX, Windows only
- DSSI based on LADSPA Linux only
- MESS based on the MusE sequencer but not limited to it, Linux only
- Audio Units Mac only
- RTAS, based on Pro Tools, Mac and Windows
- TDM
- MAS, based on Digital Performer, Mac and Windows
- ReWire created by Propellerhead Software, Mac and Windows
- Nyquist for Audacity or freestanding, cross platform
- Windows audio components Windows only
Popular software synthesizers
- Absynth
- Adventus VSTi
- Albino
- Blue
- Cameleon5000 Additive Morphing VSTi
- ChucK (a strongly-timed, concurrent, and on-the-fly audio programming language)
- Click MusicalKEYS freeware software sythesizer
- Crow Vintage Strings
- Crystal
- Csound (A programming language that allows synthesis of scores)
- FluidSynth - previously known as IIWU Synth
- FM7 (Yamaha DX7 emulator)
- GURU
- HammerHead Rhythm Station
- Hydra
- impOSCar (OSC OSCar emulator)
- Instrument modeller - physical modelling - based application
- Jamstix (Virtual Drummer)
- Jellyfilter VSTi
- Jeskola Buzz
- Lounge Lizard - Electric Piano (Based on physical modelling)
- lmms
- Max/MSP (modular synth)
- µTonic
- M-Tron (Mellotron emulator)
- Moog Modular V (Moog modular emulator)
- MusE
- M42 Nebula-M51 Galaxy
- Nyquist (sound synthesis and music composition in a LISP interpreter)
- Octopus
- Oddity (ARP Instruments Odyssey emulator)
- Orion Platinum (Music Production Software with instruments and effects)
- NOVUZEIT Innovative Synths
- Pure Data (modular synth, free open source)
- Ravity
- Reaktor
- Reason
- ReBirth (Roland TR-808/TR-909/TB-303 emulator)
- SawStudio
- String Theory
- Super Collider (programming language for building own synths)
- SynFactory
- Synful
- Synth1 (free - modelled after Clavia Nordlead 2 synthesizer)
- SynthEdit (shareware - modular synthesiser for Windows)
- Tassman - Sound Synthesis Studio (based on physical modelling)
- TiMidity++
- Toxic 2 - FM Synth
- Tweakbench - free VST instruments and effects for Windows hosts
- Zebra 2
- z3ta+
- Vanguard
- WHITE CROW
- Yamaha S-YXG Disappeared 2~3 years before from Yamaha site.
- Zero Vector
- ZynAddSubFX