Surge XT Reviews and details

Social recommendations and mentions

• Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

  Good stuff! I started getting in to this at the start of the year. Already had an old, dusty MicroKORG and MIDI interface to use it as a controller, but recently splashed out on a bigger controller as the Korg's tiny keys were hurting me - plus, I wanted something bigger to get better at piano! A couple of free soft synths I'd recommend are Surge XT, and Vital. https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

• Obsolete (or not) DAW recommendations for windows 8?

  Https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ and https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/ should work like a charm. Source: 10 months ago

• Hi, I'm new

  To get the equivalent of a symphonic orchestra in your computer, the solution is basically money; you buy the instruments you need. In the case of synthesizers, things are much cheaper - if you put in the effort yourself. https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ is excellent and could even be used if you wanted to make a more retro-style soundtrack. Source: 10 months ago

• So is serum worth the money? Can someone ELI5 why I should buy it rather than use a free synth like synth one?

  Instead of Synth1, try https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ . It's pretty much better in every aspect except for the UI which is going to look a lot more daunting to you ;). Source: 10 months ago

• These just appeared in my Facebook, anything to be excited about? I’m waiting on prices.

  For the DW-8000, check https://www.fullbucket.de/music/fb7999.html . Alternatively, https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ can use single-cycle waveforms (basically wavetables that don't change) which can get you close. Source: 10 months ago

• Lead Patch from 70s

  If you're doing this with software - the most excellent https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ has two filters that can be switched in series. By default, a mode called Serial 1 is enabled in the init patch, and the init patch is loaded as soon as you start Surge. Source: 10 months ago

• Periodic chimes in this fancy free VST with Reaper

  Forget about that shit and use the free https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/. Source: 11 months ago

• are clavia nord lead 2's good for 80s music?

  Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE9_LV5XQ4cDiscoDSP Discovery is closer, Synth1 is just based on the NL2's feature set. The NL2 is a very "precise" (sometimes called cold for that reason) synthesizer and Synth1 does not have drift or very advanced modeled filters. I've used Synth1 for a really long time, but these days I'd just get https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ - it has an OBXa filter model and analog drift... Source: 11 months ago

• Any plug ins / VSTs for a shoegaze sound? (Loveless / Pygmalion)

  Not a synth, but when I want to add that kind of dreamy swirl to things I use two free effects: OrilRiver Reverb + Acon Digital Multiply Chorus. Chained together on a bus so the chorus is only effecting the reverb, usually. I tend to use Vital for most of my synth needs as I have the paid version and it's really flexible and easy to use, but Surge XT is another good free option that's a bit more intimidating but... Source: 11 months ago

• how do i even start getting into synths?

  Do you not mind software? Get an audio interface, a controller, and https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/. Source: 11 months ago

• VST suggestion? - like SuperTron by Solcito Musica (but less buggy)

  Surge XT has a Step Sequencer mode that any of its LFO/modulators can be put into that looks quite similar to this. Its also free and has amazing capabilities. Its a little menu intensive but can do most anything. Source: 11 months ago

• How to start making music?

  200 gets you an audio interface and a controller keyboard and (because it's almost always included) a lite version of a DAW. The rest is - no kidding - pretty much free and synths like https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ in hardware form will cost you at least 10 times as much. Source: 11 months ago

• Confused ! I just started out and don't know what to do exactly .

  You could start by downloading this https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/. Source: 11 months ago

• Totally new into synth world and want to make music like SHRVL. Any guidance?

  When you feel that you've got a good handle on Tyrell, consider graduating to https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ or https://vital.audio/ . Source: 11 months ago

• Why is everything so expensive? :(

  What about synths? Synths are a more difficult area to glide free on. Vital is your friend. A lot of people recommend Surge; it is powerful, but it's a lot to learn. You'll also find the more you produce, the less you use, so learning a few decent core synths is all you really need. I've also found that using the "compromising" synths have led me down sound design paths I would have never discovered in a "full... Source: 12 months ago

• Looking for Yamaha SY35 sounds or VST

  2-op FM can be done easily with Surge. It has a specific oscillator model for that that sounds pretty much like an Ad-Lib PC soundcard. The hard part is figuring out the ratio, because 2-op envelopes tend to be pretty simple. 2-op and 4-op synths simply had less complicated envelopes than their 6-op counterparts. Surge's own envelopes are more than sufficient for this; no need to punish yourself with Dexed (also... Source: 12 months ago

• Best beginner affordable setup for 80’s nostalgia?

  The Arturia V-Collection covers pretty much all of this easily. However, there's also lots of free software like Surge and Dexed and OBXd and Qasar Beach. The flipside of this is that you'll have to put in quite a bit more work there; commercial plugins tend to have a lot of content in there. Source: about 1 year ago

• what are some free, easy-to-use microtonal VSTs?

  Surge (recently rebranded as Surge XT) is probably one of the most microtonal-friendly free synths out there. Source: about 1 year ago

• Instruments for Funk and Synth

  Https://u-he.com/products/repro/ and https://u-he.com/products/diva/ if you want to choose the expensive route - but it's really a matter of the right sound design, so you can also achieve a lot with https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ . It's got a ladder filter (Minimoog) and an Oberheim filter, so that covers your Prince tracks - but it doesn't come with a list of "most famous funk presets" included with no... Source: about 1 year ago

• Best free vst synth to learn the basics on?

  Besides Vital, I'll toss in a vote for Surge. It's really good and I prefer it over several stock synthesizers (Ableton's Analog pales in comparison). Source: about 1 year ago

• Is their a plugin that sounds like CODEX

  Surge XT can import wavetables and its free. I've never used Codex so I can't say whether or not it can do everything that does. But its an excellent synth plugin, especially for the price. Source: about 1 year ago