Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Surge XT

Open-source subtractive-hybrid synthesizer formerly sold commercially as Vember Audio Surge.

Surge XT

Surge XT Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Surge XT is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Surge XT Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-31

Features & Specs

  1. Open Source

    Surge XT is open source, which means it is free to use and benefit from community-driven improvements and support.

  2. Cross-Platform

    The synthesizer is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility in usage across different operating systems.

  3. Versatile Synthesis Engine

    Surge XT supports a wide variety of synthesis techniques like subtractive, wavetable, and FM synthesis, making it very versatile for different sound design needs.

  4. Extensive Modulation Options

    The synthesizer comes with a robust modulation matrix, giving users substantial control and creativity over sound modulation.

  5. High-Quality Effects

    Includes numerous high-quality built-in effects such as reverb, delay, and distortion, enabling rich and complex sound designs.

  6. User Community and Documentation

    Surge XT has active community support and comprehensive documentation, which can be extremely helpful for both beginners and advanced users.

Badges

Promote Surge XT. You can add any of these badges on your website.

SaaSHub badge
Show embed code

Videos

Free VST - Surge Synthesizer plugin

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Surge XT and what they use it for.
  • VST3 audio plugin format is now MIT
    - Surge XT - open-source synthesizer with literally 10k presets built in: https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • 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 / over 2 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years ago
  • These just appeared in my Facebook, anything to be excited about? Iโ€™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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years ago
  • Periodic chimes in this fancy free VST with Reaper
    Forget about that shit and use the free https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/. Source: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years 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: about 3 years ago
  • Best beginner affordable setup for 80โ€™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 3 years 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 3 years 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: over 3 years 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: over 3 years ago

Do you know an article comparing Surge XT to other products?
Suggest a link to a post with product alternatives.

Suggest an article

Surge XT discussion

Log in or Post with

Is Surge XT good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Surge XT here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.