The synthesiser is the one instrument that you could argue is responsible for the success of computer music making as we know it today. As the reality of in-the-box music production dawned at the end of last century, so the synth - previously analogue, then digital, but always as hard as nails - became the software instrument at its core, and to many its major selling point. The first softsynths truly gave us all belief that music making in a virtual studio was possible. I recall a much younger me unboxing - remember boxes? - and installing early softsynths from the then young Native Instruments and not so young Steinberg and hearing decent analogue-style growls emanating from my Creative Labs speakers. I was hooked. Simpler times and basic synths, but they reeled a lot of other people into the world of computer music making too. And, of course, as the power of the computer processor has increased, so has the power and excitement of the softsynth. Quite simply, today’s softsynths are capable of anything, so it’s this instrument and its legacy that we are celebrating in this issue. We reveal the best softsynths ever (p36) plus some future classics (p76) and there are tips and massive tutorials to make great synth tunes and program great synth sounds. We’re even giving away a great softsynth to go with it all! Happy synth-ing. (Note to sub editor: did I use the word ‘synth’ enough in there? Is it clear enough that this issue is about synths? Synths.)
“Synths, synths, synths, synths, synths & synths”