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.

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, 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)
• Cubase
• FL Studio
• FluidSynth - previously known as IIWU Synth
• FM7 (Yamaha DX7 emulator)
• GURU
• HammerHead Rhythm Station
• Hydra
• impOSCar (OSC OSCar emulator)
• 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)
• Rosegarden
• 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
• Zebra 2
• z3ta+
• Vanguard
• WHITE CROW
• Zero Vector
• ZynAddSubFX

See also

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• Digital audio editor
• Music sequencer
• Digital Audio Workstation

External links

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• Software synthesizer news
• Introduction to Virtual Instruments at Sweetwater.com

Music software | Software synthesizers