Discover Our Top 10 Best Synth Plugins 2024

In an ever-evolving world of music production, staying ahead with the best synth plugins 2024 has become pivotal for creators seeking innovative sounds. This comprehensive guide curates the finest selections in the realm of synthesizers, from wavetable marvels to classic emulations, ensuring musicians and producers have access to top-tier technology. By exploring various types of synthesis and offering insights into the coolest vst plugins, the article promises a thorough journey through the landscapes of the best synth vst plugins available in 2024.

Going into the specifics, the guide meticulously reviews the best vst synths on the market, highlighting their key features  side by side with their pros and cons to assist in making informed decisions. Whether you’re an experienced producer or just starting, understanding the nuances of the best synth vst plugins becomes a less daunting task with this article. 

Each section, dedicated to a different synth such as U-he Diva and Arturia Pigments 5, aims to simplify the vast options available and navigate readers towards finding the synth vst plugins that best match their creative aspirations.

U-he Diva

Diva by U-he stands out as a pinnacle of analog emulation, making it an essential tool for genres like Synthwave and Dance music. Developed by the renowned U-he, Diva captures the essence of analog synthesis by allowing users to mix and match modules from five legendary hardware synths, including the likes of Moog’s Minimoog and Roland’s Jupiter series. This software synthesizer does not just mimic the sound of these iconic instruments; it breathes life into productions with its unparalleled analog feel and sound quality.

With Diva, producers gain access to a vast array of sonic possibilities, thanks to its five oscillators (Triple VCO, Dual VCO, Dual VCO Eco, Alpha Juno, and Dual VCO), two filter choices (High-pass Filter and VCF), and the ability to tailor envelopes with velocity response and keyboard scaling.

Key Features of U-he Diva:

• Authentic Analog Sound: Emulates classic analog synths like Moog’s Minimoog, Roland’s Jupiter 6 and 8, Alpha Juno, Juno 60, and Korg’s MS20.
• Versatile Oscillators and Filters: Offers five oscillator models and two filter choices, enabling a wide range of sound design options.
• Extensive Factory Patches: Comes with 1200 factory patches categorized to capture the essence of the synths it emulates.
• Advanced Modulation and Effects: Includes two sets of stereo effects, individual voice detuning, and a modifier area for combining LFOs in unique ways.
• Performance and Integration: Supports multi-threaded mode for efficient CPU usage and runs as a VST or AU plugin.

Despite its extant features, Diva is known for its high CPU usage, which is a testament to its detailed analog emulation. However, the latest version aims to optimize performance without compromising on sound quality. Priced at $179, Diva offers a remarkable balance between realism, musicality, and stability, making it a worthy investment for producers seeking the best synth VST plugins in 2024.

Its user-friendly interface, coupled with extensive documentation, ensures a smooth learning curve for both beginners and experienced users alike. The synth’s high-quality analog emulation results in rich, warm sounds that can elevate any track, while its stacking feature allows for the creation of huge saw pads, fat basses, and trance leads.

Arturia Pigments 5

Arturia Pigments 5 emerges as a groundbreaking software VST, encapsulating the essence of versatility and innovation in sound generation and sequencing. This powerhouse offers an extensive palette for sound creation, from pristine, mix-ready presets to the depths of custom sound design, making it an indispensable tool for modern music production.

Priced at $199, Pigments 5 stands out with its comprehensive features, including an Overview, Details, Resources, Sound Design, and Wall of Fame, all designed to bridge the gap between imagination and sonic reality. With its vibrant and intuitive workflow, Pigments 5 caters to a wide array of genres such as trap, EDM, house, lo-fi, and cinematic sounds, offering a limitless sound design experience customizable to any setup.

Key Features of Arturia Pigments 5:

• Limitless Sound Design: Offers an expansive sonic canvas for creating everything from bright, nylon-like plucks to deep cinematic soundscapes.
• Advanced Synthesis: Features multiple synthesis types, colour-coded design, generative sequencing & arpeggiator, and advanced effect processing for an end-to-end sound design experience.
• Innovative Updates: Boasts reduced CPU consumption, the ability to melodize any sound in one click, and greater synthesis capabilities with new wavetables and samples. The interface has been refreshed for an improved play view, alongside a new factory library and expansions.

The latest iteration introduces several enhancements aimed at refining the user experience and expanding creative possibilities. Noteworthy updates include multicore processing for improved CPU efficiency, a sequence upgrade with new features like Generative scales and a Sequence preset browser, and the ability to process external audio sources. Visual enhancements have also been made, offering a new play view with a visualizer, on-off options for sound generators, and a refreshed design of the keyboard and mod and bend wheels.

With these advancements, Pigments 5 not only facilitates an intuitive and efficient workflow for both beginners and experienced sound designers but also positions itself at the forefront of contemporary music production tools, offering a blank canvas for sonic exploration.

GForce Oberheim OB-X

The GForce Oberheim OB-X plugin brings the legendary sound of the Oberheim OB-X synthesizer into the digital realm, officially endorsed by the original manufacturer. This software emulation not only captures the essence of its hardware counterpart but also introduces a modern twist to its functionalities. At the core of its rich and thick sound are two oscillators per voice, capable of being detuned to achieve a fuller, more immersive sonic experience. This plugin stands out for its unique post-wave feature, enhancing the depth of the sound and offering users an array of sonic landscapes to explore.

Key Features of the GForce Oberheim OB-X Plugin:

• Rich Sound Palette: With two oscillators that can be detuned, users can craft sounds ranging from thick basses to ethereal pads.
• Dynamic Modulation: The plugin allows for modulation to be applied to the post-wave, introducing a dynamic layer to the sound creation process.
• Sweeping Filter Effects: A sweeping function on the filter opens up a spectrum of effects, from subtle movements to dramatic transformations.
• All-inclusive Effects Suite: Includes essential effects like chorus, delay, reverb, and an innovative arpeggiator, despite some criticisms regarding the arpeggiator’s clarity over extended use.
• Affordability: An introductory price of £24.99+VAT makes it an attractive option for producers at all levels.

Compatibility and Integration:

• The plugin operates seamlessly across various platforms, supporting VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats on both macOS (with native Apple Silicon and Intel support) and Windows systems. This broad compatibility ensures that it integrates effortlessly into most production environments, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Underneath its simplified interface lies the same powerful OB-E engine, now streamlined to focus on global settings, vibrato, filter, envelopes, delay, and reverb, making navigation and sound design more intuitive. Despite the reduction in factory sound content, the plugin boasts over 260 meticulously designed presets that showcase the best of the OB-E’s capabilities.

Additionally, the plugin promises future user-preset import functionality, further expanding its versatility. With up to 16-note polyphony providing 32 oscillators, cross modulation, oscillator sync, and a 2-pole Oberheim trademark filter, the GForce Oberheim OB-X plugin offers an advanced modulation feature set, including XLFO and XADSR, alongside three sets of dedicated effects, ensuring it stands as a top contender among the best synth plugins 2024.

Read our detailed review about Abelton Live 12 here!

UAD x Moog Minimoog

In a groundbreaking collaboration with Moog Music, Universal Audio introduces the UAD x Moog Minimoog, a meticulous software emulation of the iconic Moog Minimoog Model D analog synthesizer. This partnership has resulted in a plugin exclusively available for Universal Audio platforms, capturing the very essence and anomalies of the original hardware. The UAD x Moog Minimoog is not just another digital emulation; it is a tribute to the legendary sound and functionality of the Model D, equipped with custom Moog modifications for an enhanced sound design experience. These modifications include switchable note priority, legato functionalities, sample and hold, and an additional LFO, providing users with a broader range of creative possibilities.

Key Features of the UAD x Moog Minimoog:

• Exacting Emulation: Precise module-to-module interactions that replicate the nuances and quirks of the original hardware.
• Versatile Modifications: Custom Moog mods such as switchable note priority, legato, sample and hold, and an extra LFO.
• Broad Compatibility: The UAD Native version runs seamlessly on Mac or PC without the need for UA hardware, making it more accessible.
• Stellar Reviews: Garnering a 4.5/5 rating from 160 reviews, users have lauded its sound quality and faithful reproduction of the real hardware’s essence.
• Affordable Pricing: Regularly priced at $199.00, currently available at a 50% discount for $99.00 during the UAD Holiday Sale.

The UAD x Moog Minimoog not only accurately models the interaction between the three oscillators of the physical Minimoog but also captures its “gigantic fat sound” and “huge weight” that newer units often lack. This plugin does an “absolutely fantastic job” at approximating the physical Minimoog’s celebrated sound, providing a more convenient and stable alternative to the original hardware, which commands a price of around $5,000 for a reissue. Additionally, the plugin’s convenience and stability are expected to make it a go-to choice for many, offering an affordable entry into the rich sonic world of the Minimoog.

Furthermore, the UAD x Moog Minimoog is complemented by innovative products like the ‘Mammoth Bass for UAD Moog Minimoog One Shots’ by sound designer Abel Mendoza. This collection is not a playable instrument but rather a bundle of WAV audio files sampled from 30 custom patches, totalling 140 MB. These samples, available for purchase on the That Worship Sound website, offer producers and musicians huge classic analog tones, further expanding the creative potential of the UAD x Moog Minimoog in music production.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.8

Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.8 continues to push the boundaries of digital synthesis, introducing a suite of features that solidify its position as one of the best synth plugins 2024. A standout addition is the ‘Smart Update’ system, which streamlines the update process by compiling all necessary updates into a single, efficient download. This ensures users can easily keep their software up-to-date without navigating through multiple updates.

Key Features of Omnisphere 2.8:

• Smart Update System: Simplifies the update process, ensuring users have the latest features and fixes with minimal hassle.
• The Orb: A unique real-time sound morphing controller, allowing for creative sound manipulation and dynamic performance expressions.
• Hardware Synth Integration: Transforms over 65 hardware synthesizers into hands-on controllers for Omnisphere, extending its usability and appeal to hardware synth enthusiasts.
• Enhanced Arpeggiator: Includes new controls like Humanity and Life, alongside features such as Strumming Modifiers, Chord Voicings, Pitch Slides, Step Dividers, and the ability to capture MIDI files, offering unparalleled control and creativity.
• Layer Pages: Dive deep into sound design with pages dedicated to Basics, Modulation, Oscillators, and Oscillator Zoom, providing detailed control over sound layers.
• High-Resolution Interface: With HiDPI display support, Omnisphere 2.8 offers a visually stunning and user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall user experience.

Compatibility and System Requirements:

• Operating Systems: Compatible with macOS 11 Big Sur or higher and Windows 7 or higher, ensuring a vast range of users can access this powerful tool.
• System Requirements: Requires a 2.4 GHz or higher processor, 8GB of RAM (more recommended), and 64GB of free hard drive space, ensuring smooth performance across diverse setups.

Pricing Options:

• Full Product (Boxed or Download): $499 / 399 €, providing a full package for new users.
• Standard Upgrade: $249, offering an affordable path for users to access the latest features.
• Atmosphere Upgrade: $249, tailored for users upgrading from Atmosphere to Omnisphere 2.8.

Omnisphere 2.8 not only upholds Spectrasonics’ reputation for quality and innovation but also enhances its utility through thoughtful integration and user-focused improvements. Its vast library, coupled with unique effects and sound design capabilities, ensures it remains a top choice for producers and composers looking to explore new sonic territories.

Kilohearts Phase Plant

Kilohearts Phase Plant stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of semi-modular software synthesizers, celebrated for its limitless sound design capabilities and intuitive workflow. As a multi-award-winning platform, it caters to music producers and sound designers alike, offering a sandbox for creativity with its unique modular architecture. This architecture not only facilitates the construction of anything from straightforward synths to intricate, evolving patches but also incorporates five types of signal generators: wavetable, granular, analog style, sampler, and noise. This diversity, coupled with an advanced Wavetable Editor, empowers users to craft bespoke wavetables, further broadening the horizons of sound exploration.

Key Features of Kilohearts Phase Plant:

• Modular Synthesis Methods: Enables users to explore an endless array of sound design possibilities.
• Signal Generators: Includes wavetable, granular, analog style, sampler, and noise for diverse sound creation.
• Advanced Wavetable Editor: Allows for custom wavetable designs.
• Kilohearts Essentials: Comes bundled with a vast range of effects plugins, all usable as Snapins within Phase Plant’s effects lanes.
• Modular Modulation Section: Offers infinite combinations for modulators and utilities, supporting audio rate modulation for dynamic sound shaping.
• MPE Compatibility: Enhances expressive control over fine pitch, pressure, and timbre.
• Optimized Performance: Ensures high-quality audio generation with minimal CPU load.
• Extensive Factory Presets: Features a wide array of presets from renowned sound designers.
• Free Updates and Broad Compatibility: Includes free future updates and supports iLok USB, iLok Machine, iLok Cloud, AAX Native, AU, VST2, and VST3 plugin formats.

The synth’s compatibility with AAX Native, AU, VST2, and VST3 plugin formats, alongside its support for Intel, AMD, or Apple Silicon CPUs, ensures that it seamlessly integrates into various production environments. Moreover, Kilohearts celebrates the ingenuity of Phase Plant with regular updates and special promotions, such as the “Grattis 2021” FREE Content Bank, which features over 140 presets from various artists and is available for download.

This initiative, along with significant discounts on Phase Plant and selected Toolbox bundles, underscores Kilohearts’ commitment to fostering a vibrant community of users. By providing an intuitive platform that blends high-quality processing with creative freedom, Kilohearts Phase Plant solidifies its position as a cornerstone among the best synth plugins 2024, offering both novices and seasoned professionals a comprehensive tool for audio innovation.

Vital Audio

Vital, developed by Matt Tytel, stands out in the realm of wavetable synthesis with its offering that combines an intuitive design with deep sound design capabilities. This plugin is uniquely positioned with its pricing model, making it accessible for free, with enhanced features available at tiered pricing of $25, $80, or a convenient $5/month subscription. What sets Vital apart is its blend of three oscillators and a sample section that supports both spectral warp and traditional warp modes, enabling users to sculpt sounds with precision and creativity. The inclusion of two filters, each with 32 selectable types, alongside a powerful wavetable editor, positions Vital as a versatile tool in any producer’s arsenal.

Key Features of Vital:

• Oscillators and Sampling: Three oscillators plus a sample section, with options for spectral and traditional warp modes.
• Dynamic Modulation: A robust modulation section featuring LFOs, envelopes, and randomizers paired with a modulation matrix and a mod remap panel for crafting complex sounds.
• Effects Rack: A broad effects rack includes essentials like reverb, delay, and chorus, enhancing the final sound output.
• Advanced Filters: The filters in Vital can be key-tracked, perfect for creating everything from screaming leads to deep, resonant basslines.
• Innovative Functions: A unique text-to-wavetable function and an optimized drag-and-drop workflow for modulation controls streamline the sound design process.
• Visual Interface: The animated graphical interface provides immediate visual feedback, making adjustments more intuitive.

Vital’s clean and precise oscillators allow for extensive modulation without the risk of aliasing, ensuring the output remains high-quality, regardless of how complex the patch gets. The synth’s powerful filter and advanced modulation system offer full control over sound shaping, from drawing custom waveforms for LFOs to spectral wave morphing and FM synthesis. This level of control, combined with the ability to create custom wavetables via text-to-wavetable functionality, marks Vital as a standout among its peers.

Moreover, Vital’s graphical interface is not just about aesthetics; it’s a practical tool that offers useful visual feedback, aiding in parameter adjustments. The synth not only supports spectral wave morphing and FM synthesis for creating custom wavetables but also boasts features that rival those of products costing significantly more. Given its broad feature set and accessible pricing model, Vital by Vital. Audio emerges as a powerful and free wavetable synthesizer, making it an ideal choice for both beginners in synthesis and seasoned producers looking for an intuitive yet potent tool for their sound design needs.

Xfer Records Serum

Serum by Xfer Records has established itself as a cornerstone in electronic music production, renowned for its high-quality sound and expansive modulation capabilities. As an advanced wavetable synthesizer, Serum provides users with 144 wavetables, enabling a broad spectrum of sound design possibilities. The drag-and-drop modulation routing simplifies the process of creating complex modulations, while the option for custom wavetable creation allows producers to infuse their tracks with unique sounds. This flexibility makes Serum a popular choice among producers seeking to push the boundaries of electronic music.

Updating Serum is a straightforward process aimed at make sure users have access to the latest features and improvements. To begin, users should log into the specified website, enter the “your account” page, and click on “See Available Downloads.” It’s crucial to close any music software or DAW before initiating the update to avoid any conflicts. For those encountering issues, especially Windows OS users, a common troubleshooting step involves deleting any existing Serum.dll or Serum_x64.dll files from the location where the DAW looks for VST Plugins. This can often resolve update-related issues, ensuring a smooth update process.

The 2024 updates for the Xfer Records Serum plugin introduce several notable features aimed at enhancing the user experience and expanding creative possibilities. These updates include:

• Rescan Folders on Disk: Simplifies the management of wavetable and preset libraries.
• MPE Pitch Bend and MPE Enabled State and Locks: Offers greater expression and control for MPE-compatible controllers.
• Preference in SerumPrefs.json for “MPE Y acts BiDirectional”: Provides users with additional customization options for MPE functionality.

For FL Studio users encountering update issues, a recommended approach involves checking FL options -> Plugin Manager, deleting any instances of Serum from Windows Explorer, rescanning, and ensuring Serum is not available before quitting FL and running the update. Should problems persist, reaching out through the contact form with details about the DAW, OS, and registration information is advised for further assistance. These updates and support measures underscore Xfer Records’ commitment to maintaining Serum’s position as a leading synth plugin in 2024, catering to the evolving needs of music producers.

Cherry Audio GX-80

Cherry Audio‘s GX-80 emerges as a monumental tribute to the iconic sounds of the CS-80 and GX-1 synthesizers, skillfully blending their legendary features into a modern, user-friendly package. This software synthesizer not only pays homage to the past but also introduces a wealth of new functionalities, making it an essential tool for both nostalgic synth enthusiasts and contemporary producers.

With its dual-layer architecture, the GX-80 allows for 16 polyphonic voices per layer, enabling musicians to layer two distinct CS-80 style sounds in either a split or stacked configuration. This capability, combined with the unique features borrowed from the GX-1, such as the highpassed resonant pulse and bandpassed sawtooth waves, opens up a new realm of sonic exploration.

Key Features of Cherry Audio GX-80:

• Dual Synth Layers: Offers a massive dual-layer architecture with 16 polyphonic voices per layer for complex soundscapes.
• Unique GX-1 Features: Incorporates distinctive elements from the GX-1, including octave-up triangle wave and filter envelope inversion, for unparalleled sound shaping.
• Legendary GX-1 Filter: Features an expert reproduction of the GX-1’s legendary filter, capable of producing exquisite timbres beyond the reach of the original CS-80.
• Integrated Studio-Quality Effects: Comes equipped with an array of studio-grade effects, including Chorus/Rotary, Flange/Phase, Delay, Reverb, and Ring Modulator, enhancing the overall sound output.
• Over 1,000 Presets: Includes more than 1,000 expertly designed presets, offering a wide range of starting points for creativity.

The GX-80 synthesizer stands out not only for its sound generation capabilities but also for its user-friendly interface and across-the-board MIDI control. With complete DAW automation for all controls, easy-to-use MIDI learn, and mapping for both preset and global settings, the GX-80 ensures seamless integration into any production setup.

Its compatibility with macOS 10.13 or above and Windows 7 or above, including the latest Windows 11, alongside a requirement for a 3.4 GHz Quad-Core computer with 8GB of RAM, guarantees optimal performance across a broad range of studio environments.

Priced at $399.00 or available as part of Cherry Audio Synth Stack 4, the GX-80 synthesizer makes the legendary sounds of the GX-1 and CS-80 accessible to a wider audience, offering a dual-layer voicing architecture that stands as a testament to Cherry Audio’s commitment to innovation and quality in the realm of software synthesizers.

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Wraaping Up Our Top 10 Best Synth Plugins 2024

The exploration of the best synth plugins of 2024 offers an expansive glance into the future of music production, revealing a myriad of tools that promise to enhance the creative palette of musicians and producers alike. From the analog warmth of U-he Diva to the cutting-edge versatility of Arturia Pigments 5, each plugin presents a unique set of features designed to cater to a diverse range of soundscapes and genres.

The intricate details of these synthesizers not only showcase the technological advancements in digital synthesis but also affirm the ongoing commitment of developers to meet the evolving needs of the music production community.

Navigating through these plugins, one can appreciate the blend of innovation and tradition that characterizes modern music production software. With tools like Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.8 paving the way for unparalleled sound design capabilities and the accessibility of Vital opening doors for budding producers, the realm of digital synthesis is more inviting than ever. As the industry continues to evolve, the implications of these advancements extend beyond individual creativity, promising to shape the future soundscapes of music production and composition.