MZTK (aka lazydog) has released a beta version of SIM3X, a freeware virtual analogue synthesizer in VSTi plugin format for Windows.
SIM3X is available for free download via Music-Society (3.6MB download size, 32-bit VSTi plugin format for Windows). Please note that you will need to be a registered Music-Society forum member in order to get the download link. The registration process itself is completely free.
The synth features the standard VA layout with the addition of a handy Randomize All button. It also features a useful OSC mixer section for quick and easy control over the available DCOs. There are plenty of modulation sources to experiment with as well, including a couple of envelopes, LFOs, and a selection of external modulation sources. SIM3X was made with SynthEdit and is only compatible with 32-bit host applications on Windows.
If you don’t mind going through the registration process on the Music-Society forum, then SIM3X is totally worth a look. It’s not the most powerful VA synthesizer out there, but it’s fun to use and also suitable for learning the basics of subtractive synthesis programming.
Video Demo
Check out the SIM3X demo video:
10 Comments
Chantal Electra
onOne Question before download:
Made with Synthedit or not?
Halma
onDoes it matter? I lost my Synthedit/-maker phobia long time ago and have found so many unbelievable great plugs that I don´t miss any commercial stuff. I don´t care anymore. Because: if it´s hot it´s hot and if it´s not it´s not.
Cheers,
Sebastian
UserFX
onDon’t need another VA with stuf like Tyrell, Mausynth etc.
The “music” in the video is absolutely terrible.
It cleared any lasting temptation to download the synth :-)
crackbaby
onVery cold hearted comment. Imagine if you put down a lot of hard work and then gave it away for free. How would it feel reading things like you just wrote?
Maybe
onI agree with both of you…
UserFX
onIt’s my opinion. Let me explain:
If you put something out there (whether art or a product) people will have opinions about it.
It doesn’t matter how much time was spent creating or if it is free. Neither time no the price have a direct correlation to quality or usefulness!
There are so many good (freeware / subtractive) synths available now, that I feel a critical point has been reached:
Any new synth (freeware or not) must have something very special to distinguish them from the pack! Otherwise there is just no need for me to try it when I can do everything imaginable and in good quality with what I already have and know well!
Having too much of the same or too much choice is counter-productive!
This goes for for samples as well. 10.000 kick drums will not help you make better tracks. It’ll keep you busy browsing for “the best” kick drum.
I hope this explanation gives some context to my short-winded initial comment.
Concerning the music part of my comment:
I listened again and I’m sorry to say that I stand by what I said. I don’t like the music at all, it literally makes me feel uncomfortable.
The good news: I don’t like it, the next person might love it! It’s a matter of taste.
If you’re epecting everybody to like your music and can’t handle negative opinions then don’t let anybody hear it. You have to grow a thicker skin and accept that not everybody will love what you do.
While my critisim is blunt and honest, it is (and I am not) cold hearted.
Tricky Loops
on“Having too much of the same or too much choice is counter-productive! This goes for for samples as well. 10.000 kick drums will not help you make better tracks. It’ll keep you busy browsing for “the best” kick drum.”
– Absolutely right. But I don’t want to dishearten people who develop synthesizers, so I don’t make comments like “This is another Synthedit synth, sounds boring, I wouldn’t even download it…”
Except in those cases when the sound quality is THAT ridiculous that I have to warn people…
GILO
onNO T WORTHLY !!!
dave
onK…so tried to register…aaaand the page is literally stuck in a loop…at login scree click register, aaaand right back to login screen…click register …right back to login screen…click register…riiiight back to….FUCK THIS PAGE. And the damn synth .. Fix your fuckin web page fuck faces!
Wikter @ MvxSynths
onThe only question is if it would add something to your setup. The chance to decide to use it or not should not rely on if it is created with synthedit. Synthedit is a great platform with some pros and cons, but in the end it works pretty fine on x86/32bit.
Don’t complain about synthedit, complain about poor quality plugins created with it.
The same applies for Synthmaker & Pluggo & Max & ….
In the end, there s a lot of stuff sounding great without GUI, and that doesn’t mean you should use it. Simply ignore the tools that don’t get into your workflow, no matter if they are free or commercial. And keep the set minimal.