USING SOFT SYNTHESIZERS WITH YOUR SEQUENCING SOFTWARE

Soft Synthesizer Plug-in formats

• VST (Virtual Studio Technology)

  Developed by Steinberg (Cubase). Some VST plug-ins are compatible with Macintosh, but unless stated specifically, assume it is not. VST instruments are often referred to as VSTi.

• DX (Direct X)

  Based on Microsoft's Direct X code. Favored by Cakewalk (Sonar). Not compatible with Macintosh. DX instruments are often referred to as DXi.

• MAS (MOTU Audio System)

  Developed by Mark of the Unicorn (Digital Performer). Not compatible with Windows. Since Digital Performer also supports VST and Audio Units, MAS is not widely supported.

• RTAS (Real Time AudioSuite)

  Developed by DigiDesign (ProTools). MacOS and Windows. Because of the popularity of ProTools, RTAS enjoys wide support.

• AU (Audio Units)

  Developed by Apple for OS X. Since it is part of the operating system, AU is supported by most Mac sequencers. AU is the format used by Apple's Jam Packs.

• ReWire

  Developed by Propellerhead. Technically not a plug-in format, it has been adopted by many companies as a way to pass data between two applications in real time. Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live are popular ReWire applications. Read the article in the January 2006 issue of Electronic Musician.

• SoundFonts

  Developed by Creative Labs and its subsidiary E-mu. Technically not a plug-in, SoundFonts allow samples to be mapped to a MIDI device. On the PC, SoundFonts require a SoundBlaster-compatible card. Apple recently added native SoundFont support in Mac OS X. SoundFont technology was the basis for E-mu's popular Proteus synthesizers. Read this excellent article in Electronic Musician.

• Non-native formats

  Whereas a native format relies on the computer's CPU to process sounds, a non-native format requires separate computer hardware for digital signal processing (DSP). Using separate DSP hardware allows the computer to handle other tasks more efficiently. Some examples of non-native formats include TDM (DigiDesign), PowerCore (TC Electronics), Pulsar (Creamware), and UAD (Mackie).

Plug-in Support Among Popular Sequencers

• Cubase
  • Publisher: Steinberg
  • Platform: PC and Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: VST
  • Other plug-ins supported: ReWire, SoundFonts
• Digital Performer
  • Publisher: Mark of the Unicorn
  • Platform: Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: MAS
  • Other plug-ins supported: VST, RTAS, AU, ReWire, SoundFonts
• GarageBand
  • Publisher: Apple
  • Platform: Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: AU
  • Other plug-ins supported: SoundFonts
• Logic Pro
  • Publisher: Apple
  • Platform: Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: AU
  • Other plug-ins supported: ReWire, SoundFonts
• PowerTracks Pro
  • Publisher: PG Music
  • Platform: PC
  • Preferred plug-in format: DX
  • Other plug-ins supported: SoundFonts
• ProTools LE
  • Publisher: DigiDesign
  • Platform: PC and Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: RTAS
  • Other plug-ins supported: ReWire, SoundFonts
• Sonar
  • Publisher: Cakewalk
  • Platform: PC
  • Preferred plug-in format: DX
  • Other plug-ins supported: VST, ReWire, SoundFonts
• Tracktion
  • Publisher: Mackie
  • Platform: PC and Mac
  • Preferred plug-in format: VST
  • Other plug-ins supported: ReWire, SoundFonts

Issues affecting the use of software synthesizers

• Advantages of software synths (compared to hardware)
  • soft synthesizers are less costly
  • MIDI controllers are less costly than comparable MIDI synthesizers
  • soft synthesizers utilize a fully digital signal path
  • soft synthesizers provide an intuitive, interactive environment for designing sound
  • soft synthesizers internalize the process of audio mixdowns; hardware mixer may not be needed
• Disadvantages of software synths (compared to hardware)
  • Latency
  • Demands on processor - require fast CPU with ample RAM

Recommended reading — from the archives of Electronic Musician

• Soft Touch (September 2003) an overview on soft synthesizers
• Experimenting with SoundFonts (April 2005)
• Making Connections with ReWire (January 2006) available online in February
• Sequencing on a Shoestring (September 2005) twelve inexpensive sequencers

Online Resources — Freeware, shareware, demos and more!

• Hit Squad Musicians Network - Mac
• Hit Squad Musicians Network - Windows
• KVR Audio
• The Sonic Spot

Barton Polot
Schoolcraft College
www.bartonpolot.net