Technology Techer |

For the past few decades synthesizers have become a dominants force in music but let’s stop to think, what is the future of synthesizers? Is the future of synthesizers within the realms of computer music plug’in’s and VST’s? Programs like Logic and Cubase (Protools too) are definitely effecting the future of synthesizers for the good or the bad. Many studios have been now smalled down because of the compatibility of VST’s and AU plug-in’s that studios now provide. Less Synthesizers are available simply because it is more efficient to buy synths in the form of plugins. This definitely affects the future of synthesizers although I will say one. I truly think that forever the future of synthesizers will be never cease to be only hardware of software because there is a market for both. Neither can die because they both have a market in their own and both have dedicated markets and fan bases. The reason the future of synthesizers has begun to evolve now, rather than earlier to that the quality of plug’in’s are now incredible, somewhat being able to match hardware synthesizers themselves! I will go into the pro’s and con’s of each one:

Hardware synths – This is where synthesizers came from, so the future of synthesizers will be loosely based around the original technology, the basic principles will remain the same. Analog sounds warm and comfortable rather than harsh and digital, depending on what sound your designing, hardware of software synthesizers will be ready for use. You can also get digital or part analog hardware synths. Hard ware synths do take up a lot of space, but the future of synthesizers has seemed to show us more compatibility in the synths nowadays, such as the Virus T.I and other synthesziers.

Software synths – of the future of synthesizers as some people would state, firstly their compatibility and ease of use is second to none. They can be stored on your computer screen and work just as well if not better sometimes. Although this concept may have seemed strange, if not impossible back in the 60’s the future of synthesizers have come a long way since the mellotron (now you can even get them in plug in form). Software synths are often free from certain companies that deal with shareware so for beginners this is a perfect place to start. Many beginners carry on using them once they get moderately successful.

So the big question will it change the future of synthesizers? I highly doubt so. The sound analog synths create just cant match anything else, due to the processing and signal chain, however Software if definitely the new “in”.