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Below is a list of some of the best software synths & virtual pianos (free & paid). Please reply to this post if you recommended any others There are a huge number of plugins available, here are some other lists I've created for products I recommend https://jamesm.blog/music-production/my-hardware-software/ https://jamesm.blog/music-production/my-hardware-software-wishlist/ https://jamesm.blog/music-production/physical-modeling-synths/ Synths (Free) Vendor Plugin Name Key Features Blamsoft VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Moog Voyager emulation, strong basses Digital Suburban Dexed Yamaha DX7 emulation, FM synthesis discoDSP OB-Xd Oberheim OB-X emulation, analog sounds Matt Tytel Vital Wavetable synthesis, visual interface, deep modulation Max for Cats Syndtsphere Circular patch blending, unique workflow Spitfire Audio Spitfire Audio LABS Sampled instruments, synth-like pads and textures Surge Synth Team Surge XT Open-source, versatile, multiple synthesis methods TAL TAL-NoiseMaker User-friendly, warm analog tones u-he TyrellN6 Roland Juno emulation, classic sounds u-he Zebralette Single-oscillator Zebra, sound design focus Synths (Paid) Vendor Plugin Name Key Features Typical Use Cases Applied Acoustics Systems Chromaphone 3 Acoustic object synthesis, percussion and mallet sounds, unique sound design. Percussive sounds, unique textures, sound design for film and games. Arturia Pigments Wavetable, virtual analog, granular, and sample synthesis, visual interface, powerful modulation. Experimental sound design, modern synth sounds, hybrid textures. FXpansion (now ROLI) Strobe2 Analog-modeled polysynth, versatile modulation, unique "transmodulation" feature. Analog-style synth sounds, experimental sound design, flexible modulation. KV331 Audio SynthMaster 2 Hybrid synth, multiple synthesis types, extensive modulation, large preset library. Diverse synth sounds, complex sound design, versatile for many genres. LennarDigital Sylenth1 Analog-modeled architecture, low CPU usage, warm and punchy sound. EDM, house, general purpose synth for many genres. Native Instruments Massive X Advanced wavetable synthesis, flexible routing, deep modulation, innovative sound shaping. Modern bass music, complex synth sounds, evolving textures. Reveal Sound Spire Hybrid synth, powerful oscillators, flexible modulation, trance and EDM focused. Trance, EDM, high-energy synth leads and pads. Spectrasonics Omnisphere Massive sound library, hybrid synthesis, granular synthesis, extensive modulation. Cinematic scoring, ambient music, complex soundscapes, diverse instrument sounds. u-he Diva Accurate analog emulation, multiple oscillator and filter models, rich sound. Vintage synth sounds, analog-style pads, leads, and basses. Xfer Records Serum Advanced wavetable synthesis, custom wavetable creation, deep modulation. Modern electronic music, sound design, complex synth leads and basses. Virtual Pianos (Paid) Vendor Plugin Name Key Features Typical Use Cases Arturia Piano V3 Physically modeled pianos, multiple piano models, customizable parameters, unique sound. Classical, jazz, pop, experimental, highly customizable piano sounds. Garritan Garritan CFX Concert Grand Yamaha CFX concert grand sampling, multiple microphone perspectives, sympathetic resonance. Classical, orchestral, concert grand sound. Kepler Instruments Monument Piano Steinway D Concert Grand, detailed sampling, multiple mic positions. Classical, cinematic, powerful concert grand sound. Native Instruments Noire Nils Frahm's personal grand piano, felt piano sounds, unique sonic character. Ambient, cinematic, intimate piano performances, modern composition. Pianoteq Pianoteq 8 Physically modeled pianos, customizable parameters, small footprint, unique sound. Classical, jazz, experimental, highly customizable piano sounds. Production Voices Production Grand 2 Gold Yamaha C7 sampling, detailed recording, multiple microphone perspectives. Pop, rock, jazz, versatile and powerful grand piano sound. Spitfire Audio Ólafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions Evolving piano textures, unique articulations, atmospheric soundscapes. Cinematic scoring, ambient music, experimental piano compositions. Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos Multiple grand piano models (Steinway, Bösendorfer, Yamaha), detailed sampling, sympathetic resonance. Classical, jazz, pop, wide range of grand piano sounds. VI Labs True Keys American Grand Detailed Yamaha C7 sampling, multiple microphone positions, realistic response. Classical, jazz, pop, versatile grand piano sound. Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Pianos Multiple high-end grand pianos, extensive microphone positions, advanced engine. Classical, orchestral, detailed and realistic piano performances. Wavesfactory Grand Rhapsody Piano Fazioli F228 Grand Piano, 3 microphone positions, warm and detailed sound. Jazz, pop, general purpose grand piano.