IK Multimedia Syntronik Review – A Synthesizer Workstation For Studio & Live Musicians

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Review Conclusion 

All 17 Instrument Libraries Give You A Nice Selection Of Various Instruments

First of all, all the included sound libraries have a very good and authentic sound quality. Even if they are not always on the maximum point of authenticity, you can print the temple very high-quality and successful in the entire sound packs. Libraries like the Minimod, SAM or even Galaxy are clearly among my favourites as they all offer great presets for musicians. The available sound libraries give you a nice and wide selection of different vintage hardware Synthesizers. Personally, I would wish for this product also Synthesizers from KORG like the Mono/Poly or MS-20 because these have shaped also a lot the electronic music.

Some of the patches sound not exactly like the hardware pendant because certain hardware instruments had very specific filters or envelopes that shaped the sound character a lot and that is difficult to duplicate in software. So I recommend not to use any of the supplied filter for different sounds because they can slightly distort the result.

Sound Designers Or Synth Players? 

One thing to start, Syntronik is a kind of rompler workstation because the sound design possibilities are somewhat limited. For example, IK Multimedia doesn’t allow users to access the individual samples and so it must seen as a closed system. Also you can notice on the instrument interfaces quickly the limitations. Oscillators can’t be changed a lot but only detuned. Rather simple modifications such as the filter, envelopes are possible here. On the actual basic sound of the presets one is actually limited. On this, you can make changes later. So you can layer up to four sounds together, use an arpeggiator pro layer and use many other effects to change the sound.

In my opinion, these sound changes are very interesting, especially for players in the studio or on the stage who doesn’t want spend hours and hours of programming own patches. This interface is less made for sound designer oriented musicians who are always looking for a new unique sound. So you can say here that Syntronik is a workstation that is mostly made for players and less for experimental musicians who like to juggle with sounds.

An Interface That Makes Only Fun To Play With It 

Syntronik can shine not only with the sound quality but also with a modern, intuitive and straightforward interface design. Synthesizer lovers will probably immediately notice the nice designed instrument interfaces that have been heavily inspired by their hardware counterparts. Each knob and slider sits in the right place and fits perfectly into the optics. Great compliment to the graphic designer for the beautiful and modern interface.

Small Optimizations That Would Improve Syntronik 

There are small optimization to do that would improve the playability of Syntronik a lot. Especially in the area of connectivity, the developers have to get back to work in my opinion. First, the MIDI connection has been kept here very simple, which is not a criticism but something something good. Simply connect a MIDI keyboard and you are ready. But for professional musicians with a larger set-up with several keyboards, it can be a hindrance. Syntronik is currently missing a complex MIDI architecture that allows you per example to map layers to individual MIDI channels. With this function, you could use the layer function much more interesting. The first two layers on keyboard 1 and other on keyboard 2. That would be a very interesting feature for the standalone version.

What I noticed in the test, is the not changeable part of the mod-wheel. Here I would wish that you can map the mod-wheel with your favourite parameter because each musician has a different preference for live interaction. Another Syntronik live interface panel would be an exciting feature. So here you would see all the layers in the form of a mixer, possible some mappable macro parameters and MIDI assignable buttons with ARP Off/on, mute etc. Some features are already in SampleTank 3 but it would be exciting to have something like this also here.

A small improvement can also be made in the browser. Here I wish me arrows that would simplify the switching of presets in the DAW. Right now, the whole sound browser has to load every time. It’s useable but inconvenient.

Time Consuming Installation /Registration Process & The Extra Costs For A Later Download 

As already written in the review, the installation as well the registration of the software take some time. If you want to buy Syntronik, you must know in advance that you have to download and install many GB of sounds. An extra hard drive or enough space on the system are required. Here I would like a simple solution in the future that simplifies everything a bit.

There is a problem with PC / Mac applications of IK Multimedia for years. If a musician gets into the situation that he has to rebuild his system and accidentally no longer has the sounds, he will unfortunately be asked to pay even though he has legally bought the product. For some time, users have had to pay a fee on the website if they want to re-download the sounds one year after purchase. In my opinion, this service should be free for the customer. Yes, I know, servers cost money but in high-priced products this should be included. Software companies such as Native Instruments or UVI show that it is possible otherwise.

Pro

  • very good & authentic sound quality
  • beautiful selection of Synthesizers from different years
  • modern, intuitive and straightforward design
  • excellent effects
  • 4 part layering system
  • ready-to-use sounds for live and the studio

Neutral

  • some iconic Synths from other developers are missing: KORG,…
  • MIDI & sound browser improvements
  • time consuming download & registration process
  • price to high compared to the main competitor UVI Synth Anthology 2

Contra

  • oscillator limitation
  • download limitation on the website

In summary, IK Multimedia with Syntronik has succeeded in creating a nice and excellent sounding compilation of vintage Synthesizer sounds. Everything is packaged in a harmonious interface that will be especially apprecited by Synthesizer players in the studio and on stage who don’t want to waste too much time programming own sounds. From very old to modern Synthesizers like the Andromeda Synthesizer, musicians here have a wide range of different ready-to-use sounds.

With the help of a clever 4 part layer system and 38 different high-quality effects, you can customize the 2000 patches according to your individual wishes. If you are an artist looking for direct usable Synthesizer sounds, IK Multimedia’s Syntronik is the perfekt choice.

More information here: IK Multimedia Syntronik 

Available here

3 Comments

    • Hello Hosh
      I don’t have tested the full version of the iOS version. So I can’t say it sorry but i’m pretty sure the sound quality is on the same level 🙂

      • Sorry for the late answer: here is the difference: Basically the iPad version has a smaller, selected library and 37 effects instead of 38. The rest is basically the exact same as the Mac/PC.

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