Gear Review: Make Your Own Noise With SynthEdit

There is one major reason for the explosion of freeware VSTs available on the web: SynthEdit. If you've never heard of SynthEdit, you've no doubt been the beneficiary of the program. There are a huge number of plug-ins available that were designed with this program, many without any evidence that they were built in SynthEdit. And it's fairly easy to make it work.

What Is It?
SynthEdit, developed by Jeff McClintock, is labeled a "Modular Synthesizer" for Windows. Using a graphic interface, with a "connect the wires" interface, you can create pretty much any plug-in you desire, from a synth to an effects unit, or any sort of hybrid thing you can imagine. It also includes a Save-As-VST function that allows you to use anything you built in any VST host (pretty much any DAW).

How Does It Work?
Written in C++, SynthEdit comes with a battery of component types, ranging from oscillators, filters, math functions, MIDI controllers, memory functions, as well as a host of sliders, knobs, and other control objects. Every object has inputs and/or outputs, color-coded by the type of connection it needs. By connecting up wires between components, you are essentially doing the same thing on-screen that you would be doing with wires and solder if you were building a machine in the physical world. Except here you don't have to worry about causing damage from connecting the wrong bits together.

Is It Really That Easy?
Yes and No. First, it takes some time to figure out what the various pieces and parts do, and how to control them. Thankfully, there are a few examples (and links to more on the SynthEdit web site) to help get you started. I took a stab at following the instructions for the 3-Oscillator Synth posted under "Building Tips" on the web site. It was a good starter tutorial that let you start building simply, and then adding pieces one section at a time.

I say it is also NOT that easy, because there is such a range of options available with the initial download that it wasn't immediately obvious what they did and/or how to use them. (To be honest, some of them are still so foreign to me I haven't the foggiest idea how to use them) I would be willing to bet if you know something more advanced that I do about audio electric design, you'll probably be able to get more use out of it that I have so far.

Help! How do I...
The included Help files are absolutely wonderful. It gives straightforward answers to how to use the program and the features, though in some cases you might need to do some web searching to figure out the theory behind the uses. For the most part, if you are patient and read thoroughly in the help files you can get the explanations you need.

The SynthEdit Community
SynthEdit appears to have a very good community following. Their Yahoo Group has activity pretty much every day, with bug reports and feature requests usually answered within a few hours or so by Jeff McClintock himself. It is always a good sign when the developer is actively interacting with the users, which is something that a lot of the "big box" companies lack.

There is also a lot of sharing going on. Users post new bits of code and new modules they are working on all the time. Chances are fairly good that you can find extra pieces or examples of things you can learn from by looking at the files posted on the Yahoo Group.

For The Hardcore...
If you are a C++ programmer and want to design your own modules for SynthEdit, there is an SDK available on the site. This allows you to "roll your own" to enhance and expand SynthEdit to whatever level you want to take it. This add-on functionality really enhances the option, especially with the active user community.

Alas, It Is Not Free...
Keep in mind, though, that SynthEdit is not a free program. It is shareware. The trial version has some limits (number of patches allowed, only 2 outputs, etc) and has "SynthEdit" plastered all over it. (The registered version will let you remove all traces of SynthEdit, and even let you add your own nag screen to your plug-ins) The registration fee, currently a modest $50, is very reasonable for a program of this quality. The trial is not time limited, so you can give it a good test drive before you decide to buy it.

Bottom Line
Between the quality of the program, the depth of options, the sheer quantity of user-created modules you can use to enhance the program, the great developer support, and the ability to make your own VSTs, it would be hard to argue against this program being a great value. The true deciding factor is how much time and dedication you want to spend on learning to build your own machines. It could be pretty consuming, but the end result is probably worth your while.

You can get it from the official site at http://www.synthedit.com.