Reason 4.0 is the latest version of this now-classic music software program by the company Propellerhead. The program syncs with any MIDI keyboard or synthesizer with midi-output and can be used with numerous synth modeling plug-ins. Two of the commonly used plug-ins are the Subtractor and Malstrom, which have an array of features, from mod wheels to envelope filters. Reason also includes the all-encompassing Thor plug-in, which, with four specified filters and six different oscillators, is "simply the most powerful synth ever created," according to Propellerhead.
Omnisphere by Spectrasonics is the company's "flagship" synthesizer program. Aside from the high-quality modulators, oscillators and filters, Omnishpere has an especially easy-to-follow interface. Users can choose from rare and unique instruments, from burning pianos to a Moog modular raw saw, to fine-tune down to the waveform. The software also contains eight separate, highly advanced arpeggiators, as well as mixing and mastering effects processors. The equal mix of analog/organic sound sources with digital synthesizer features makes Omnisphere a well-rounded program.
The V Collection by Arturia was designed specifically to enable vintage synthesizer lovers to consolidate all their favorite instruments into one software program. Not only are the sounds replicated, but the interface is constructed so that users are controlling, virtually, a replica of the instrument itself, knobs and all. Some of the world-famous synths modeled within the program are the Roland Jupiter-8, the ARP 2600 and Minimoog. Arturia also adds hundreds of presets for all the instruments and such extra effects as modulation and arpeggiators that may not have existed on the original models.
Native Instruments, which specializes in electronic music software, has developed an all-in-one synth program with Reaktor 5. According to Native Instruments, the software has a number of uses, from a basic synthesizer to a sampler to even a step sequencer. There is a fairly large collection of emulated synthesizer models, from vintage to new. Two special aspects of Reaktor 5 are the ability of users to access the online database for free sound samples and to create their own synthesizers from scratch, combining different module and macro settings.