Surge is a digital synth and makes no bones about it. If you have used it in the past, it will be like welcoming an old friend back into your life. If you are new to Surge, welcome to the party. Come on in, the water is fine.
“SURGE is a free, open source synth that’s available for macOS, Windows & Linux.
The software synth is described as a ‘subtractive hybrid’ design.
Each patch contain two ‘scenes’ which are separate instances of the entire synthesis engine (except effects) that can be used for layering or split patches.
LFO 1 allows envelope retriggering when used as step sequencer
Extremely fast and flexible modulation routing. Almost every continuous parameter can be modulated.
Effects
8 effect units arranged as 2 inserts per scene, 2 sends and 2 master effects
10 top-quality algorithms:
Delay, Reverb, Chorus, Phaser, EQ, Distortion, Conditioner (EQ, stereo-image control, and limiter), Rotary speaker, Frequency shifter, Vocoder”
Source : synthtopia.com
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Apr 13 2020
5 / 5
BEST FREE SYNTH EVER. Subtractive, FM, Wave-table(supports import) Hybrid synthesis(even allows for audio input). This thing is in a class of its own, free or paid. Extremely flexible. Low on the CPU. Not much it can't do. 5/5
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Feb 27 2020
? / 5
Surge is an excellent virtual synthesizer. It offers a large number of patches that allow it to be used in any project. An aspect to highlight is the possibility of crossing waves in each of its oscillators; which allows modifying the timbres and trying to find what you are looking for. I think it should be one of the first on the list.
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Nov 30 2019
1 / 5
Don't understand the hype about Surge – it sounds terrible. It's just so thin that you would think it comes straight from 2001. I prefer ZynAddSubFX over this overhyped toy.
Digital Rules Dec 01 2019
How dare you?! Infidel! Just kidding. =) But seriously I think people like Surge so much because of the very wide range of sounds it can produce. Surge has a rather unique and complicated synthesis architecture and that gives you a huge sonic palette. Also Surge is 10+ years old so maybe that is why it may sound thin to some.
Proteus Dec 25 2019
Surge is more than a good decade old synth so it is understood that it can hardly compete with the current synths. Though I think it still has a very special and unique sound and character. It can make very uncommon and uncharted sounds and noises.
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Oct 27 2019
5 / 5
When you want to hear how beautiful digital can sound, try this beauty! It is free so you have nothing to lose, only a lot to gain! This is a truly beautiful purely and proudly digital sounding synth!
Mato Jan 09 2020
I absolutely agree! Surge is a fantastic synth freebie! <3
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Oct 04 2019
5 / 5
Probably the best sounding free synth with Tyrell ns6 and TAL noisemaker. (and Synth1 of course !). The UI is resizable (v 1.6.2.1). Comes with really nice presets. note 5/5
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Sept 22 2019
5 / 5
Not perfect, I use FL in 32bit and noted two problems, the windows resize is buggy when changing patches, and when browsing patches, the patch names doesn't update.... Still, even with those small issues, I give it 5 stars ! It has an easy and straightforward user interface. The patches are numerous and quite good for my taste (and a good starting point for further tweeking). The help file is very well written. It is a extremely powerfull and polivalent synth and still pretty easy to understand.
Proteus Dec 25 2019
You should report these bugs to the developers, I am sure they will do their best to fix them, they are very good at bugfixing.
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Sept 19 2019
5 / 5
One of my favorite synths, thanks for the Linux version
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Jul 22 2019
5 / 5
Can't go wrong getting this.
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Jun 27 2019
5 / 5
This thing is so awesome I could make an entire project only using this plug in for all the midi stuff ^^ You can do so much with it! It's kinda scary at first to see all of the stuff in a small window but after a while it get's better and better!
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May 26 2019
5 / 5
This is a beast !! sounds so great... as good as commercial synths. Number 1 free synth.
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May 11 2019
5 / 5
Very cool Thanks for the version for Linux: D
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Feb 24 2019
5 / 5
Awesome news, folks! Surge got a big update and is now Windows 32-/64-bit VST/VST3, Mac OS 64-bit AU/VST/VST3 and Linux 64-bit VST/VST3! It is now actively being developed by new, cool and dedicated developers. How cool is that?! Surge sounds brilliant by the way! =)
Erisian Feb 27 2019
Fantastic. I'll keep my eyes open.
Mato Apr 08 2019
WOW! Awesome news indeed! Surge sounds excellent! Thank You very much to all the new Developers! <3
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Feb 19 2019
4 / 5
Possibly the only synth you'll ever need. I usually prefer hardware emulations but this makes excellent use of digital excellence. I don't know if I will use anything else from now on, except just for fun. The presets on their own are awesome, I can only imagine what can be done with some thoughtful programming. Sounds fantastic!
Darko Feb 23 2019
Why the 4 stars out of 5 grade?
Erisian Feb 27 2019
Aargh! The mouse slipped. It should have been 6/5. ;)
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Jan 08 2019
5 / 5
My new favorite vst
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Nov 25 2018
5 / 5
This + Crystal... All I need
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Surge Vst Free Download
Nov 23 2018
5 / 5
This is incredible! Very capable and powerful sound engine! This must have been exceptional when it was first released! Thank You very much Vember Audio! <3<3<3
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Nov 21 2018
5 / 5
Sounds a bit hokey on its own but in a mix it can be really useful
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Nov 18 2018
5 / 5
This is a very nice sounding synth.
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Nov 14 2018
5 / 5
Excellent sound! If only the GUI was resizable.
Thoz May 26 2019
It is now (since 1.6) ;)
Proteus Dec 25 2019
Awesome! Surge rules!
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Nov 05 2018
5 / 5
First class Synthesizer now free, Thanks!
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Oct 28 2018
4 / 5
Once commercial now free that is neat
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Oct 28 2018
5 / 5
For a 10+ years old synth this sounds surprisingly good! Thanks a lot Vember Audio! <3
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Surge Vst free. download full
Oct 11 2018
5 / 5
Awesome synth. I love this synth so much.
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Best Free Vst Plugins
Oct 10 2018
5 / 5
Awesome soft-synth and free. Thanx!
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Surge Vst Plugin Free Download
Oct 10 2018
? / 5
This version is not portable anymore. :-( Version 1.5 Win32 is portable. Pity.
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Oct 10 2018
5 / 5
I love this synth! Thanks Man .. I appreciate the hours, the months, and the years of coding work ..