You ain't heard nothing like it before!

Native Instruments FM8

Previously known as FM7, this one could as well have gone in the "emulated synths" section, because it can do anything a classic hardware Yamaha DX7 can do. However, the capabilities of this software synth goes so much further that it really must be considered an original creation that just happens to also be DX7 compatible.

It still uses mainly classic FM synthesis (well, phase modulation, not frequency modulation, to be precise) to generate its sounds, making it especially adept at organic bell and string sounds.

Kjaerhus Audio Spectra

Spectra uses additive synthesis for the sound generation: pure sine waves, representing the harmonics of a sound, are simply added together to produce the waveform. A popular feature in additive synths, Spectra allows you to seamlessly "morph" from one waveform to another - up to 100 morphs can be included in a single preset patch.

Scratch-building additive sounds usually lead to digital-sounding, FM-like timbres, but Spectra has some additional tricks up its sleeve: Waveform re-synthesis, which lets you import and "additively rebuild" any source waveform, and an "analog" filter and effects section that makes Spectra a very versatile synth.

This is a synth I've come to know pretty well, since I programmed 128 of the factory preset sounds for it... ;)

Native Instruments Absynth

Well, with the possibilities of software, why stop at one particular type of synthesis per synth? Absynth is a hybrid synthesizer employing multiple forms of synthesis and sample processing. It is also famous for its extremely elaborate envelopes and effects, which means it excels at long, complex, evolving soundscapes.

Big Tick Angelina

Almost the opposite of Absynth, Angelina is definitely a one-trick pony, a synth employing formant filters to produce choir-like wovel sounds. Up to four "voices" per preset patch can be defined, and by moving between them in real time, you can make the choir "speak" -- or at least go "oooh-aaah".

LinPlug CronoX3

A synth somewhat in the Absynth mould, but using only sample-processing to produce the basic waveforms which can then be mutilated beyond recognition using modulation and effects processing options too numerous to mention.

Other Original Synths