High-end alternative to TTS-1?

[Pilutiful]

Hello good SONAR users

Can anyone recommend a more "high-end" alternative to Cakewalk TTS-1 synth? There's a preset in TTS-1 called Echo Drops I really like (Presets -> Synth FX -> Echo Drops). It's a organ-like with "swirling" sound.  I have tried to look into f.ex. Waves Element, but what you get is like 1000 presets and none of them seem to sound anything like it (and I don't even know how to begin to create this sound)..

Any tips?

Echo Drops.mp3

Edited October 29, 2022 by Pilutiful

[abacab]

2 hours ago, Pilutiful said:

Can anyone recommend a more "high-end" alternative to Cakewalk TTS-1 synth? There's a preset in TTS-1 called Echo Drops I really like (Presets -> Synth FX -> Echo Drops). It's a organ-like with "swirling" sound.  I have tried to look into f.ex. Waves Element, but what you get is like 1000 presets and none of them seem to sound anything like it (and I don't even know how to begin to create this sound)..

TTS-1 is mostly used for the standard GM (General MIDI) sound set it provides, although it seems that you are looking into the Synth FX category.

Ordinarily I would point to a GM alternative for TTS-1, like the virtual Sound Canvas from Roland Cloud. But in your case, if it's "Synth FX" you are seeking, the sky is pretty much the limit with the free soft synths and FX available today.

You could buy the Sound Canvas for the GM sounds since the "Synth FX > Echo Drops" appears to be a standard GM2 sound.  But it would probably be cheaper to try some experimentation with a free synth organ sound, possibly layered with another sound, and some free FX to re-create that sound (definitely FX is what makes that swirling chorusy sound). An idea for the FX might be to try using guitar effects such as the free IK AmpliTube 5 CS.

Also consider that the GM spec and sound set are decades old by now, and since the TTS-1 was powered by Roland, I'm not sure how much of a "higher-end" GM alternative you will find out there. The original hardware Sound Canvas (1991) is likely what the TTS-1 was based on, as well as the "classic" virtual Sound Canvas that Roland is selling today. https://www.roland.com/us/products/rc_sound_canvas_va/

Edited October 29, 2022 by abacab

[Pilutiful]

25 minutes ago, abacab said:

TTS-1 is mostly used for the standard GM (General MIDI) sound set it provides, although it seems that you are looking into the Synth FX category.

Ordinarily I would point to a GM alternative for TTS-1, like the virtual Sound Canvas from Roland Cloud. But in your case, if it's "Synth FX" you are seeking, the sky is pretty much the limit with the free soft synths and FX available today.

You could buy the Sound Canvas for the GM sounds since the "Synth FX > Echo Drops" appears to be a standard GM2 sound.  But it would probably be cheaper to try some experimentation with a free synth organ sound, possibly layered with another sound, and some free FX to re-create that sound (definitely FX is what makes that swirling chorusy sound).

Also consider that the GM spec and sound set are decades old by now, and since the TTS-1 was powered by Roland, I'm not sure how much of a "higher-end" GM alternative you will find out there. The original hardware Sound Canvas (1991) is likely what the TTS-1 was based on, as well as the "classic" virtual Sound Canvas that Roland is selling today. https://www.roland.com/us/products/rc_sound_canvas_va/

Great and informative reply, thank you! I'll sure check out Sound Canvas.

Do you have an idea of what this swirling chorusy sound FX might be?

Edited October 29, 2022 by Pilutiful

[abacab]

4 minutes ago, Pilutiful said:

Do you have an idea of what this swirling chorusy sound FX is?

Not right offhand, without experimenting. But it should be some combination of standard effects. That's why I suggest trying guitar effects, because you can usually quickly combine and swap until you find a sound that you like, either using stomp boxes or rack FX, or some combination of them.

NI Guitar Rig 6 has a lot of interesting special FX presets that may be useful, but it's not free. Works well with synth sounds!

Edited October 29, 2022 by abacab

[daveiv]

I'd layer the synth pad and choir presets in Xpand or Korg M1.

[Terry Kelley]

Try the Munt MT-32 emulator.

[colin DAVIS]

On 10/29/2022 at 12:25 PM, Pilutiful said:

Hello good SONAR users

Can anyone recommend a more "high-end" alternative to Cakewalk TTS-1 synth? There's a preset in TTS-1 called Echo Drops I really like (Presets -> Synth FX -> Echo Drops). It's a organ-like with "swirling" sound.  I have tried to look into f.ex. Waves Element, but what you get is like 1000 presets and none of them seem to sound anything like it (and I don't even know how to begin to create this sound)..

Any tips?

Echo Drops.mp3 737.95 kB · 11 downloads

Did you ever get the Sound Canvas and if so was it any good?

[JnTuneTech]

On 8/5/2024 at 8:41 AM, colin DAVIS said:

Did you ever get the Sound Canvas

BTW - Roland is also discontinuing support for the Sound Canvas VST. For now, you can still buy a license key for it, but support and development will end after September, according to their news posting.

I have used it for many years, and it is the same or better than TTS-1, -of course they are from the same code base. Your mileage will vary, but for as long as Windows and your DAW will handle the final VST2 version, it may be one of the last classic GM multitimbral plugins that basically defined the category, for ease of use and depth of patches, on GM compatible files and projects. But usage of that seems to be fading, and so it goes.