What are the best Synths for Synthwave and Outrun?

July 10, 2022

Best synths for synthwave and outrun

Synthwave can be everything from classic 80s-inspired tones to modern neo-retro sounds that are decidedly on theme but only possible thanks to modern synthesis techniques and technology.

So from a synthesiser we want the ability to sound analogue, but there's also the occasional need for digital, for those classic silky bells. We need soft attacks and a rich, full sound. Built-in effects are a bonus, especially rich chorus, and the ability to save our synthwave presets is a given.

Here are the five software synths we'd pick for Synthwave.

U-he Diva

Available at: SOUND7, with free Diva packs

u-he Diva synth plugin interface

With its semi-modular approach and classically emulated parts, Diva is the go-to for Synthwave.

With modules inspired by vintage Korgs, Moogs and Rolands, it covers many bases and generations. It can do everything a synthwave producer needs.

Its sound is authentic, organic and lifelike, and the software adds FX and modulation that take it far beyond any of its hardware relations.

Diva's modules are well suited to retro styles, so there's no shortage of synthwave presets available for it.

We made a synthwave-specific pack, and you can hear Diva in action below.

Get the sound: that's Diva - Synthwave Vol.1, 64 synthwave presets with cyber leads, pads and bass.

Korg Collection

Available at: korg.com

Korg Collection software synths for synthwave

Within this collection Korg have recreated some of their most classic synths in software. We don't sell it, but it belongs on this list. The lineup has grown over the years, and the synthwave favourites include:

ARP Odyssey
MS-20
Polysix
Mono/Poly
M1
Wavestation

Each replicates its hardware counterpart with a very good degree of accuracy. The catch is the price of the full collection, so if you only want one or two synths, buy them individually.

The Polysix and Mono/Poly in particular are synthwave staples, so it's well worth a look.

The Korg Collection has been around for an age, so a back catalogue of synthwave presets shouldn't be too difficult to find.

TAL-U-NO-LX

Available at: SOUND7

TAL-U-NO-LX Juno-60 synth plugin interface

Modelled on the popular Juno-60, it's been developed with zero-delay feedback filters (explanation here) and carefully calibrated controls, which make it a good replacement for the analogue original with all the advantages of a software plugin.

TAL-U-NO-LX includes all things classic, such as portamento and different filter LFO waveforms, an onboard arpeggiator, a very fast envelope with a smooth roll-off and emulated inaccuracies in the sound, and its very smooth filter gives it that typical Juno sound. The synth was calibrated directly against the hardware.

Its uniquely creamy onboard chorus and authentic sound mean you'll be taking night-time walks down a rainy Tokyo back street in no time. Bliss.

U-he Repro-5

Available at: SOUND7, with free Repro-5 packs

u-he Repro-5 synth plugin interface

As u-he themselves put it, Repro dives into the past for analogue inspiration, meticulously modelling two famous synthesizers.

Every detail of the originals has been captured using component-level modelling to create the most authentic model possible, subtle characteristics and quirks included. It's one product but includes two synths.

Repro-1 features include:

Two multi-wave oscillators (saw/pulse and saw/triangle/pulse)
4-pole filter
Monophonic
Arpeggiator
Twin 32-step sequencer, 64 steps if chained
Built-in effects: analogue-style delay/chorus, EQ/resonator, plate reverb, sonic conditioner, wave folder
Tweaks page for adjusting individual component behaviour

And Repro-5, based on a famous 5-voice polyphonic hardware synth, features:

Two multi-wave oscillators (saw/pulse and saw/triangle/pulse)
4-pole filter
8-voice polyphonic, or unison with glide
Polyphonic distortion unit with 4 modes: soft clip, hard clip, foldback, corrode
Tweaks page for adjusting individual component behaviour

Its sound is distinctly analogue, probably trumping even Diva. It's huge, rich, organic and immediate. It suits all things Synthwave but excels at shimmering pads, crisp and woody bass and big leads.

Listen to its Synthwave potential in our Synthwave preset pack below.

Get the sound: Repro5 - Outrun Vol.1 and Repro5 - Outrun Vol.2 are our Repro-5 synthwave and outrun packs.

Cherry Audio GX-80

Available at: SOUND7

Cherry Audio GX-80 synth plugin interface

The original Yamaha CS-80 was big in size AND price tag, the flagship synthesizer of the 1970s. Its dual-layer voice architecture made for rich, full sounds, and it's the synth behind Vangelis's Blade Runner score. If any synth defines the cinematic side of Synthwave, it's this one.

GX-80 is Cherry Audio's take on it. It's built on the CS-80 architecture, then borrows from the GX-1, the CS-80's even bigger predecessor (around 20 were made, at roughly $50,000 each). That brings a model of the GX-1 filter, its extra waveforms and filter envelope inversion.

The sound is huge. Each layer has 16 voices and can be panned independently, so stacked patches are wide and rich, and the filters have that smooth, vocal quality. Velocity and aftertouch drive brightness and vibrato, and there's even a mode that simulates polyphonic aftertouch from a normal controller, so leads feel genuinely playable. Brass, soaring leads and those Blade Runner pads: exactly Synthwave territory, for a fraction of the price of the original's floor space.

Features include:

CS-80 architecture with GX-1 features integrated
Dual-layer architecture with 16 voices per layer
Modelled GX-1 filter
GX-1 waveforms and filter envelope inversion
Split and stacked layer modes with independent panning
Polyphonic aftertouch simulation from mono aftertouch
Studio-quality effects
Over 1,000 presets

Want the full rundown? Read our GX-80 review.

If you only buy one, make it Diva or Repro: Diva for range, Repro for that big, organic analogue sound. TAL-U-NO-LX is the bargain, and GX-80 is the one for cinematic pads and brass.

Synthwave sounds for your synths

Already got a decent synth and looking for more synthwave presets? Every SOUND7 pack is royalty free and an instant download. Plugins and bundles come as a licence activation code by email.