The Best Modern Synth VSTs: EDM, Pop, Techno, Hip-Hop, and More

If you’re seeking the best synth sounds for EDM, pop, modern hip-hop, and other types of electronic music, there is an embarrassment of riches with the incredible synth VSTs on offer. However, you’ll want the right tools for the job. Some synth plugins were not created with the genres mentioned in mind, with many looking to recreate vintage synth sounds from the ‘70s and ‘80s. If a rapper asks you to make them a crisp and forward-thinking beat, and you send something that sounds like the Chariots of Fire soundtrack, they probably won’t be impressed.

But don’t you fret, because we’ve put together a list of the ten best EDM synth VSTs that will have you covered for whatever modern genre you’re working in, some even working brilliantly for contemporary film scores, also. We’ll go from the most affordable and finish with the most expensive, and we’ve chucked in two fabulous free options for you also.

Logic Pro Alchemy

• Fantastic starting point for Logic users

• Some excellent presets can be found

Great news for Logic users who aren’t keen to spend lots of extra money on top of their DAW investment — Apple’s flagship music software comes with a very capable EDM synth machine bundled. Now, as is often the case with free versus paid synth plugins, it’s a case of patiently going through the presets to find what you’re after, instead of expecting every single sound to blow your mind. But when you find a sound that resonates with you, the Alchemy magic happens, and your music turns into gold.

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The Usual Suspects – DSP56300 Emulation

• Genuinely should not be free

• Slightly clunky interface (normal for a free plugin)

You know an EDM synth is free when you have to download it from a domain with WordPress in the title. But don’t allow that to put you off getting a synth VST that sounds far too good not to be charging more than just links to donate via PayPal or (whisper it quietly) cryptocurrency. While some of the presets are analogue emulations, don’t let that trick you into thinking the sounds are old. You can absolutely create some fantastic, modern synth sounds here.

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Newfangled Audio Generate

• Huge sounds with cinematic scope

• Brilliant for both modern pop productions and film scoring

Do you want your music to sound like you’re attempting the mission in Christopher Nolan’s Inception? Then Newfangled Audio’s Generate could be the best EDM synth for you. And, with such huge and high-quality sounds, that £/$50 price tag is looking pretty damn reasonable. Whether you need synths that would work in a low-budget indie film or a Jason Bourne car pile-up, Generate offers a spectacular spectrum of sounds using feedback loops and patterns. If you’re not a budding film composer, the Newfangled sounds are epic for pop, EDM, techno, and other modern genres too.

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Applied Acoustics Chromaphone 3

• One of the best physical modelling synth VSTs out there

• A lot more user-friendly than ‘physical modelling’ might suggest

Chromaphone is an EDM synth that brings the sheer power of physical synth modelling to your DAW. This third iteration of the synth plugin delivers its latest ‘two layers of layers’ feature. In layman’s terms, it means you can achieve huge, stunning sounds by layering the different presets on top of one another. Another powerful feature is coupling the two Resonators of each instrument/preset, which means you are essentially creating a loop of audio and feedback between the two. It’s a synth plugin where you can either keep it user-friendly with the wonderful presets or go under the hood and get extra technical and creative with the sounds.

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u-he Zebra Legacy

• Jaw-dropping presets

• Excellent for almost any genre

A certain Hans Zimmer is a huge fan and user of several u-he software products, and Zebra was used to craft all of the Oscar-winning electronic elements of his Dune score. Also known for the more analogue emulation-leaning Diva, u-he is one of the biggest names in synthesiser VSTs thanks to Zebra. Whether you’re looking for synth sound design or a wealth of beautiful presets, this wild animal could be the only EDM synth VST you ever need, whichever genre you find yourself working in. FM and additive elements give you plenty to get stuck into. It also features four oscillators and four FM oscillators, and full waveshaping, so you may lose countless hours designing the sounds of your dreams.

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Arturia Pigments

• A one-stop-shop with bundled effects on top of presets

• Incredible value

Pigments from Arturia is a powerhouse of an EDM synth VST plugin, ticking a huge number of boxes. The presets are brilliant, while offering enormous variety (from lo-fi to cinematic sounds). And, usually when buying an EDM synth, you’ll need to buy effects such as reverb and delay; but with Pigments, you get a load of bundled effects like a tape machine, reverb and delays, and even sound design. The value on offer from Arturia here is quite astonishing.

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VCV Rack 2 Pro

• Modular synth sounds meet modern production

• A fantastic way to learn modular synthesis

When you cast your mind to the best EDM synths, walls of hardware modular synths might not be the first imagery your thoughts conjure up. While you might associate them more with analogue-style music, here’s the thing about modular synths: they can do anything. VCV Rack 2 Pro recreates these bonkers machines digitally for your DAW. It’s certainly a less bewildering way to get into modular and dip your toe before creating an entire room of the things, and drastically cheaper. Once you get to grips with this synth VST, you’ll see that you can create techno, pop, EDM, and other modern sounds with ease. If you’re just after a straightforward EDM synth with pop-ready presets, this might not be the one for you, but if you’re excited to create never-before-heard sounds, it’s time to rack up.

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Xfer Records Serum

• Modulation capability is very impressive

• Wavetable oscillators are top-notch

If you’ve been toiling to find the best EDM synth to the point of illness, we have the serum for you. Xfer Records’ synth VST, Serum, has been going strong in the game for a good 10 years now, and is well-established as a go-to for producers far and wide. It comes with a wealth of excellent presets, and there are preset packs you can purchase if you somehow get through all the bundled ones. Beyond presets, you can really get under the hood if you wish, with its wavetable editor, a very powerful modulation system, and extensive range of filters. Incredible leads, pads, big basses, and sound FX.

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Native Instruments Massive X

• The best synth offering from Native Instruments

• Modulation is a joyful experience

Native Instruments Kontakt is a weighty name in the expansive world of sample libraries. But it's the Massive X synth plugin that puts the company right into the best EDM synth contention. While Kontakt certainly does offer plenty of great synth sounds, Massive X amps things up to the next level in the EDM synth conversation. Many users report enormous love for the huge bass sounds you can create in the plugin. Modulating the parameters on offer with the drag-and-drop modulation feature, plus six LFOs, three modulation envelopes and more makes EDM synthesis a stunning experience.

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Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2

• A full lifetime’s worth of sounds and presets

• One of the very best sample-based systems

Are you ready to bring omnipotence to your music? If you’ve got a spare $499 to spend on one of the very best EDM synths, Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 will bring you 65GB of sample-based synths which will take you years to get through. Its huge array of stunning sounds and sonic textures make it one of the best EDM synth options on the market. With over 500 analogue waveforms and digital wavetables, Omnisphere 2 also delivers more than 30 types of filters for each of its dual filters. Bundled are 58 fantastic effects, and the granular synthesis engine is fully integrated. You can even import your own content if you’re somehow not content with everything already on offer. Scale of epic proportions and unparalleled sound quality, Omnisphere 2 is an EDM synth VST companion that you could find yourself exploring for many years to come.

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WINNER: Omnisphere 2 blends a massive 65GB library of acoustic samples with advanced wavetable and granular synthesis. It offers dual filters, dozens of effects and the ability to import your own audio, making it a go-to sonic powerhouse for modern producers. - Headliner Awards

EDM synth VST plugins versus modern hardware synths

Despite the never-ending debate about whether physical analogue synths or digital synths are better, digital VSTs are increasingly sophisticated emulations, making the distinction often imperceptible to listeners. While hardware offers the irreplaceable tactile experience (there’s nothing quite like playing a hardware synthesiser), synth VSTs provide a brilliant, reliable, and quick toolkit for modern producers working in the box, contrasting with analogue equipment's potential for repairs. The choice between digital and traditional hardware depends on desired sounds, budget, and production workflow, and is ultimately yours to make. But there’s no doubt that both offer the undeniable joy of synthesis.