The Best VST Synths for R&B Beats
R&B is all the rage right now. The smooth sounds and the sexy atmospheres of this genre is an interesting counterpoint to the edgier angles of trap, or the cheesier aspects of pop. There are different tangents that are popular in modern rhythm and blues beats, but a track wouldn’t be entirely crazy-sexy-cool without some dope synth sounds. Gliding pads, creamy leads, digital keys… If you’re thinking of producing your own R&B tracks, you’re gonna have to get yourself some inspiring synth, there’s no getting around it. Lucky for you, I have your back with some of the best and most creative instruments out there. You can even cut to the end of this post if you’d like some free option. So put on your silkiest pyjamas and read on.
Synplant | Sonic Charge
Starting with one of the craziest synths on this list, Synplant by Sonic Charge is a pretty complex package despite its deceptively simple interface. Inspired by the fabric of DNA, this synth lets you create synth sounds and texture by growing strands of synthesis and cloning them at your will.
Not gonna lie, this one has a learning curve. But some cool presets and a somewhat intuitive workflow will probably yield some very interesting results. Or get you out of a creative rut if that's what you need.
Analog Lab V | Arturia
In terms of bang-for-buck, Analog Lab V takes the cake. To understand how powerful this little monster is, you have to know that Arturia also offers the V Collection, a gargantuan collection of faithful recreation of pretty much all the cool vintage synths in the world. And Analog Lab is basically the cliff notes to this library of Alexandria.
Offering thousands of presets from every instrument in the V Collection, Analog Lab V is as much a hub of creation as it is a VST synth. The only drawback is that the possibilities for programming are limited if you don't own Arturia's synth bundle, but if you're like me and your definition of sound design is flicking through presets, this might be the only VST you ever need.
Pigments | Arturia
If you like Analog Lab and want to expand your sound palette a little bit, I'd start with Pigments. Unlike a lot of Arturia's synth VSTs, this wavetable synth is completely original, in every sense of the word.
I could go into details about this one, but I'd rather tell you how it feels to use it. The interface is very fun and comprehensive, while the sounds it produces can be warm, weird and wild. Circling through presets, you'll find a mix of synthetic tones, concrete noises and lush effects.
Completely modern, Pigments doesn't really sound like anything else on the market, which is why it might be a good tool to let you sound like you. It's not the most versatile instrument on this list, but it is very interesting.
Playbox | Native Instruments
I might be wrong, but I feel like originally, a lot of synth VSTs were trying to imitate or reproduce the past. Luckily, as technologies evolve, I find there's more and more creative plugins that transcend classic instruments to develop a workflow of their own.
Playbox is one of these irreverent instruments that redefines the way people create synth sounds. Highly intuitive, you can easily create totally original sounds through a smart mix of randomisation, multi-samples layering and chord generation.
If Synplant is a bit too nerdy for you, Playbox might be a good entry point in the universe of bonkers VSTs.
Kontakt | Native Instruments
Another gem from Native Instruments, Kontakt isn't so much a synth as it is perhaps the most powerful sampler in the world today.
That being said, if you get the full licence, you'll get a bunch of synth instruments, and then a lot more than what you bargained for.
Kontakt comes with more gigs of acoustic and electronic instruments that you can handle. This is a great tool for R&B since you might want pro-sounding acoustic instruments, and Kontakt as everything from awesome pianos to electric guitars and basses. You can even use a line of products designed by OVO's illustrious producer Noah "40" Shebib.
Kontakt is an industry standard for a reason. If you're looking for an all-rounder pick to take your arrangements to the next level, look no further.
SynthMaster 2 | KV331
If you're a fan of future R&B and you'd like to explore some more expansive synth sounds, there's always SynthMaster 2. Considered by many as the synth to end all synths, no wonder it's probably the favorite synth of your favorite electronic music producer.
For huge EDM and pop sounds, and let's be honest, all kinds of delightfully cheesy patches, this is the right tool for the job. Listen to some demos and ask your doctor if SynthMaster 2 is right for you. (And by doctor, I mean a nerd who has a doctorate in sound synthesis, of course.)
Opal Morphing Synth | UAD
Many UAD mix plugins are the definitive choice for many producers and engineers. That being said, they used to come at a high price because you needed a special DSP to use them, and those babies aren't cheap.
Big news though, Universal Audio has recently launched a whole bundle of products that you can now slather all over your sessions without having to be tethered to a bunch of bulky processors.
One of these plugins is Opal, which they call a “morphing synth”, as if that’s a thing. Seriously, though, it is a pretty cool tool that lets you glide between waveforms, among many swaggy features.
It's a great one to have in your arsenal if you like future R&B from artists like Bryson Tiller or Summer Walker.
SubLab XL | Future Audio Workshop
Making R&B is all fun and games, but if you don't have a good synth bass, you might as well be making Drake covers in Mario Paint's music composer.
Pretty much every synth I've mentioned in this list has plenty of bass to keep you on your toes for the rest of time, but if you're looking for something a little more dedicated, SubLab XL might be the VST for you.
From sick 808s to dark reese basses, this one has it all. A new addition to my collection, it has become a personal favorite.
MODO Bass 2 | IK Multimedia
If synth bass isn't for you and you want to unleash your inner Bernard Edwards with a VST that offers all the tones and nuances an electric bass has on deck, get yourself MODO Bass 2.
The intro version is free and contains most of the classic electric bass sounds you need. The full version offers an incredibly wide range of sound. Anything from upright bass to fretless.
Free synths
I firmly believe that you don't need to spend your hard earned cash on VSTs to make dope music. There are plenty of cool free synths out there. The first one that comes to mind is of course Vital, which has the attitude of some of my favorite paid synths. Surge is one of the synths I started on, and a lot of people have complimented me on sounds I've made with it.
TAL-NoizeMaker and Tyrell N6 are some pretty amazing instruments that deserve a spot in your VST folder, even if you have all the money in the world. If you like vintage synths, there's probably a free clone of your favorite keyboard somewhere out there, while IK Multimedia's Syntronik 2 CS is a decent alternative to Analog Lab V.
It can also be a good idea to go back to basics and see what you can produce with the plugins that come with your DAW of choice. In most cases, there are probably some very powerful engines that hide in every corner of your workstation.