Parsec vs Razor or Loom2

[DukeBella]

Hi
Looking for some thoughts on additive synths and how Parsec compares to VSTs in the market (there's no many out there!!).

Razor still looks slick even though it's over a decade old. Plenty of Razor soundbanks and presets available too.

Loom2 has a terrible interface (IMHO) a great looking automation tool built in. No soundbanks that I can find.

Anyone done any head to head comparison on how Parsec stacks up against the "competition"?

[LABONERECORDINGS]

We can take a look, be interesting to see the differences, of course interfaces are the first thing (yes Loom does look literally like a bit chaotic but might be easier once we get into the flow, been a while). Razor is oh yes quality synth for certain.

Will do a few tests to see if they can mimic the same sounds or if one synth overpowers the others in sound quality as well as efficiency and ease-of-use.

[gkillmaster]

Maybe I shouldn't comment cause I haven't used Parsec outside of a demo for a bit, but I love both Loom II and Razor a lot. I lean towards Razor. I always love using it and am amazed at the depth of functionality. And I personally love the GUI. One of my favorites. Makes me see how visual feedback can add to creating sounds!

One thing to note about Loom II is that it stopped being supported after the update in 2021 and there never was a VST3 version of it. It may not run on newer Mac OSes and will likely not be updated again.

For what it's worth.

O, and I think Loom II may require iLok.

[huggermugger]

Don't forget Spectra, a powerful additive RE that is FREE.

https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... nthesizer/

[huggermugger]

I would say Parsec has the easiest UI of the three. Typical RE feature set, mod matrix, no hidden pages. But one thing it lacks is a realtime spectral display, which some users would find useful. Both Razor and Loom show the spectrum as it plays and evolves.

There are a couple of Loom expansion packs at PluginBoutique. But Loom already ships with 850 patches, no small number. It also has a full-patch randomizer that doesn't generate a lot of garbage. And as you mentioned, the Morph function, which can bring a lot of movement to the sound.

[DukeBella]

Wasn't aware that there were any Loom2 preset banks (will check out Plugin Boutique).
Spotted a couple of non-dubstep Razor preset banks that I like the sound of. Honestly didn't expect Razor to sound quite like this.

Razor has the edge right now, as I am shallow and easily swayed by a pretty GUI

Looks like I am going to have to try the demos and see where things go.

[DukeBella]

Maybe I shouldn't comment cause I haven't used Parsec outside of a demo for a bit, but I love both Loom II and Razor a lot. I lean towards Razor. I always love using it and am amazed at the depth of functionality. And I personally love the GUI. One of my favorites. Makes me see how visual feedback can add to creating sounds!

One thing to note about Loom II is that it stopped being supported after the update in 2021 and there never was a VST3 version of it. It may not run on newer Mac OSes and will likely not be updated again.

For what it's worth.

O, and I think Loom II may require iLok.

The 3D scope on Razor does look good.
GUI still looking good after more than a decade

[Benedict]

Don't forget Spectra, a powerful additive RE that is FREE.

https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... nthesizer/

I second Spectra as I think in many ways it is the most Additive synth in Reason. Real Additive synths are not much fun to use as they require so much work.

Parsec is Additive under but very guided on top. This makes it easier but at the same time takes away what really makes Additive what it can be. Also understand that Europa is essentially the same kind of thinking/process so if you think Additive, you can get similar results - altho not with the spectrum/overtone view.

Jiggery Pokery JPS Harmonic Synthesizer is a neat pair of Additive OSC in a kooky package (as per the orig instrument used by Jarre). It cannot however compete with a modern multi-windowed VST.

[avasopht]

Razor has additive oscillators (as in an actual oscillator for each partial) while I'm pretty sure Parsec and Loom are both spectral synths.

Razor can manipulate its partials on a per-frame basis and at any frequency/phase for each partial (and if they wanted, each partial could itself be any given waveform).

Spectral synthesis is to additive synthesis as sampling is to synthesis.

Spectral synthesis has much more limits on how it can be manipulated in real-time but is not as CPU intensive. Partials are harmonics of the lowest bin and can only be changed once every X frame (where X is the number of partials).

Spectral additive, however, has a number of tricks up its sleeve that Europa makes use of.

...

I'm surprised nobody has created a hybrid that uses additive oscillators to render waveforms to be used as a spectral oscillator. Ditto for a sampler that uses synthesis to create the initial sample that can then be used cheaply as a sample.

[mikasa]

If you’re a Reason user, Parsec integrates seamlessly and provides a well-rounded additive synthesis tool. Razor is still the king of sharp,Incredibox Colorbox Mustard digital tones with a wealth of presets and usability, while Loom II is a powerhouse for those willing to overcome its interface hurdles.