Best VST Synth Plugins Released in 2015 (Chronological)

We’ve picked some of the best VST synth plugins that attracted our attention in 2015. We’ve sorted all synth plugins in chronological order of the release – not to be confused with a “top list”. Each of these plugins is unique, each brings something new, so many of them are worth your attention if you are looking to get a new virtual synthesizer. Most of these plug-ins are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Remember that these plugins are not free!

So, let’s see the best synth plugins launched in 2015:

Circle² by FAW

(Released in April 2015)

Circle² by Future Audio Workshop (FAW) is a great synth plugin that gets a fairly consistent upgrade compared to the previous version, Circle 1 launched back in 2009. Circle² incorporates several new features, new effects and new modules and a completely redesigned user interface.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU, AAX, Standalone)

More Details/Buy Link: Circle² 

Omnisphere 2 by Spectrasonics

(Released in April 2015)

Omnisphere 2 is is the flagship and award-winning synthesizer, a powerful and versatile synth virtual instrument. Omnisphere 2 brings some new improvements and new features like the Audio Import that allow you to add your own audio files and use them as a sound source. Also Omnisphere 2 features new creative tools like Granular Synthesis, Harmonia, Innerspace, 8 New Filter Types, a Polyphonic LFO, Modulation Envelopes, and many others.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU, AAX, RTAS)

More Details/Buy Link: Omnisphere 2

Saurus 2 by Tone2

(Released in April 2015)

Saurus 2 is a virtual analog synthesizer for Windows and Mac featuring a completely reworked synthesis engine, over 260 additional patches plus a patch browser. Also, Saurus 2 brings a new redesigned, and more comfortable user interface compared with the previous version.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU)

Buy Link: Saurus 2

Rapture Pro by Cakewalk

(Released in April 2015)

Rapture Pro is a performance synthesizer plugin released for Windows and Mac. According to the developer, Rapture Pro is the most advanced synth plugin that they ever produced. Rapture Pro combines algorithmic and sample-based synthesis in an intuitive design for any music producer and sound designer. Rapture Pro includes almost 1000 new sounds. You can easily found your needed sound using the new Dedicated Browser feature.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU)

More Details/Buy Link: Rapture Pro

Nave by Waldorf

(Released in May 2015)

Nave is an advanced wavetable synthesizer instrument for Windows and Mac that features 2 independent powerful wavetable oscillators, two ring modulators, 3 envelopes, 2 LFOs, 10 modulation matrix entries, effects such as reverb, modulation delay, and much more great features that will cover all your sound design cravings. Nave is a phenomenal playground for sound creation creativity.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, VST3, AU, AAX)

More Details/Buy Link: Nave

Heartbeat by Softube

(Released in June 2015)

Heartbeat is a drum synthesizer developed by Softube and it’s among the few of its kind launched in 2015. This classic drum virtual synthesizer comes with a unique sound character featuring 8 channels of drum sounds with volume control, effect sends, and panning for each channel.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, VST3, AU, AAX)

More Details/Buy Link: Heartbeat 

Syn’X 2 by XILIS-Lab

(Released in June 2015)

Syn’X 2 is a poly-timbral (multitimbral) synthesizer plugin inspired by a legendary Italian Synthesizer from the ’80s for the synthesis part, while the multilayer card-based architecture was inspired by the sophisticated hardware analog synth, the Oberheim Matrix 12. It features 16 oscillators, 32 ADSR envelopes, and Modulation Matrixes, 8 0df Analog Filters, and 300 factory presets.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX)

More Details/Buy Link: Syn’X 2 

Carbon Electra by PluginBoutique

(Released in July 2015)

Carbon Electra it’s a powerful and intuitive synth created by Plugin Boutique. Carbon Electra has been developed as an advanced learning tool also is a powerful and easy-to-program synth plugin. The user interface is very intuitive and comprehensive. It features 4 Oscillators, 6 filter types, a useful FX section, and over 600 factory presets covering sequences, chords, motions, bass, leads, keys, pads, and effects.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU)

More Details/Buy Link: Carbon Electra 

OBSCURIUM by Sugar Bytes

(Released in July 2015)

Obscurium is a highly versatile virtual synthesizer plugin, “a generative synth and timbral organism”. Obscurium can be used to generate vivid harmonics, organic and lively sounds such as spherical pads, bubbly arpeggios, and deadly percussion attacks. It features 8-voice Saw, Pulse, Super-Saw, FM Synthesis, and over 400 excellent presets.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU, RTAS, AAX)

More Details/Buy Link: Obscurium 

SYSTEM-100 PLUG-OUT by Roland

(Released in August 2015)

SYSTEM-100 PLUG-OUT is a modern reproduction of the legendary semi-modular hardware mono-synth SYSTEM-100, from 1975. Roland managed to create a perfect virtual replica of SYSTEM-100 sound and behavior.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU)

More Details/Buy Link: SYSTEM-100 PLUG-OUT 

Strobe2 by FXpansion

(Released in September 2015)

Strobe2 is “a modern classic, reimagined” software poly-synth built on the original’s realistic analog modeling and deep but intuitive synthesis. Strobe2 comes with over 900 presets to get you started effects but also it can be used to create new sounds, everything from raw vintage tones to futuristic sound. Also, Strobe2 comes with a scalable vector interface for Retina in 4K modern displays.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU, AAX64, RTAS)

More Details: Strobe2 

FALCON by UVI

(Released in October 2015)

FALCON is the most complete hybrid synth instrument available on the Internet. It features 15 highly-optimized oscillators, AHD, Analog ADSR, Attack Decay, DAHDSR, Drunk, LFO, Multi Envelope, and Step Envelope modulation generators and over 80 high-quality FX. Besides all this, Falcon gives you access to modify its code using the built-in visual code editor. In this way, you can create custom Event processors or new instruments.

Compatibility: Windows and Mac 32/64-bit (VST, AU, AAX, Standalone)

More Details/Buy Link: FALCON

Retrologue 2 by Steinberg

(Released in December 2015)

Retrologue 2 is the second version of Steinberg’s virtual analog synthesizer, which now comes with more oscillators, more new presets and filter types plus a new Resonator, and a programmable Arpeggiator. Featuring 3 virtual analog oscillators, “Retrologue 2 emulates the sound of analog circuitry and its associated warmth”. If you want to try this synthesizer plugin, a 30-day trial version is available on the official product page.

Compatibility: Windows and MAC (VST, VST3, AU)

More Details/Buy Link: Retrologue 2

You may also check:

• Best Software Synthesizers of 2016
• 10 Best Virtual Drum Plugins
• Best Analog Synthesizers Emulation Plugins