7 Must-Have Plugins for Synthwave Music Producers

1. u-he Diva The Analog Emulation Powerhouse

Diva offers authentic analog sound, making it a favorite for synthwave basslines, warm pads, and soaring leads. Its “zero-delay feedback” filter mimics real hardware circuits, creating a rich, organic sound. U-He’s Diva is a powerful synthesizer. It’s a key tool in synthwave music production. Diva can model various classic analog synths. This makes it great for creating rich, nostalgic sounds.

Why You Need It:

• One of the best analog-modeled synths.
• Fat, warm, and lush tones.
• Perfect for classic synthwave bass and leads.

Key features for Synthwave:

• Oscillators: Diva offers five oscillator models based on classic hardware, allowing you to craft complex waveforms with options like pulse, sawtooth and noise.
• Filters: Five filter models provide authentic resonance bahavior thanks to zero delay feedback (ZDF) design.
• Effects: Two stereo effects slots include chorus, phaser, plate reverb, delay, and rotary speaker effects to enhance your sound.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

• Presets: Utilize specialized synthwave presets available for Diva to quickly achieve characteristic sounds
• Modulation: Leverage the extensive modulation options and proessors like invert or lag to add motion and depth
• Performance Optimization: Use multicore processing and render settings wisely to manage CPU usage when running multiple instances of Diva in your project.

By mastering these features with u-he’s Diva, you can create compelling synthwave tracks, that blend vintage charm with modern flair.

2. TAL-U-NO-LX The Best Juno-60 Emulation

If you love the iconic Roland Juno sound, this synth is for you. It captures the lush, chorus-heavy pads, arpeggios, and leads that define synthwave music.

Why You Need It:

• Faithful recreation of the Juno-60
• Simple interface for fast sound design
• Built-in chorus for that classic 80s vibe

TAL-U-NO-LX is a versatile software synthesizer that emulates the iconic Roland Juno 60, making it a staple in synthwave music production. Its ability to produce bright, clean sounds with rich analog textures is ideal for crafting nostalgic synth lines.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Oscillators: Offers sawtooth and pulse waveforms, essential for creating classic synthwave tones.
• Filters: Includes a resonant low-pass filter that can add depth and character to your sounds.
• Presets: Utilize specialized synthwave soundbanks like those from New Arcades or Timecop1983 to quickly achieve characteristic sounds.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Sound Design: Experiment with modulation techniques to create dynamic basslines and leads.
2. Effects Integration: Enhance your sound by incorporating lush reverbs and delays available within the latest versions of TAL-U-NO-LX.
3. Automation: Use automation techniques to add movement and interest to your presets, as shown in tutorials on automating envelopes.

By leveraging these features and techniques with TAL-U-NO-LX, you can craft authentic synthwave tracks filled with retro charm.

3. Serum by Xfer Records The Modern Synthwave Secret Weapon

While Serum is known for EDM, it’s also fantastic for synthwave. Its wavetable synthesis lets you create evolving pads, lush retro leads, and cinematic textures that can blend modern and vintage aesthetics.

Why You Need It:

• Crystal-clear digital sound
• Endless modulation and sound-shaping possibilities
• Huge preset libraries, including synthwave-specific packs

Serum, a powerful wavetable synthesizer from Xfer Records, is increasingly popular among synthwave producers for its versatility and high-quality sound. Despite being modern, Serum can effectively create both vintage and futuristic sounds essential for synthwave.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Wavetable Editor: Allows you to create or import custom wavetables, offering endless possibilities for unique sounds.
• Unison Mode: Enables stacking up to 16 voices per oscillator, perfect for thickening leads and basslines.
• Effects Rack: Includes a range of effects like reverb and delay that are crucial for adding depth to synth lines.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Simplify Wavetables: Use simple shapes with subtle pitch fluctuations to achieve classic synth sounds.
2. Utilize Presets: Leverage specialized synthwave presets available from various sources.
3. Experiment with Modulation: Apply LFOs or envelopes to filters and effects to add dynamic movement typical of synthwave tracks.

By mastering these techniques with Serum, you can craft compelling synthwave music that blends nostalgic elements with modern production capabilities.

4. XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color Create Lo-Fi Vibe

Want to add some tape warmth, vinyl crackle, or VHS-style degradation to your tracks? RC-20 Retro Color is a one-stop shop for vintage processing, making your sounds feel like they were pulled straight from an old cassette tape.

Why You Need It:

• Adds instant nostalgia and warmth
• Multiple saturation and noise effects
• Great for synths, drums, and full mixes

XLN Audio’s RC-20 Retro Color is a versatile effects plugin that adds warmth and texture to modern productions, making it an excellent tool for synthwave music. Its ability to emulate vintage recording equipment helps create the nostalgic feel characteristic of synthwave.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Noise Generator: Adds subtle vinyl crackle or tape hiss to give tracks a retro ambiance.
• Wobble & Flutter: Simulates pitch inconsistencies found in analog playback devices like vinyl records and tape machines.
• Saturation & Distortion: Offers various distortion types to add grit and depth, from mild saturation to intense fuzz.
• Degrader & Bitcrusher: Recreates the sound of vintage digital gear by reducing sample rates and bit depth.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Subtle Application: Use RC-20 subtly on synths or drums to enhance their character without overpowering them.
2. Experiment with Presets: Leverage specialized presets available from sources like ADSR Sounds for quick inspiration[6].
3. Layered Effects: Combine multiple modules (e.g., noise with wobble) for complex textures that evoke nostalgia.

By incorporating these techniques into your workflow, you can effectively use RC-20 Retro Color to infuse your synthwave tracks with authentic vintage charm while maintaining modern production quality.

5. Valhalla VintageVerb The Best Reverb for That 80s Space

For synthwave, a lush reverb is a must. Valhalla VintageVerb stands out as one of the best. It captures classic 80s digital reverbs, making synths sound vast, atmospheric, and dreamy.

Why You Need It:

• Authentic 80s reverb algorithms
• Simple, intuitive interface
• Essential for lush pads, leads, and snares

Valhalla VintageVerb is a versatile reverb plugin that offers a range of classic digital reverb modes, making it an excellent choice for synthwave music production. Its ability to evoke nostalgic sounds from the 1970s and 1980s aligns perfectly with the genre’s retro aesthetic.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Reverb Modes: Offers 22 different algorithms, including Plate, Room, and Concert Hall settings that can add depth and space to your tracks.
• Colors: Provides three color modes—1970s, 1980s, and Now—allowing you to tailor the tone of your reverbs from vintage warmth to modern clarity.
• Mix & PreDelay Controls: Allows precise blending of dry and wet signals along with adjustable pre-delay times for creating distinct spatial effects.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Use Plate Reverbs: The Plate mode is particularly effective on synths due to its bright initial sound and high echo density. Adjust EQ settings if needed to reduce metallic tones.
2. Experiment with Colors: For an authentic synthwave feel, use the 1980s color mode on synths or drums for a brighter reverb quality.
3. Layered Reverbs: Combine VintageVerb with other neutral reverbs like Exponential PhoenixVerb to create a cohesive mix where all instruments seem recorded in the same space.

By leveraging these features and techniques with Valhalla VintageVerb, you can enhance your synthwave tracks with rich spatial textures reminiscent of classic analog recordings while maintaining modern production standards.

6. Waves CLA-76 Compressor Classic Analog Compression

Looking for tight, punchy drums and basslines? The CLA-76 is modeled after the iconic 1176 hardware compressor from the 80s. It adds warmth and punch, perfect for synthwave.

Why You Need It:

• Fast, responsive compression
• Adds vintage warmth and punch
• Great for bass, drums, and leads

The Waves CLA-76 Compressor is a versatile plugin modeled after the classic UREI 1176, renowned for its fast response and tube-like distortion. It’s ideal for synthwave music production due to its ability to add punch and character to drum machines, synthesizers, and other elements.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Fast Response: Handles transients effectively with attack times ranging from 0.1ms to 1ms.
• Program-Dependent Compression: Adjusts compression based on the input signal, making it suitable for dynamic synth lines.
• ALL Button Mode: Provides an extreme compression setting that can aggressively drive drums or synths.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Drum Processing: Use the ALL button mode on drum buses or individual tracks like kick drums to achieve a tight, explosive sound.
2. Synth Enhancement: Apply moderate compression (around 3:1 ratio) with a slow attack (about 0.5 ms) to emphasize transient attacks while maintaining dynamics.
3. Parallel Compression: Mix compressed signals back into your original track using parallel processing techniques to retain dynamics while adding depth.

By leveraging these features and techniques with the Waves CLA-76 Compressor, you can enhance your synthwave tracks with bold dynamics and vintage flair.

7. Soundtoys Decapitator Warm Analog Saturation

Synthwave thrives on warm, slightly distorted sounds. Decapitator provides analog-style saturation and drive. Whether you want subtle warmth or bold distortion, this plugin delivers.

Why You Need It:

• Adds authentic analog grit
• Perfect for bass, leads, and drums
• Great for light tape saturation or heavy distortion

Soundtoys Decapitator is a versatile plugin that adds analog saturation to digital tracks, making it suitable for synthwave music production. Its ability to emulate classic hardware models allows producers to infuse their sounds with warmth and character.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Analog Saturation Models: Offers five distinct models for subtle to extreme saturation effects.
• Punish Mode: Provides an aggressive distortion option ideal for adding grit to synths or drums.
• Mix Control: Allows blending of dry and wet signals, facilitating parallel processing without additional routing.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Basslines & Leads: Use Decapitator on basslines or leads with a moderate setting to add texture without overpowering the sound.
2. Drum Processing: Apply it on drum buses using the ‘E’ style model for enhanced punch while maintaining clarity.
3. Experimentation: Try different settings across various instruments, including percussive elements, and experiment with placement in your signal chain.

By leveraging these features and techniques, you can enhance your synthwave tracks with authentic analog warmth and depth using Soundtoys Decapitator.

8. FabFilter Pro-Q 3 The Best EQ for Polishing Your Mix

A clean mix is vital for professional synthwave. Pro-Q 3 makes EQing simple and precise. It helps clean up muddy lows or boost shimmering highs, making your tracks shine.

Why You Need It:

• Intuitive, visual EQ workflow
• Surgical precision for mixing
• Essential for balancing synth-heavy tracks

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a highly regarded EQ plugin known for its precision and versatility, making it an excellent tool for synthwave music production. Its advanced features allow producers to meticulously carve out frequencies, ensuring clarity and separation in their mixes.

Key Features for Synthwave:

• Precision EQing: Offers precise control over frequency adjustments with a user-friendly interface.
• Dynamic EQ: Allows bands to act as compressors or expanders based on frequency content, useful for managing dynamic range.
• Mid/Side Processing: Enables independent processing of mid (mono) and side (stereo) channels, ideal for enhancing spatiality.

Tips for Synthwave Production:

1. Frequency Carving: Use Pro-Q 3 to remove unwanted frequencies that clash between synths or drums, improving overall mix clarity.
2. Enhancing Resonances: Create resonant peaks using the Tube Resonator preset to add harmonic interest to synth sounds.
3. Stereo Imaging: Apply mid/side processing techniques to enhance the stereo image of your tracks by adjusting low-end bass frequencies centrally while maintaining wider high-end elements.

By leveraging these features and techniques with FabFilter Pro-Q 3, you can refine your synthwave tracks with enhanced precision and depth.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a pro or just starting in synthwave, these plugins deliver that authentic retro sound while staying fresh. From vintage synths to classic drums and effects, this toolkit helps you create your dream neon-drenched soundtracks.