Synth / Synapse Audio
DUNE 3
8.6Great
DUNE 3 is Synapse Audio's software synthesizer combining virtual analog, wavetable and FM synthesis with a dual-oscillator-stack architecture.
Plugin comparison
DUNE 3 vs Syntronik 2
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.1Great
Syntronik 2 is IK Multimedia's virtual synthesizer collection using a hybrid sample-and-modeling engine, offered in CS, SE, full, and MAX editions.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, DUNE 3 comes out ahead (8.6). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | DUNE 3 | Syntronik 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $199.99 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.6 | 8.1 |
| Formats | VST2, VST3, Audio Unit (AU), AAX | VST 2, VST 3, Audio Units (AU), AAX, Standalone, 64-bit |
| Synthesis types | Virtual analog (VA), wavetable, and FM synthesis | — |
| Oscillator architecture | Two oscillator stacks with 32 oscillators each, plus a third oscillator; up to 520 oscillators per note with 8x unison | — |
| Filters | Dual multimode filters with insert effects | — |
| Effects | Two master FX busses with 9 high-quality effects each | 71 FX (MAX edition) |
| Modulation | Four graphical envelopes (MSEG), three LFOs, and a dual arpeggiator with MIDI file import | — |
| Presets | More than 1000 patches; patch-compatible with DUNE 2 | Over 5,500 (MAX); over 4,000 (full); 1,000 (SE); 100 (CS) |
| Synths | — | Up to 33 synth models (54 instruments sampled); MAX edition includes all 33 |
| Sound content | — | Over 210 GB (MAX); 80 GB (full); 13 GB (SE); 2.4 GB (CS) |
| Synthesis engine | — | Hybrid sample and modeling synthesis |
| Other features | — | Arpeggiator/sequencer, multi-panel layering, FX rack, up to 400 automation lanes in DAW |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.