Tracktion/Dawesome Kult$129
From the brilliant and warped mind of Dawesome (aka Peter V) comes a synth that stands out from most of our choices by trying very deliberately to do something different. Here we get ‘Strangely Attractive’ oscillators, and a fantastic UI that makes AM and FM synthesis easy. Throw in some mad modulation and you can see – and hear – a synth come alive in front of you.
FabFilter Twin 3€129
This might be the latest update of a synth originally released in 2005, but its UI, sound and easy workflow still give it a cutting-edge