LennarDigital Sylenth1 synthesizer: features and spec-based rating

LennarDigital’s Sylenth1 is a virtual-analog synthesizer with four oscillators (the part that makes the waveform that is the source of the sound) and two filters. It comes with more than 2,500 presets, an arpeggiator and seven built-in effects, and the manufacturer explains that it is built to keep the CPU load low.

A synthesizer is an instrument that makes sound electronically. You use it for the melodies, accompaniment and sound effects of a song.

In this article we compare Sylenth1 with 13 synthesizers and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SoundBounty may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and sale information are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Summary

Among the 13 synthesizers, Sylenth1 is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 3.0.

Strengths

• Ready-to-use sounds (4 points): it comes with many sounds, so you can use them just by choosing.

Things to keep in mind

• Range of sound design (2 points): sound is mainly made by one method.
• Help with sound design (2 points): you need to know how a synthesizer works to change a sound.

Who it suits: people who want classic analog-style sounds, quickly chosen from presets.

Main features of Sylenth1

Four unison oscillators and two filters

It has four oscillators that produce analog-style waveforms, and each can stack up to 8 unison voices. There are two filters, and you can choose low-pass, band-pass or high-pass. The manufacturer explains that you can also add analog-like drive.

More than 2,500 presets and built-in effects

It has more than 2,500 presets, which you choose in the built-in preset browser. Besides the arpeggiator, it has seven built-in effects: distortion, phaser, chorus/flanger, EQ, delay, reverb and compressor.

Built to be light

The manufacturer explains that optimized code and automatic shutdown of unused parts keep the CPU load small. MIDI learn lets you assign knobs to external devices.

Where it is useful

• Adding analog-style sounds such as leads and basses to a song
• Switching presets to quickly find a sound that suits the song
• Making a phrase with movement using the arpeggiator

Rating by criterion

Ready-to-use sounds: 4 / 5

We look at the number of presets (ready-made sounds) included from the start.

It includes more than 2,500 presets.

Range of sound design: 2 / 5

We look at how many sound-generation methods (ways of making sound) you can use.

It is one method: virtual analog. Sound is made with four unison oscillators and two filters.

If “range of sound design” matters most to you, Omnisphere 3 and Nexus 5 (5 points) are a better fit.

Help with sound design: 2 / 5

We look at whether there are features (big knobs, randomization and so on) that let you change a sound without detailed knowledge.

It has a built-in arpeggiator and step sequencer, but no macros that move several knobs together and no feature that changes sounds automatically.

If “help with sound design” matters most to you, Omnisphere 3 and Massive X (5 points) are a better fit.

How we score (Synthesizers)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Ready-to-use sounds	Number of presets (ready-made sounds) stated on the official page	Thousands or more	700 or more	400 or more	Fewer than 400, or no number stated	—
Range of sound design	Number of sound-generation methods (ways of making sound) you can use	5 or more methods	3 to 4 methods	1 to 2 methods, with highly flexible routing and modulation	One method, such as analog-style	—
Help with sound design	Features that let you change a sound without detailed knowledge	Both a feature that changes sounds automatically and knobs that adjust many things at once	One of them, plus another aid	Either one, or a simplified screen	Not mentioned on the official page	—

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: quickly preparing sounds that suit your own songs or cover-song backing tracks in a home studio. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Ready-to-use sounds" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information, and the number of presets is the number written on the official page (products that do not state it get a lower score). Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent.

Sylenth1 system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 (32/64-bit) / Mac (macOS 10.9 or later; ARM and Intel)
Plug-in formats	VSTi, AU, AAX
Other	128 MB or more of memory and a CPU that supports SSE

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other synthesizers

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• Diva: features and rating (rank B)
• Phase Plant: features and rating (rank B)
• Omnisphere 3: features and rating (rank S)
• Pigments: features and rating (rank S)