7 Best Synth Plugins For Trance Producers 2025

I have compiled a list of the best synths for trance-based sounds like pads, ambient synths, atmospheric drones, punchy bass lines, arpeggiated lines, etc.

Ah, trance, a genre where we make people cry on the dancefloor and feel like they’re ascending to another dimension (even if they’re just in a small club with sticky floors). Trance is a special genre that requires special tools, and with the right elements, you can hit the right notes easily and comfortably.

I’ve waded through countless plugins to find the ones that actually deliver the shimmering pads, razor-sharp leads, and hypnotic arpeggios that define trance music and realized the right sample packs and plugins can save you a load of time. Plus, I know what it’s like to spend hours tweaking settings only to end up with a sound that could pass as a ringtone from 2005.

So, I made an effort to write this article for my fellow producers who want to explore trance or add specific trance elements to their music. These synths can give you everything from those ambient pads and atmospheric sounds to punchy leads, plucks, consciousness-numbing arpeggiators, etc.

1. reFX Nexus 5

Nexus 5 is the kind of synth plugin that’s complex but won’t make you feel like it, as it gives you a simple menu of sounds and presets but packs an almost absurd level of power under the hood. 

I swear, Nexus 5 is ridiculously easy to use, it’s like the presets just know what you need before you even touch a knob! Nexus has always been the king of presets, and version 5 keeps that throne polished with 5000+ sounds across 26 categories. And it’s not just a pretty preset machine, it packs a punch with FM synthesis, wavetable synthesis, granular synthesis, and more.

FM gives you those snappy, plucky textures, while wavetable opens up a universe of sound possibilities. But honestly? With Nexus, you might never need to tweak a thing—just slap on a preset, and you’re golden.

• Multi-Layered Sound Design

This bad boy lets you layer up to four oscillators per patch, meaning your sounds can have depth for days.

What I love is that each oscillator can run a virtual analog waveform, a sample, or both. That means you can cook up lush, evolving pads that stretch into infinity—perfect for those emotional breakdowns and cinematic transitions.

• Sampler Integration

Yup, you can drag and drop your own samples into the plugin and mess around with auto-normalization, looping, and crossfading like a sound design wizard.

Say you find a sweet vintage synth note, you can turn that single sound into a full-on multi-sampled pad with velocity layers. I love how this combo of sampling and synthesis makes Nexus 5 a sound-design playground without the usual headaches.

• Expansions Galore

Nexus has always been the king of expansions, and version 5 lets you access all your existing packs while throwing in fresh new ones like Classic Trance, Trance Leads, Trance Anthems, Trance Elements, and more. If you’re a trance lover, these packs are basically a cheat code for pro-level productions.

And let’s talk about built-in effects—you get Space Reverb with Shimmer (cue dreamy, cinematic vibes), Delays and Choruses to make those arps shimmer, and filters with advanced routing options to create those iconic filtered buildups every trance producer swears by.

And guess what? Even with all this firepower, Nexus 5 is super CPU-friendly. You can stack layers, automate parameters, and build massive patches without your computer turning into a toaster.

reFX Nexus 5 is compatible with VST, VST3, or AAX host software and is compatible with Windows 10 and newer and macOS 10.13 and later operating systems. 

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2. LennarDigital Sylenth1

Sylenth1 is the OG of trance synths and has stood the test of time, proving that great design and sound never go out of style.

I’ve been using Sylenth1 for years, and you know what? I still reach for it. Sure, newer synths come packed with fancy, next-gen features, but Sylenth1 holds its ground with simplicity, pristine sound, and legendary status—especially among trance producers.

This LennarDigital classic is lightweight, easy to use, and delivers that iconic trance sound without making you jump through a million menus. If you’re after sharp plucks, soaring leads, or warm pads, this synth gets the job done without drowning you in unnecessary bells and whistles.

• Supersaws and Leads That Sing

Sylenth1’s oscillators were made for lush, wide supersaws and cutting leads that slice through a trance mix like a hot knife through butter.

With 4 oscillators per patch and up to 8 unison voices per oscillator, you can stack and layer your way to those massive, euphoric leads that define the genre. Whether I’m crafting uplifting anthems or darker progressive vibes, the pitch modulation and unison features always come through for those piercing leads that refuse to get buried in the mix.

• Trance-Ready Presets

Sylenth1 is stacked with presets tailored for trance, and at this point, its soundbanks are basically industry staples.

Need plucky sequences, driving basslines, or lush pads? They’re all there—ready to drop straight into your mix. This synth doesn’t just sound good; it gives you the tools to make a radio-ready trance without overcomplicating things.

• Built-In Arpeggiator

To be honest, I think trance without arps is like coffee without caffeine. Sylenth1’s built-in arpeggiator is an absolute lifesaver for crafting hypnotic, evolving sequences.

It’s ridiculously easy to use and delivers tight, rhythmic patterns that instantly elevate your track without needing an external MIDI effect.

• Analog-Style Filters

Sylenth1’s low-pass and band-pass filters bring smooth, analog-style warmth, which is crucial for those legendary filtered buildups and breakdowns.

I’m constantly automating the cutoff and resonance to build up huge risers and carve out dramatic transitions. These filters add so much character and depth that I basically use them on every track.

• CPU-Friendly Design

Even with all this power, Sylenth1 is crazy lightweight, meaning you can stack as many layers as you want without your computer screaming for help.

I’ve built full arrangements with huge leads, dreamy pads, deep basslines, and effects, all running smoothly. No freezing tracks, no lag, just instant inspiration.

LennarDigital Sylenth1 is available in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats and is compatible with Windows 7 and later and MacOS 10.9 or higher operating systems. 

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3. Tone2 Icarus3

I would not reduce the Icarus 3 to just a wavetable synthesizer because, honestly, it’s kind of way more than that in the best way possible.

Not only do you get a 3D wavetable workflow, but Icarus 3 also packs a mind-blowing 65 different synthesis modes. Yeah, you read that right, sixty-five. Whether you’re into classic subtractive, granular, FM, speech synthesis, or something totally experimental, this thing has you covered. It can truly be considered as a great trance VST synth.

• Customizable, Layered Sound Design

This synth thrives on complexity but doesn’t throw it in your face. You’ve got three oscillators, 256 waveforms, and the ability to layer wavetables, samples, or both, meaning your pads can sound as lush as a dream.

And get this; you can import your own waveforms and samples. Just drag in a random sample, let the resynthesis engine work its magic, and boom, you’ve got a completely unique sound ready to drop into your track. Honestly, Icarus 3  islike having a sound-design cheat code.

• Built-In Goodies for Trance

Trance heads, this one’s for you, this VST synth comes loaded with 2,000+ presets, covering everything from sparkling arpeggios and dreamy pads to thunderous basslines.

And the built-in arpeggiator and drum sequencer? Ridiculously good. I’ve even found myself rethinking my workflow after messing with them. Plus, the glitch sequencer is an absolute beast for adding those chopped-up, unpredictable textures that give tracks an extra edge.

• CPU-Friendly Powerhouse

For all the wizardry happening under the hood, Icarus 3 runs shockingly light on the CPU. You can stack layers, automate parameters, and go full-on modulation madness without your computer turning into a melting furnace.

And let’s talk aesthetics, 37 skins, 8K monitor support, and a fully customizable interface… Yep, you can make it look as slick as your sounds.

As a trance producer, this synth ticks all my boxes. It’s perfect for atmospheric pads that swallow the room, punchy basslines that drive the track, and shimmering arps that breathe life into your leads.

And with that resynthesis engine and wavetable editor, I can push sound design as far as I want; no limits, just pure creativity.

Tone2 Icarus3 is available in VST3 and AU plugin formats and is compatible with Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.12 and later operating systems. 

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4. VPS Avenger 2

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a single synth plugin that does everything, and I mean everything except maybe brewing your coffee, then VPS Avenger 2 is the one.

One of Avenger 2’s biggest flexes? It can handle multiple synthesis types like it’s nothing: Subtractive, Wavetable, FM, Granular, Additive, you name it, it’s in here. And it doesn’t just offer these, it makes them ridiculously easy to use.

That means you can go from crafting a classic supersaw lead to gritty FM basslines for a tech-trance slammer without breaking a sweat. Feeling wild? Mix granular textures with resampled vocals and see where it takes you, Avenger’s got your back.

And the oscillator section? Pure freedom. Draw your own waveforms, tweak harmonics, and drop in custom samples, cause this thing is basically a sound design playground.

• Enjoyable Interface

Avenger 2’s layout is chef’s kiss, everything important is right there on the main screen.

No getting lost in deep-menu purgatory, just quick access to oscillators, filters, modulation, and effects. 

Whether I’m tweaking filters, layering oscillators, or going full-on modulation madness, it all feels snappy, intuitive, and fun.

• Built-In Drum Sequencer

Unlike most synths, Avenger 2 throws in a fully functional drum sequencer.

You get preloaded drum kits built for specific genres (yep, trance included), so you can program tight, intricate drum patterns directly inside the synth. 

You can even import your own samples, tweak them to perfection, and route individual drums to separate mixer channels for deeper processing in your DAW.

• Mind-Blowing Effects Rack

The effects section? Absolutely bonkers.

With 8 slots per rack and the ability to stack multiple racks, you can build some insane processing chains. Classic reverb and delay? Check. Quantum effects and distortion? Also check. If you love experimenting, this is gold.

• The Arpeggiator: A Trance Producer’s Tool

Now let’s talk about the arpeggiator, because it’s my favorite feature here.

You get 8 individual arps, so you can program everything from hypnotic melodies to complex polyphonic madness. 

The ratchet feature gives you rapid-fire note repeats, while the randomizer keeps things fresh with endless variations.

• Zones Tab

Another standout feature is the Zones Tab, which lets you assign specific oscillators or drums to different keyboard zones.

I think this is a real game-changer if you’re performing live or want to build intricate, multi-layered tracks.

And let’s not forget the massive preset library, as you’re covered with trance-ready supersaws, lush pads, and plucks, making inspiration instant. 

Plus, the drag-and-drop modulation system makes assigning LFOs, envelopes, and modulators effortless, so you can go as deep as you want without feeling lost.

VPS Avenger 2 is available in VST, VST 3, AU, and AAX plugin formats and requires a minimum of Windows 7 or Mac OSX 10.13 operating systems.

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5. Newfangled Audio Generate (For beautiful intro pads)

If you’re tired of the same old predictable sounds and want to inject some beautifully unpredictable chaos into your tracks, Generate combines chaotic oscillators with wave folders, modulation galore, and a modular feel to give you one of the most unique sound design tools on the market.

At the heart of Generate lies its chaotic oscillator section, and trust me, it’s wild. You get 5 unique oscillator types, each bringing its own flavor of madness.

Want warm, vintage tones? The Pulsar generator has you covered. Need electrifying, buzzing energy? That’s Discharge. Feeling extra weird? The Turbine generator spits out unpredictable alien soundscapes straight from another dimension. 

This oscillator section sits bold for sound design, and I love how easy it is to get lost in it.

And then there’s the Chaos Amount and Chaos Shape controls. These let you morph sounds from clean sine waves to absolute sonic insanity, perfect for evolving pads, aggressive leads, or textured atmospheres. It’s like controlled chaos… or total mayhem, depending on how far you push it.

• Wave Folding and Sculpting

Generate features three wave folder options, adding rich harmonics and transforming basic waveforms into intricate, dynamic textures. The Bukla-inspired 259 wave folder offers sharp and jagged harmonics, while the Animated wave folder delivers ethereal motion, and the Fractal wave folder ventures into extreme harmonic complexity.

Controls like Drive, Folds, Symmetry, and Shape make it easy to customize and add depth to your sounds, making this a perfect tool for designing trance elements that stand out.

• Powerful Modulation and Effects

What makes Generate truly shine is its deep modulation system. With two ADSRs, two LFOs, a sample-and-hold module, and an 8-step sequencer, you can route virtually anything to anything. Modulating chaos parameters, wave folding, or effects adds movement and life to your patches, perfect for keeping trance tracks fresh and engaging.

And the effects? No shortcuts here. You get a 4-band EQ, chorus, delay, reverb, and limiter, all designed to shape your sound without extra plugins.

The reverb alone is a beast, with lush tails and deep modulation options—perfect for crafting expansive atmospheres that stretch beyond the speakers.

Overall, Generate takes traditional trance leads, basslines, and pads and flips them on their head.

The wave folders and deep modulation options let you push boundaries and create sounds that stand out in a sea of generic presets. If you want bold, unique textures that evolve with movement, this one’s a must-try.

Newfangled Audio Generate is available in AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 plugin formats and is compatible with macOS 10.9+ and Windows 10+ operating systems. 

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6. u-he Hive 2 (Great for arpeggios)

When it comes to creating lush trance soundscapes or electrifying leads without melting your CPU, u-he Hive 2 is the synth plugin to go for.

Hive 2 was way ahead of its time and built for speed. Seriously, the interface is so clean and intuitive that you can just dive straight into sound design, no manual required.

Everything, oscillators, filters, envelopes, and LFOs, is right where you’d expect it, making it ridiculously easy to tweak sounds on the fly without getting lost in endless menus.

• Punchy Oscillators and Supersaws

Hive 2’s two oscillators and sub-oscillators are gold for crafting those classic trance sounds.

When I need lush supersaws for an uplifting anthem or maybe warm plucks for an emotional breakdown? Hive 2 delivers pristine sound quality every time. 

And with wavetable support, you’ve got even more sonic flexibility to push your sound design further.

And then there’s unison mode, with twitch you can stack up to 16 voices per oscillator, meaning huge, stereo-filling sounds are effortless. Just dial it in, and boom, instant width, depth, and power.

• Filters That Sing

Filters are the secret power of trance, and Hive 2’s state-variable filters are smooth as butter.

With options like low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and more, you can sculpt everything from gentle sweeps to aggressive resonance peaks. 

Hive 2 even throws in analog-modeled filters, adding that warm, musical character that makes a synth feel alive.

• FX Section for Polished Sounds

Hive 2 doesn’t skimp on built-in effects, you get everything needed to polish your sounds right inside the plugin.

From delays and reverbs for massive, spacious pads to chorus and distortion for gritty leads, the FX are top-tier. They’re easy to dial in, sound incredible, and ensure your patches are mix-ready from the start.

And if that wasn’t enough, Hive 2 packs 2,400 factory presets, a resizable interface, and even audio monitoring and visualization tools to enhance workflow and usability. Hive 2 can be considered as a great trance synth VST.

u-he Hive 2 is available in CLAP, AU, VST2/3, and AAX plugin formats and is compatible with Mac OS X 10.10 or newer, Windows 7 or newer, and Linux operating systems. 

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7. Tone2 Saurus 3

If you’ve ever wanted the warm, authentic sound of analog synthesizers without the cost, weight, or maintenance headaches, Tone2 Saurus 3 trance VST is the answer.

Unlike analog emulations, Saurus doesn’t just mimic imperfections but builds on them to create a larger sonic range.

Its oscillators are loaded with PWM, Sync, Noise, Ringmod, AM, and FM, allowing you to craft everything from analog classics to unique, futuristic textures. Even better, Saurus allows you to apply pulse-width modulation to any waveform, not just squares, giving you a lot of flexibility.

• Analog-Modeled Filters

Modeled after iconic analog circuits, I love those filters in the plugin offer the lush warmth and screaming resonance you’d expect from vintage hardware.

With self-oscillation, FM, feedback, and analog-modeled distortion, you can add grit and character to your sounds with ease.

• Creative Arpeggiator and Modulation

In my experience, Saurus 3 takes arpeggiation to the next level with its customizable arpeggiator, featuring swing, chords, and per-step velocity control.

That allows you to craft anything from simple rhythmic patterns to complex, evolving sequences. The drag-and-drop modulation system and flexible modulation matrix let you assign LFOs, envelopes, and more to almost any parameter.

• Studio-Quality Effects and Microtuning

Saurus comes equipped with 4x stereo unison and a suite of high-quality effects, including chorus, delay, reverb, and tube amp, to polish your sounds directly within the plugin.

I enjoyed the micro tuning capabilities, as they add subtle analog drift to make your chords fatter and warmer, while real-time tuning enhancement ensures harmonically rich, lush chords without additional effort.

With 1,022 presets, you get or can create everything from hypnotic basslines to lush pads, sharp leads, and everything you need for a trance song.

Tone2 Saurus 3 is available in VSTi, Audio Unit (AUi), VST3, Standalone, and Universal Binary plugin formats and is compatible with Windows Vista or newer, macOS 10.12 and later, and Linux with WINE operating systems.

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