Good VST synths that are also affordable.

[Castleview]

I'm looking for some quality VST synths that I can use to make some great soundscapes. I'm looking for something that's great but cheap, particularly below $100 and even better if it's $50 or lower.

BTW, this is just supposed to be about soft synths. I'm saying that only because the converter topic got so carried away into other things. 

[Castleview]

Any other suggestions? I'll definitely look into Alchemy.

[El culto]

http://www.cakewalk.com/products/rapture/

Excellent sound quality and very flexible + great arppegiator

[Scott M2]

Both Alchemy and Rapture are very good recommendations.

I used Rapture until buying Alchemy and never went back as I prefer the interface - but I was just talking to Jamie about spending some time with Rapture again.

[Castleview]

Thanks.

[phobos]

Check these out, highly recommended
http://www.hgf-synthesizer.com/

[petekelly]

Synplant - you never know what you might get !
Brilliant interface, limited sound scope, but I think that's actually in it's favour.

http://soniccharge.com/synplant

Our Brian digs it as well !

[petekelly]

I bought it as I saw a documentary about Eno and he was extolling the virtues of the synth.
Whatever you may think of his music, Eno knows a great deal about sound and production, so his recommendation made me try it out.

It's far from a toy or 'silly', it's a perfectly valid alternative to any other kind of standard interface.