The shortcomings of even the best synthetic reeds available today is their tenancy to be bright (often shrill) compared to cane, and often a less responsive lower end, which can also sound a bit buzzy when compared to natural cane.

The mouthpiece setup, player etc. all factor into this mind you, but those generalities seem to be the biggest bugaboos commonly associated with them.

Fibracell are my synthetics of choice when I use them.

I know I'm responding to an old thread, but I'd like to respond to this post. 

I have been playing the Legere Signatures on my tenor (Durga 8* mpc) and they have been very close to a normal reed in their behavior and intonation for me.  I play mostly R&B, Funk, and some Rock. They sound pretty good and avoiding the quirks of cane is very convenient at times (although I still love a good cane reed). 

However, I really like the projection I get from the Harry Hartmann Carbon Fiber and their new Hemp reeds.   But I have a big problem playing them.  It is almost impossible to play them in tune in the higher register.  (not to mention harder than normal to play in tune across the board)

So I am responding to the above post about them being more of a workout for the chops, in that they play flat unless you apply extra pressure compared to any normal reed.  In my case, it is really dissappointing because I'd love to use them.  I've purchased 5 of them in various sizes and models only to discover the same problem with each.  I cannot play them in tune in the upper register and fairly quickly abandon any attempt out of frustration.  I can get by with the extra chops workout in the lower two octaves but from about high A on up they want to play very flat.  I don't like having to pinch the crap out of my high notes.

If I push my MPC in a quarter inch extra I can play all but the higher register using my normal embouchure pressure, but the upper register is so out of tune that it's not usable that way.  Or, I place my mouthpiece in the normal position and I feel like I have to bite them closed to put them anywhere near correct intonation in the upper register.  The lower registers are fine with just a bit more workout -- harder to keep in tune but feasible with some practice.  But not the upper register.

I don't play with the fully "open embrachure", but more a normal classic approach (but slightly more open).  I think my problem is that the intonation ('more muscle use') issue is exacerbated by my fairly open MPC.  The durga 8* is a 115 facing.  My theory is that a smaller facing would experience less intonation aberation with fiberreeds than my more open facing.  Can anyone confirm?

I am kind of sad because I'd love to play them but it is just not happening.  To overcome the intonation aberation of these reeds on my open mouthpiece seems to be way too much work.  Especially since I can play the Legere Signatures just fine.  They sound good (but less projection) and behave like a normal reed regarding intonation. 

Has anyone found a way to mod these fiberreeds so they have more playable intonation on open mouthpieces?  I'm really curious if others have managed to acclimate to these reeds with an open mouthpiece.  It doesn't seem worth it to me after attempting several times.

Thanks for any feedback.

Doug