AlgoMusic presents
The M42 Nebula VSTi






The M42 Nebula VSTi represents a new sound set of sonic exploration. Combining algorithmic rhythmic elements, giant pad and space sounds which can be manipulated in real time, as well as a unique warp
function, the M42 brings the quality of virtual instruments to a new level. The M42 is named after the great nebula located in the constellation of Orion.


M42 Nebula VSTi
Feature set

* Two synths, each with 4 mode filter, 2 envelope generators, LFO, Pulsar and a complex modulation matrix.

* synth 1 (DCO) is a virtual analog synth with 5 different waveforms :triangle, saw, square, pulse1, pulse2. It can be independently tuned from synth 2.

* synth 2 (SFO) is a sample oscillator with 5 different types of pad sounds: Fantasy, Analog, Strings, Vintage, and Voices. Both have mono-modes with legato settings and portamento

* Two unique modules: The Pulsar and Arpeggiator which when run together can create complex rhythms and arpeggiation effects. The arpeggiator is very different then the usual arpeggiators as it receives its waveform structure from the LFO and is not dependent on chords played on the keyboard. The Pulsar creates rhythms as well as a sample hold generator. All are synced to the host BPM. ( Beats Per Minute)This design was inspired by Klaus Shultz's timeless electronic music piece called "Totem".

* Global section for each voice: MIDI channel (2 voice multi-timbre)

Bend range for pitch bend wheel, auto-vibrato, (The delay rate has

already been set, so simply entering a value (using the arrow keys)

will provide a smooth vibrato into the sound. However using the Mod wheel will also bring this parameter into play) split hi and low for keyboard split functions.

* Effects section includes stereo chorus, BPM synced X-delay, auto-panner, and mixer.

* Warp module: X-Y joystick with a unique distortion-filter for warping sounds and creating distortion and lead effects.

* 128 presets programmed by Tim Conrardy (a leading sound designer).

=====================

The M42 demo version is also available. The only restriction in the demo is an audio beep every 60 seconds. However, you can still save and load patches! Included is a 128 preset bank by reknown sound designer Tim Conrardy. Also included is a default bank to create your own patches as well as a full manual in HTML format.

The price is only $45.00 USD / 37 Euros
Orders can now be processed using the Share-it! system.

Please visit the download page at http://algomusic.nl
There, you download the demo, the manual, and the blank FXB bank, as well as order a full copy for only $45.00 USD/ 37 Euro !

For more information, visit the products page with MP3 audio examples composed by Tim Conrardy. These examples showcase the capabilities of the M42.

To hear what KvRists say about the M42 (while exploring the demo) go here:

http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40908&sid=1caa0407aa7183f 44aabe10384855851

Explore the furthest spaces of your musical mind with the M42 Nebula Vsti !

Your AlgoMusic Team
http://www.algomusic.nl

ordered

note to jeff. PORT SYNTHEDIT TO MAC

thass what you get for braggin about your pipe organ

vurt wrote:

thass what you get for braggin about your pipe organ

Mr. Leading Sounddesigner, does that synth support 88khz operation (and actually make use of that sampling rate)?

thank you;)

rav

xRAVENx wrote:

Mr. Leading Sounddesigner, does that synth support 88khz operation (and actually make use of that sampling rate)? thank you;) rav

OK ..you make me blush ...I said " A " leading sound designer..as I am not the only one. Lord knows theres some good sound designers here at KvR and Patch Arena.

RE: 88KHZ operation: a good question. The DR does the coding on the synths,and I do the presets,manual and "public figure" so he may know more about it. It is SE, if that answers anything. It does use regular SoundFonts. As a matter of fact, we decided NOT to embedd the SF2 inside it, so you could replace the SF2 that is there with one of your own, and simply rename it.We are going to have an alternate SF2 for download as well, as part of our support for this synth, so we can create new sound sets.

BTW: thanks guys for being patient while we set up the Share-it! thing. Was I glad when our test order went thru!!

TC

nah just teasing, your patches are great

the soundfonts are 44khz I assume? (that would mean 88khz operation would only introduce more aliasing ultimately I suppose)


thanks

rav

vurt wrote:

ordered

Hey! Our first customer...thanks Vurt. Love to hear what you come up with it sometime!

TC

Tim, the M42 is very impressive.

best of luck with the purchases, I'm sure there will be many!

Bruce

It's mine!

Purchased it as soon as I got home and got online.. I was out or I'd have ordered it sooner! It's downloading now.. w00t!

I guess nobody will see me for the rest of the week now. And I suppose I'll be up all night playing with it!

Very interesting synth, I'm not sure it's exactly what I need but I'm tempted...

Also very interested in Stratoblaster, is the beta making any noises we can hear yet?

Yeah, I agree about the presets, they are excellent. I have held alot of resistance to the synthedit world, but it was easier when I was Mac platform only & could not use them Outstanding work like this one go a long way towards deconstructing my ignorant prejudice..that means ,"I like it alot.."

Good work!

edit: I forgot to ask..what's the next Messier object you'll be naming the next synth after? I've seen em all through my big 11 inch..(that's gonna raise some eyebrows..)

sickle666 wrote:

Yeah, I agree about the presets, they are excellent. I have held alot of resistance to the synthedit world, but it was easier when I was Mac platform only & could not use them Outstanding work like this one go a long way towards deconstructing my ignorant prejudice..that means ,"I like it alot.." Good work! edit: I forgot to ask..what's the next Messier object you'll be naming the next synth after? I've seen em all through my big 11 inch..(that's gonna raise some eyebrows..)

11" reflecting? I am GREEN! and I'm saving up to get a 6". Recently picked up astronomy again. Yes..plenty of messier objects as well a NGC objects to make synths with ..amd we were even thinking of doing a series like that.M31 is alrady taken however with Alesis Andromedia, but maybe M51 would be good. Spectactular Galaxy.

RE: Stratoblaster: We have a very good beta, and it sounds excellent, but we want to do improvements. The only problem is the download: it has 60 MB's of samples which would make a huge download, unless we make it available on CD, which might be possible with the Sharit system. We shall see.

The SID synth however would be probably our next synth. We have several others that we have been experimenting with as well. ( with lots of algorithmic elements)Just need to refine them..so this is just the beginning ( is that ELP?_)

TC

60mb is a lot of samples but I'll download it anyway for a really good rhythm / lead guitar monster...

M51..ok, I'm rusty..lemme see..that would be the "Whirlpool Galaxy", eh?

It's been awhile, & as far as size goes, it's like the ladies say:

It ain't the size of the mirror, it's the polish on the parabola

edit: as far as inspiration from the heavens goes..nothing beats "Omega Centuari"..Now THAT would be a synth name to live up to..& for all those who have no idea what we are talking about:

http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/AAO/images/captions/aat089.html

sickle666 wrote:

M51..ok, I'm rusty..lemme see..that would be the "Whirlpool Galaxy", eh? It's been awhile, & as far as size goes, it's like the ladies say: It ain't the size of the mirror, it's the polish on the parabola

Yep: The Whirlpool Galaxy! what a concept for a synth! I can just imagine.

BTW: Be sure to pick up the freeware to go in your AlgoMusic folder with M42 (on the freeware page)ARPY and PhadiZ. Cool little synths!

EDIT: that sure is an impressive Star cluster! That would make a cool concept as well.

TC

O/T

only 10" here and the polish has seen better days
,and with the light pollution round here i thought deep sky objects would be a bit of a challenge.
but i've been looking into using an adapted wecam and this -
http://aberrator.astronomy.net/registax/
Looking at what people have done with this it's pretty incredible and free
- when i get it set up i'll post some images

btw M42, does that mean it'll only work in orion

oh and just ordering now

I hate soundfonts.

Tim,
are there sound design tips'n tricks included in the m42 package (and your messenger number)?

ladies and gentlemen,we are floating in space




without the buzz of the demo version i am in heaven/the heavens

sirens of the soul

check music cafe for details but first track using my new toy

After testing it I have to say that I am impressed, a fantastic synthesizer with a really especial sound, the programming of sounds is very high quality and the patches are all first class !

Now only I need to discover how to assign the modulation wheel and the velocity ( among others ) to some of the parameters...

Congratulations for this great synthesizer and with this price I think you have reached a new record of the "more for less" category.

Saludos

M42?

http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/42.shtml

Bit of a rubbish motorway if you ask me. I'm more of an M62 man meself..over the moors.....

any plans to release an algorithmic midi sequencer type plug in?

Jaybez wrote:

any plans to release an algorithmic midi sequencer type plug in?

sounds like a job for XOXOS !!!

anythng i say at this point will underwhelm. (okay, check link)

aah.. nice synth guys :p

xRAVENx wrote:

Tim, are there sound design tips'n tricks included in the m42 package (and your messenger number)?

Actually: THERE IS! In the manual I have tips and tricks on how to get Totem sounds, a quick start guide and plenty of pics. Let us know what you guys think of the manual, as this was my first one ( well..not true..I did lots of tutorials for Atari-MIDI stuff, if you go to my Atari site)
...and come to think of it: I do not have a messenger number. I get tied up too much on these forums! so thats my chat.

Vurt: can't wait to check out that MP3....doing there now.

Thanks for the comments guys!

TC

Jaybez wrote:

any plans to release an algorithmic midi sequencer type plug in?

Yes...we have one in the works and just needs to be refined. It's a two voice algorithmic synth and sounds very cool.Maybe it will become the M51

But I love Xoxos's work. Sometimes they are rather cryptic ( like Dr T ) but thats what makes them fun.

TC

krraqk wrote:

After testing it I have to say that I am impressed, a fantastic synthesizer with a really especial sound, the programming of sounds is very high quality and the patches are all first class ! Now only I need to discover how to assign the modulation wheel and the velocity ( among others ) to some of the parameters... Congratulations for this great synthesizer and with this price I think you have reached a new record of the "more for less" category. Saludos

Thanks for the comments
RE: Mod wheel and velocity. Good Q. I may have to ask the DR on this, but we do have a CC chart in the manual, so if your sequencer can map CC's to CC's then try that method. I have M42 mapped to my UC-16 and it works well. Nothing like Knobs!

And you hit it on the head with the More for Less concept...that was our goal for this synth,( and all our upcoming products) or..I could use the old Atari saying ( being the Atari fanataic I am) : "POWER WITHOUT THE PRICE "

TC

vurt wrote:

sirens of the soul check music cafe for details but first track using my new toy

Vurt: Very Cool Track! I see you like the WARP stuff on M42. Was the violin M42 as well? If it is..did you use your own SF2?..unless it was a preset..M42 strings? We do have a pretty good String SF2 in there. The drums were great at the end as well. Good job on the vocals mangling :-)Nice Track..and well worth a listen!

TC

Hengy wrote:

O/T only 10" here and the polish has seen better days ,and with the light pollution round here i thought deep sky objects would be a bit of a challenge. but i've been looking into using an adapted wecam and this - http://aberrator.astronomy.net/registax/ Looking at what people have done with this it's pretty incredible and free - when i get it set up i'll post some images btw M42, does that mean it'll only work in orion oh and just ordering now

Yeah: saw this in Sky and Telescope this month...and really caught my interest.I am shopping for a scope now, but can't spend a lot.

Seems like Space and VSTi's go well together..and surprised to see some true "space heads" here!

TC

donkey tugger wrote:

M42? http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/42.shtml Bit of a rubbish motorway if you ask me. I'm more of an M62 man meself..over the moors.....

with Myra...

krraqk wrote:

Now only I need to discover how to assign the modulation wheel and the velocity ( among others ) to some of the parameters... Congratulations for this great synthesizer and with this price I think you have reached a new record of the "more for less" category. Saludos

Ok..got an answer from the DR.:
======
A: The modwheel is not assignable atm, but it will be -most likely- next
update.We'll also add external joystick control for the warpmodule

=====

However as I said before, many hosts allows CC mapping. You will find the CC map for M42 in the manual download.

TC

TC

Quote:

Yeah: saw this in Sky and Telescope this month...and really caught my interest.I am shopping for a scope now, but can't spend a lot.

well i won't upset you by telling you how much i paid for my 10" meade (i rescued it from a skip )


didn't see this in S&T, heard about it from someone who's been using it, but glad to see it's getting publicity

Quote:

and surprised to see some true "space heads" here!

and i like astronomy as well

And what about custom CC map?A 'Midi Learn' maybe or external CC-map file?

MrdR wrote:

And what about custom CC map?A 'Midi Learn' maybe or external CC-map file?

I think MIDI learn has been implemented in SE, but heard it's still in developement, so we decided not to put it in and simply created the CC chart you see in the manual.

However apps like EnergyXT allow you to map whatever CC you want to want to another one. I would look into the details of your sequncer/host and see if it has this feature.

Thanks for the Q's.

TC

Quote:

Ok..got an answer from the DR.: ====== A: The modwheel is not assignable atm, but it will be -most likely- next update.We'll also add external joystick control for the warpmodule ===== However as I said before, many hosts allows CC mapping. You will find the CC map for M42 in the manual download.

hmmm...sad, nothing replaces the control via velocity or aftertouch for some things. I will consider seriously a "free" controller mapping adding to this velocity, key position, aftertouch etc.

I know I can do that remapping with my host (SX 2) but its an unnecessary complication in my opinion, because it is important to keep this information with the patch ( in this aspect Cameleon is an authentic delight )

I hope you will consider it soon.

Saludos

krraqk wrote:

Quote: Ok..got an answer from the DR.: ====== A: The modwheel is not assignable atm, but it will be -most likely- next update.We'll also add external joystick control for the warpmodule ===== However as I said before, many hosts allows CC mapping. You will find the CC map for M42 in the manual download. hmmm...sad, nothing replaces the control via velocity or aftertouch for some things. I will consider seriously a "free" controller mapping adding to this velocity, key position, aftertouch etc. I know I can do that remapping with my host (SX 2) but its an unnecessary complication in my opinion, because it is important to keep this information with the patch ( in this aspect Cameleon is an authentic delight ) I hope you will consider it soon. Saludos

Your absolutly right about aftertouch and velocity. Programming Cameleon right now and see what you mean I wrote the DR on this. We might look into how stable the SE MIDI learn function is. Thank you for the suggs...they are right on!

TC

munchkin wrote:

donkey tugger wrote: M42? http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/42.shtml Bit of a rubbish motorway if you ask me. I'm more of an M62 man meself..over the moors..... with Myra...

ian bradey and myra hindley,they were very very friendly





thanks for the comments on the track tim,no the strings here are cellofan.but yeah the warp feature is fun havent checked all presets yet gimme a chance its a monster
sure i will have more to put up altho im currently listenin to a version of shine on you crazy diamond using 3 nebulas

Has I have already said, this synth is amazing, it sounds like pure and smooth silk, and what for me matters it sounds very musical and inspiring.


Im more and more convinced that its the Tim Conrardy hand the reason for this musicality. I hope you will do more (and more!) patches and SF banks expanding the beautiful sound of this synth.

Well, I have decided to purchase it NOW, but I cant see how to purchase it in the web page!


I am blind or its not possible to buy it?

Saludos

page 1 of this thread direct link to buying synth
you will not regret it

Quote:

page 1 of this thread direct link to buying synth you will not regret it

Thanks but I cant reach the purchase link.

You mean the http://www.algomusic.nl page right?

Im like crazy clicking around all the pages but I dont see any link to the purchase page.

Even clicking in the shareit icon dont do nothing.

It has been removed or what?

Saludos

click the buy icon to the left of the share it logo

I like this

ordering now

those crazy Dutchmen hey, they know their business

(erg leuke synth, ik had nog geen vaste pad synth, bedankt )

Incomprehensibly in IE do not appear the "buy it" icon, I have had to launch mozilla to be able to see it!

Now all is ok the only problem is that my credit card expired the first day of April 8(

Seems that I need to go to my bank...

Thanks for your help.

Saludos

krraqk wrote:

Incomprehensibly in IE do not appear the "buy it" icon, I have had to launch mozilla to be able to see it! Now all is ok the only problem is that my credit card expired the first day of April 8( Seems that I need to go to my bank... Thanks for your help. Saludos

worked fine in IE here..

>>The M42 is named after the great nebula located in the constellation of Orion.

Yeah right. Obviously, the "M42" is a reference to the old Pentax screw mount lenses, to give the synth a hint of retro-cool.

krraqk wrote:

Has I have already said, this synth is amazing, it sounds like pure and smooth silk, and what for me matters it sounds very musical and inspiring. Im more and more convinced that its the Tim Conrardy hand the reason for this musicality. I hope you will do more (and more!) patches and SF banks expanding the beautiful sound of this synth. Well, I have decided to purchase it NOW, but I cant see how to purchase it in the web page! I am blind or its not possible to buy it? Saludos

Hi Saludos
Thanks for the comments..I hope you get your credit card stuff fixed, and glad you finally saw the BUY button on the download page.

Our next plans for the synth is to make a new SF2 with more banks to expand the sound pallette of M42. The DR is an expert in SoundFonts ( and Vienna..which is not all that user friendly)so he is designing a new one. Once that is done, I can create a new preset bank for it...and looking forward to it, as the first initial bank were my experiments ( as are most of my patches anyway

We would love to hear user presets if anyone is up to it.We just got a set from DizzyHelix which are excellent!!The M42 is fairly easy to program, and you can use the factory presets as starters. In the empty bank is a "default" sound which serves as a starting point. Read the tips in the manual about creating Totem sounds and getting the ARP to work. It's all in the mod matrix, the X-Delay and the BPM settings.

Send them to support * at * algomusic.nl . You can use the empty bank on the download page or FXP is fine as well. Have some fun. soon, ( hopefully) we will have USER banks available on the download page.

TC

Tim,

up to what sample and bitrate does the sf2 format support samples please? (e.g. does it do 88/24 by any chance?)
Thinking about making a bank or so if thats possible.


rav

xRAVENx wrote:

Tim, up to what sample and bitrate does the sf2 format support samples please? (e.g. does it do 88/24 by any chance?) Thinking about making a bank or so if thats possible. rav

Ok...just got the answer from the DR. :

======

A: No, I don't think so. For all I know the SF format supports up to 48/16.

Note: the M42 itself processes all signals internally at 32 bits floating
point.
Output depends on the host, so either 16 bit integer, or 32 bit floating
point samples.

======

Hope this helps! Let us know how you fair with the bank.Excellent possabilities here. We kept the banks in catagories so that how they are labeled on the synth ( SFO section)

TC

damn man.. this is a really nice synth

I'm having serious fun with this
this is the surprise buy of the year for me

happy happy joy joy


fickin' 'ell mate I can't get over it
the sound is bloody addictive


you sold your soul to the devil for this, didn't you?

you've got little horns sticking out of your head, right?

speak in tongues maybe?

spaceman wrote:

damn man.. this is a really nice synth I'm having serious fun with this happy happy joy joy

Considering you are THE Space Man, this is the right synth for you! Time to fly!

TC

it's the sequences that make this so special.. every patch is like a mini-song dead easy to program as well

can you make one in dark blue and dark grey for me please?

When loading the Default bank, i get this error msg:



..and loading in and renaming the presets doesnt work here either....

WinXP/OPlat 5.xxx etc

Ive done about 10 presets, but i gave up after that, too much trouble. I saved them in .prs and .fxp, but not much lick. Had probs with this before with some SE stuff.

Kriminal wrote:

When loading the Default bank, i get this error msg: ..and loading in and renaming the presets doesnt work here either.... WinXP/OPlat 5.xxx etc Ive done about 10 presets, but i gave up after that, too much trouble. I saved them in .prs and .fxp, but not much lick. Had probs with this before with some SE stuff.

Hi Dave

Ok...just tried this..and you are right...that error message comes ( trying in tracktion) but this is what I did:

1.After loading the default bank, the error message comes up, but the SF2 appears to be working fine. Saved the original FXB to the same DIR that M42.DLL was in ( just as an experiment)
2.Created a new patch in slot one. Renamed the patch. Seemed to work fine.
3.Saved the FXB with a new name to the same DIR that M42.dll is in ( it may not matter anyway)
4.Reloaded the original default FXB. No error message this time.
5.Then reloaded my newly created FXB..loaded fine and the new patch name is there.
6.Also tried saving as FXP. Of course, you have to rename the patch in the bank FIRST before saving it as FXP, as thats where the patch name comes from.( not the file name)

Hope this helps: I can give my new default bank to the DR and have him upload that, and see if that helps. Thanks for catching this...it is much appreciated.

TC

Thanks for that.

There are 10 sounds here if you can use them. Not sure how diff they are to others, havent spent too much time with this (been busy with another beasty )

http://kriminal.phreque.com/M42.zip

Kriminal wrote:

Thanks for that. There are 10 sounds here if you can use them. Not sure how diff they are to others, havent spent too much time with this (been busy with another beasty ) http://kriminal.phreque.com/M42.zip

Darn: they will not load in Tracktion or XT. We will look into this. Wonder if theres a problem with SE and Orion?

TC

This synth is addicting to play. Sound wise I like to go against character, so in M42's case, trying for an analog lead. Not at all bad, good overall sound and then lots of movement and changes over time.

This is excellent proof that analog modeling is branching out with specialty synths that still sound good doing what they are typically known for and for the spacey, druggy sounds that M42 Nebula is going to be known for.

It's particularly good for the value in that the CPU use is low and there are so many good sounds to work on, let alone create, that this synth is one of the types I point to when I show friends and new users to what's going on in the electronic world.

Great work guys, after working with a bunch of cool stuff that can make your head explode with it's complexity it's nice to come back to a well laid out synth that does exactly what you expect and sounds teriffic.

This is one I'll be taking about frequently for great work and great value.

Hey Tim -

Would you and the DR please stop making synths like this? I can't get my hands off the keyboard and I'd really like to sleep sometime
tonight...mwerr...

Seriously, I love M42. I was noodling through the included patches, and when I hit the "M42 Strings" I just about fell out of my chair.

gnu23 wrote:

Hey Tim - Would you and the DR please stop making synths like this? I can't get my hands off the keyboard and I'd really like to sleep sometime tonight...mwerr... Seriously, I love M42. I was noodling through the included patches, and when I hit the "M42 Strings" I just about fell out of my chair.

I just about did the same after I made that patch. Played it today on a MIDI guitar ( a casio DG-20) and it's a full string sound.It's that String SF2 the DR made.

Actually, playing M42 with a MIDI guitar is something. I can trigger off SEQunces on the bottom strings, and play a lead with the top 2 strings while the sequence is playing. The RYM patches sound great when playing full chords, and the leads really come out of the woodwork. I highly recommend a MIDI guitar with this one. Playing the M42 Bass sounds is a kick as well.

TIP: Try slowing down your host to 90 BMP or so, and the RYM, SEQ and ARP patches become more alive.

But I am afraid you won't get much sleep because the DR and I are still planning and scheemming on what to do NEXT!

TC

cool!

It's funny you mentioned slowing down the tempo, I spent three hours (for me, a small eternity) slowing down the tempo and making drifting sounds, almost melodic when played carefully.

Three patches and you have an entire song's worth of sound. I used a string section patch I made in Ozone 3 and ran it through Sonar's Lexicon Reverb feeding into O3 and it was indescribable. Very organic, very present.

I'm really looking forward to your algorithmic based work, I spent 10 years of my life working on this and writing extensively as a multiple practicum finishing off my university degree.

It almost hurts waiting for the next creation.

tconrardy wrote:

gnu23 wrote: Hey Tim - Would you and the DR please stop making synths like this? I can't get my hands off the keyboard and I'd really like to sleep sometime tonight...mwerr... Seriously, I love M42. I was noodling through the included patches, and when I hit the "M42 Strings" I just about fell out of my chair. I just about did the same after I made that patch. Played it today on a MIDI guitar ( a casio DG-20) and it's a full string sound.It's that String SF2 the DR made. Actually, playing M42 with a MIDI guitar is something. I can trigger off SEQunces on the bottom strings, and play a lead with the top 2 strings while the sequence is playing. The RYM patches sound great when playing full chords, and the leads really come out of the woodwork. I highly recommend a MIDI guitar with this one. Playing the M42 Bass sounds is a kick as well. TIP: Try slowing down your host to 90 BMP or so, and the RYM, SEQ and ARP patches become more alive. But I am afraid you won't get much sleep because the DR and I are still planning and scheemming on what to do NEXT! TC

Fantastic synth Tim & Dr!

Any chance that the pan and chorus LFOs might be host synced someday?

Good work and thanks,

futari

tconrardy wrote:

TIP: Try slowing down your host to 90 BMP or so, and the RYM, SEQ and ARP patches become more alive.

slowing down?
thats about double my normal working speed

tconrardy wrote:

gnu23 wrote: Hey Tim - Would you and the DR please stop making synths like this? I can't get my hands off the keyboard and I'd really like to sleep sometime tonight...mwerr... Seriously, I love M42. I was noodling through the included patches, and when I hit the "M42 Strings" I just about fell out of my chair. I just about did the same after I made that patch. Played it today on a MIDI guitar ( a casio DG-20) and it's a full string sound.It's that String SF2 the DR made. Actually, playing M42 with a MIDI guitar is something. I can trigger off SEQunces on the bottom strings, and play a lead with the top 2 strings while the sequence is playing. The RYM patches sound great when playing full chords, and the leads really come out of the woodwork. I highly recommend a MIDI guitar with this one. Playing the M42 Bass sounds is a kick as well. TIP: Try slowing down your host to 90 BMP or so, and the RYM, SEQ and ARP patches become more alive. But I am afraid you won't get much sleep because the DR and I are still planning and scheemming on what to do NEXT! TC

I have a Casio MG or PG series (can't remember which - looks and plays like a good Strat). I haven't used it for synths in ages - it didn't track fast-attack sounds very well...but it was beautiful for pads. Dangit - looks like I'm going to have to wrangle some cables again!

Quote:

Fantastic synth Tim & Dr! Any chance that the pan and chorus LFOs might be host synced someday? Good work and thanks, futari

A good idea...as all the rest of the stuff is BPM synced! I will pass this to the DR.

TC

tconrardy wrote:

Quote: Fantastic synth Tim & Dr! Any chance that the pan and chorus LFOs might be host synced someday? Good work and thanks, futari A good idea...as all the rest of the stuff is BPM synced! I will pass this to the DR. TC

and internal patch management

Quote:

[quote="spaceman and internal patch management

I asked the DR on this and he said that internal patch managment is not implemented in SE yet.But Jeff is always doing updates...so who knows!

BTW: anybody else having trouble saving patches?

TC

First off, "hey". I'm more a lurker here than a poster, but love KVR.

I hope this a valid question - and I admit I haven't read this whole thread, nor do I necessarily understand the limits (if any) of SE synths. But here goes:

is it possible that a future release would load any wave file in the Soundfont bank?

EDIT: to clarify - load a wave file instead having to create and load a user SF.

I really dig this synth. It creates just amazing, beautiful textures, etc.

- regards - o3j

OzoneJunkie wrote:

First off, "hey". I'm more a lurker here than a poster, but love KVR. I hope this a valid question - and I admit I haven't read this whole thread, nor do I necessarily understand the limits (if any) of SE synths. But here goes: is it possible that a future release would load any wave file in the Soundfont bank? EDIT: to clarify - load a wave file instead having to create and load a user SF. I really dig this synth. It creates just amazing, beautiful textures, etc. - regards - o3j

Thanks for the comments and for coming out of Lurk Mode

Got an answer from the DR:
=================================
Sorry, no, that will be not possible, not now, not ever.
Why?
Sampling basics.
Imagine, ONE wavefile, stretched all over the keyboard... It would sound
like Donald Duck on dope.
A typical soundfont is a set of VERY carefully looped wavefiles, very often
up to 4 samples/octave!

================

Actually what the DR says makes sense. A soundFont is much better then just a wave file. This was the reason why Glenn of Crystal fame decided to have SF2 support and not wave support: because in a SF2 you have Multi-samples, which is much better!

There are lots of Freebie SF2's on the net as well. You can also make your own using the free SF2 editor from Creative Labs( Vienna) however some find this app a bit user unfriendly.Takes some getting used too.

However: we are working on a new Sound set SF2 for M42..so hang on!

TC

Thanks for the detailed response, Tim. Makes sense

I guess the only justification/arguement I could make for wishing for wave file support is when one just wants to send a single wave through the cool processing the synth is doing, and not planning on playing the sample on more than a 1/2 octave range or so.

Anyway, cheers.

I am really annoyed with Tim Conrardy and DR Ambient for two reasons:

1. I need to sleep. I can't with this thing installed on my computer.

2. I need to save money. I can't, I need to buy this thing. (Actually I can save money, because the synth is dirt cheap, but complaint 1 is still valid)

HelgeG wrote:

I am really annoyed with Tim Conrardy and DR Ambient for two reasons: 1. I need to sleep. I can't with this thing installed on my computer. 2. I need to save money. I can't, I need to buy this thing. (Actually I can save money, because the synth is dirt cheap, but complaint 1 is still valid)

Boy..it sure seems like it's an epedemic now: People just can't sleep with an M42 installed.

My sugg to you is to make a sequence loop of one note, and let it play one of the Totem patches. Relax the eyes, and travel to other dream worlds.

so..it can HELP you sleep ...and M42 will get into your subconsious mind...and there is NO escape!


TC

tconrardy wrote:

My sugg to you is to make a sequence loop of one note, and let it play one of the Totem patches. Relax the eyes, and travel to other dream worlds. so..it can HELP you sleep ...and M42 will get into your subconsious mind...and there is NO escape!

Currently I still get the high pitched beep every now and again that keeps me from drifting away, but soon I shall be completely lost...

Seriously though, thanks for an utterly brilliant synth, it is right up my street. As soon as my next salary is due, I'll place an order.

TC
neat synth !
any way of paying for this with PayPal dollars ?

APK

APK77 wrote:

TC neat synth ! any way of paying for this with PayPal dollars ? APK

Hi..we got your email as well. Just wanted to discuss it with the DR first, but he is in Holland , and I am in the states ( CA)so theres a bit of a time diff.

My initial thoughts is that we wanted to use the ShareIt system to keep track of all payments for M42, so it's all in one place. To pay by Shareit, you don't need to sign up with them, you just go thru the usual process of buying something on the net using a credit card.

But I want to see what the DR says. I have a PayPal account as well.Maybe something can be arranged, but my initial thought still stands.It's good business and less messy to keep everything in one place for good records.

TC

Yep, understandable.
Email me tomorrow if it turns out to be a live option. Thanks.

Tim if you are so kind and have the time to answer me I have some questions:

With the demo (yes yet with the demo my Visa is not here yet 8() I cant save my own patches in the internal memory of the synth, is it possible with the full version? modify a preset, name it and save it?
Its possible to load and save different patches banks?

How I can load a new SF bank? What sounds of the sf bank will be used?

Excuse me if Im asking something already answered here is very late and Im a little tired.

Saludos.

Looks like a very interesting synth. Different than the standard VA/FM/Additive/Rompler common synths. Does it have any of the P4 Denormal problems?

krraqk wrote:

Tim if you are so kind and have the time to answer me I have some questions: With the demo (yes yet with the demo my Visa is not here yet 8() I cant save my own patches in the internal memory of the synth, is it possible with the full version? modify a preset, name it and save it? Its possible to load and save different patches banks? How I can load a new SF bank? What sounds of the sf bank will be used? Excuse me if Im asking something already answered here is very late and Im a little tired. Saludos.

Hi Saludos

You should be able to save FXP and FXB using your host. M42 does not have an internal preset manager, but uses the hosts system. As we state on the site, the only limitation in the demo is the beep every minute or so. You can save your patches/banks in FXP/FXB format.

RE: SF2's: All you have to do is rename your soundfont the same as the one in M42. But I would back up, or put an X in the extension of the factory SF2, as the factory bank uses it.

TC

AnotherBob wrote:

Looks like a very interesting synth. Different than the standard VA/FM/Additive/Rompler common synths. Does it have any of the P4 Denormal problems?

Hi "bob"

Not that I am aware of. I have a P4, and it is fine on it. It is SE if that tells you anything. I think Jeff would have fixed anything like that.

and..it does sound different then the usual breed of synths out there. It seems to have a character all it's own, just like a DX7, a D50, or a Virus.

TC

Quote:

Hi Saludos...

Hi Tim, "saludos" is not my name, to say "saludos" in spanish is just like saying "greetings" in english.

My real name is Enrique

Hehe, not problem at all, funny.

krraqk wrote:

Quote: Hi Saludos... Hi Tim, "saludos" is not my name, to say "saludos" in spanish is just like saying "greetings" in english. My real name is Enrique Hehe, not problem at all, funny.

He he...thats why I got a D in french
Maybe I should take up Elvish

TC

Tried the demo, bought the thing and having now lots of fun programming it... A good piece of work, well worth my hard earned $$

Synth design is all about trade-offs - especially flexibility versus usability. Some features that could be good to have will be never touched by most users while the added complexity of their existence will affect them all. I think M42 has a good balance on this aspect. I have some suggestions that I believe can add good sonic capabilities without significant impact on the CPU usage or programming interface. But then it is just my .02!

That said, here follows my wish list:

- Syncable chorus and pan rates, but as an *option*, please! Syncable effects are great, make things easy and predictable but for this very same reason are sometimes just boring.

- On the same line: some modulation effects have sweet spots for modulation rates. "Natural vibrato" for example, along the tradition of the singing human voice and the string instruments family, occurs for modulation rates about 5Hz~7Hz. PWM also usually requires a narrow range of modulation rates. I think that to have the *option* for a free-running LFO (non-synced) would be a nice extra.

- I know this is tougher to implement (modulation matrix modifications, etc) but an additional LFO, at least for the DCO, would also be a nice plus! Maybe a simpler one, not synced, not "arpable", just for a touch of those modulation effects...

- A fine tune control with a range of about +/- 100 cents. The reason is that when using heavy pitch modulation (arp/warp) the resulting final pitch sometimes "is not quite there". The resulting sound is great most of the time but I would like to have another (finer) degree of control in addition to the modulation amount on the matrix.

- A noise source (white/pink)

- Some routing options for the FX section, e.g. send switches on the DCO and SFO for chorus, x-delay and pan. Maybe individual amount controls too, but then it could become more complex than really needed. Switches would be OK IMHO.

Regards,
Boin

boin wrote:

Tried the demo, bought the thing and having now lots of fun programming it... A good piece of work, well worth my hard earned $$ I have some suggestions that I believe can add good sonic capabilities without significant impact on the CPU usage or programming interface. But then it is just my .02! That said, here follows my wish list: - On the same line: some modulation effects have sweet spots for modulation rates. "Natural vibrato" SNIP Regards, Boin

Thanks for all these great suggs...I will pass them on to the DR. Glad you are actually programming your own sounds. If you have any patches you would like to share, we would love to hear them, or you can load them to Patch Arena.

RE: Natural Vibrato: we do have a seperate vibrato just for the natural vibrato sound. The settings are in the Global window. You can also use MOD wheel to activate this as well, but if you simply put in a setting in the global window to 2 or 3, it creates a natural sounding vibrato effect. The rate however is pre-set.

BTW: I created a new empty bank. The problem was that I had created that bank using a previous beta version of M42, and not the current version, thus the error message. The DR should be uploading it any time now

TC

Add me to the purchased list. Future titles to consider:

M31 (head on collision in 2.7 light years)
M82 (I love seeing the destruction of a galaxy, especially @ ultraviolet wavelengths (& no, that wll NOT load into a wavestation..)
M1 The progenitor to atomic frustration..(this has filter writen all over it..) a nuetron star that rotates 80X per minute sends a VErY discombobulated signal..

I KNOW MY ATRONOMY!! I can second guess you guys any day..dare me & hint @ the next release name

Quote:

RE: SF2's: All you have to do is rename your soundfont the same as the one in M42. But I would back up, or put an X in the extension of the factory SF2, as the factory bank uses it.

Is planned to have different sf2 accesible from inside Nebula? That would increase a lot the sound palette in a simple but efficacious way.

Is not for this purpose the "bank" parameter in the SFO section? At this time the value field can only change from 61 to 64 and I cant hear any sound variation changing it.

Finally purchased Nebula, at last I can forget the horrible buzz and can concentrate in the beatiful sound that it do.

Saludos

krraqk wrote:

Quote: RE: SF2's: All you have to do is rename your soundfont the same as the one in M42. But I would back up, or put an X in the extension of the factory SF2, as the factory bank uses it. Is planned to have different sf2 accesible from inside Nebula? That would increase a lot the sound palette in a simple but efficacious way. Is not for this purpose the "bank" parameter in the SFO section? At this time the value field can only change from 61 to 64 and I cant hear any sound variation changing it. Finally purchased Nebula, at last I can forget the horrible buzz and can concentrate in the beatiful sound that it do. Saludos

Hi again and glad you joined the M42 space brigad! Here is what the DR says about the soundfont:

===============

About the SF bank: The bankformat is 4 banks, with each 5 Soundfonts, so 20
at max.
The M42 works well with either the standard bank, or with a "full" bank.
Anything in between may give strange results, this is almost certain a SE
issue.
I expect the full bank to be ready in a few days, there are real some good
sounds in it, but it will a big download...

=================

So goodies are coming up for M42ers! Right now the SF2 in M42 is only 1 bank..but this new one will expand it greatly.

TC

I made a new demo song using M42

Intersteller.MP3

http://www.algomusic.nl/ARimages/Intersteller.mp3

Its all MIDI guitar and drum loops from a CM magizine disc. The previous thread on M42 had a post when someone dropped drum loops, and an M42 and they synced up nicely. I tried it, and was amazed at the sound and how well it works. The patch I used to start everything was called " RYM Intersteller " , thus the name of the piece. It has a unique modulation in which a pulse wave switches between two soundfonts and makes a cool kind of pallette. I also used some Warp sounds: Hendrixite and feedbacker. These are a lot of fun to play on MIDI guitar. Also playing the Space Bass which seemed to fit well in the piece. PAD Universe and LED Orion was used as well. To fill in the rythm I used RYM Pyson Beat, which added that downward modulation effect.All rendered in Traction! The only processing I did was some "Classic Reverb" on the Warp Feedbacker and "Classic EQ" on the other parts.

Would love comments on this ( guess I should post in the Cafe, but thought it revelant here.)

anybody else try any pieces with M42?

BTW: we have updated the site with a NEW Blank Patch bank which also includes the Factory bank, and a the Manual in Word95 format for those that are having any trouble with displaying correctly the HTML format.


TC

Two words sprang to mind when I loaded this into Orion and fiddled...


F*CK ME !!!!

Gobsmacked. No choice really but to buy it. I would have ordered at twice the price with no question. Out comes the plastic!



Tim, I love what you managed to squeeze out of Rhino (and they're pretty much the only presets I have ever used) and now I think that I want to marry you
If developers keep chucking pad synths out like this, there'll never be a reason to get Atmosphere.

Quote:

=============== About the SF bank: The bankformat is 4 banks, with each 5 Soundfonts, so 20 at max. The M42 works well with either the standard bank, or with a "full" bank. Anything in between may give strange results, this is almost certain a SE issue. I expect the full bank to be ready in a few days, there are real some good sounds in it, but it will a big download... ================= So goodies are coming up for M42ers! Right now the SF2 in M42 is only 1 bank..but this new one will expand it greatly.

GREAT!!

When you say "with each 5 Soundfonts" this mean that the first 5 soundfonts of a bank are the only ones used, right?

Enrique C.

Vurt has done a very cool song using Nebula (as he likes to call it )and posted it on the KvR cafe:

http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41726

Its long, but its like a journey. Good use of the SEQ and ARP patches with Warp and a fantastic PAD that comes out for a very dramatic effect. Have a listen.

Something tells me this synth will become a "cult" classic

TC

GREAT!!

When you say "with each 5 Soundfonts" this mean that the first 5 soundfonts of a bank are the only ones used, right?

Enrique C.[/quote]

Right!

Dr A.

[quote="tconrardy"]Vurt has done a very cool song using Nebula (as he likes to call it )and posted it on the KvR cafe:

http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41726

Nebula is fine.
Nebby is not.
Nice piece, Vurt!

When I load M42 into Orion I don't seem to have accessto the presets. The drop down list contains only the one preset called default. What am I doing wrong?

Congratulations on a great synth and great presets.

I'm recording in Sonar, and I'm wondering
if interactive use of the Warp control can
be recorded in Sonar? My first experiments
don't seem to be recording movements of
the Warp control.

...Tim...

keykitman wrote:

Congratulations on a great synth and great presets. I'm recording in Sonar, and I'm wondering if interactive use of the Warp control can be recorded in Sonar? My first experiments don't seem to be recording movements of the Warp control.

I couldn't get it to record this automation in Sonar either, however it does work perfectly in Project5 (using the same VST Adapter). In Project5, the parameters show up as two NRPN's called "0". One controls the x-axis, while the other controls the y-axis.

Knowing this, you can try to create a MIDI Track Envelope to control the "0" parameters in Sonar. The only problem is that, since they are both the same name, you can only automate along one axis.

When arming a track for automation, I tried to reassign a track automation control to the "0" NRPN, but that causes Sonar to crash in a reproducible manner. Not sure what the problem is, but I wonder if the name of the parameter has to do with this? Either way, it is strange that it works perfectly in Project5 but not Sonar 3.

keykitman wrote:

Congratulations on a great synth and great presets. I'm recording in Sonar, and I'm wondering if interactive use of the Warp control can be recorded in Sonar? My first experiments don't seem to be recording movements of the Warp control. ...Tim...

Hi TimT..glad to see you aboard.
This same Q came up on a previous post on M42.
My advice was to map CC's to CC's inside your host. ..or use a controller knob box and simply assign the assigned CC for the joystick: CC#12 ( X) and CC#13 ( Y) respectivly. I use a UC-16 and have been able to record the X-Y movements in this manner.
We are also looking into a MIDI learn function for the next update possibly. Have to see if it is stable enough to implement. However we have a full CC chart for all parameters in the manual which is available on the download page at http://www.algomusic.nl

TC

m7b52000 wrote:

When I load M42 into Orion I don't seem to have accessto the presets. The drop down list contains only the one preset called default. What am I doing wrong?

Vurt might be able to answer you, as I don't have Orion, but Vurt has been using it successfully ( and he's now a Nebula addict ) VURT?? Calling VURT!

TC

Hi Tim, I think this synth is brilliant and I know I'm going to have a lot of fun using it. I'm another lurker on KVR and the M42 has forced me out of hiding to post this. I'm also into astronomy, I've got a Meade EX 105 EC UHTC. I'm thinking it's going to be rather cool to record some tracks with M42 and go out star gazing with my Meade whilst listening to the tracks,mmmm.

m7b52000 wrote:

When I load M42 into Orion I don't seem to have accessto the presets. The drop down list contains only the one preset called default. What am I doing wrong?

Works fine here, clicking on the preset window in the toolbar brings the whole list up.

kekaboy wrote:

Hi Tim, I think this synth is brilliant and I know I'm going to have a lot of fun using it. I'm another lurker on KVR and the M42 has forced me out of hiding to post this. I'm also into astronomy, I've got a Meade EX 105 EC UHTC. I'm thinking it's going to be rather cool to record some tracks with M42 and go out star gazing with my Meade whilst listening to the tracks,mmmm.

That makes two lurkers come out of the woodwork ;-)That Mead sounds cool...and a great idea! Think I'll do the same. I am shopping for a new scope, but I have a very small one which is OK for Jupiter, moon, M42 ( of course)and such. Can't wait to get my new scope. Then put on my MP3 player with nebula tunes and explore the sky! Thanks for the great idea!

TC

Tim-

Used to have a Meade 10" LX200. Wish I still owned it. Star gazing is lots of fun.

So the reports are, I should get this new vst, right guys? Your pleased??

spikey wrote:

Tim- Used to have a Meade 10" LX200. Wish I still owned it. Star gazing is lots of fun. So the reports are, I should get this new vst, right guys? Your pleased??

Absolutly! ..but I am biased

BTW: For fun I had Nebula in EnergyXT and tried the preset generator on it: you can make some cool sounds with this! Choose a RYM and a PAD and blend them. Nice combo's and usable patches. Anybody with XT can try it! ( even with the demo )

TC

TC

Wow! Very nicely done. Smooth, spacey tone, a beautifull UI and a great set of features.

Of course, this wouldn't be K-v-R if I didn't have some know-it-all suggestions too!

First, the XY control: While the sound of the Warp distortion has a wonderfull attitude, I think you're limiting the usefulness of the XY control if its dedicated to this feature. Why not have X and Y as MOD sources and add Warp Amount and Warp Filter as MOD destinations?

Since GUI space is limited, I'd suggest removing the double-bevel bordering of the three main sections. One border, the rails and the text are adequate to give the 3D effect and this could give you the extra room for the necessary two additional lines per oscillator in the matrix. The horizontal space needed for two extra columns would be a little trickier. Removing the bevel would get some... Moving the Oscillator number just inside the DCO and SFO labels would get some more... Positioning the grey selection buttons directly above their corresponding rectangular leds and putting the parameter labels to the right directly above the led labels would allow the sections to be edged a little closer together without removing white-space...

Some other GUI stuff: The use of somber tones with splashes of color are really cool in the UI. The Global settings and the Warp thing really draw attention. I'd like to see a bit more of this... I'd alter the LED colors for the envelopes and the MOD matrix to help draw the eye around the GUI. In addition, the grey orb could stand some color too.

Also, the "M42" and the ADSR graphics could use some anti-aliasing. They both have jaggies... In contrast, the "NEBULA SYNTHESIZER" looks perfect.


Please take a look at the screenshot I altered. Took a few hours to do in mspaint!

http://wave.prohosting.com/jzero/m42suggest.html

Once again, fantastic synth. Its the first SE creation I'm seriously considering for purchase.

-jzero