"Solo" VST Synth is available on www.sknote.it

Now specifications and signal path have been translated in english

I have published the draft version of the manual on download page.
V.0.0.4 (polyphonic and no more 8 mb support files) coming in two or three days...

This synth is brand new and some functions have to be added, but it works and I'll be happy if anybody will say if it is usable and something about how it sounds... I'm going to complete it
Just click "download", than "download" the two files, explode the first in "c:\programmi\" (may be you have "C:\Programs", be sure you have exactly "C:\Programmi") and the second (dll) in your VST directory.

Bye! [/b]

Could we have a picture and some details about it? I'll probably download this later when I have the time and give some feedback.

At a guess I think more people would be more excited about downloading it and giving it a spin if they knew what it was about. My Italiano is a bit rusty, there's plenty of good information about installing the synth, license agreement information, your forum, the fact this isn't the final version and some talk about a modulation matrix (?) but beyond that it'd be nice to see some specifications.

Some of us need to be wooed and courted to entice us to download, even if it is in other languages!

Cheers!
Spratman.

Spratman wrote:

Could we have a picture and some details about it?

i found one on his site here : http://www.sknote.it/Solo_Panel.htm

I understand that italian is a big obstacle!!!

So, I try to explain something here:

First of all, there is a picture in the "software" page, and there you can find the link "percorso di segnale", which links to a general synth scheme

- This synth is monophonic, fos "solo" playing (or basses, maybe...)
- There are four oscillators, with different synthesis:
waveform, formant, plucked string (physical model), bowed string (physical model), VOSIM (an old technique for emulating voice), waveguide oscillator, noise, DSF1 (discrete summation formulas) and DSF2
- There are classical amplitude, pitch and filter envelopes
- Waveshaper
- There is a multimode morphing filter. You can combine up to four filters in a 4x4 matrix. Then you can morph among the four resulting filters. A column is a series or parallel of filters, horizontal is morphing axis. Fifth column selects between "series" and "parallel", for each filter.
- Overdrive
- Four delay lines, coupled 2 by 2

I'm writing the manual, but VST dvelopment is very, very, hard...

Just ignore all the "download page" and download the files

I hope this can help a little bit, waiting for the manual

Happy now?

I should have done it

Thank you

needs more knobs!

or a hardware controller...

looks like a versatile beastie, i'll give it a go for sure.

.g

Hey, from the pic on your site, this synth actually looks pretty interesting.....I'm gonna load it up in cubase and see how i like it. I'll have a full report for you later this afternoon.

Peace!

GaryG wrote:

needs more knobs! .g

Ok, ok, probably my effort to display everything on a single page feels a little confusing...


A tip:

- switch on one among 16 switches in modmat
- select min (lower knob) and max (upper knob) on the right
- move a knob with your mouse
- move your controller (i.e. mod wheel or aftertouch)
- switch off the small modmat switch
- If the parameter you selected is controllable, the link is on

I apologize for my english!!!

TotcProductions wrote:

Hey, from the pic on your site, this synth actually looks pretty interesting.....I'm gonna load it up in cubase and see how i like it. I'll have a full report for you later this afternoon. Peace!

Hey, thanks a lot!!!

Please, be sure to look at it as a prototype, it's my very first creature and it needs a lot of fixing

Another tip:
in the upper left you see four oscillators. The four knobs p1, p2, p3 and p4 are the oscillators parameters, their meaning is different for each kind of oscillator:

- waveform (like square, saw, ...) p1 is the armonic containt
- plucked string: p1 decay, p2 and p3 finger and pickup position, p4 stiffness. Be careful: you have amplitude envelope for physical models, too. To hear original envelope, set min attack time and max decay time. I like to mute a plucked string and use it to amplitude modulate another waveform oscillator
- bowed string: p1 decay, p3 and p4 friction curve between bow and string (veery critical, try 0.5 and 0.5), p4 bow velocity (be sure to link it to aftertouch or mod wheel or other to achieve bow feeling)
- vosim: p1 number of cycles, p2 decay (try and try, it could be silent)
- formant: p1 center frequency, p2 formant shape, p3 formant width
- waveguide oscillator: no parameters
- noise: no parameter (will be as soon as possible: p1 band center, p2 band width
- DSF: discrete summation formulas 1 and 2. P1: modulation index (harmonic content)

I hope it will be funny, that's what i'm looking for!!!

Ok...I gave it a short test drive...I'm very impressed! Has the potential to be a very veratile and original synthesiser....The GUI is Extremely confusing though....A newb would find it next to impossible to program presets on.....The sound has great potential though.....hook yourself up with a GUI designer and i think you've got a hit on your hands!

Peace!

TotcProductions wrote:

Ok...I gave it a short test drive...I'm very impressed! Has the potential to be a very veratile and original synthesiser....The GUI is Extremely confusing though....A newb would find it next to impossible to program presets on.....The sound has great potential though.....hook yourself up with a GUI designer and i think you've got a hit on your hands! Peace!

Thank you very, very much!
The next steps will be:
- Fix the "audio" part
- Publish the manual (in english!)
- Find a GUI designer!!!!!

Thank you again
Bye
Quinto

Ooooh this looks interesting. I'll download it and have a play later today after I've finished my night shift. Then I'll let you know my first impressions either later today or tomorrow.

Hey, Quintosardo - you really could be onto a winner here - if you've not been around this forum much, I can tell you there are many of us who very much want a decent physical modelling VSTi.

When I've had a road test later, I'll email you some patches as well - it's the least we can do if you come up with a modelling synth.

My interest is most definitely aroused.

kritikon wrote:

Ooooh this looks interesting. I'll download it and have a play later today after I've finished my night shift. Then I'll let you know my first impressions either later today or tomorrow. Hey, Quintosardo - you really could be onto a winner here - if you've not been around this forum much, I can tell you there are many of us who very much want a decent physical modelling VSTi. When I've had a road test later, I'll email you some patches as well - it's the least we can do if you come up with a modelling synth. My interest is most definitely aroused.

Yes, I'm really new in this forum (about 2 hours )
I'm really astonished for the animation on this website
Thank you for your interest. Please, look at this synth as a prototype!!!
And don't look at it as an emulation thing! Use ph mod oscillator with others (fm modulate, am modulate)
(4x4 knobs, left of filter)
Waiting for your test and patches (let me know if i can publish them on my site, obviously with your name!!!)
Bye!

P.S. New Zealand. The other side of the planet (from Italy). Wow!!! I looove internet...

Great project!
congrats!! i'll try it

italian : grande!..compimenti! lo proverò
lalo

will give this bad boy a spin in a bit and get back with you

Errr.........?
Is there a direct link to the synth?I cant find it....lol....I guess Im too dumb to find it or something.....

Thanks for any help.

lalo wrote:

Great project! congrats!! i'll try it italian : grande!..compimenti! lo proverò lalo

Ehi, great italian!!!
Please, let me know what you think

uncadave wrote:

will give this bad boy a spin in a bit and get back with you

Please, be good to him
Waiting for some good patches... ()

wgreenlee1 wrote:

Errr.........? Is there a direct link to the synth?I cant find it....lol....I guess Im too dumb to find it or something..... Thanks for any help.

I try to give you direct links:
Download this one:
http://www.sknote.it/download/Solo_140704.zip
explode it in C:/Programmi (maybe you have C:/Programs, but you need to create exactly "C:/Programmi")

Then download this one:
http://www.sknote.it/download/Solo_dll_002.zip
explode it in the directory where you have your VST synths

I hope it helps
Let me know if it works, otherwise I can e-mail it to you...

I just published on www.sknote.it section "download" two very small sound banks (about ten sounds each).
I used some prefixes for sound names:
- MW something is linked to mod wheel
- AT something is linked to aftertouch
(obvious? I beg you pardon )

These are not "ultimate" patches, I just tried to create significative examples (filter morphing, formant vowels, aftertouch brilliance, etc...)

Another tip:
The map on the lower left of the panel is for distributing the four oscillators on the keyboard. If you don't want to use it, leave it as is. Otherwise, the curve over the knobs describes the volume on the keyboard (puff, pant... )

Bye!
Quinto

that synth looks incredible, i can't wait to be at home to test it ...
btw, is it coded directly in C with the VST SDK, or do you use something like synthedit ?

Deed wrote:

that synth looks incredible, i can't wait to be at home to test it ... btw, is it coded directly in C with the VST SDK, or do you use something like synthedit ?

It's all C++ with Steinberg VST SDK. I don't know synthedit...

A little explaination about waveforms and filter names:
- Three numbers after waveform name (i.e.: ...2-50-100) are the number of harmonics increasing P1 (continuous - no steps)
- In filter names, Fny is half of samplerate. For example, if you have a samplerate of 48000 Hz, Lowpass 1/2FNy FNy means a lowpass filter which filters out all frequencies over 12000 Hz (starts roll-off from 12000 Hz linearly to 24000 Hz)
So Lowpass 31/32FNy FNy is much much more steep
For bandpass/bandstop filters, the three numbers are frequency steps to raise(fall down) stay up (stay down) falldown(raise). Frequency steps are 1024, from zero to half samplerate.

Ok, ok, I have to write the manual and change naming methods. Ok...

Please, feedback!!!

quintosardo wrote:

lalo wrote: Great project! congrats!! i'll try it italian : grande!..compimenti! lo proverò lalo Ehi, great italian!!! Please, let me know what you think

Hehe...actually i'm italian
anyway can't see the filter-name types in the proper filter menu...i'm testing with EnergyXT as a host..
..i look at your site and i'm very interested to the dsp/audio programming lesson (via net 'cause i'm very far from catania )

lemme know via pm on this forum...in italian language of course
lalo

Hola.....

Conto di provarlo domani appena tornato dal lavoro.
(Eng: i'll try it out tomorrow when i'm back from work)

Ciao e complimenti

tommo wrote:

Hola..... Conto di provarlo domani appena tornato dal lavoro. (Eng: i'll try it out tomorrow when i'm back from work) Ciao e complimenti

Ok! Squeeze it!
(spremilo!!!)
Ciao!

Thank you for the synth.
A small suggestion. The markers showing the knob position are a little hard to see. A brighter colour instead of the black point might be better.

THK wrote:

Thank you for the synth. A small suggestion. The markers showing the knob position are a little hard to see. A brighter colour instead of the black point might be better.

Ok, this is very easy to modify. I'll do it as soon as possible!
Bye

cool

Sardegna Indipendente!!!!


bella, spero di provarlo presto...

why do only some of the knobs have markers...is there a funktion for all of the knobs?

Hey Quint...i was just thinking...for your GUI design.....this guy is really good...i highly recommend him.....Here's the link to his site.....

Art Of Noise


Maybe you could work something out with him.

Peace!

Quintosardo ..... big problems on my system, I'm afraid

I noticed the post about C:/programmi, so I'll go back and read that more closely as it could be I've set it up wrong? I unzipped the 2 files - one was programming, one was the .dll - so I made a separate folder for the whole synth and put both files into it - do I need to put the .dll inside the programming folder?

The GUI loaded up OK. I could get the bowed string, plucked string and a few others to load OK, but no sound with the voice oscillators at all. The amp envelope worked OK, but couldn't get anything out of the filter envelopes with any of the controls. None of the FX would work. Most of the parameters for the oscillators made very minor changes only - mostly just volume - I'm sure they are supposed to do more than I could get them to do.
The filters didn't seem to load up at all - all I got was 4 read-screens with "GGGGGGGGGGGGGG" no options to load or change any of the filters - they just didn't seem to be picked up.
The pitch envelope didn't work, and neither did the tuning knobs next to the oscillators.

There was also a noticeable delay between pressing a key and the sound coming out - big latency even though my soundcard is set to around 20mS (I deliberately don't have it lower to avoid pressuring the CPU) but the latency sounded like around 1/4 second or so. Latency was larger on modelled sounds such as the strings, and much lower on the more basic waves. Also (as if there needed to be more ) most of the oscillators I tried to patch up were very unstable across the keyboard. Within one octave the notes went from clean through shakey, to what sounded like digital clipping and drop in volume (channel output definitely showed no clipping though).

It sounds like a system mismatch. It was almost unusable

For your info, I'm using:

Win98SE (and it's usually a very stable system - no other s/w apart from music apps, no internet, OS tweaked to the full)
Cubase 5.1
Athlon 1.1 GHz (non SSE)
Aardvark LX6 soundcard.

It sounds like others have got it working, so I conclude: either I set it up wrong with the .dll in the wrong place or something, or it's my system - most likely the Win98 thing possibly.

Very much a shame - was looking forward to this. So, sorry...can't send you any patches, because I can't get it working

And definitely I agree with the comments about GUI - needs a bit more labelling etc - I could fathom it out, but it's not intuitive (although with so much control available, it would be difficult to get it as obvious as VAs for example). I think you're on the right track with trying to keep it all on one screen though...personally I hate subedit pages on synths.

Aha - I read the post about c:/programmi....I'll go back and try that (I'll have to wait a few hours....the wife is sleeping for a pm shift )

mindless wrote:

why do only some of the knobs have markers...is there a funktion for all of the knobs?

Knob without marker means "function to be implemented in future release"
(And some with markers have to be implemented, too )
Bye!

TotcProductions wrote:

Hey Quint...i was just thinking...for your GUI design.....this guy is really good...i highly recommend him.....Here's the link to his site..... Art Of Noise Maybe you could work something out with him. Peace!

I'll look at the link on next monday!
Thank you
Bye!

kritikon wrote:

Quintosardo ..... big problems on my system, I'm afraid ... And definitely I agree with the comments about GUI - needs a bit more labelling etc - I could fathom it out, but it's not intuitive (although with so much control available, it would be difficult to get it as obvious as VAs for example). I think you're on the right track with trying to keep it all on one screen though...personally I hate subedit pages on synths.

I think that it's only a problem about installation.
Be sure to do this way:

- Have C:\Programmi\SKnote\Solo\all the single files in the first zip file
- Have Solo.dll in any place you like

I don't think it is a matter of system or operating system! Without system files (first zip) the synth won't work!!!
You can be sure that the installation is ok when you can see waveforms and filters names in menus

About the GUI, I agree with you, it is very cryptic . I hope to change it later, now i am trying to obtain a good sound!

Let me know if you can use it!

Anybody can tell me if CPU load with Solo seems to be too much?

Hi!

Specifications and signal path are in english, on www.sknote.it

Just tried it out. Sounds very nice and promising. For a mono synth the cpu usage is relatively high (30-40%) in Madtracker.

Thank you very much, BeatMax!
I'm working hard to optimization and cpu load reduction. I hope to reduce it from 30% to about 20%...
And I'm working to polyphonic brother (guess about the name? Ok, ok, "Pad" )
P.S.
I've just visited your site, I like it!

I tried your synth. It seems promising, but I simply hated that GUI. Personally, I would get rid of all shades - just mnake it plain. That way, graphics would be much more light and easy looking, possibly charging charge less on CPU. Reagarding the sound, it is to early to tell yet - i have to study it further to understand, but I also would like better labeling, and the knobs having a clearer point (white, perhaps), that would allow us to see easier what is the value. And some of the most importante parameters should have number boxes, allowing for direct writing of values. Finnally, all GUI should be stretched to fill less space - there is a considerable amount of wasted space on it.

Regards - Fernando Manuel Rodrigues

I'll have a go at the GUI.
See if i come up with anything.

fmr wrote:

I tried your synth. It seems promising, but I simply hated that GUI. Personally, I would get rid of all shades - just mnake it plain. ... Regards - Fernando Manuel Rodrigues

Thank you for the check!
Yes, I definitively must re-design the GUI. It was created for me to access every single parameter without sub-menus or sub-pages, while designing and testing the sound engine.
I'm working hard on new interface, with graphical display for filter, which is the hardest part to understand and use, I think...

P.S. Looking forward for sound check!

Ok, I'm working hard on new GUI.
Ok, ok, with enough labels...
Ah, now it's going to be poliphonic. Because a soloist can be polyphonic, too...

Hi Quinto! Thanks for visiting my site, I hope it was usefull for you. Being trying to design GUIs too at the moment. Man its really tricky, especially creating cool rotary knobs . Maybe I could try my hands on your synth too, but I haven`t gathered that much experience in synth GUIs yet.

Anyway, keep up the good work and I am looking forward to any new updates

BMX

Q.....I tried again with the C:/programmi at the top of the directory - it contained all of the stuff that unzipped into it. The .dll in the plugins folder, and still not much results I'm afraid. The zipped file was 7MB or so, most of which ended up in the C:/Programmi folder, so I'm pretty certain it all downloaded OK.

Better, but obviously not functioning well. The filters loaded up - at least the names did, but again no sound or functionality.
The waveshaper now worked, but no delays.
Most of the oscillators loaded up and worked, but still extremely glitchy with the bowed string wave.
No pitch envelope or tuning.
No LFOs working.

It really doesn't like my system.

kritikon wrote:

Q.....I tried again with the C:/programmi at the top of the directory ... It really doesn't like my system.

Maybe for "jetlag" matter...

I think that, if you can see filter names and oscillator names, everything is ok with the system.

I think that the best things to do are:

- Check with the two small preset banks (did you download them from www.sknote.it ?). If they work, everything is ok...
- Wait for the manual (in english). I'll publish it on the site as soon as possible.

The synth is an early alpha version, so it is still too hard to use (sigh! )

I'm working hard fro the manual, please, check the banks from the site, it's the best test!

Thank you for your patience...

Quinto

Okley Dokley.....I've downloaded the banks and I'll try them out tomorrow. Here's hoping

Now Solo VSTi Synth is polyphonic (v.0.0.4)
This is to eliminate clicks between fast notes...
Version 0.0.4 will be downloadable on 25 august
Bye

quintosardo wrote:

Now Solo VSTi Synth is polyphonic (v.0.0.4) This is to eliminate clicks between fast notes... Version 0.0.4 will be downloadable on 25 august Bye

Quint --
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of version 0.0.4. I really like the tones this thing delivers.

papatomany wrote:

Quint -- Eagerly awaiting the arrival of version 0.0.4. I really like the tones this thing delivers.

I'm happy!
I'm working for the first whole sound bank (100 patches...), while working hard on new interface, too...
In version 0.0.4 I've included pre-eq and post-eq for overdrive

Is there anybody using the morphing filter? Or it is too hard?

yeah!
...25 august is near...paisà (italian dialect word for
'man from my country' )
lalo

quintosardo wrote:

Is there anybody using the morphing filter? Or it is too hard?

For my part, I can't really tell what it does , but I'm a novice at sound design (at best). Don't think anything in solo is too hard for these seasoned designers (ask mr. conrardy...) There is much that I personally don't understand, but I click every button and turn every dial anyway!Tweaking is fun, even for someone like me who doesn't know what he's doing. The bottom line is that your synth sounds very very nice.


oh... and one question, Quinto, regarding mod wheel usage. I notice some of the presets implement mod wheel usage, but I don't see where to make adjustments to what or how much it affects anything. Is there just a default for that? If not, can you point me in the right direction? (Are there lots of places the mod wheel comes into play?) Will the new version take care of my stupidity on this?

quintosardo wrote:

papatomany wrote: Quint -- Eagerly awaiting the arrival of version 0.0.4. I really like the tones this thing delivers. I'm happy! I'm working for the first whole sound bank (100 patches...), while working hard on new interface, too... In version 0.0.4 I've included pre-eq and post-eq for overdrive

will one still have to create a programmi (sp?) folder in the root directory? ... just wondering, because that was my reason for not trying out the synth. (i aim to avoid cluttering up my 'puter, and i'm unlikely to be alone with this sentiment.)

gratias.

papatomany wrote:

... The bottom line is that your synth sounds very very nice.

papatomany wrote:

...I notice some of the presets implement mod wheel usage, but I don't see where to make adjustments to what or how much it affects anything...

On the right side there is "Mod Mat" (modulation matrix)
- switch on one among 16 buttons
- set min and max range with the two knobs on the right (the simplest: lower knob to 0-min and upper knob to 1-max)
- move your modulation wheel (or any other controller, or push a key on the keyboard, if you have aftertouch)
- move (with your mouse) the knob that you want to control
- switch off the button in the matrix
- If the parameter is controllable, the link is active
- To substitute, repeat with the same button

I hope it helps!!!
In some presets, you will find aftertouch linked to parameters, too...

The new version (not v.0.0.4, but the next one) will take care of this complexity

blixa wrote:

will one still have to create a programmi (sp?) folder in the root directory? ... just wondering, because that was my reason for not trying out the synth. (i aim to avoid cluttering up my 'puter, and i'm unlikely to be alone with this sentiment.) gratias.

You are absolutely right with this.
There isn't a serious reason for this.
Simply, this synth is very very complex, so it requires a lot of time to program and to change something (and to eliminate the need for this directory).
I'll try to eliminate this constraint in v.0.0.4. If I won't be able to, I'll do in v.0.0.5. Probably I'll eliminate support files, so that you won't need 8 meg support files anymore!!! (in any directory...)
Please, try the synth anyway, if you won't like it, you can delete "programmi" without any problem

Anyway, could anybody tell me how much ridiculous my english is???
Can I be clearly understood???

quintosardo wrote:

Anyway, could anybody tell me how much ridiculous my english is??? Can I be clearly understood???

"Ridiculous"? Nope. You make at least as much sense as the rest of us bozos.

quintosardo wrote:

On the right side there is "Mod Mat" (modulation matrix) - switch on one among 16 buttons - set min and max range with the two knobs on the right (the simplest: lower knob to 0-min and upper knob to 1-max) - move your modulation wheel (or any other controller, or push a key on the keyboard, if you have aftertouch) - move (with your mouse) the knob that you want to control - switch off the button in the matrix - If the parameter is controllable, the link is active - To substitute, repeat with the same button I hope it helps!!! In some presets, you will find aftertouch linked to parameters, too... The new version (not v.0.0.4, but the next one) will take care of this complexity

Thanks, Quinto. This is very helpful information and I'll give it a try.

quintosardo wrote:

You are absolutely right with this. There isn't a serious reason for this. Simply, this synth is very very complex, so it requires a lot of time to program and to change something (and to eliminate the need for this directory). I'll try to eliminate this constraint in v.0.0.4. If I won't be able to, I'll do in v.0.0.5. Probably I'll eliminate support files, so that you won't need 8 meg support files anymore!!! (in any directory...) Please, try the synth anyway, if you won't like it, you can delete "programmi" without any problem

thanks for your reply! i am looking forward to your changes. i will definitely check out your synth. it has received lots of praise so far, it seems. are you overhauling your gui, too?

gratias, again, for your hard work. oh, and i understand your english just fine.

blixa wrote:

...are you overhauling your gui, too? ...

Yes, I'm designing the new GUI. It will be available in september, I hope!
Bye!