Scanned Synth

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

I have now uploaded a new version of the synth (0.8.2.3) to the web site (http://www.humanoidsounds.co.uk). This has a preset called "Vanilla" which basically has everything switched off. It's not very exciting but that's the idea really!

I tried it in FLStudio on my Pentium M 1.73GHz laptop and did not find any problems. I'll try it on my AMD Athlon XP+ 2100 at home as soon as I get round to it.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

I think that the following is a sensible grouping of parameters. As a first step I will re-order the parameters (and remove the currently unused compressor parameters) so that they follow this order:

Master
======

Randomise
Master level

Gain
Gain group lock

Stereo width
Retrigger
General group lock

Master ADSR attack
Master ADSR decay
Master ADSR sustain
Master ADSR release
Master ADSR log scale
Master ADSR group lock

Pitch bend scale
Polyphony

Pitch
Pitch range
Pitch modulation
Pitch modulation amount
Pitch group lock

Enable portamento
Portamento time
Portamento group lock

Scanned Synthesis
=================

Update rate
Update rate modulation
Update rate modulation amount
Update rate group lock

Hammer shape
Hammer shape group lock
Hammer scale

Centre wave
Centre wave group lock
Centre wave amount

Centre force scale
Centre force scale modulation
Centre force scale modulation amount
Centre force scale group lock

Masses shape
Masses shape group lock
Mass stretch
Mass stretch modulation
Mass stretch modulation amount
Mass stretch group lock
Mass scale
Mass scale modulation
Mass scale modulation amount
Mass scale group lock

Connection matrix
Connection matrix warp
Connection matrix warp modulation
Connection matrix warp modulation amount
Connection matrix warp difference
Connection matrix warp difference modulation
Connection matrix warp difference modulation amount
Connection matrix group lock
Connection force scale
Connection force scale modulation
Connection force scale modulation amount
Connection force scale group lock

Modulators
==========

ADSR1 Attack
ADSR1 Decay
ADSR1 Sustain
ADSR1 Release
ADSR1 Velocity sensitivity
ADSR1 Log scale
ADSR1 group lock

ADSR2 Attack
ADSR2 Decay
ADSR2 Sustain
ADSR2 Release
ADSR2 Velocity sensitivity
ADSR2 Log scale
ADSR2 group lock

LFO1 frequency
LFO1 phase
LFO1 waveform
LFO1 retrigger
LFO1 group lock

LFO2 frequency
LFO2 phase
LFO2 waveform
LFO2 retrigger
LFO2 group lock

Effects
=======

Enable flanger
Flanger rate
Flanger depth
Flanger group lock

Enable chorus
Chorus rate
Chorus depth
Chorus amount
Chorus group lock

Filter cutoff
Filter gain
Filter mode
Filter group lock
Filter bandwidth

Enable reverb
Reverb room size
Reverb damping
Reverb wet output level
Reverb dry output level
Reverb width
Reverb group lock

[brambos]

I think that the following is a sensible grouping of parameters.

That grouping makes a lot of sense. When creating a GUI for this thing I would put the emphasis of the controls on the actual "synthesis" part instead of the "master" section. This helps people understand what's the most crucial thing about this architecture. Next would be the "Modulators" section, followed by "master" and "effects" I guess.

It doesn't necessarily need to be laid out in that order, but I'm talking about the visual attention the sections attract.

Many synths consist of panels and zones that have no clear hierarchy which makes it harder for users to distinguish the essence of the synthesis architecture. Which may be fine for vanilla VA, but is more problematic with more exotic synthesis models.

This will be an interesting plugin!

[amoebe]

Anyone care to comment on this 'mood board'?

[fabi]

looks good - as many of your designs do. like that displaced line up in 'scanned' as well as the 'filming a pc screen' kind of background for the whole thing.

[legendCNCD]

quite nice, too much free space.. but is it going to be used?

[lowercase]

looks nice, but I don't want random, I want to be able to set parameters

[marvotron]

i think he is saying that this is an idea of the stylistic approach, to give you the 'mood' or 'feel' of the UI, not an exercise in usability analysis.

i like it, it feels right for the kind of sounds that i've heard from the synth so far.

[amoebe]

I think he is saying that this is an idea of the stylistic approach, to give you the 'mood' or 'feel' of the UI, not an exercise in usability analysis.

That's the main idea, yes. I'd like to know if people like the overall looks of this illustration. I can't start designing it yet since John is far from finished programming this synth.

'filming a pc screen' kind of background

I made that texture a long time ago and it looked like scanlines, I thought that was appropriate.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

I really like it! This will really make the synth look like a lovely shiny piece of expensive kit.

I've nearly finished re-ordering the parameters. Then I will start putting together some skinnable GUI code. Can't wait!

[amoebe]

That's final for me. I'll continue in this style then.
Will there be some 'global' parameteroutput added? I mean one screen that will show the value of any knob/slider.

Here's a thought: I presume (but haven't had much luck experimenting yet) that some combinations of frequencies/massses/hammershapes/etc. give better results in hearing experience than others. Maybe it's an idea to add Eve-one like soundwizards that give a list of pre-programmed 'models' that are good starting points or building blocks.
Do I make any sense here?

[mayan]

Looks to be a beaut, amoebe!

[whyterabbyt]

Just for the record, this is a jaw-droppingly wonderful synth. Thanks.

[Sickle]

A randomize amount parameter would be a good addition to this.

[pHz]

A randomize amount parameter would be a good addition to this.

you have eXT dont you ???

slainte rob