Scanned Synth

[amoebe]

A randomize amount parameter would be a good addition to this

Or what about a knob or slider instead of all those random locks. So you can scale the randomizing for all groups.

[Sickle]

A randomize amount parameter would be a good addition to this

Or what about a knob or slider instead of all those random locks. So you can scale the randomizing for all groups.

If you wanted to be *really* smart about it, you take your sub-sections of the instrument and place a randomize ratio controller there instead of using a global one, so you could for example, where 0 = no randomization and 100 = max, you'd be able to randomize the filter section by 13%, oscialltor by 45%, envelope by 80%, etc.

Basically, set up an random event filter for each section, I guess. A parameter 'lock' wouldn't be a bad idea, either, to prevent a random signal from hitting a section you don't want altered. That way you'd only need one randomizer button.

[amoebe]

you take your sub-sections of the instrument and place a randomize ratio controller there instead of using a global one,

I knew I wasn't clear about it, but that was what I was trying to say. I think a lock wouldn't be needed anymore. The knob could show a small lock icon when set at 0%

[biomechanoid]

es2 in logic has a neat way of handling this - a random % slider and a drop down menu with appropriate targets for the randomization, including combinations - eg - 'all except pitch'

btw - hello john! met you at ben's party and chatted quite a bit about your synth... i'm still very intrigued, especially after hearing peoples reactions. it sounds right up my street. any chance of a mac version at some point?

[Prajch]

If you could interpolate between randomizations it would sound pretty cool. For example, you would set a 5% randomization amount with a morph time of 10 seconds, and when you hit randomize, it would smoothly flow into the new values. You could assign an LFO or some other modulation to the random amount, morph time, and activation of the randomizer to create complex and evolving sounds (that still retain some familiarity as long as you keep the random amount fairly low).

It might also be handy to have a switchable GUI with less knobs, that control the sound more broadly (similar to the "Easy" page in Native Instruments' FM7). I have the feeling that some people might be overwhelmed by the amount of parameters.

Now, the preset handling is totally insane in FL Studio. Loading the built-in presets works fine, but if I try to save one of my own and reload it, the knobs fly around unpredictably for a few seconds before stopping on a sound nothing like the original.

The CPU usage is pretty nuts too; I'm getting 60-70% on some randomizations (with one-voice poly). Knowing how to program the synth might help though... this thing needs that new GUI and a decent manual (unless one already exists?).

And is there a secret to making presets that can play chords without heaps of noisy distortion?

I see a lot of potential for ScannedSynth once some of these things are sorted out; occasionally I'll hit randomize and hear something wild and surprising. I just wish I knew how to do that on purpose. Keep it up.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

I definitely like the idea of grouped variable randomisation and being able to smoothly flow between settings. The problem with flowing between randomisations is that you would never be able to recreate the same thing twice. It would be pretty cool to have the same thing for presets though. I'd be very interested to hear how that would sound. I'll investigate.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

if I try to save one of my own and reload it, the knobs fly around unpredictably for a few seconds before stopping on a sound nothing like the original.

The CPU usage is pretty nuts too; I'm getting 60-70% on some randomizations (with one-voice poly). Knowing how to program the synth might help though... this thing needs that new GUI and a decent manual (unless one already exists?).

I'll have a look at these problems. It sounds as if it is to do with the host saving the value of the Randomise parameter so that the synth instantly randomises itself when bringing up the preset. The CPU usage may well be be down to the Update Rate setting.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

And is there a secret to making presets that can play chords without heaps of noisy distortion?

I know what you mean about this. It's on my priority list.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

btw - hello john! met you at ben's party and chatted quite a bit about your synth... i'm still very intrigued, especially after hearing peoples reactions. it sounds right up my street. any chance of a mac version at some point?

Hello there (sorry I forgot your actual name along with quite a lot of what actually happened at Ben's party (was it 'Andy'?)). I would certainly like to produce a Mac port but I don't actually have a Mac at the moment. It's in the pipeline though.

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

I just wanted to warn everyone that the synth may not always be free. It is my plan to release a commercial version at some point in the future. There are some patent issues with the technology at the moment and obviously it is not yet in a state to be called final release yet but it will probably happen!

[John [Humanoid Sound Sys]]

By the way, I can;t help feeling that the name "Scanned Synth VST" is not particularly catchy. Does anyone have any ideas for more interesting names?

[PTV]

IMO Scanned Synth VST is a great name - It catched my attention

[whyterabbyt]

By the way, I can;t help feeling that the name "Scanned Synth VST" is not particularly catchy. Does anyone have any ideas for more interesting names?

From sensible to silly:

Scanner
Scanline
Scanbient
Scandango
Scanfrancisco

[michu]

From sensible to silly:

Scanner
Scanline
Scanbient
Scandango
Scanfrancisco

Scandal
Scancan

[Prajch]

Scanned Synth kinda clashes with MDSP's "ScanSynth"... I think Scandal is pretty catchy.

Oh and about not being able to recreate the same thing twice... You could set something up where it morphs to a randomization, then back to its original settings, then to another randomization, etc... I don't know anything about programming so maybe my wacky ideas are impossible, but I think it'd be a nice feature.

And if you get the GUI and a few other details sorted out I don't see any reason why you couldn't market this thing.