[Comb Filter] Does anyone know how to use Macomate ?

[Boulotaur2024]

I'm currently working on a patch that's supposed to emulate quite closely -I hope- a string ensemble and I've recently discovered the joys of comb filters, namely Macomate.




http://dsp.trilete.net/?pid=projects&pc=Macomate+88

In the comments, some people talk about a documentation in the works but then it looks like nobody has had the time to do it eventually.

And the problem is, I'm totally clueless about how to use the damn thing (ok I've tried the small number of presets that come with it but...)

Are there some people who would be kind enough to explain -eveny roughly- how this thing works ?

(or provide a useful link maybe ?)

[runagate]

Certainly not I but I'll bump for you.

[Boulotaur2024]

Edited.

[Debutante]

That's one finickey bastard. I found out how the controls work and I think its a very potent weapon when wielded correctly. Here's the first place to start

First - turn the "MIX" knob (bottom right) all the way right; 100% wet: or choose the preset "Init"

1. Go to the "Out" page and pull down ALL the bars. You will kill all the sound coming from it. This activates your individual combs.

2. NOW - Pull up a single comb and you'll hear it's output.

*From this point you are now able to affect THAT output from other parameters.*

For example - If you now go to the "Pan" page you can place your corresponding single comb output wherever you want it to be. The easisest to hear would be the "Pitch". Once you've activated your comb from "Out", go to "Pitch" and change it's tone.

Same thing goes for all other controls. It's actually quite amazing, but a real bitch to use, but also simple once you begin to master it. The layout really sucks. IMO the "OUT" page should have been the first control.

I haven't figured out the knobs at the bottom. If anyone does please holler This thing could be the utlimate drumloop accessory. I don't think it takes MIDI, but it does respond to a little automation. I can't get the combs to automate, but the Mix and Volume knobs bottom right seem to work. I suspect the other knobs do as well, If I could get some kind of interference from them. HAPPY FSU'ing!

[runagate]

Awesome, thanks a million.
I've always wanted to understand this thing (and mutant koto for that matter) but I'd set it aside long before I knew to ask here.

[Debutante]

I made a really quick demo only using 3 combs. It's from a default FL loop and one instance of Macomate. I wish I knew how to get the ADSR page and knobs working. The plugin also doesn't seem to be totally stable after trying to save it in projects. Maybe it's not thoroughly finished yet.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0X2YG96Y

The LFO's are KILLER and the individual panning for each of 88 combs make it a great plugin all the same. I also just realised about the impulses it can analyse . And it takes tuning files as well. Unfortunately ALL the feeback controls at the bottom simply don't work for me.

[Debutante]

... and it DOES respond to MIDI. The filter is tuned to Channel 2....

[Boulotaur2024]

Well, it might be wonderful but it's insanely hard to my eyes, I did a few tests with your loop in EnergyXT... well... indeed the layout is bad, some controls do not seem to work or take effect... it may be great sonically but I'm sure there are other comb filters that do an equally good job, *but* with an usable interface.

I had used this one in the first place because it was the first one available that I could grab in my VST folder, but there's no way I'll keep using somethings that's... unusable and undocumented : )

But I'm glad you like it, me I'm just looking for something I can tweak knowingly (is that an english word ?), not just draw some yellowish weird stuff and see if it makes a difference.

edit : I forgot to mention that the "orchestra" sound already used Macomate, but with the untouched Init preset, so I'd naturally have liked to have more control over the plugin. Such a pity there's no documentation, even a bare quick-start... I'm pretty sure you can do some kind of "strings trills" with a comb filter, probably not ultra-natural tough, but I'm sure it could be interesting.

[Debutante]

Well, it might be wonderful but it's insanely hard to my eyes, I did a few tests with your loop in EnergyXT... well... indeed the layout is bad, some controls do not seem to work or take effect... it may be great sonically but I'm sure there are other comb filters that do an equally good job, *but* with an usable interface.

I had used this one in the first place because it was the first one available that I could grab in my VST folder, but there's no way I'll keep using somethings that's... unusable and undocumented : )

But I'm glad you like it, me I'm just looking for something I can tweak knowingly (is that an english word ?), not just draw some yellowish weird stuff and see if it makes a difference.

You're wrong. And so was I. All the controls DO work:

Everything that comes after the "Feedback" label at the bottom takes input from MIDI Channel 2. The feedback and it's envelope work that way. I assume that the ADSR in the comb pages changes the signal for each comb based on the MIDI signal that the feddback is getting, but I'm not sure. I'll try it, but it seems everything does work.

[Debutante]

So I finally figured out this plugin. Thanks to this thread, I've spent about 30 min. with it.

- The Feedback parameters at the bottom will not change anything unless they recieve MIDI input *from channel 2*. With MIDI they clearly act on the signal. Try changing the filter type (right click) to get the most audible effects of the MIDI input.

- You can use it as a "Combing IR Reverb" or an "IR Reverberating Comb" - take your pick. If you right click the comb window there are more options, one of which allows you to load an IR. SWEET!

@IBoulotaur2024: It's a pretty big plugin but definately worth learning. To get started, just follow my earlier post on WHERE to begin. It will all fall into place after that. Start with the preset INIT and follow directions 1 & 2 and you'll be able to figure it out quite easily from there. I don't know of another such configurable comb filter (especially a free one!) so it may well be worth the pain in the butt. You CAN tweak it very knowingly (an English word) if you just know where to begin.

[runagate]

Lovely, thank you Debutante.
I suspect that this will come in handy to a lot of people.

"IR Reverberating Comb" that's midi-controllable certainly isn't anything to sneeze at.

Thanks again!

[Debutante]

...not bloody likely, but has anyone figured out what the ADSR above the combs is for?