New drum-synth called smackbox. Beta-testing has commenced!

[stefancrs]

Here's another little loop, also 100% smackbox

Awesomely wicked sounds. I love it.

[stefancrs]

Hi, Stefan. I like the colors. It seems straightforward to use and the possibilities for sounds variation are great. I only played a few minutes so far. I tried randomize in FL 7, but had to turn it off. It created a gigantic hiss. I'll try recording automation as someone else suggested.
Thanks a lot for sharing. I hope you allow me to use it now.

The randomisation probably just created an awful patch, that's all

What do you mean by "allow me to use it now" ? Have I forbidden you to use it in my sleep or something? If so, I apologize

[stefancrs]

I may not get anymore time tonight, so here's my further 2 cents

-the shape and pitch knobs: .01 goes a long way and hard to dial in sometimes, especially on the osc delay knob and the osc pitch knobs. They aren't any better or worse, but those are the two values I found myself using to affect the sound most. I don't know if this should be a host issue, FL has a ctrl key function that slows the cursor down for fine movements, or if the ability to enter numerical values would help.

Try holding down shift when tweaking a knob.

-hung on rendering: In FL7, the plugin wrapper must Not select "used fixed size buffers." If that option is selected in the host, then it will not render and hangs FL. (The opposite is often true, especially for plugins made in other modular hosts which will remain nameless in your thread )

Will look into this, thanks.

-re: patch loading- the dialog box drop down doesn't work in FL. It works graphically but doesn't load the .txt preset files. I found this to be true whether or not the wrapper selected "invalidate plugin window". The buttons do load the files, as does the host wrapper load .fxb and .fxp patches correctly. I still think some parameters (crush?) are not consistently loaded correctly from presets, but I can't reproduce it yet.

You mean the "file"-dropdown?

-an artifact: after rendering in FL, the last channels (instruments 1-12) to be used are highlighted with the orange box around them, as if they are being played currently. This dissappears as soon as it is triggered again after rendering.

Yeah, you can get this under other circumstances too, mentioned this in the first post in this thread

-I don't know if there is a limiter internally, but when the kick on 1 and say, the snare on 6 are played, the snare seems to mute or phase out. (is this the stutter bug?) if I play a snare line of very fast hits, varying velocities, there is no problem, but a big kick kills the *sharp* transients of the snare. It's as if one kills the crusher for the other?

There's an built-in saturator/clipper on the output, so if you have your sounds too loud what you describe will happen. Lower the volumes to avoid this This has nothing to do with the stutter envelope bug.

One last thought. The sound is fantastic but the relationship of the pitch envelop to the oscillator shape is just unituitive enough that I frequently cannot make the sound I imagine. This is certainly my failure, not yours, but a graphic explanation in a manual, if there is one, would help.

Hm, I'm not sure I'm following you. Oscillator shape?

I will try to knock up a nice signal flow diagram, but I'm not sure what it is that you're having problems with, please elaborate

Thanks for all the great and constructive feedback, this goes to all of you!

[core]

The randomisation probably just created an awful patch, that's all

I also got very loud hissy sounds using FL Studio's randomize function. Tried it a few times but cound't get any usable sounds.

I didn't use any of the smackbox presets yet (the presets didn't show in FL Studio) so I just made my own sounds which was quite easy for me, and much fun. It can produce some really unique sounding stuff.

[stefancrs]

The randomisation probably just created an awful patch, that's all

I also got very loud hissy sounds using FL Studio's randomize function. Tried it a few times but cound't get any usable sounds.

I didn't use any of the smackbox presets yet (the presets didn't show in FL Studio) so I just made my own sounds which was quite easy for me, and much fun. It can produce some really unique sounding stuff.

Can't you tell the randomizer what ranges to use etc? Otherwise you will most of the time end up with noise...

In the current beta there's only one preset, "program 1", which is the default drum-kit. A preset is an entire kit. In the next update there will be a few (16) kits to select from, even if most of them are just "init" sounds

[MaliceX]

Very simple but quite a strong sounding synth.
Quickly whipped up a quick kit from scratch; notes quasi-mapped to GM-like order.
Copy and paste the smalltext into notepad:
MaliceX_Gabberish_Kit_1.txt

Preset Table Format
Number of programs = 1
Number of parameters = 39

Parameter Type Program 1
Filter-cutoff Float Array (12)
1 0.312500
2 0.728125
3 0.415625
4 0.000000
5 0.415625
6 0.490625
7 0.490625
8 0.490625
9 0.490625
10 0.490625
11 0.490625
12 0.000000
Filter-res Float Array (12)
1 0.490625
2 0.221875
3 1.000000
4 0.000000
5 1.000000
6 0.175000
7 0.000000
8 0.175000
9 0.000000
10 0.175000
11 0.000000
12 0.459375
Filter-fade Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.370878
3 0.166457
4 0.043805
5 0.166457
6 0.000000
7 0.000000
8 0.000000
9 0.000000
10 0.000000
11 0.000000
12 0.912391
pitch_decay Float Array (12)
1 0.057782
2 0.004367
3 0.007425
4 0.009792
5 0.007425
6 0.316159
7 0.316159
8 0.316159
9 0.000225
10 0.316159
11 0.000000
12 0.230332
pitch_amount Float Array (12)
1 0.853125
2 0.431250
3 0.000000
4 0.446875
5 0.046875
6 0.581250
7 0.490625
8 0.581250
9 0.409375
10 0.609375
11 0.487500
12 0.606250
pitch_attack Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.000000
3 0.000000
4 0.000000
5 0.000000
6 0.000000
7 0.000000
8 0.000000
9 0.971623
10 0.000000
11 0.000000
12 0.000137
pitch_shape Float Array (12)
1 0.125000
2 0.240625
3 0.018750
4 0.412500
5 0.018750
6 0.090625
7 0.090625
8 0.090625
9 0.090625
10 0.090625
11 0.090625
12 0.753125
pitch Float Array (12)
1 0.256250
2 0.834375
3 0.181250
4 0.718750
5 0.043750
6 0.256250
7 0.812500
8 0.306250
9 0.000000
10 0.337500
11 0.840625
12 0.543750
osc_decay Float Array (12)
1 0.539021
2 0.013926
3 0.327126
4 0.245871
5 0.478604
6 0.578870
7 0.015543
8 0.578870
9 0.032215
10 0.578870
11 0.120314
12 0.626722
x-mod Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.027287
3 0.546342
4 0.125805
5 0.707917
6 0.000000
7 0.102830
8 0.000000
9 0.177746
10 0.000000
11 0.182939
12 0.074897
colour Float Array (12)
1 0.045877
2 0.105836
3 0.365111
4 1.000000
5 0.365111
6 0.707917
7 0.707917
8 0.707917
9 0.707917
10 0.707917
11 1.000000
12 0.409673
osc_shape Float Array (12)
1 0.721875
2 0.025000
3 0.031250
4 0.240625
5 0.031250
6 0.496875
7 0.496875
8 0.496875
9 0.184375
10 0.496875
11 1.000000
12 0.534375
drive Float Array (12)
1 0.088750
2 0.020325
3 0.125374
4 0.243661
5 0.125374
6 0.045777
7 0.348833
8 0.045777
9 0.348833
10 0.045777
11 0.088750
12 0.066603
vol Float Array (12)
1 0.042074
2 0.063002
3 0.013700
4 0.045878
5 0.023068
6 0.193785
7 0.079341
8 0.125806
9 0.112113
10 0.258450
11 0.091637
12 0.086504
freq Float Array (12)
1 0.001224
2 0.021898
3 0.094967
4 0.072458
5 0.094967
6 0.081505
7 0.003286
8 0.065486
9 0.003286
10 0.056162
11 0.006452
12 0.002576
gain Float Array (12)
1 0.174768
2 0.591578
3 0.209096
4 0.113457
5 0.209096
6 0.013510
7 0.000000
8 0.017165
9 0.000000
10 0.020491
11 0.000000
12 0.000000
Q Float Array (12)
1 0.159475
2 0.021841
3 0.008654
4 0.068556
5 0.008654
6 0.000000
7 0.000000
8 0.013510
9 0.000000
10 0.000295
11 0.000000
12 0.000446
length Float Array (12)
1 0.257493
2 0.015887
3 0.013125
4 0.051824
5 0.013125
6 0.092370
7 0.092370
8 0.092370
9 0.009481
10 0.092370
11 0.009481
12 0.118347
strength Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.681250
3 1.000000
4 1.000000
5 1.000000
6 0.781250
7 0.781250
8 0.781250
9 0.781250
10 0.781250
11 0.781250
12 0.000000
Selector Float 0.083333
Selector Float 0.166667
Selector Float 0.250000
Selector Float 0.333333
Selector Float 0.416667
Selector Float 0.500000
Selector Float 0.583333
Selector Float 0.666667
Selector Float 0.750000
Selector Float 0.833333
Selector Float 0.916667
Selector Float 1.000000
noise_decay Float Array (12)
1 0.085628
2 0.012858
3 0.017745
4 0.008974
5 0.089336
6 0.029028
7 0.029028
8 0.029028
9 0.029028
10 0.029028
11 0.029028
12 0.152350
noise_filter Float Array (12)
1 0.515625
2 0.500000
3 0.612500
4 0.928125
5 0.612500
6 0.609375
7 0.609375
8 0.609375
9 0.609375
10 0.609375
11 0.609375
12 1.000000
noise_attack Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.000000
3 0.000360
4 0.000959
5 0.000360
6 0.000000
7 0.000000
8 0.000000
9 0.001440
10 0.000000
11 0.001440
12 0.000000
noise_shape Float Array (12)
1 0.250000
2 0.653125
3 0.018750
4 0.878125
5 0.018750
6 0.131250
7 0.131250
8 0.131250
9 0.131250
10 0.131250
11 0.131250
12 0.412500
vel_osc Float Array (12)
1 1.000000
2 1.000000
3 0.884375
4 0.137500
5 0.884375
6 0.728125
7 1.000000
8 0.728125
9 1.000000
10 0.728125
11 1.000000
12 1.000000
vel_noise Float Array (12)
1 1.000000
2 1.000000
3 0.884375
4 0.137500
5 0.884375
6 1.000000
7 1.000000
8 1.000000
9 1.000000
10 1.000000
11 1.000000
12 1.000000
track Float Array (12)
1 0.000000
2 0.530612
3 0.000000
4 0.000000
5 0.000000
6 0.000000
7 0.000000
8 0.000000
9 0.000000
10 0.000000
11 0.000000
12 0.285714
mix Float Array (12)
1 0.528125
2 0.000000
3 0.693750
4 0.603125
5 0.693750
6 0.812500
7 0.000000
8 0.812500
9 0.000000
10 0.812500
11 0.000000
12 0.234375


Anyway, this tool is pretty powerful for a simple drum synthesizer, however I'd like to raise some gripes.

1. I believe you should have the saving mechanism named "Load/Save Kit" and "Load/Save Cell" or the like. I almost lost my entire kit realising the Load/Save buttons on the top was only for saving the "current" cell selected.

2. What does stutter do, and what exactly functions it? Can't seem to find out what.

3. Velo control needs to be improved. Volumes aren't very consistent, in addition maybe intensity of "pitch envelope amount" could be velocity-triggered, or filter cutoff etc.

4. OSC DECAY to absolute minimum (value = 0) causes flatline null/clip for a few seconds (meaning, when triggered, sound is cut out until after waiting). Needs to be fixed.

Feature request/suggestions:

-A bit more flexible of an ADSR type of control? (For OSC, May try like a sort of 'noise' sound with an oscillator wave as a 'faux feedback' type of sound?)
-Controllable/Mappable LFO Modulation to be able to modulate certain stuff such as pitch.
-Note grouping(poly=1); for hihat choking stuff.
-Velocity-mappable triggers for stuff like cutoff, pitch/lfo amount etc.
-Stereo panning for individual sounds.

Thanks.

[Thought Obscuring Implant]

I can test it, send me the file.

[stefancrs]

1. I believe you should have the saving mechanism named "Load/Save Kit" and "Load/Save Cell" or the like. I almost lost my entire kit realising the Load/Save buttons on the top was only for saving the "current" cell selected.

Agreed.

2. What does stutter do, and what exactly functions it? Can't seem to find out what.

It's an envelope that retriggers a few times, used for making claps, but it's broken in the current version

3. Velo control needs to be improved. Volumes aren't very consistent, in addition maybe intensity of "pitch envelope amount" could be velocity-triggered, or filter cutoff etc.

What do you mean by not very consistant? Envelope amount and cutoff targets are good ideas. Will try them out.

4. OSC DECAY to absolute minimum (value = 0) causes flatline null/clip for a few seconds (meaning, when triggered, sound is cut out until after waiting). Needs to be fixed.

I know. This has already been fixed for the next release. Mentioned earlier in the thread

Feature request/suggestions:

-A bit more flexible of an ADSR type of control? (For OSC, May try like a sort of 'noise' sound with an oscillator wave as a 'faux feedback' type of sound?)

Not sure I'm following you. Or, oh, you mean fading in a "beeping" osc after the noise? One can almost make what you want by using the filter in a highly resonant mode for the beeping, and the oscillator for the noise by modulating it with the noise generator. Or use some heavy distortion effect with feedback as an external effect

-Controllable/Mappable LFO Modulation to be able to modulate certain stuff such as pitch.

Not entirely sure what kind of sounds you would use this for, example?

-Velocity-mappable triggers for stuff like cutoff, pitch/lfo amount etc.

Is this the same as the improved velocity control mentioned above?

-Stereo panning for individual sounds.

Already implemented for the next release.

Thanks for all the input!

[stefancrs]

I can test it, send me the file.

Thanks for offering your help, but I got enough testers for now! Cheers!

[MaliceX]

3. Velo control needs to be improved. Volumes aren't very consistent, in addition maybe intensity of "pitch envelope amount" could be velocity-triggered, or filter cutoff etc.

What do you mean by not very consistant? Envelope amount and cutoff targets are good ideas. Will try them out.

Like, the velocity curve for volume change is very minimal. It's still quite loud.

Feature request/suggestions:

-A bit more flexible of an ADSR type of control? (For OSC, May try like a sort of 'noise' sound with an oscillator wave as a 'faux feedback' type of sound?)

Not sure I'm following you. Or, oh, you mean fading in a "beeping" osc after the noise? One can almost make what you want by using the filter in a highly resonant mode for the beeping, and the oscillator for the noise by modulating it with the noise generator. Or use some heavy distortion effect with feedback as an external effect

No, I mean like, if it's possible to have the oscillator 'fade in' after the noise wave. I dunno, it's just a thought. Not really worth buggering about.

-Controllable/Mappable LFO Modulation to be able to modulate certain stuff such as pitch.

Not entirely sure what kind of sounds you would use this for, example?

This is more sound effects oriented, stuff like noise scratching or effectized percussion . Again, not really something to bugger about .

-Velocity-mappable triggers for stuff like cutoff, pitch/lfo amount etc.

Is this the same as the improved velocity control mentioned above?

Similar, except velocity responds to knobs. For example, a snare sound with a low velocity would have a lower cutoff triggered, at the same, the same sound but with a higher velocity would trigger the cutoff to be higher. A bit like an expressive filter.

But this is one attractive drummy though.

EDIT: Bug found. When saving kit, it's normal, but when reloading, the C-Key for some reason switches to using sound 12 instead of whatever it was saved as. Needs to be looked on.

Also, release. Is there any way to adjust the 'ending' of a sound, rather than having them fade smoothly but have them end abruptly?

[Musical Gym]

No, I just wanted to be sure.
Maybe I missed it, but does/will this synth have its own sequencer/randomizer like Cubix or erratic?
Can it already be set to play with Host tempo without entering any notes?

[stefancrs]

3. Velo control needs to be improved. Volumes aren't very consistent, in addition maybe intensity of "pitch envelope amount" could be velocity-triggered, or filter cutoff etc.

What do you mean by not very consistant? Envelope amount and cutoff targets are good ideas. Will try them out.

Like, the velocity curve for volume change is very minimal. It's still quite loud.

This only applies when you have the drive knob a fair bit up as far as I can tell. There's an issue with velocity being between 1 and 127, but I've rescaled it to 0-127 for the next release.
I'll figure out a velocity curve control.

No, I mean like, if it's possible to have the oscillator 'fade in' after the noise wave. I dunno, it's just a thought. Not really worth buggering about.

This is more sound effects oriented, stuff like noise scratching or effectized percussion . Again, not really something to bugger about .

I think we'll leave these for something else.

Similar, except velocity responds to knobs. For example, a snare sound with a low velocity would have a lower cutoff triggered, at the same, the same sound but with a higher velocity would trigger the cutoff to be higher. A bit like an expressive filter.

This I want too Will give it a go.

EDIT: Bug found. When saving kit, it's normal, but when reloading, the C-Key for some reason switches to using sound 12 instead of whatever it was saved as. Needs to be looked on.

Confirmed.

Also, release. Is there any way to adjust the 'ending' of a sound, rather than having them fade smoothly but have them end abruptly?

Well, you could always pull shape all the way up I guess, but then it's full volume all the way until it cuts of, kind of.

[stefancrs]

No, I just wanted to be sure.
Maybe I missed it, but does/will this synth have its own sequencer/randomizer like Cubix or erratic?
Can it already be set to play with Host tempo without entering any notes?

No internal sequencer is planned for this version. In a future version (like 2.0 or whatever), who knows. I'm not that into internal sequencers, but I do understand why some people are. It's a matter of taste

[ouroboros]

-the shape and pitch knobs:

Try holding down shift when tweaking a knob.

thanks!

-re: patch loading-

You mean the "file"-dropdown?

correct, the drop down box doesn't work for me in FL, but all other methods do.

-It's as if one kills the crusher for the other?

There's an built-in saturator/clipper on the output, so if you have your sounds too loud what you describe will happen. Lower the volumes to avoid this This has nothing to do with the stutter envelope bug.

ahh, of course!

One last thought. The sound is fantastic but the relationship of the pitch envelop to the oscillator shape is just unituitive enough that I frequently cannot make the sound I imagine. This is certainly my failure, not yours, but a graphic explanation in a manual, if there is one, would help.

Hm, I'm not sure I'm following you. Oscillator shape?

I will try to knock up a nice signal flow diagram, but I'm not sure what it is that you're having problems with, please elaborate

well, I think I'm just a bit thrown by the envelopes: they don't seem to correspond enough to the differences in sound I hear. A signal flow diagram will clear it up. Actually, maybe this is a better explanation: the envelopes are difficult to correlate because there is no absolute time reference on them. Let me think on this some more (could take a while )

[stefancrs]

correct, the drop down box doesn't work for me in FL, but all other methods do.

Will look into this!

well, I think I'm just a bit thrown by the envelopes: they don't seem to correspond enough to the differences in sound I hear. A signal flow diagram will clear it up. Actually, maybe this is a better explanation: the envelopes are difficult to correlate because there is no absolute time reference on them. Let me think on this some more (could take a while )

When you tweak the knobs you get a time read-out, but the actual display only shows the relative length of the sections (and no length on the decay-only envelope for the sine generator). Maybe a "total length" read-out under the display could help or something. I am however suspecting that it won't look that good