Dedicated Solina VSTI [thread from 2009]

[emdot_ambient]

...that Analog String Station looked real nice...

To each their own. I really disliked that projects looks. It was way over-designed. It looked more designed to say, "LOOK AT ME!!!" rather than "PLAY me!"

And, liqih, I like your design philosophy: work on what's really important to the synth (divide down emulation, ensemble, phaser, reverb). String synths don't need arps, IMO, but if you want to arp on, you can add it from somewhere else...Atomic, for example. Filters and such can be added externally, too, not that I'd mind them being included...I always advocate for the inclusion of a Crumar Performer style 3-band EQ (and never get it). But the real essentials look like they're covered in your project.

[electro]

I already made an emulation of Solina and Logan, using virtual divide down oscillators (No samples used), Chorus code has been modelled after the Solina schematics, as soon as I finish the graphics I will release the VSTi for Windows, (Mac later), if you want to hear a demo of the sound give me a MIDI file and I will render to you,

http://www.dashsignature.com/SDS/sds_preview.png

How does it stand up to this?
http://www.native-instruments.com/php/f ... ent-V_.mp3

It seems to be the best Solina emulation so far.

[sinkmusic]

...that Analog String Station looked real nice...

To each their own. I really disliked that projects looks. It was way over-designed. It looked more designed to say, "LOOK AT ME!!!" rather than "PLAY me!"

I'm with Emdot on this one.

And, liqih, I like your design philosophy: work on what's really important to the synth (divide down emulation, ensemble, phaser, reverb). String synths don't need arps

And Again a +1

but 2 more things :

- i would cut it down even further : the effect section on string machines never have so many knobs/switches/faders, and that is an essential part of their design and what makes them so attractive : not many features, but each one has a strong and unique character.
So phaser, ensemble and reverb should be there indeed, but maybe with only one or two knobs, and not turn into more versatile but also more vanilla efx.

- I like the design philosophy, but i don't really like that actual design sketch (i don't like the label font -at all-, i dislike the blue/green too, the metallic silver grey is damn too cold for a string machine, i don't get the meaning of the "tabletop-alike" design, and i think the most important thing is the synth part, so i don't understand why the effet section takes so many gui space).
Well, of course, as usual : my 2 cents, imho, etc


Looking forward to this (still no mp3 ??), and also looking forward to the Wok one !

[electro]

...that Analog String Station looked real nice...

To each their own. I really disliked that projects looks. It was way over-designed. It looked more designed to say, "LOOK AT ME!!!" rather than "PLAY me!"

I'm with Emdot on this one.

And, liqih, I like your design philosophy: work on what's really important to the synth (divide down emulation, ensemble, phaser, reverb). String synths don't need arps

And Again a +1

but 2 more things :

- i would cut it down even further : the effect section on string machines never have so many knobs/switches/faders, and that is an essential part of their design and what makes them so attractive : not many features, but each one has a strong and unique character.
So phaser, ensemble and reverb should be there indeed, but maybe with only one or two knobs, and not turn into more versatile but also more vanilla efx.

- I like the design philosophy, but i don't really like that actual design sketch (i don't like the label font -at all-, i dislike the blue/green too, the metallic silver grey is damn too cold for a string machine, i don't get the meaning of the "tabletop-alike" design, and i think the most important thing is the synth part, so i don't understand why the effet section takes so many gui space).
Well, of course, as usual : my 2 cents, imho, etc


Looking forward to this (still no mp3 ??), and also looking forward to the Wok one !

I would say if you're really modelling a Solina, make it the same. No extra knobs, buttons or FX.

[Jim Y]

Having once played around with the signal path of a real Logan, I found some very useful variation sounds at different points in the 3 stage BBD chorus. There was also some preset pots on the chorus board - a slight tweak of which gave a sound more like the one I expected of a string machine. This might suggest not all the synths had exactly the same sound from the factory anyway and if the developer produces a fixed setup, you may not find the sound fits your own ideal.

So, if options like these can be easily had, I don't see anything wrong with adding them. Surely it doesn't prevent an emulation sounding like the original? Just makes it more versatile and probably follow a path the real thing might have developed in if production had continued for a few more years.

Jim

[Gucky]

Hi liqih,
I for my person like your gui very much.

Maybe that you make two gui for your plug:
One gui which is very near the original look of the solina with only a
few sliders and knobs.
And one gui call it "expert mode" or "modern mode" with more parameters
as the orinal solina.
It could be switchable with a "mode" knob.
So both people could be happy. The people who like the "original" look and
the people who want to modify the sound a little bit more.

[liqih]

Thanks very much for the feedback, it helps!, I try to reply to all of you:

emdot_ambient
I always advocate for the inclusion of a Crumar Performer style 3-band EQ (and never get it).

Actually I was almost to include a 3-band EQ it really change the sounds, but it's anyway a post effect which you can do with another plugin. Crumar Performer had one to replace in the architecture the multi stop of other string machines,
as you know Horn and Brass stops are simply diffrent EQ fo the Viola sound.

electro
How does it stand up to this?

We could culd compare the mp3s later, anyway I know that Reaktor is very capable of such a sound.

sinkmusic
not many features, but each one has a strong and unique character.
the metallic silver grey is damn too cold for a string machine,

Maybe, but I liked the look of Elka Rapsody and Wersi String Orchesta
http://www.till-kopper.de/wersi_string- ... stra_i.jpg

electro
I would say if you're really modelling a Solina, make it the same. No extra knobs, buttons or FX.

yes that was the first idea but then... see what Jim Y says below

Jim Y
This might suggest not all the synths had exactly the same sound from the factory anyway and if the developer produces a fixed setup, you may not find the sound fits your own ideal.

Just makes it more versatile and probably follow a path the real thing might have developed in if production had continued for a few more years.

Absolutely agreed, that's why also while making the Solina chorus from the schematics I found that having a few more parameters twakable allows variations that I would have missed.

Also in my design ther are two more waveforms so that also other sounds from contemporary Crumar and Elka machine can be achieved

Gucky
And one gui call it "expert mode" or "modern mode" with more parameters
as the orinal solina.
It could be switchable with a "mode" knob.

Well this could be a skin change easily, one skin could hide some parameters,
workable idea.

So remember this synth will be skinnable and the skin layout file includes which parameter are visible and their default value.

Thanks

[reddvinylene]

i tried all so called stringmachine emulations in the plugin land, and there's only one that is close: the reaktor ensemble of the solina ... all others are faaar away from the sound of a real stringmachine ...

You forgot Synth Squad's Amber though.

[liqih]

other GUI ideas http://dashsignature.com/SDS/

[EvilDragon]

Looks a lot better! I like the last one the most.

Perhaps adding some slightly textured background, to appear more "wooden"

Could you add another knob for phaser (say, Feedback!) to totally level up with the Ensemble knobs? I love howling phasers!

[brok landers]

i tried all so called stringmachine emulations in the plugin land, and there's only one that is close: the reaktor ensemble of the solina ... all others are faaar away from the sound of a real stringmachine ...

You forgot Synth Squad's Amber though.

i did not, i stated in the other thread that i put high hopes on it ... however, it's not released yet, so i've not mentioned it ... up to now there's only the reaktor ensembles that can compete, when talking about released stuff ...

[dacaumodo]

other GUI ideas http://dashsignature.com/SDS/

Looking good! I think I like the second and fourth from the left best.

[liqih]

Looks a lot better! I like the last one the most.

Perhaps adding some slightly textured background, to appear more "wooden"

Could you add another knob for phaser (say, Feedback!) to totally level up with the Ensemble knobs? I love howling phasers!

Thanks , actually I should add Mix, Amount is already the feedback, <grin>

[liqih]

other GUI ideas http://dashsignature.com/SDS/

Looking good! I think I like the second and fourth from the left best.

Do you mean Strings_Dream_Synthesizer_3.jpg and sds_variated.jpg? Thanks.

[EvilDragon]

Thanks , actually I should add Mix, Amount is already the feedback, <grin>

Goodie... then renaming Amount to Feedback could be very helpful to clarify what's what.