Create a track using only CRYSTAL for all the sounds, including percussion!
Download CRYSTAL here if you dont have it already.
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html
********* RULES ( please read fully) **********
* The track can be made in any host.
* The latest version of CRYSTAL ( from link above ) has enough features to make addition of fx (other than compression/dynamics ) unnecessary, but no restrictions will be applied provided the fx are freeware, and freely available.
..NOTE .. this also applies to your chosen hosts native effects unless they can be obtained for free and used within other hosts as easily as a generic Vst.
* Samples may be used provided they have been created by CRYSTAL, and not coloured/manipulated, before or after the sample has been rendered, by any effect/device/process that is not freeware which is accesible and usable by all participants. As above, this applies to features which may be native to your chosen host.
* The above also applies to samples loaded to the voices in CRYSTAL. Other than samples created entirely from CRYSTAL, only the samples included in the download can be used in any part/aspect of the submitted track. Please query if this is not (crystal) clear!
* There is no track length limit.
*** Finished tracks, in mp3 format, should be uploaded here ...
http://onesynthcomp.4shared.com/
* Please post in this thread when you upload a track, that way I can prevent abuse of this public folder. Anything uploaded without an accompanying post here will be deleted.
For the sake of clarity, name your track in the following format ...
Title of Track - Artist Name
* Before you do that though, create a notepad/text file and describe briefly what you have used ( host, how many instances of CRYSTAL, how many samples of CRYSTAL sounds , which fx, how many instances.. etc. )
....... keep it short though, that way it can be read in preview mode without the need to be downloaded.
Save the notepad/text file as the title of your track, that way it will sit above or below the track itself when you upload it, and not get mixed up with any others. ( feel free to post or PM me if you have any problems uploading )
**** CLOSING DATE for submissions is 17th June 2009 ****
( I would have made it earlier, but I am aware that another two comps are currently running which some of you may be involved in )
A poll will be opened as soon as is practicable after this deadline, and voting will be open to all kvr members for a period of 7 days.
..... NOTE ..... Only tracks uploaded to the hosting folder allocated for this comp, before the closing date, accompanied by said info text file, will appear on the poll. Please do not post seperate, external links to tracks you wish to be included in the comp.
And the prize(s)? Rob_lee has generously donated a patch bank for Sylenth for this and future comps. I will come up with something you will hopefully enjoy playing around with, and ANY OTHER OFFERS OF PRIZES WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
I like to think though, and judging by the last two comps, that the biggest prize is the joy of participation, and the learning process that comes with the challenge of stretching one synth to its limits.
**** Good luck with those tracks! ...... and have fun!!! ****
One-Synth-Challenge 5! (yes 5!) - CRYSTAL
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- KVRAF
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
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- KVRian
- 1191 posts since 8 Jul, 2005 from NY, US
I'll be joining..but I wonder why crystal? Out of all the new cool synths that have come out lately, why this oldie(but goodie)? Have you tried the Poland Compilation synths? Phenomenal!
Don't mind me..these OSC things are fun no matter what synth you use! Looking forward to it!
Don't mind me..these OSC things are fun no matter what synth you use! Looking forward to it!
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
Good to hear you'll be joining us Madpsytrance!
The choice of Crystal was based on discussions on previous One-Synth-challenge threads ( which should be easy enough to find ), and to be honest, lack of discussion re. alternatives! Theres never a bad time to add your weight to the continuing stream of suggestions, and hopefully, there will be a
candidate or two which excites 'one-synthers' enough to be the star of the next comp.
So feel free to nominate some synths ... but dont ignore the word 'challenge'!
.... mind you, there's different kinds of challenge .... theres the 'so simple its a foghorn, how can I possibly make a hihat with this!!!' ...and there's the 'FFS .... how do I hack my way through this jungle? .. and where the fk are the oscillators?? .... oh there they are hiding among the other 14 ocillators either side of the the double 'Z' shaped modulation matrix panel!!!
I have been paying close attention to the Polish synth thread(s) ... and yeah, I thought these might be well cool for a future comp .... and then again, there's Dreamstation, Superwave8, Iblit, Karnage, Minimogue, Leto ( Ah! Leto! ... jen clone! now that would be a challenge!! ) ....
.... and err ....
.... well, it's Crystal for now, next time? who knows?
The choice of Crystal was based on discussions on previous One-Synth-challenge threads ( which should be easy enough to find ), and to be honest, lack of discussion re. alternatives! Theres never a bad time to add your weight to the continuing stream of suggestions, and hopefully, there will be a
candidate or two which excites 'one-synthers' enough to be the star of the next comp.
So feel free to nominate some synths ... but dont ignore the word 'challenge'!
.... mind you, there's different kinds of challenge .... theres the 'so simple its a foghorn, how can I possibly make a hihat with this!!!' ...and there's the 'FFS .... how do I hack my way through this jungle? .. and where the fk are the oscillators?? .... oh there they are hiding among the other 14 ocillators either side of the the double 'Z' shaped modulation matrix panel!!!
I have been paying close attention to the Polish synth thread(s) ... and yeah, I thought these might be well cool for a future comp .... and then again, there's Dreamstation, Superwave8, Iblit, Karnage, Minimogue, Leto ( Ah! Leto! ... jen clone! now that would be a challenge!! ) ....
.... and err .... .... well, it's Crystal for now, next time? who knows?
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- KVRian
- 1191 posts since 8 Jul, 2005 from NY, US
Sweet! I guess when this one comes to a close I'll voice my suggestions on the next synth then...probably one the Electrostudio ones.
By the way I probably couldn't make "MadPsytrance" if my life depended on it, lol.
By the way I probably couldn't make "MadPsytrance" if my life depended on it, lol.
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- KVRAF
- 9521 posts since 6 Oct, 2004
Hi, the stock Crystal soundfonts are a separate download at the Crystal website, maybe good to
clarify by not using the term 'samples', and that a Soundfonts folder must be made within the Crystal folder, for them to be found in the file requestor. Entrants who rt(fine)m will have certain advantages. As I recall, that requestor does not handle large numbers of sf2 files perfectly...cheers
clarify by not using the term 'samples', and that a Soundfonts folder must be made within the Crystal folder, for them to be found in the file requestor. Entrants who rt(fine)m will have certain advantages. As I recall, that requestor does not handle large numbers of sf2 files perfectly...cheers
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- KVRian
- 1191 posts since 8 Jul, 2005 from NY, US
TC probably wouldn't bother...he'd be too nice and give the rest of us a chance.
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- KVRian
- 1191 posts since 8 Jul, 2005 from NY, US
This isn't the first OSC to allow effects that weren't built into the synth...
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- KVRAF
- 4071 posts since 4 Mar, 2008 from Near Pittsburgh
The freeware effects make it a little more challenging to us Mac users who have a bit less available in that respect but there's a ton you can do with just Crystal. I don't mind either way, though that's because if I enter it will suck anyway regardless of freeware effects or not
Or I might be able to come up with some hosting space and/or one of the artist slots in my Jamroom site if there's any interest in that sort of prize. Then I wouldn't have to feel bad when nobody could vote for any terrible entry I make, chalked up to conflict of interest hehe.
Or I might be able to come up with some hosting space and/or one of the artist slots in my Jamroom site if there's any interest in that sort of prize. Then I wouldn't have to feel bad when nobody could vote for any terrible entry I make, chalked up to conflict of interest hehe.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
I did think about the effects allowance thing, and I actually thought about it the opposite way round you bbtr, I thought the idea of disallowing an effect which was included in the synth was equally pointless!
I think people will make of the challenge what they will ... but I dont think anyone can be bothered with the 'challenge' of determining from a completed track whether someone has used the internal delay of a synth, or has added a plug.
At the end of the day, using extra fx loads up the cpu, so it can actually be a disadvantage!
Feel free to discuss though .... it wont change the rules of this comp, but if feelins are strong enough, then it will certainly be taken into account for the next one!
Re. the soundfont/sample issue ... I'm not entirely sure what you mean Glokraw, but I'll read again, have a think and hopefully clarify.
I think people will make of the challenge what they will ... but I dont think anyone can be bothered with the 'challenge' of determining from a completed track whether someone has used the internal delay of a synth, or has added a plug.
At the end of the day, using extra fx loads up the cpu, so it can actually be a disadvantage!
Feel free to discuss though .... it wont change the rules of this comp, but if feelins are strong enough, then it will certainly be taken into account for the next one!
Re. the soundfont/sample issue ... I'm not entirely sure what you mean Glokraw, but I'll read again, have a think and hopefully clarify.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
OK Glokraw, In the version of Crystal I have, there is an option in the 'voice' page, in the oscillator section, to load synthesised waveforms or sampled sound source. There is a choice of 21 sampled sounds, and 6 synthesised waveforms.
What I had in mind was that this basic version would be what everyone uses, as I think this should be enough to work with, whilst being also limited enough to encourage more creative tweaking.
However, whilst I believe it to be in the spirit of the comp to stick to this basic setup, I'm not sure it would bother me if anyone found it necessary to use additional patches/soundfonts, and because there are already 125 presets, I think any advantage gained by having extra would be countered by the palaver of wading through more!
So all in all, I'm a bit reluctant to impose restrictions on extra patchbanks etc, assuming of course that the downloaded material has all been created in/by/or specifically for Crystal.
What I mean by permitted samples, in the OP is the sampled material within Crystal, and samples created by the user via Crystal ONLY!
What I DONT see as permissable would be the incorporation of ready made sounds from other sources .... eg. If someone has a favourite bass drum sample and finds the means to somehow ( by converting its format or whatever )have it load into one of the voices in Crystal..... that would be cheating! .... as would be the use of said sample in the track in place of a sound created in Crystal.
Maybe you, or others will view the use of soundfonts and additional patches as cheating also, please discuss! .... this is an area of the rules I am willing to admit I am weak in terms of knowledge/familiarity with the content of the SFs etc, and therefore an area I can be swayed on if there is a general concensus of opinion.
I will be using only the basic version as I have described above, and I would prefer if everyone else did likewise .... but I dont feel as strongly about the issue as to make it a requirement of the comp .. but as I say, I am willing to be swayed should there be some discussion over the next few days.
What I had in mind was that this basic version would be what everyone uses, as I think this should be enough to work with, whilst being also limited enough to encourage more creative tweaking.
However, whilst I believe it to be in the spirit of the comp to stick to this basic setup, I'm not sure it would bother me if anyone found it necessary to use additional patches/soundfonts, and because there are already 125 presets, I think any advantage gained by having extra would be countered by the palaver of wading through more!
So all in all, I'm a bit reluctant to impose restrictions on extra patchbanks etc, assuming of course that the downloaded material has all been created in/by/or specifically for Crystal.
What I mean by permitted samples, in the OP is the sampled material within Crystal, and samples created by the user via Crystal ONLY!
What I DONT see as permissable would be the incorporation of ready made sounds from other sources .... eg. If someone has a favourite bass drum sample and finds the means to somehow ( by converting its format or whatever )have it load into one of the voices in Crystal..... that would be cheating! .... as would be the use of said sample in the track in place of a sound created in Crystal.
Maybe you, or others will view the use of soundfonts and additional patches as cheating also, please discuss! .... this is an area of the rules I am willing to admit I am weak in terms of knowledge/familiarity with the content of the SFs etc, and therefore an area I can be swayed on if there is a general concensus of opinion.
I will be using only the basic version as I have described above, and I would prefer if everyone else did likewise .... but I dont feel as strongly about the issue as to make it a requirement of the comp .. but as I say, I am willing to be swayed should there be some discussion over the next few days.
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- KVRist
- 424 posts since 3 Apr, 2009 from Germany
err... (still not clear about it)...
am i allowed to use the "crystal" patches from the crystal site?
(Never used crystal before so i don't know what it's inside of those but
better asking bevore download)
...since you said no effects... am i allowed to use reverb? (i generally work with the inbuilt effects of cubase, so i don't know if there are free and good ones to use)
:3 i am interessted into this contest, never done something "syntehic" before
so i might be a virgin. May i'll lose. But howver, have some free time lying arround the next few days.
am i allowed to use the "crystal" patches from the crystal site?
(Never used crystal before so i don't know what it's inside of those but
better asking bevore download)
...since you said no effects... am i allowed to use reverb? (i generally work with the inbuilt effects of cubase, so i don't know if there are free and good ones to use)
:3 i am interessted into this contest, never done something "syntehic" before
so i might be a virgin. May i'll lose. But howver, have some free time lying arround the next few days.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
Hi MA-Simon, I didnt say 'no effects' .. I said only freeware effects can be used.... and they must also be easily available by download.
FX plugs packed with a host cannot be used unless they are available as freeware.
So, whilst I'll use the channel EQ, and pan on the interface of FL8, I will not use fl compression, fl reverb, fl delay etc because not every comper will have free access to these....( also they wont work with other hosts! )
As for the patches issue, as you have gathered, I am not clear on it either .... I think we can afford 2 or 3 days deferral pending discussion, then call a decision.
Should there be no great weight of discussion, I will call the decision that patches and additions directly from the Crystal site will be permitted... discuss away!
... and thanks MA-Simon for your input
FX plugs packed with a host cannot be used unless they are available as freeware.
So, whilst I'll use the channel EQ, and pan on the interface of FL8, I will not use fl compression, fl reverb, fl delay etc because not every comper will have free access to these....( also they wont work with other hosts! )
As for the patches issue, as you have gathered, I am not clear on it either .... I think we can afford 2 or 3 days deferral pending discussion, then call a decision.
Should there be no great weight of discussion, I will call the decision that patches and additions directly from the Crystal site will be permitted... discuss away!
... and thanks MA-Simon for your input
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3257 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
oh sorry MA-Simon .... I forgot to say, there are many, many good freeware effects ( assuming you are on windows ) .. try the KVR plugin database, or look at the effects forum section for many discussions on free reverbs etc.
Good luck!
Good luck!