Strings Dream Synthesizer : Win32 Demo VSTi download here

[liqih]

Also, I would suggest, for the future, that you add a way to adjust the envelope attack and release curves. Currently, the attack curve of your instrument is completely linear. As far as I know, and from the samples I have, that is not the case for the Eminent 310, for example. The attack on the 310 (and maybe the Solina) is logarithmic. The release phase is exponential, which is the same as your VSTi.

Another very important thing to emulate old string machines is vibrato on the master oscillator.

My suggestion for version 2 is to have two layers like Gforce Vintage String Machines. With that you will be able to emulate the 8' + SUST layers of the Eminent 310 Strings Ensemble to produce Oxygene 1, 6 and Equinoxe 1 type of sounds.

Great Job! Can't wait for its release!

Thanks again, some replies:

1) the attack curve, yes, it's linear in SDS I saved some CPU using exponential only for release, assuming that it's harded to distiguish
linear vs log attack in a stings synth, but I can change the envelope curve if SDS users ask.

2) vibrato on the master oscillator, honestly I didn't see it that much as a strings machine feature, that kind of vibrato reminds me more of organs, (Combo Sister has it)

3) Two layers can help, but don't forget that it's a plugin, you can load two or three instances for very fat strings pads, <grin>

Hi liqih,

Some more things to mention: I see that there is no controls to adjust the speed of each LFO in the Chorus/Ensemble module. That would be a great addition as well as to pass external audio through it.

I could do an FX version of the Ensemble with more controls

And last, it could be my system but when I go to Various and click Help, Microsoft Word tries to open the help document several times in a separate window until the system runs out of memory After that, I have to close each window, around 25, separately.

Thanks!

Strange, please send me an e-mail about how your installation is done

[Murky]

I updated "Bond's Dream" with quieter drums.

Bond's Dream

[alienmachine]

Hi liqih,

The more I play with this the more I like it! The phaser is really good, I would love to have it as FX too.

Some more comments:

2) vibrato on the master oscillator, honestly I didn't see it that much as a strings machine feature, that kind of vibrato reminds me more of organs, (Combo Sister has it)

3) Two layers can help, but don't forget that it's a plugin, you can load two or three instances for very fat strings pads, <grin>

- The 310 has an adjustable vibrato, which is noticeable in Equinox 1. Also the Logan String Melody, Roland RS-202, KORG PE-1000, Yamaha SK-10, to name a few have vibrato. A small delay line after the oscillators but before the chorus unit will do fine. Again it's just a suggestion

- I tried two instances of your plugin to recreate the Eminent 8' + SUST preset but I had phase issues that way. That is why I though two layers with phase locked oscillators would do it better

I could do an FX version of the Ensemble with more controls

That will be GREAT!

Strange, please send me an e-mail about how your installation is done

I will do it so tomorrow. I hope I can do a demo too. Now is time to go to bed

Cheers

[tonewill]

...please check this A-B, first you hear the real Solina = chord clean, chord chorus. Then the same chord played with SDS...

Hello liqih,
Following this with interest. I bought and gigged an Elka Rhapsody 490 from new as a teenager around 1980. Used to put it through an MXR Phase 100 for that swooshy sweep during ballads! Those were the days.

One thing to note listening to your comparison is that the solina ensemble (chorus) effect is a stereo effect whereas your emulation is mono. Maybe check the schematics again, perhaps the outputs from the BBDs are panned to different sides. I'm not an electrician and don't know how many bucket brigade devices were used but I think if you emulate this output routing it will give it even more realism.

[liqih]

...please check this A-B, first you hear the real Solina = chord clean, chord chorus. Then the same chord played with SDS...

Hello liqih,
Following this with interest. I bought and gigged an Elka Rhapsody 490 from new as a teenager around 1980. Used to put it through an MXR Phase 100 for that swooshy sweep during ballads! Those were the days.

One thing to note listening to your comparison is that the solina ensemble (chorus) effect is a stereo effect whereas your emulation is mono. Maybe check the schematics again, perhaps the outputs from the BBDs are panned to different sides. I'm not an electrician and don't know how many bucket brigade devices were used but I think if you emulate this output routing it will give it even more realism.

Thanks for noticing that, I should have mention that the short mp3 was made with a previous SDS beta version with mono Ensemble fx, now the Ensemble is indeed Stereo in the released Demo plugin

BTW I hope you have some recording of your Elka performance

[liqih]

Demo plugin updated to v1.0

- Trial Time Extended
- Fixed bug with Help Launch and Office installed on Vista
- Fixed sound at 96000 Samplerate

http://dashsignature.com/SDS/String_Dre ... 32_VST.rar

[liqih]

hmm, wouln't load for me in Reaper. Had to run Savihost on it. Ran it- but when the sound stopped- I closed and got a crash on the module. Might be some bug with savihost.

hi, I tried it in both of those hosts, on Windows XP, and it works fine here, are you on Vista, which versions for the host?

Thanks

Demo Strings Dream updated to v1.0

- Trial Time Extended
- Fixed bug with Help Launch and Office installed on Vista
- Fixed sound at 96000 Samplerate

http://dashsignature.com/SDS/String_Dre ... 32_VST.rar

[liqih]

I updated "Bond's Dream" with quieter drums.

Bond's Dream

Thanks Murky, <grin>


Demo Strings Dream updated to v1.0

- Trial Time Extended
- Fixed bug with Help Launch and Office installed on Vista
- Fixed sound at 96000 Samplerate

http://dashsignature.com/SDS/String_Dre ... 32_VST.rar

[liqih]

Hi liqih,

The more I play with this the more I like it! The phaser is really good, I would love to have it as FX too.

Some more comments:

2) vibrato on the master oscillator, honestly I didn't see it that much as a strings machine feature, that kind of vibrato reminds me more of organs, (Combo Sister has it)

3) Two layers can help, but don't forget that it's a plugin, you can load two or three instances for very fat strings pads, <grin>

- The 310 has an adjustable vibrato, which is noticeable in Equinox 1. Also the Logan String Melody, Roland RS-202, KORG PE-1000, Yamaha SK-10, to name a few have vibrato. A small delay line after the oscillators but before the chorus unit will do fine. Again it's just a suggestion

- I tried two instances of your plugin to recreate the Eminent 8' + SUST preset but I had phase issues that way. That is why I though two layers with phase locked oscillators would do it better

yes of course you are right about the phase with multiple instances,

about the Vibrato I thought you mean an LFO on the master oscillator but you mean an effect before the the chorus, that's a diffrent thing, <grin>

Thanks again

Demo Strings Dream updated to v1.0

- Trial Time Extended
- Fixed bug with Help Launch and Office installed on Vista
- Fixed sound at 96000 Samplerate

http://dashsignature.com/SDS/String_Dre ... 32_VST.rar

[alienmachine]

Hi liqih,

Thanks! Regarding the vibrato, that is just they way I did it in my ensemble. But I could be wrong, remember, I don't know much about DSP programming

About the help problems, it is still happening, but now, it also opens Wordpad along with Office Word, sorry

[redcopter]

mac mac mac mac now now now now
my mouth's watering after fr4ancesco's mp3. bella roba.

[liqih]

Hi liqih,

Thanks! Regarding the vibrato, that is just they way I did it in my ensemble. But I could be wrong, remember, I don't know much about DSP programming

About the help problems, it is still happening, but now, it also opens Wordpad along with Office Word, sorry

ok, I will check again, <grin>

[liqih]

mac mac mac mac now now now now
my mouth's watering after fr4ancesco's mp3. bella roba.

Thanks, ASAP

[Jim Y]

I'm pleased to see this product is up and running. I don't have the time at the moment (my musical world has gone all acoustic for now ), but I think the next project that comes up in a rock/electronic style will have to have it and I'll just buy it anyway.

On the vibrato... well the real things probably hit the master oscillator with an LFO. Now, bearing in mind that the wave-shaping was done with fixed RC filtering on each key gate, then I think the vibrato would create some sweeping of the spectral balance (a little like PWM), whereas a delay-line type vibrato on the main signal (post gating) would not change the spectral balance.
This may be one of those differences that don't add up to anything, or it could be essential to the character. I wouldn't like to say which it would be.

Pitch bend...
My old Logan had a screwdriver trimmer for fine tuning. I changed that for a proper pot with a knob and got some extra articulation I found very effective. I always wished it had more range though - even to the extent of completely bombing it to the floor like switching off a tonewheel organs motor.

Cheers
Jim

[Jale]

I just love the sound of this VSTi and it's also easy to use! Great job! I have to buy this soon!