OSC11 - FNS4 - V'ger wins!

[abstractcats]

Oh ... need to correct the above re. Synth1.

My suggestion is that we use Synth1 for the March comp to celebrate a year of OSC ... there will be a couple of comps between now and then

I got a PM today from an OSC supporter I've not heard from in a while (Olikana)... with an interesting idea ... ... a free choice OSC! ... One where we create tracks as usual, with one synth, but as individuals, we can choose which 'one synth' we use rather than all use the same one.
I suggest we do this after the march 'anniversary' comp, but if there is great enthusiasm I would be happy to bring it forward and do it as the Feb comp.... I think there are a lot of advantages to trying it out ... and possibly repeating it every few months or so to keep things fresh

We choose the synth?? YEAH! I like it!

And thanks for the reminder on the Synth1 info.I do love that one.

[V'ger]

Well first time judging here, but how to? I guess a preset demo with the whole range of sounds would of course best show what the synth could do, but still be beaten by a good tune with cool sounds, so the music must come first imo. Same with sounds. A song with just a few sounds that are impressive will place higher over another with many sounds that are not, even if they show the synth's range more. Simply put: I will vote for the tunes that would most entice me if I didn't know the synth and was looking at a developer site and checking the demos, so even production counts. Maybe tune 50%, sounds 30% and production 20%.


Flexenstein's lab - Xenofobioz : 10 pts
Nice tune with connecting parts and clever matching of some interesting sounds and FX. The whole Frankenstein (flexistein) lab thing works, robotic, electronic and weird, even with the steel drums/marimba sound somehow. A sort of Kraftwerk-ish vibe also present in the track, a thing I noticed with many of the entries. Is it the synth or the composers I wonder? Best string/pad sound I've heard out of the Flex here.

Bits'n Pieces - Yeager: 5 pts
Cool bass + other sounds and catchy tune with clever parts that fits makes it complete and interesting but loses top spot by a narrow margin (originality and production?). Mouxbar mentioned chip tunes in his review, this makes me think of some. (nothing negative here, I love a lot of that)

Flex-n-Dance - Totolitoto: 3 pts
Nice intro and a complete tune with good use of automation and sounds to make it alive sees it narrowly pip Morflex despite his intro and Tattiemannie's sound.

The Conversation - Morflex: 2 pts
Very cool intro, the use of FX and nice lead sound here really works and catches my attention. I'm expecting it to really take off from there and straight to the top of this list, but it goes anti-climaxically (is that a word?) slow instead, and like with some other entries a bit Kraftwerk with their slightly stale sounds and monotone despite some FX sounds to liven it.

Flex-n-Stramash - Tattiemannie: 1 pt
Very nice use of the synth by the developer with some interesting sounds and parts. Best drum sounds of all the entries, but maybe a bit helter skelter tune.

[V'ger]

In this OSC we saw quite a lot of mellow tracks, a touch of jazz funk and some FM-ish and chippy noises. I therefore preferred tracks that got a bit more epic and upbeat There's no helping me - Rage Against the Machine syndrome I think

Rage rocks..

I came into the scene about two years ago after a bet in my local pub that I could write a tune. This being off the back of playing the fiddle to an OK level when I was a lad. It kind of stuck anyway

Thanks for the C64 links. To be honest, once you've tackled a fair few of the VST's out there, you'll realise anything is now possible. If only I could just settle for one to work consistently on

He that' some way to get into song-writing. And true about how much there is to be gotten out of most instruments, but I have the same dilemma as you with not being able to decide on which ones to work with, seems most of the time goes fiddling with endless demos etc and not deciding on any.

[V'ger]

Oh ... need to correct the above re. Synth1.

My suggestion is that we use Synth1 for the March comp to celebrate a year of OSC ... there will be a couple of comps between now and then

Very glad to hear there will be more of these comps, really enjoyed it. I have already checked out the tunes from the last Synth1 OSC, and as expected a lot of great stuff coming out of that.

I got a PM today from an OSC supporter I've not heard from in a while (Olikana)... with an interesting idea ... ... a free choice OSC! ... One where we create tracks as usual, with one synth, but as individuals, we can choose which 'one synth' we use rather than all use the same one.

Isn't that the same as having another Synth1 competition?

But already excited what will be the next synth to be tackled before that though.

[Mac of BIOnighT]

I like the free-choice-one-synth competition, nice idea!

[tattiemannie]

Great stuff V'ger ... cheers for the votes and the comments

I was just thinking, we should actually do the Synth1 comp as the feb comp ... our anniversary ... courtesy of that first post by the ill fated 'nameless' was on feb 28th ... so we should hit the voting thread around that date.
If we follow that with the 'free choice' OSC, that would also be appropriate and relevant ... as the first comp, out of its periods of chaos and with a healthy rebel element ... produced a small collection of tracks using 3 different synths

[Xenobioz]

Flexenstein's lab - Xenofobioz : 10 pts
Nice tune with connecting parts and clever matching of some interesting sounds and FX. The whole Frankenstein (flexistein) lab thing works, robotic, electronic and weird, even with the steel drums/marimba sound somehow. A sort of Kraftwerk-ish vibe also present in the track, a thing I noticed with many of the entries. Is it the synth or the composers I wonder? Best string/pad sound I've heard out of the Flex here.

Xenofobioz Thanks for the vote and comments and the misspelling is cool too.

[slugfest99]

I like the free-choice-one-synth competition, nice idea!

It's like being set loose in a sweet shop

Guarantee I pick up something as odd as my socks.

And I just saw that all of the xoxos stuff has gone free. Now some of that kit is stranger than an albino monk that wears barbed wire for fun.

Oh, stuff it, I see that someones already knicked that idea

Cheers,
Mouxbar

[Totolitoto]

[EDITED] Sorry I'm tired

Hello,
Took a while to decide. Nice entries guys.
(I only hope there's gonna be votes from people that are not participants )

Flex'n morph - V'ger: 10 pts
I Love progressive tracks. This is progressive.
Sounds are excellent. Production too. GREAT!

Xenonioz - Flexenstein Lab: 5 pts
Lovely melody, very 19th century

The Conversation - Morflex: 3 pts
Love the intro, love the mood

Flex-n-stramash - Tattiemannie: 2 pts
Those drums are reaaalllyy good

FnsIntro - dwsel: 1 pt
Sometimes shorter is better

Totolitoto - Flex'n'Dance: 0 pts
Coz It would be inappropriate to vote for me

[K-Bee]

a free choice OSC! ... One where we create tracks as usual, with one synth, but as individuals, we can choose which 'one synth' we use rather than all use the same one.

I take it we're talking freeware synths only right?
If not I'm using my Kurzweil!
Anyway, great idea but a rather strict set of rules is needed I suppose. How to define a synth? What about romplers? Would a Bach Prelude played with MDA Piano qualify as an entry? Soooo many questions

[tattiemannie]

Hi folks, good to see some more votes in ... I'll do a count up soon.

yeah, would be nice to see some votes from non-participants .... remember, you have the option to PM your KVR buddies and encourage them to do so


Re free choice comp. Good to see some support for this. I am still in discussion with olikana re. his idea .... expect some news fairly soon.

Next comp .... As I remember, we were going with 'Rogue'. it would be nice to hear some more feedback on this synth before launching the Jan comp.
I certainly think it would be a good challenge, but I would like to be sure it's working OK on everyone's machines ... please give it a run and get back if there are any issues, workaroundable or otherwise.... I'll go find a link to make it easier.

[tattiemannie]

Here's the link to 'Rogue' ... http://www.kvraudio.com/get/372.html

[tattiemannie]

And so .... after 5 sets of votes, heres how they stand..

1(1) Flex 'n Morph - V'ger ... 3, 10, 5, 10 = 28
2(2) Bits 'n Pieces - Yeager ... 3, 10, 5 = 18
3(8 ) Flexensteins Lab - Xenobioz ... 1, 10, 5 = 16
4(3) Flex-n-stramash - tattiemannie ... 10, 2, 1, 2 = 15
5(4) The Conversation - Morflex ... 5, 3, 2, 3 = 13
6(5) Flex-n-Dance - Totolitoto ... 5, 1, 1, 3 = 10
7=(6=)Fast 'n Slow - Yeager ... 2
7=(6=)The Flexorcist - tattiemannie ... 2
9(9=) FnsIntro - dwsel ... 1
10=(9=) Waltz - mrblitz000
10=(9=) The Cheeseflex - Mouxbar
10=(9=) Midnight Hatsize - jon boyd
10=(9=) Flex N Primative - AbstractCats
10=(9=) The Brightest Star - Mac of BIOnight
10=(9=) Flexible Friends - WrigglerUk
10=(9=) Flex-N-Stains - K-Bee
10=(9=) Flex N Stars - AbstractCats


( Voters : 5, total votes, 105 )

Flex 'n Morphs lead stretches impressively ... but a word of caution! A mighty leap by flexensteins lab from 8th to 3rd demonstrates the folly of complacency, and squeezes in between Bits 'n pieces and Flex-n-stramash. Little change otherwise, but there's still a lot of votes to come, and I dont believe those 'vote-virgin' tracks are gonna have to wait long .... too much good stuff in that bunch

[Mac of BIOnighT]

Hey, I haven't decided yet.. how many days to go?

[tattiemannie]

How many days to go? ... Millions! for the comp? about 2 weeks worth! ... take your time Mac, and save my track til your in a good mood!