SonicProjects: OP-X PRO-II released! - A closer look at some chosen features

[Peter999]

hi engineerjoel
no, the PRO-II is a VST (windows) plugin only, not a Reaktor ensemble; but we offer an option that you can run it within intel Macs in the free VFX application from SM Pro Audio - the adapted version is the "OP-X PRO-II VFX Edition" one

Because there are some drawbacks compared to using a native plugin and it only runs in the VFX host, we offer this edition for dramatically reduced price; for detailed infos check the videos and demos on this page:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/macversion.html

Of course it's only a work around and not perfect, but functinally and sound wise it's exactly the same as the PC version, and you can manage to record audio to a sequencer track using SoundFlower (free), and you even can establish a MIDI connection using the IAC driver

We've done the video examples with GarageBand, so it even works with this quite limited sequencer;

[opus_diaboli]

The 1st demo pad sounds a bit like the famous CS 80. Nice.

[TiUser]

That rework took long but it's the best OP-X version ever...

[Examigan]

SonicProjects: OP-X PRO-II released!

Switchable dual engine effects processing for effects finishing even after preset change. We're not sure if this has been realized before in a VSTi.
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Say goodbye to annoying value jumps using non-endless controllers. We even offer two different modes: Relative and fetched. Relative: Value changes are only added or subtracted. Fetched: A GUI control only starts to move when its value is overridden.
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The new continuous detuning control and one-click trimpot calibration gives you the last remaining options for complete control of all detunings in every tiny detail.
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Congrats on OP-X Pro II Peter

I was wondering about these 3 new features:

For the dual engine processing, is that like when you switch a preset in the middle of a song, but just want the tail end of that first preset to do something like echo away into the distance while at the same time you are playing that 2nd preset?

I wasn't sure what the Relative and Fetched controllers part was about, can you explain that a bit more for me?

Also what does "continuous detuning" mean? I know how the regular OPX Pro can tune the seperate voices, but wasn't sure what this new feature meant.

[Peter999]

thanks for all the compliments
we're really happy that you like the synth!

I was wondering about these 3 new features:

For the dual engine processing, is than like when you switch a preset in the middle of a song, but just want the tail end of that first preset to do something like echo away into the distance while at the same time you are playing that 2nd preset?

I wasn't sure what the Relative and Fetched controllers part was about, can you explain that a bit more for me?

Also what does "continuous detuning" mean? I know how the regular OPX Pro can tune the seperate voices, but wasn't sure what this new feature meant.

Dual Engine Processing:

Yes, it's exactly this; normally when a patch is changed and the new one has different delay and reverb settings than the previous one, the reverb tails and delays of the previous patch will be changed immediatly or even stopped abruptly, since all presets of course use the same effects unit; but in OP-X PRO-II, there are two identical clones/engines of the same effects unit; when PP is active (button at the very right in the top bar), then the "old" preset keeps its effect engine and the new preset is being mapped to the other "free" engine; so the effects of the old preset can finish unchanged, while the new preset immediatly can be used with its own effects settings, even if completely different from the previous ones; the finishing engine only again will be mapped to the next preset; so the engine allocation changes alternating; if you neverthelless want to make stop the previous effects (e.g. when the delay feedback is too long) then you simply can deactivate PP

This dual engine stuff is something I've only seen so far in some highend guitar rack effects processors; since OP-X PRO-II amongst other things is dedicated for live use we thought why not spend this feature to a VSTi

Combined with the always active (only MIDI program change and increment/decremen) patch change smoother (old preset is faded off, all old notes released, new preset faded in, all very fast of course, so no unwanted finishing into the new preset) this feature really can serve well for smooth patch changes in a live situation


Relative and Fetched CC Response:

The best you check the MIDI Processor video on the OP-X PRO-II page. Normally, as you know, using "normal" controllers not featuring endless rotary knobs, VSTi parameters change immediatly/abruptly to the state of the hardware controller knob once you move it; this leads to the well known "value jumps", which are especially annoying with critical parameters like cutoff;

With relative (REL) or fetched (FET) processing switched on, knobs on the GUI won't change abruptly anymore since the CC stream is processed before.

Relative (REL):
The knobs on the GUI only change relatively to external controller knob movements, so movements are only added or subtracted to the current value;

Fetched (FET):
The knobs on the GUI only begin to move when you "override" the current value with the external controller knob; once the value is overridden or "fetched", the external controller knob and the mapped GUI knob are linked

Both methots have their own advantages and disadvantages. REL: sometimes you have to fully turn up and down again the knob to have the full value range again; advantage: values change immediatly; FET: value only starts changing when value is fetched; advantage: once fetched the values are 1:1

The REL/FET response thing in fact already has been used in old analog polyphonic synths with save option, where the knobs were scanned by a cpu (usually 80); the setting of the hardware knobs in these synths never did match the settings of a program (only in "manual" mode), so either of these two methods was used to avoid value jumps

If you have a controller device offering endless rotaries and feedback option (like BCR2000, Noctua or Mackie Control) then the REL/FET of course is not needed since you can set up then a MIDI feedback setup where the state of the knobs is updated on each program change by a status dump; this is the most comfortable setup; but since not all people have endless rotaries the REL/FET option is a good workaround

Continuous Detuning:

In OP-X PRO you could set up custom detunings using the trimpots and then switch between this setting and tuned mode with the four tuning buttons (OSC/FILT/ENV/Porta DET); in OP-X PRO-II you now not only can switch between the two states, but you can blend from the tuned mode to the custom detuning seamlessly by clickin onto the text label above the tuning buttons and drag the mouse verstically; you furthermore can auto-calibrate the tuning trimpots with single mouseclicks between the standard detuning (12 o'clock) and equally tuned, e.g. to have a neutral base to start setting up your own custom detuning

Again, check the video "New Features" on the flashdemo subsite, and the "activeareas" page for the calibration thing


I hope this was helpful

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[Peter999]

The videos are here - check "New Features":
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/flashdemo.html

[Examigan]

The videos are here - check "New Features":
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/flashdemo.html

Thanks Peter, I will check those out

[Peter999]

..and of course also here when you scroll down - there's a separate video for each description box:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/description.html

The PP feature however is nowhere in a video; got forgotten I must see now...

[Vectorman]

thank you
btw, in OP-X PRO-II there's the option now to turn it to a brigher character on demand (only if needed), using the new modes offered by the DMP button; those make the filter behave sllightly different in the high frequency range, e.g. open it into the ultra sound range so that the oscillators can pass uninfluenced; those modes can be great for some shimmering string stuff and bright brasses

I was just using the bright mode for some highpass filter things last night and it definitely adds a nice sheen to the top end when desired. Sounds very good.

[Peter999]

thank you we've added this feature because some shimmering strings and clear-cut brasses really can profitate from it if needed, without sacrifying the much liked warm sound character (that's why it's an option)

[TiUser]

"Dual Engine Processing: "

That's awesome! Most VST synths do even glitch without efx simply on patch changes... better than most HW too.

It's obvious that a lot of care on detail has been put into this upgrade.

[Peter999]

thank you
yes, there are many details, which are not that obvious at first glance and sometimes even are hidden (no reference on the gui, you need to know about them, but many infos on the website and the user manual), but once you discover them you don't want to miss them anymore; those are all features that have envolved during real daily work with the synth, so no never used gimmicks; they're simply there when you need 'em

so one of the good things of OP-X PRO-II is that you will still discover new stuff even after three monts of use probably...

[Peter999]

...e.g. try to find out how the LFO can do sampled vibrato (inspired by OB8), or how you can trigger it by notes with detailed phase adjustment over 180° - or how to apply lfo starting delay - or how to use panning presets, or how to make it a 2-voice synth, or how to hold a chord, etc...

[Viv Savage]

No AU.... No update for Reaktor... I'll stick to what I have.

[mäxchen]

it is very sad that pro-II is not working on a vmachine. the relative midi cc is a super feature, because the vmachine do not support it and my novation remote sl does not support relative CC. with this feature in a vst-synth i could use my novation with the v-machine very well.

max