Link: Venom VB-303 VSTi (Beta release)

[antto]

the last release of n0nx0x is not complete at all
it has bugs
some sync modes don't quite work (because at the time i wrote the code - i didn't had midi yet.. now i do, but i still don't have dinsync)
basically there was only pattern edit mode, but you couldn't chain 2 patterns and edit them (like you can on a 303)
...and play mode, where it's kinda okay-ish
but there's no track mode of any kind

most of the stuff i want to put into Venom - i wanted to also put into n0nx0x.. like all the pattern manipulation features (altho, the x0x lacks the LCD screen), tap write mode, midi Trigger mode, track mode..

the difficult part is:
Venom has all the buttons of a TB-303 (and in the exact places) .. 24 buttons
on the x0xb0x technically there are 24 buttons too, they are slightly in other positions, but the 24th button is too far away, it's the tempo knob, this kinda makes it unusable for a recreation of the 303 sequencer
the TB-303 uses many button combos for various things
doing this in Venom is easy, and i'll make up new button combos for the new features i'm building on top of that
unfortunately, in n0nx0x this isn't quite possible
example: on the 303, when you're in PitchMode - you can press Back and return one step back, or press TimeMode and you'll jump directly to the TimeMode menu
in n0nx0x, the button for TimeMode and Back is the same button

[VSTJuNkiE]

1) the last release of n0nx0x is not complete at all
it has bugs
some sync modes don't quite work (because at the time i wrote the code - i didn't had midi yet.. now i do, but i still don't have dinsync)
basically there was only pattern edit mode, but you couldn't chain 2 patterns and edit them (like you can on a 303)
...and play mode, where it's kinda okay-ish
but there's no track mode of any kind

2) unfortunately, in n0nx0x this isn't quite possible
example: on the 303, when you're in PitchMode - you can press Back and return one step back, or press TimeMode and you'll jump directly to the TimeMode menu
in n0nx0x, the button for TimeMode and Back is the same button

See there. 2 reasons why you should (again IMO) leave the n0nx0x box alone and concentrate on Venom!

One thing I'd like to request (if I may) is def a bigger GUI...

[Bronto Scorpio]

It would be really great if you would develope Venom further
It's my favorite 303 emulation

Cheers
Dennis

[davidka]

Yes, I'd second that. I've been watching you for years, and still hoping for a stable release.

[antto]

yeah, i decided to continue
it'd be cool if n0nx0x is developed too, but i cannot wait any more
so, right now i'm solving some technical problems in the sequencer, which i left last time (..some months ago that is)
i'm trying to implement pattern chaining and editing/modifying groups of patterns (which is kinda complicated)
i'll post any news about the progress in the following weeks (hopefully)
i might be offline these days because of problems around the house here.. don't ask ;]

and Thank you all for your support and feedback
..and patience ;]

[VSTJuNkiE]

and Thank you all for your support and feedback
..and patience ;]

Thank YOU for your passion in creating the ultimate free 303....

Glad to see you workin' on this again....

[mudpeople]

I am LOVING VB303

For fun I tried to copy a real 303 sample that Ive used and loved for years, and with Venom, it took like 5 minutes to make a nearly waveform-exact duplicate

I hope the sequencer will be midi mappable, but regardless Im now a fan.

[musikmachine]

[antto]

i deleted huge amounts of code in the sequencer.. again ;]
it was remaining code from what i had in n0nx0x (pattern edit interface)
and i figured a better internal pattern format for the sequencer
this will make it easier to implement both 303 pattern programming plus modern pattern manipulation on top of that (but i'll have to convert my existing memory to the new format.. eeh well that's easy)

there will be a restriction to MAX 4 patterns in a chain (like the 303)
thus, by chaining 4 patterns of 16 steps length - you get an equivalent of 64 step pattern (4 bars long)

mudpeople: i'm not sure what you mean about midi, the sequencer buttons can be "pressed" with midi Notes, and using auto sync (aka host sync similar to using dinsync on the 303) the RUN button doesn't work, instead, you use the midi Note mapped to it the same way as an external RUN signal (which means, hold that note down and the sequencer runs, release the note and it stops)
as for MidiPlay mode (the mode where you use MIDI notes to play the synth instead of it's sequencer) i'm not really looking to put this feature in
i'm really investing effort in the internal sequencer (otherwise i could have released Venom already, but it won't have any sequencer.. where's the fun in that)

[nix808]

Sorry Antto, I haven't followed the thread that close,
is there going to be any increase in the size of the graphic?
Love the wavetables u let me cut from it

[antto]

nix808: yes, it's gonna be slightly bigger
here's a hint in the video below:
(maybe open it in youtube and view it in 1:1 size)
note: the existing beta1 graphics will be removed, the new GUI will look like what you see in the lower side of the screen (only the sequencer buttons and leds are there right now)
so it's slightly bigger, but there is a bit better contrast and labels are easier to read, also it's very similar to how the TB-303 is labeled and so far it isn't crowded with text..
i might change the color nuance later on..

richard blaney: the filter is already working and is four pole
also check the video:



also, buttons and knobs will have a bigger "hit" area.. making it easier to grab em with the mouse
and all switches (rotary selector switches and waveform switch) will be easier to operate (i'm using a new module for controling mouse sensitivity)

[nix808]

That looks perfect size-wise.
Sounding good too.
The new one will be in the rack too 8D
That's cool with the switch mod too, I had to drag too far to change waveform I think it was.
Thanks for the link, I'm updated on the project now.
Just one feature request, I think it goes against ur ethos, but I would like to write patterns in piano roll? Is that against the essential serendipity of 303 seq?

[antto]

well, external sequencing (aka using your DAW's piano roll) is very easy to implement, and uhm.. how do i explain it
it's very convenient to use your DAW to sequence a 303, because you're already familiar how to put midi notes into a piano roll
but this way, it's very UNlikely to get any cool 303 riffs, because most old acid tracks were made using the TB-303 sequencer (which applies strict rules on how the notes in a pattern can be or can't be played)
there are already a number of TB-303 emulations which give you the ability to sequence in your DAW using midi notes..
i don't really feel like adding such a feature.. not yet at least
the TB-303 sequencer has it's own charm, it takes some time to get familiar with how it works, and then - you can see how cool and easy it is (especially with the extra features i'll be adding)

if i add this feature - most people will use it instead of the internal sequencer, and they will never understand what makes the sequencer so cool
this makes it pointless to make an internal sequencer then, if no one's gonna use it.. the lower part of the synth (the sequencer buttons and leds) would dissapear, and all there's left will be the 6 knobs (tuning, cutoff, reso, envmod, decay, accent) which makes it equivalent to a uhm.. Trans-Bass-Xpress or FB-383 (which only have a few knobs and midi)

[nix808]

That's alright man,
it's ur call.
The defining thing of why yours particularly would be different from other emus if it had host sequencing is the sound. It's really good IMO.
I'll use the 303 style man, np.
Thank you.
I think I'll write some acid now 8D

[VSTJuNkiE]

Totally agree with antto about using just the internal sequencer on Venom. Glad to here the GUI will be BIGGER as well! Can't wait for a new beta!