One-Synth-Challenge: General discussion thread

[objectman]

I would love to see an U-He Bazille OSC! It isn't really freeware but it is free while it is in the alpha stage. It's one of the best VSTs out there in my opinion and really, really flexible. And it doesn't come with hundreds of presets

Cheers
Dennis

Hey Dennis. Looking forward to hearing your tunes. You are entering, right

The voting here is pretty organized and amazingly democratic. Each month, V'ger gives us the list of recommended synths and we all vote for the one we like best. And as democracies go, not all of us get to use the exact synth we want. While that's happening, people are feverishy working on their tunes made with last month's vote winner and voting for the tunes they like best made with the previously voted-for synth. Phew!

Is that right V'ger?. Mostly we use freeware synths, but lately a couple of pay synths have been included. "How does one recommend a synth?" I guess is Dennis' question.

[Examigan]

Or if we are going to do another with a commercial synth, my votes would be Wusikststion, or the lowest priced version from the OP-X lineup. I am sure tons of people have at least Wuskstation v4 or v5 (and maybe v6).

The standard OP-X synth has a been around for a while now, and a good many of KVR people have that one as well.

Ok for op-x, but wusikstation is a rompler, not a synth. Am I wrong?

It can act as a regular synth as long as you give it real basic stuff like a cut-and-dried sawtooth, or other waveform, etc. When you think about it, Z3TA+ uses wavetables so it's not really that different.

[V'ger]

The voting here is pretty organized and amazingly democratic. Each month, V'ger gives us the list of recommended synths and we all vote for the one we like best. And as democracies go, not all of us get to use the exact synth we want. While that's happening, people are feverishy working on their tunes made with last month's vote winner and voting for the tunes they like best made with the previously voted-for synth. Phew!

Is that right V'ger?. Mostly we use freeware synths, but lately a couple of pay synths have been included. "How does one recommend a synth?" I guess is Dennis' question.

Heh yes it can be hectic although the synth vote is after the song vote and don't overlap.

But do please keep the synth suggestions coming, in this thread or elsewhere. Bazille is definitely on the cards if Urs allows, but with Tyrell recently on and now Zebralette there should maybe be a break in between. People should also have a chance to upgrade their computers as Bazille will toast weaker CPU's..

For the next payware comp Wusik is absolutely on the cards as it's very good and William a long and good supporter of the challenge, and OP-X not a bad idea either as there's even a little free version of it.

@Objectman: About using Finale and exporting the midi file to another DAW, it seems no need to re-write anything as there are no restrictions on the writing tools - just the plugins, or did I miss something with Finale?

[IrionDaRonin]

But do please keep the synth suggestions coming, in this thread or elsewhere. Bazille is definitely on the cards if Urs allows, but with Tyrell recently on and now Zebralette there should maybe be a break in between. People should also have a chance to upgrade their computers as Bazille will toast weaker CPU's..

I was going to tell about it too. Tyrell was three months ago, and now Zebralette.
We need to take a breath about U-he to give more oportunities to others companies, developers, synth styles, etc.
I like and second the idea of Charlatan for vote for synth thread for future months, no doubt.

And about Bazille, well, i got a 65% CPU usage easily with only one preset in my actual equip, so i could make a complete track with a bassline and a ping sound with Bazille.

This month i will take my new equip. I hope it works properly. But Mike777 has a low equip too (and some others), i would feel bad for them really if Bazille would be elected in the future.

Anyway, it has an amazing sound, great route and modulation capabilities.

Have a good day

[evo2slo]

But do please keep the synth suggestions coming, in this thread or elsewhere.

38911 Bytes

I hope that can get in for another round of voting. Would be a very fun OSC!

[MajorBloodnok]

• 1.-How do you like OSC contests?
  2.-When did you started to come into OSC contests?
  3.-What would you like to improve or change?
  4.-How old are you and how many years you were composing?
  5.-What is your equip?
  6.-Do you like to download all OSC tracks at same time and start listen to them or do you prefer listening while they are being uploaded?
  7.-How many prizes do you have from OSC contest? (in case you won any)

Probably far too late to add my thoughts but I obviously don't tune in often enough to follow what's going on

1.-How do you like OSC contests?
I think they are an absolutely brilliant concept and a superb way to enable musicians to focus when there are otherwise so many instruments, presets and things to fiddle about with.

2.-When did you started to come into OSC contests?
I got into computer music and ultimately the OSC basically when I was looking for something to shorten a wav file to make a ring tone for my mobile phone (sad, I know) and typed "music editing software" into Google. A whole world opened up on something until then I had no idea existed.

I should add that I have always been an amateur musician since I started to learn the piano and oboe at school (I did a Scottish Higher in Music), going on to play in orchestras until I left University (I played the cor anglais too, which is a cool instrument and when you are playing all that Debussy and Ravel you are bound to get dates (viola players often need to be loved)). I played keyboards in a band at school too (briefly) and so came across my first synthesizer then - no idea what type it was - it was just a big box with knobs on it and I couldn't get it to work anyway.

However, the idea of software synths fascinated me (particularly the free ones) and after a while I came across Oatmeal, which I still love (using a new GUI obviously). And so, whilst searching for threads on Oatmeal in KVR, I happened to come across OSC 2, the Oatmeal one, which had just closed.

The first OSC I entered was OSC 5 (Crystal) which is a very interesting synth indeed and although I started and aborted quite a few entries after that the next one I managed to do anything for was OSC 13 (Synth 1), followed by the NA2SC1 (sandwiched between OSC 18 and OSC 19) when I could finally use Oatmeal!

3.-What would you like to improve or change?
I could do with more time to work on entries - not much of it just now with work, family and other interests (MyPaint, GIMP, painting, history, languages, ecology, plus I started learning classical guitar last year).

4.-How old are you and how many years you were composing?
I'm 47 and composed my first music more than 30 years ago (some woodwind ensemble pieces). As for computer music, I'm more interested in the music than computer tweaking geekery, so creating sounds from scratch is not my thing (I still struggle to understand it all). I suppose my experience of playing wooden musical instruments that you can hold in your hands and that have a defined tonal quality and range of sounds that you create during performance is easier and more natural for me than trying to imagine a sound and then making it from a bunch of waves and knobs. That said, the range of sounds that even the most basic VST can produce is amazing and inspiring and that's why I'm still here! But, yes, I'm just a preset tweaker!

5.-What is your equip?
It's a big black box under the desk with electronic stuff inside it. I built it about 5 years ago but can't remember what's in it to be honest. I do have an Edirol PCR-500 as I like to compose at the keyboard and just using the mouse was frustrating. Although the walls of this old house are thick it's more convenient to use my Sennheiser HD205 headphones - I'd like to get some monitors one day.

6.-Do you like to download all OSC tracks at same time and start listen to them or do you prefer listening while they are being uploaded?
I tend to listen to them in the player as they appear and only download the collections that I really like. For example, I think that the Noisemaker (OSC 20) and Farbrausch (OSC 30) collections are classics.

7.-How many prizes do you have from OSC contest? (in case you won any)
Sadly, none - that honour is yet to befall me!

regards

MajorBloodnok

[3ee]

1.-How do you like OSC contests?
Don't really know as it's my 1st time...but they are sure interesting!

2.-When did you started to come into OSC contests?
OSC 13: Synth 1, but didn't finish or really like the track I've did so it didn't get featured into the contest. Real answer: OSC 31: Z3TA+

3.-What would you like to improve or change?
Don't really know yet. Strip down the rule list a bit maybe.?!

4.-How old are you and how many years you were composing?
I'll be 24 in a couple of months Started composing electronic music since 2001.
1st few years was playing around at friend's and neighbor's places as I didn't had any PC. After my 1st PC, I've become more involved with music production ...final 2.5 years being really serious about it.. searching my sound at.

5.-What is your equip?
Pretty happy about my basic but good gear I have!

CPU: Intel Core2 Quad Q6700 @ 2.66
RAM: 2G but I think I'll get another 2
HD: 500G
HOST: FL Studio 10 atm
OS: Win 7, 64bit

HARDWARE, SOUNDCARD, HEADPHONES AND SPEAKERS:
Soundcard: M-Audio FireWire Solo
Headphones: none
Speakers: Yamaha HS80m
Hardware: M-Audio Axiom 49 MIDI Keyboard Controller, Cheap Washburn electric guitar

Software effects: Blockfish, dblueGlitch, Fruity Convolver, Fruity MBCompressor (in liniar phase mode only), George Yohng's W1 Limiter, Some Nomad Factory Liquid Bundle plugs, TeamDNR Mix Control Pro, Ohmforce Ohmicide, u-he Uhbik Bundle, s(M)exoscope and Voxengo SPAN, Sonimus SonEQ, TAL Chorus-60, Tone Boosters Time Machine, TT Dynamic Range Meter, Voxengo Tube Amp, u-he Zebrify , Variety of Sound NastyDLA and Density MKII.

Software instruments: NI Kore Player, u-he TyrellN6, Cakewalk Z3TA+, u-he Zebra, IL Slicex ... used to have many free synths.. they've been all replaced mainly by Zebra!

6.-Do you like to download all OSC tracks at same time and start listen to them or do you prefer listening while they are being uploaded?
Listening them on SoundCloud is both useful (posting comments on timeline) and fun.

7.-How many prizes do you have from OSC contest? (in case you won any)
none....

Cheers guys,
3ee

[V'ger]

So any more views about the host EQ rule? I think the current one where native EQ is allowed causes too much confusion as people use any EQ in the DAW, so i suggest either to allow all DAW EQ's or only 3rd party (as with all other effects).

I believe the original rule was to let people save CPU, but there are 3rd party EQs that use very little so not really a major point imo.

[3ee]

So any more views about the host EQ rule? ...

I'd say to let us use whatever EQ that comes with our daw... for exemple I use FL Studio .. so I find it a bit annoying not being allowed to use the Parametric EQ II.

[SJMmusic]

The built-in EQ isn't a free plugin, so I guess if that one was allowed either every other "DAW-near" EQ should be allowed, too, or non-free effects (including the built-in EQ) should all be forbidden. Depends on how consequent you want to be For me it doesn't matter anyway since REAPER's "built-in EQ" is a free VST plugin

[IrionDaRonin]

The another day i thought that EQs weren't going to consume too many CPU, so my mind was Ok with this idea.
I tried Audiocation EQ yesterday and it was bitchin' my CPU lol.
So i will try it with IIEQ as last chance to check the CPU.

so i suggest either to allow all DAW EQ's or only 3rd party (as with all other effects).

But, well, now you mention to choose between Any EQ in the Daw or only 3rd party EQs. I was going to say that i prefer Any EQ in the Daw.
But of course, it breaks the spirit of the contest. So...

...If i can finish my actual track for Zebralette with my built-in native EQ as i usually did, i have no problem if this rule will be turned ON for the next month and not this one. Due i will have the new computer then.
Because at the moment, i'm having some CPU peaks with only 10-12 instances of Zebralette and some external effects, remember that Zebralette doesn't have reverb and reverbs are CPU huggers.
It's my first time even using one reverb as send channel, so at the moment, i need my built-in native EQ in FL Studio due is optimized for my CPU.

If i can't finish my actual track, i prefer to choose Any EQ in the Daw (for everybody).
So i second what 3ee said. It's much comfortable to use what i was accustomed to use, and also, the Daw EQ will be always optimized for each Daw.

Anyway, i really won't care about this in about 2 weeks when my new CPU arrives.

Have a good day

[RuediRena]

But do please keep the synth suggestions coming, in this thread or elsewhere.

38911 Bytes

I hope that can get in for another round of voting. Would be a very fun OSC!

+1! +1! +1! +1! +1! +1!

[MaxSynths]

1.-How do you like OSC contests?

A lot! It's a great idea. I liked the concept of the OSC since the first contest

2.-When did you started to come into OSC contests?

I've partecipated only one time, if I remember right. BTW I'm always interested in it and I really enjoy to listen to the tracks submitted. It's a real pleasure to ear what peopla can do with just one synth

3.-What would you like to improve or change?

Mmmm don't know. Maybe to force people, from time to time, to compose a track in just one style.

4.-How old are you and how many years you were composing?

33 years old. I've started to explore the world of music when I was a teenager. The Amiga computer has been my starting point in the realm of computer music.

5.-What is your equip?

• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
  RAM: 2GB
  HD: 1TB Sata, 500GB IDE
  HOST: EnergyXT/Sonar
  OS: WinXP SP2
  
  Synths and Expanders:
  
  Gakken SX-150
  GEM S3 (custom)
  GEM WS-2
  Kong Monotron
  Korg T3
  Nord Micromodular
  Roland D-110
  Yamaha DJX PSR-D1 (custom)
  Yamaha TG-300
  Yamaha TG-100
  Yamaha TG-33
  Yamaha TG-55
  
  Samplers:
  
  Akai S-2000
  Akai S-5000
  
  FX and Dynamic:
  
  Behringer Dualfex EX-2100
  Behringer DSP-2024P
  Behringer Multicom PRO XL MDX-4600
  Roland SRV-2000
  
  Mixer:
  
  Behringer MX 2004A
  Behringer RX 1602
  
  MIDI interfaces:
  
  Steinberg Midiex8
  MOTU Micro Lite
  UM-3EX
  
  Controllers and MIDI processing:
  
  Akai ME-10D
  Behringer BCR-2000
  Yamaha EMQ-1
  
  Drum Trigger:
  
  Alesis Trigger IO
  
  Soundcards:
  
  Audiotrack Maya44 MKII
  Echo Layla 20bit
  
  Guitars:
  
  Behringer V-Amp PRO
  Epiphone SG Special
  
  Others:
  
  Various ethnic drums and percussions, ethnic flutes
  
  Soft Synths:
  
  My own stuff
  Camel Audio Alchemy Player
  Tone2 Gladiator
  Tone2 ElectraX
  Wusik.com Wusikstation

And a lot of freeware synths, too much to be listed!

6.-Do you like to download all OSC tracks at same time and start listen to them or do you prefer listening while they are being uploaded?

Do you mean waiting until all the tracks are uploaded? No I prefer to listen while they are uploaded.

7.-How many prizes do you have from OSC contest? (in case you won any)

Had the chance to choose one price, but I skipped.

[V'ger]

Guys, check out this eye-opener:
http://soundcloud.com/petrosfera/bittersweet

Not made with one synth only, with one cake pan only!
(ok, some drums at the end, but most is happening in the beginning anyway)



Pretty amazing no? I can struggle to make that variety of sounds with one synth only, here it's done with something from the kitchen cupboard.

The maker Petrosfera is also sharing the library btw (SFZ):
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=87493

[bjporter]

Dude, I'm down for One Cake Pan Challenge