One-Synth-Challenge: General discussion thread

[Doc Jon]

Submitted my votes to pretty much keep things as they are - although I think it would good to have an 'any effects allowed' month occasionally

[Kalee]

Hi,

Can you list me a good fully acceptable delay plugin, or maybe 1 normal and 1 stereo delay.

[V'ger]

Have a look at IxoxDelay, ReaDelay, MgTempoDelay or Classic Delay.

[gorgorgathgorgorgor]

I voted basically to keep the rules as they are.

Y
N
N
N
N
N

I would like to note that I am not really opposed to the idea of a prescribed list of plugs, it would be good to eliminate the grey areas, as long as there were plenty of options to cover various compatibility issues (and we can't forget the Mac folks). I suspect this won't be difficult to do, so I'd happily accept this, though I like the rules as they are, as when something new and fun comes out we don't have to wait for "official approval".

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

nothing other than the synth (and any effects it contains) would be the ideal.....it doesn't make sense to me any other way..then it IS a one synth challenge, with everyone being on a level playing field and giving a broad idea of what is possible from each instrument alone

if it is to remain as is, then i would ask that any cross-platform osc's only allow freebies that are available cross-platform...all effects, such as reverb, compressors, delays are easily found on cross-platform so there shouldn't be a problem...this keeps it in the spirit of a level playing field

i still feel nothing external would be better

so, with this in mind (and seeing as it is very early on), can we restrict this month's effects to only cross-platform effects ??..seeing as cros-platform osc's are les often, i don't see it as too much of a problem

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

to what extent are we allowed to edit/manipulate/automate the audio resulting from bounces from these instruments ??

i would assume that drum patterns bult from single hit presets are open to being built as desired, but what of other patches ??

are we allowed to cut/stutter/edit passages if the original patch already plays a huge presence, as is...e.g 3 bars of the straight patch (maybe with pan or volume automation), but the 4th bar being edited for intere/transition purposes..or using reversed audio in certain sections

i assume that the idea i to not totally lose the patches identity through the piece....i'm guessing that the use of external effects is a concession given to the fact that, in most productions, these effects would end up being used, so by the same token most folks would use certain audio tricks to spice up, or transition from/to, certain sections

what say ye ??

[james0tucson]

I don't like the idea of whitelists and blacklists simply because it will create a situation that might be taken out of context. You wouldn't want to explain that list to a developer who didn't understand the nature of the challenge. Also, I don't really see it as a competition, so the whole idea of "points" and "rules" kind of doesn't ring with me. (I rarely submit, but I usually work the challenge.)

Am I the only one who sees it as an interesting impulse for an exercise without giving much thought to it being a contest?

[james0tucson]

I voted for all effects to be allowable and for the point system to be implemented. Wasn't thinking though about the work that would involve for Irion and V'ger... sorry guys!
I just changed my vote to no plugs at all! (but maybe a limiter on the main buss would be a good idea)

@JoeCat: I think an approved list would include the mac options as well. But yeah, I totally agree with you about host effects.

Since the competition is already 100% democratic, those who are in favor of some things and opposed to other things can vote accordingly. No need for a "point system." It's already there, in the voting, assuming there is full disclosure.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I don't like the idea of whitelists and blacklists simply because it will create a situation that might be taken out of context. You wouldn't want to explain that list to a developer who didn't understand the nature of the challenge. Also, I don't really see it as a competition, so the whole idea of "points" and "rules" kind of doesn't ring with me. (I rarely submit, but I usually work the challenge.)

Am I the only one who sees it as an interesting impulse for an exercise without giving much thought to it being a contest?

i'm glad to have the impetus to start doing some music again

however, when there are prizes involved things need to be made very clear

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

(If there will be a list of fixed plugins i would vote for these:
Audiocation - Compressor
GVST - GClip, GMax
Kjaerhus Audio - Classic Compressor, Classic Master Limiter, Classic Reverb
MeldaProductions - MEqualizer
RS-MET - EasyQ
V.O.S. - Baxter EQ, Density MK2, epicVerb, preFix)

as a mac user wishing to participate in this month's osc, perhaps you could advise me which of these i can use cuz at first glance it seems i'm SOL

[IrionDaRonin]

Guys, guys, the new rule for the effects will be working and will be a fact the next month. Not this.

Anyway, Diva doesn't need too much external effects since comes with a nice amount of them, to be honest.

Have a good day

[MaxSynths]

to what extent are we allowed to edit/manipulate/automate the audio resulting from bounces from these instruments ??

I think that the manipulation of the bounces shouldn't be allowed. The bounce/freeze option should be used to spare CPU: this is useful for those synths particularly heavy on CPU and it's very helpful for those users with a not very updated machine.

[evo2slo]

Since the competition is already 100% democratic, those who are in favor of some things and opposed to other things can vote accordingly. No need for a "point system." It's already there, in the voting, assuming there is full disclosure.

Good point. Everyone has their own ideas specific to themselves how they decide to vote. For myself, so long as third party plugs are allowed in the rules I personally wouldn't vote for one track because it uses no plugs over another track that uses a hundred plugs. Doesn't seem fair to penalize someone for simply trying to make their track as good as possible within the existing rules.

If other's have a different thought process behind how they choose to vote, more power to them!

I would be curious to know though if anyone has ever not voted for a track because it uses a lot of plugs...

To me the nice thing about the bonus points system is that it would allow entrants to use whatever they want, even presently banned stuff like modulation, sample manipulation, or non-free effects - while keeping the playing field level for the one-synth purists. But the more I think about it in actual application the more confusing it gets, and as Irion said earlier the managing of it would be a nightmare for the mods. So I can understand why it's unpopular.

Hats off to V'ger for putting the poll together and giving everyone an opportunity to have their say!

[IrionDaRonin]

I would be curious to know though if anyone has ever not voted for a track because it uses a lot of plugs...

Well, i mostly vote for people with Feeling-Skill-Quality. These are my 3 stars voting system.

This is:

·Feeling
Aka if the song made me feel something. Sad, happiness, rage, etc. Actually it's the most important thing to me. And this factor has the last word when voting. So one track could have amazing quality or composition, but made me feel nothing (like most of commercial tracks nowadays).

·Skill
Aka if the song was made with a low CPU computer, which means lots of work. Nice composition, mix, if it makes me pay attention to it in the whole track or made me bored.
One track could have amazing quality, but being repetitive.
Or being more than 6-10 minutes lenght it's not always good if it's repetitive or it's "empty", i even prefer to vote for a track with only 2 minutes of compressed ideas, feelings and thoughts.
And also, nowadays, we have a life, things to do, responsabilities, so more minutes sometimes it's a pain in the ass and we don't find the time for listen 40 tracks in 15 days, set a list of prefered tracks, and voting.

·Quality
Aka mastering, equalizing, loudness, peaks, quality of sound and the lenght of the song.
A nice use of "creme de la creme" sounds to my ears. Every people have their own sound tastes and selection.
Anyway i'm not very tough in this mastering factor, because i'm not very good with mastering neither.

I always voted in this way. So i never criticized in the bad way the usage (low or high amount) of effects, since i came into OSC with these already-rules.

Have a good day

[Acronym]

(If there will be a list of fixed plugins i would vote for these:
Audiocation - Compressor
GVST - GClip, GMax
Kjaerhus Audio - Classic Compressor, Classic Master Limiter, Classic Reverb
MeldaProductions - MEqualizer
RS-MET - EasyQ
V.O.S. - Baxter EQ, Density MK2, epicVerb, preFix)

as a mac user wishing to participate in this month's osc, perhaps you could advise me which of these i can use cuz at first glance it seems i'm SOL

why dont u make ur own list?