One-Synth-Challenge: General discussion thread

[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

why dont u make ur own list?

probably should...

i never was such a big one for freebies...guess it's more of a windows thing, as mac is a little starved in this area

funny enough, i have a small collection that i d'loaded for my, aborted, 'free alpha' osc attempt...will dig 'em out....they were all cross-platform, though....made sure of it

[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?

probably should...

i never was such a big one for freebies...guess it's more of a windows thing, as mac is a little starved in this area

funny enough, i have a small collection that i d'loaded for my, aborted, 'free alpha' osc attempt...will dig 'em out....they were all cross-platform, though....made sure of it

can recommend this one, for pc and mac:
http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/downloads/

[satYatunes]

my votes:

1. Yes
2. No
3. No
4. No
5. Yes - List of disallowed plugins - I think this list will be smaller than the allowed plugins, hence selected this option.
6. No

True contest will be to not allow any effects at all except for the one that comes with the synth itself. People need to understand that limitation is the challenge here otherwise it wouldn't have been called OSC. Anyway, making things overly complicated and technical would take the charm away. I totally agree with Irion on the point that if a track doesn't let me feel anything then it's garbage to me even if it used 50 effects and sounds polished from a technical point of view.

[V'ger]

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 agree that would be the most fair and really ought to be in the rules poll now, but like already pointed out earlier, there is already a huge disparity between users computers when it comes to hardware and then something should be put in place to even out the differences there if the same should be for operating systems imo.

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

Only to the extent that the EXACT same result could be made with the synth playing live. One should really strive to follow this, so that if one can't get a consistent kick sound for example, one can't single out one and use that. To get the exact same result in this case would be to bounce a series of kick hits and stick with that only.

[V'ger]

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

True. Without prizes it could really be left up to voting, but I've noticed that as soon as the prizes get nicer, things gets pushed a bit so useful to have everything clear up front..

[V'ger]

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

My guess is very little. On the contrary, it seems the overall mix seems to be a factor maybe more than clever synth and restrictive plugin use.

I actually like the suggested points system, but voted against it for practical reasons..

[V'ger]

But speaking of acceptable plugins, what are your feelings about transient tools? (like Bitter Sweet for example) Just another compressor variation and ok?

[evo2slo]

But speaking of acceptable plugins, what are your feelings about transient tools? (like Bitter Sweet for example) Just another compressor variation and ok?

I'd say so. Just volume envelope shapers. Could probably do the same thing with automation and a lot of patience.

[V'ger]

Any more votes on the rules poll before it closes in less than 2 days?

[Aiynzahev]

I think the rules as they are now are good.

1) They place some restrictions on what is unfair, but they do not bog us down with worry about what is allowed or not.

2) The use of delay and reverb are important to us with Low power CPU's. It is easier for us to run one instance of delay as a send for example, than to have every synth loaded running its own delay. Not to mention it makes bouncing a headache because delays and reverbs are things you may end up adjusting 100 times as you even out the mix.

3) I am definitely against a points based system. Way too complicated.

4) I am against an allowed list, and a disallowed list. Can anyone list every plug-in available? All that time and effort for nothing. Those of us here usually know what is acceptable with effects now anyway. We just use common sense as the rules already guide us to. Perhaps a recommended list could be a good idea.

One question though, some genres make use of compression pumping. Is that allowed?

[Kalee]

Hi,

Voted,

Most important for me would be Yes - a list of allowed plugins only. And big no from me for the bonus/penalty points.

Not list of every plugin that complies with the OSC rules, but small set of good plugins.

Other stuff I don't hugely care about.

[Aiynzahev]

Well, a small list of acceptable plug ins does level the playing field I guess and does assure you that you are working in the rules. There is probably a good agreement of what is "good" and free anyway. As long as you allow the brainworx free plug-ins and SPL freeranger.

[V'ger]

Voting over for the rules poll, and no real big changes other than modulation is now allowed as long as it's part of other effect and used minimally. As it was 50-50 about using a list of allowed plugins and no list, things will be kept as they are with no list (since no majority to change)

[MaxSynths]

What about the list then?

EDIT: uh read the V'ger post about the list only now...

[V'ger]

As was brought up in this thread, there might still be some points that needs voting on.

Vote here

Votes must be in before 1st February KVR time

You can change your vote, but make sure it gets noticed by adding something next to your nick, for example: V'ger (revote)

And please mention if there are some other topics that ought to go in this rules vote, but do it fast..