Vortex VSTi - Multi Timbral Groove Machine Beta

[como baila]

///// BETA 37

* New feature, Scale Shift, when Re-Pitch and SC Shift are enabled on the sequence and a pitch trigger Scale is used; the scale can be shifted up through inversions either via the list on the Advanced page or using a knob assigned to CC 55.

Wow! It's going to take a little work to get my head around this one.

I was wondering already about the relationship between the scales in the repitch octave and in the sequencer when a scale is chosen and loaded.

Does repitch over ride? Or is there some transformation by repitch of what is set on the sequencer page?

Also, Andy, I am finding some 'funky' behavior with the control parameters, even as I appreciate the new labeling.

I don't know much about synthedit and how well it does or doesn't get along with Novation Automap, but here goes.

I have always been able to manipulate an identified parameter in a plug in GUI with Automap, once the parameter has been mapped. What I can do on the screen with the mouse, I can do with the controller.

1. The 'off/ on' is confusing. For example, with the 'Auto Display,' when it is on in the GUI, Automap calls it off. This is true of quite a few of the 'toggle' parameters.

2. There are range issues. For example, when I use an encoder knob (or pot) to map the steps, it initially reads the steps in the GUI properly, but after I move it it will only range from 1 to 9 steps and I cannot return to either what is in the GUI or get to the full 32 steps.

Slightly differently, on Global Transpose. I can increase the value from 0 to +24, but I cannot access any negative values.

I don't know how this goes on other controllers, but it doesn't seem correct.

On such things a CC# in CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4 and the CC Mixer, the full range of values are properly are accessed ... but sometimes appear read by Automap as one value off ... something I have not experienced in the past using Automap extensively.

Thought, despite any headaches incurred, you'd rather know than not.

Como

[Astralp]

It works well, just been having a play with it, just assign a knob to CC 55 and turn

The pitch is squashed to the scale according to the rules, this new control increases the pitch by the set amount before it is squashed so that notes are forced to look for the next pitch according to the Scale Mode, so it has chord inversion type behaviour.

I don't have an automap device unfortunately to test with, but I have little control over the VST automation side of SE. When I have some spare cash I'll get an automap controller and check it out, but I have a feeling there's little I can do about it.

The RPNs set up to control the seq page I have complete control over so you can set those up the old fashioned way. The CC SEQ page OFF is the value 0, and it is actually text labels that displays the offset on the GUI.

Global Transpose uses the actual value to index, although I would have thought that VST automation would handle it correctly. Anyhow it's too late to change that now really without causing backward compatibility problems.

[Astralp]

I have a BCR2000 and it's great and easy to program (although only a 3 digit display!), but I don't use it very often as it's heavy and large.

I didn't think about presets remaining consistent but what if it was just the keys the triggers were on? Keep the scale octaves consistent but allow changes of the non destructive controls? Or would that mess with things too much.

In the case of the launchpad or a similar control surface you could have a bit more control of the way things were laid out if using more than one controller. I'm just spittin' some ideas anyway, my lateral thinking sucks right now so i'm prolly not considering some really obvious things.

Well all the triggers and pitch triggers have CCs so they can be assigned to buttons, pads etc for easily

[Astralp]

I am assuming ... dangerous, I know ... that since the 'root' key of the grid is C, that all the scales should reflect what they would be in the key of C.

Correct?

Yes.

Also, do you think your control parameters are pretty much set now? I don't want to spend a lot of time creating a control map if you think there may be major revisions.

I consider the current version to be a release candidate, so unless some huge problem emerges nothing will be changed, though things may still be added.

[como baila]

It works well, just been having a play with it, just assign a knob to CC 55 and turn

The pitch is squashed to the scale according to the rules, this new control increases the pitch by the set amount before it is squashed so that notes are forced to look for the next pitch according to the Scale Mode, so it has chord inversion type behaviour.

I can't wait till later when I can try it out ... but I have to wait, whether I can or not!

Forgetting CC 55 for the moment, can you remind how the repitch octave keys rescaling affects the loaded 'squash2scale' settings in each sequencer page?

TY

Como

[Astralp]

It's really good for classic 70s Jarre and Kraftwerk type stuff, it's sort of like a manual ARP Octave control

To be honest I think the Squash to Scale has become a bit redundant now. I think the Pitch Octave should be in hold mode as a default, and then if the scale is enabled on the pitch trigger it would just be squashed/rescaled there instead.

The original idea for S2S was to enable randomizing and scaling easily on the sequence page, but if you are using the Pitch Triggers (which I think most people will) then using S2S is actually counter productive as it limits the fun to be had with the Trigger Rescalers by squashing before they get their go at it

Not sure, but maybe I should remove it (i can leave the patch mems in place for backward compatibility), but I think it may just be too confusing now we have the Pitch Triggers, what do you/other people think?

[como baila]

Whoa! Stop, don't remove it!

Don't we have a repitch bypass keyboard in advance page? Or does that only function from the tab on the sequencer page?

That means we could do some things on some sequences that are 'bypassed' using the 'squash2scale' and CC 55 independent of what occurs with the repitch octave, no?

Also, we can now mix different scale on different sequencers ... that would go away if rescale was only part of the repitch octave keys, wouldn't it? Why would I want it? Well maybe I want to play 5ths against a fuller scale in a different sequencer.

I only wanted to know whether the repitch octave's rescaled keys over rode the settings on the sequencer 'squash2scale' settings.

Como

[Astralp]

I suppose so, it still could be useful I guess. The repitch button on the sequencer page disables it's involvement with all re-pitching except the squash2scale.

It does just feel as though there are too many pitch options now, so much for keeping things simple

To answer your q, no they are cumulative s2s->Pitch Trigger.

[como baila]

To answer your q, no they are cumulative s2s->Pitch Trigger.

Hmmmm ... given your answer, "cummulative" ... which I take to mean first processed by any s2s rule and the output then processed by the repitch octave key scale setting, I'd call that a 'qualified, yes.'

Meaning, that final output depends upon the processing of the repitch octave key's scale setting.

Any way you cut it, the repitch/ rescale octave is great, Andy! I was digging last night on your setting of C# an octave higher in that last preset, 'Oz' something. The implementation is a fantastic concept.

If all the pitch options makes for a steeper learning curve ... Oh, well! Everyone will love it once they get it under their belt.

Como

[Astralp]

Thanks, I'm amazed how much fun it is, hours can slip away when I should be doing things like... finishing the manual... making videos... sigh.. Nearly there though!

You will LOVE the Scale Shift..

I've added an mp3 of what I've just been doing which demonstrates playing with a knob assigned to CC55 for the Scale Shift. It's top of the mp3 player:

http://hgsounds.com/product/vortex/

[como baila]

Yes! You like that stutter, don't you?

BTW ... this demo might put a lot of game music composers out of business!

And with two (or more) instances of Vortex instantiated, opened to the same preset, where do you think we might get?

I used to think you were missing sleep working hard, now I'm wondering whether it's due to playing with Vortex.

Como

[como baila]

Andy ... I'm feelin' like a 'whiner.' I didn't want you to change the scales, just correct them.

I really miss the listing of Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian in logical order. The modal scales are extremely useful for harmonic manipulation and a lot of folk melody.

You have Dorian and Aeolian as a single scale, it's not. I'd also like garden variety Phrygian, not 'chromatic.'

Here is a formula for the modes with reference to the major scale intervals of WWHWWH, with whole numbers reflect a full step and flatted (bN)a half-step, but the interval must be observed ... b6 to b7 is still a whole step. In the key of C, b3 will be Eb. So you can use this formula in C to place whole numbers on the white keys and b numbers on the indicated sharp/ flat key. In the first one, Dorian, I placed the key names to illustrate.


C D Eb F G A Bb C
2 Dorian mode formula is 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 1.

3 Phrygian mode formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 1.

4 Lydian mode formula is 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 1.

5 Mixolydian mode forumula 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 1.

6 Aeolian mode, natural minor, 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 1.

7 Locrian mode, a half dim is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 1.


BTW, I still don't get your 'Major +5.' It appears to have a flat 5, if anything. Maybe it's a naming convention I'm unfamiliar with?


Como

[Astralp]

Como I've built in a system for exporting them for me to add easily, could you make them on the Pitch Trigger Scale, then press CTRL + Load which will copy it to the windows buffer, then you can paste it on here or in an email in a format I can simply add, then there's no mistake. I also need the name.

Scales are not my strongest point!

[soundklinik]

[quote="Astralp"
Scales are not my strongest point!

Mine either I use: http://www.8notes.com/resources/notefin ... chords.asp

[como baila]

Como I've built in a system for exporting them for me to add easily, could you make them on the Pitch Trigger Scale, then press CTRL + Load which will copy it to the windows buffer, then you can paste it on here or in an email in a format I can simply add, then there's no mistake. I also need the name.

Scales are not my strongest point!

Will do!

Como