Any news on Dune 2? (Out Now!!!)

[Richard_Synapse]

I don't care if old patches are not compatible with v2 as I have not programmed any. But if v1 and v2 are not compatible, the synth should not bear the same name in my view. Unfortunately it was more or less obvious that patches would not be compatible, otherwise v2 would have been just a cosmetic upgrade.

Yep, the biggest problem with compatibility is that users must be able to load an old project and it should work/sound exactly like before. This makes bigger structural changes to a VST/AU pretty much impossible, such as an improved patch system many asked for and which we implemented. So we need two separate DLLs/components in any case, and since this allows us to do massive changes/improvements everywhere, there's really no reason to remain backwards compatible anymore.

About the name, there's certainly good reasons to pick a new one. The main novelty of Dune 1 was the ability to modulate unison voices, however, and this is still possible in Dune 2. Other than this conceptual overlap, Dune 2 can also sound close to Dune 1, the old filter models are still available (the default filters are zero-delay feedback designs now though). But keep suggestions coming, we listen

Richard

[jsp1979]

patch management is the same as V1

This makes bigger structural changes to a VST/AU pretty much impossible, such as an improved patch system many asked for and which we implemented.

[Kriminal]

Edit: im not allowed to complain....

[manducator]

So we need two separate DLLs/components in any case, and since this allows us to do massive changes/improvements everywhere, there's really no reason to remain backwards compatible anymore.

I don't understand, does this simply mean that Dune 1 and 2 can co-exist?

I have zillions of patches bought for Dune 1. I hope I can keep using them. I guess Dune 1 will become abandonware after the release of Dune 2. Right?

[recursive one]

If I buy Dune2 when available, will I get also full Dune1? Or it will be sold separately along with Dune 2 or discontinued?

I will, quite probably, buy Dune2 in any case, though

[Richard_Synapse]

[I don't understand, does this simply mean that Dune 1 and 2 can co-exist?

Yes, absolutely!

I have zillions of patches bought for Dune 1. I hope I can keep using them. I guess Dune 1 will become abandonware after the release of Dune 2. Right?

I don't think this is an option, as there's many soundsets available for Dune 1 and new ones are still being released. As long as this is the case, we have to keep Dune 1 alive.

Richard

[fluffy_little_something]

Will there be a Soft Steal voice stealing option? I know this is rather specific, but I hate the usual Overlap option as it changes the sound so much...

[Richard_Synapse]

If I buy Dune2 when available, will I get also full Dune1? Or it will be sold separately along with Dune 2 or discontinued?

I will, quite probably, buy Dune2 in any case, though

We haven't decided that yet. I did promise an upgrade option for D1 users though, so there'll certainly be some way to get both without paying the full price twice.

Richard

[Richard_Synapse]

Will there be a Soft Steal voice stealing option? I know this is rather specific, but I hate the usual Overlap option as it changes the sound so much...

With overlap do you mean essentially higher/infinite polyphony? If so, then yes Dune 2 always soft-steals voices. To me this is the only way that makes sense for a complex synthesizer, as this allows you to reset oscillator phases without getting clicks on successive notes, it minimizes CPU usage and doesn't overlap chords if you want a specific polyphony. I think at least all major digital hardware synths work this way, too.

Richard

[ragout]

I'd stick with Dune 2, always liked the name.

Oh, and on a side note, I hope will look similar to Dune 1, but more modern. Skins would be awesome!

[fluffy_little_something]

Will there be a Soft Steal voice stealing option? I know this is rather specific, but I hate the usual Overlap option as it changes the sound so much...

With overlap do you mean essentially higher/infinite polyphony? If so, then yes Dune 2 always soft-steals voices. To me this is the only way that makes sense for a complex synthesizer, as this allows you to reset oscillator phases without getting clicks on successive notes, it minimizes CPU usage and doesn't overlap chords if you want a specific polyphony. I think at least all major digital hardware synths work this way, too.

Richard

Well, I am no expert, but I have noticed that with overlap when you have a patch with long release and hit the same key repeatedly, the sound character changes a lot with every hit because of the varying phase overlap. Some people might even like that as it might fake some kind of analog drift. Sometimes there is also a hard steal option which often leads to an audible bump, though, not really ideal for pads, but good for percussive sounds.

[Teksonik]

Well, I am no expert, but I have noticed that with overlap when you have a patch with long release and hit the same key repeatedly, the sound character changes a lot with every hit because of the varying phase overlap. Some people might even like that as it might fake some kind of analog drift. Sometimes there is also a hard steal option which often leads to an audible bump, though, not really ideal for pads, but good for percussive sounds.

Are you talking about DUNE 1 or just synths in general ?

[fluffy_little_something]

Well, I am no expert, but I have noticed that with overlap when you have a patch with long release and hit the same key repeatedly, the sound character changes a lot with every hit because of the varying phase overlap. Some people might even like that as it might fake some kind of analog drift. Sometimes there is also a hard steal option which often leads to an audible bump, though, not really ideal for pads, but good for percussive sounds.

Are you talking about DUNE 1 or just synths in general ?

That was about synths in general. I don't have Dune 1, but Dune 2 is high on my list I would never spend more than 20 bucks on a synth with hardwired overlap mode, anymore, that is why I was asking... Can't check Dune 1 for that aspect as I had already demoed it a long time ago...

[Richard_Synapse]

Well, I am no expert, but I have noticed that with overlap when you have a patch with long release and hit the same key repeatedly, the sound character changes a lot with every hit because of the varying phase overlap. Some people might even like that as it might fake some kind of analog drift. Sometimes there is also a hard steal option which often leads to an audible bump, though, not really ideal for pads, but good for percussive sounds.

Then you probably want soft steal, and this is what Dune 2 does.

Dune 1 employed a fixed polyphony, which is close to analog synths, but only works well as long as the release time isn't too long, your oscillators run in continuous phase and you don't need to reset envelopes. Any of that pretty much requires a voice stealer, ihmo.

Richard

[Richard_Synapse]

There are a ton of presets for V.1 but the patch loading and management in v.1 is one of the few down sides of an otherwise fabulous synth. I think there is some hope of v. 2 having better patch management--hence, the desire to see v.2 versions of the old patches.

We switched to a file/directory-based system, which allows you to organize patches in any way you like, and is how most of the big synths work today. This means sound designers can now copy/paste/add/remove patches easily, while end users can purchase soundsets and they'll appear immediately in Dune 2.

About v2 versions of v1 patches- more often than not it's entirely possible, Michael Kastrup converted a couple of his best patches. We can also convert some from Antidote RE. Due to many detail differences it can't be done automatically though.

Richard