MPowerSynth improvements & feature requests

[dmbaer]

ADSR tremolo features - ok, so, ramp in definitely sounds reasonable, added to to-do list. Ramp release, that I'm going to deny probably. And about shapes - custom shapes definitely no, but some general parameter switching from say sine^8 (close to exp) to sine^1/8 (close to square) should work.

That sounds cool. Please also include triangle and rectangle and noise if possible, just all the fixed shapes that are there.

OK, fine with me if we got only the ramp up at sustain start - a ramp down at release start would probably be unnoticeable in many cases anyway. Between that and a few more standard shapes for the tremolo, there will be little that cannot be done with the envelope on a per-note basis. Perhaps one day (MPowerSynth version two), you'll have time to add a few extra features like a separate LFO with custom shapes in addition to the envelope, but this is starting to look pretty comprehensive as things stand.

[CableChannel]

Oh one other important request:

Please add a volume by note slider

Now that you can setup filter by note relation arbritarily, often the situation occurs that bass notes are much more quiet than treble notes or vice versa due to the filtering. It's necessary to be able to compensate for that per voice. (Currently only possible in monophonic mode via global midi setup.)

[SteveC777]

Hi all,
First time poster, two weeks "working on presets" maker...

Just wanted to say that reading all of the posts has been like a crash course in modern synth programming - great stuff. I am (or was) starting to get a handle on how MPS operates, but nowhere near where I thought I was after reading this thread. That's a good thing.

Anyhow... it was mentioned previously, maybe the first page, but I agree that the pop-up dialogs really need an outline or some type of color variation so they stand out from the main dialog. There have been been too many times where the black header on the pop-up blends with the main dialog and I simply don't see it (dual 24" 1920x1280).

Also, is there a way to disable the default Learn function when assigning MIDI controllers? Sure, I've gotten in the habit of doing so, but it seems like something that should be optional...

Lastly, for now, any tips for "cleaner" results from the Maximizer FX? A few patches could really use a good average level but with some peak limiting to make good use of multiparameters. Just a little off the top could make a difference, but I seem to get some unwanted "crunch" regardless of how I've set the Maximizer...


Thanks!

[robertszalapski]

Have you tried using MDynamics or other fast compression for this purpose?

[SteveC777]

Hi Robert,
No, I have not yet tried any external plugins as I was attempting to keep everything "in the box".

[zerocrossing]

When I try to rebuild Virus patches on MPowerSynth...

Well let's take a look at that phrase. First of all, you're comparing a $127 software synthesizer that's got to perform along side other plug ins as well as a DAW to a stand alone hardware synth that costs $1250 USD (for a Snow). Do you think the Virus is 10 times the cost because of it's nice metal case? I can tell you know that there isn't a single plug in instrument whose effects hold a candle to the Virus'. I'm sure Melda could do the same but... well if it only runs on the fastest machines then what's it all for? Things like high quality reverb plug ins exist (Melda makes one!) for those times when you need the best... and you should probably not be using it as an insert effect and have it on a send bus instead.

Also, why would you want MPowerSynth to be a mimic of the Virus? If you want a Virus in plug in form, there are already a few (Spire, Dune II) that are going for that. What I like about MPowerSynth is the unique cool stuff it does and I've already got plenty of other tools that give me giant unison sounds. Plus, like you, I have a Virus.

[robertszalapski]

Hi Robert,
No, I have not yet tried any external plugins as I was attempting to keep everything "in the box".

I was referring to using the built-in dynamics FX, actually. Did I use the wrong name?

[Satch1]

Hi Vojtech, unfortunately I've only just yesterday got going with MPowerSynth, so probably won't have time to complete 25 presets, but nonetheless really impressed by the sound and potential of it.

I started a preset which involved assigning the level and phase of the first 64 harmonics of Osc 1 to a Multiparameter in Banks mode. I then spent the next few minutes assigning them one by one up to level 32 and phase 32, then thought that'll do for now, phew!
So, would you please consider adding the ability to select and assign multiple mod destinations at once by using shift and ctrl keyboard shortcuts to add to the selection, like you would in Windows for example? Thanks

[CableChannel]

So, would you please consider adding the ability to select and assign multiple mod destinations at once by using shift and ctrl keyboard shortcuts to add to the selection, like you would in Windows for example? Thanks

Yes, +1

And please please please(!) add a preset manager for the mod destination parameters as well, or save them with the modulator preset. If you have created a cool setup there that you want to use in another sound as well, you have to do all the work again!

[CableChannel]

double post

[Satch1]

And please please please(!) add a preset manager for the mod destination parameters as well, or save them with the modulator preset. If you have created a cool setup there that you want to use in another sound as well, you have to do all the work again!

Yes that would be very handy. In fact, the Multiparameter presets do recall all mod assignments, but, as you say, Modulators do not recall them. I think the Modulators should save the assignments with the preset and then have the option to lock the modulator source or the mod assignments so they don't change when the preset is changed. This way you could still change the mod source preset while still keeping the current assignments, or vice versa, or change everything at once.

[CableChannel]

And please please please(!) add a preset manager for the mod destination parameters as well, or save them with the modulator preset. If you have created a cool setup there that you want to use in another sound as well, you have to do all the work again!

Yes that would be very handy. In fact, the Multiparameter presets do recall all mod assignments, but, as you say, Modulators do not recall them. I think the Modulators should save the assignments with the preset and then have the option to lock the modulator source or the mod assignments so they don't change when the preset is changed. This way you could still change the mod source preset while still keeping the current assignments, or vice versa, or change everything at once.

That sounds like a perfect solution

[zerocrossing]

PWM/Pitch lfo - aaaha, that makes more sense. Anyway please send me some examples, I'll try to think about a solution, but I'm not sure now really. Adding vibrato wouldn't be such a big deal probably, but I'd need some "persuasion" .

Listen to some modern club music...

NO! DON'T DO IT!

[SteveC777]

Hi Robert,
No, I have not yet tried any external plugins as I was attempting to keep everything "in the box".

I was referring to using the built-in dynamics FX, actually. Did I use the wrong name?

Not at all... I didn't realize that the built-in compresser was the Mcomp. A little slow on the uptake, I am.

Anyhow... Yes, I will try that. I did do the same on another preset, so I was really just looking for the simplicity of the Limiter to shave off those peaks. No biggie either way. Thanks again.

[SteveC777]

So, would you please consider adding the ability to select and assign multiple mod destinations at once by using shift and ctrl keyboard shortcuts to add to the selection, like you would in Windows for example? Thanks

Yes, +1

+2 Having just worked with a Bank for the first time, it is very tedious to go one by one, by one, by one, by... Excellent functionality, it just needs a bit of workflow polish.