KVR Audio

actioncat · Post by **actioncat** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:51 am

Hey guys, cool songs so far. Excited to see what else this thing can do...
I only got to play around with it for like 5 minutes early in the month, then things got hectic and stayed that way. Until now, so today I sat down with Mantra for a few hours to see if there was any hope of me still turning in a track.
Well I definitely like it. Sure, half the features don't work like you'd expect, but instead they work in some arcane OTHER way you wouldn't expect at all, and I can see how this could be frustrating, but I had a great time and finished up with a folder full of awesome patches and the beginnings of three different songs.
Now I just need to pick one to try to make into a full submission before this last week of june is over.

And to the Dev: From what I've seen with Mantra it looks like maybe your stuff isn't for everyone, but I really like it. I knew I would as soon as I saw it announced for this OSC. It's quirky, has lots of character, can make all sorts of crazy sounds, and it rewards experimentation. I downloaded 3 more things from your site after I was done checking it out. So I too say don't shut it down.
As things are now you'll always attract a certain kind of musician. But if you want to broaden your user base, take note of the problems people had with this synth and try to address those things in the future. Either way, just ignore any negativity. Don't stop doing something you enjoy just because some people aren't into it (and forgot their manners in their rush to complain).

doctorbob · Post by **doctorbob** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:59 am

TheBellows wrote:The thing is i first uploaded it several days ago and a lot of tracks were added to the group long after i uploaded it. That's why i find it a bit strange...

Aha .. it's there now ... nice track man.

dB

Mojo42 · Post by **Mojo42** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:24 am

Hm I guess some forget that they are talking in public

The developer of the synth is reading what is written here

Question: What if someone would give you feedback to your tracks same way like some of you gave feedback to this synth???

No one of you would do this even if the track would be horrible as hell. Why no one would do this? Because it would be offending, it actually would be mean. Even if we don`t like a track no one of us would dare to make silly jokes about it, right? We would give honesty critique, maybe saying that we don`t like it and what could be better, but we would be careful not to hurt the songwritter more than necessary.

Next question: Doesn`t a synthesizer developer deserve the same respect from us we have got for each other?

What I have read here on the last pages has nothing to do with honesty critique and with respect, that was more to amuse oneself at the expense of others. That`s really nonsensitive, rude and sad and I really understand how alienoiz feels now.

But on the plus side:

@alienoiz:
Now I`m really curious and downloaded your synth

That was the best advertisement you could get. This is a good example for success by negative promotion

Seems that it is possible to create very unique and unusual sounds with it and I think that sounds quite intresting and I`m mostlikely not the only one who considers this now.

So: Don`t give up creating synths, do it your way (there is anyway no other way) do it because it is fun and don`t lose heart!

@all: No I won`t join this OSC, I just try the synth, because that sounds really intresting.

alienoiz · Post by **alienoiz** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:25 am

Noone needs to apologize for the jokes and stuff. I realy do not feel ofended...sorry if i created a miss understanding here. The jokes are normal, what i realized is that if i had heard your songs created with Mantra without knowing the synth sucks, i would be thinking i created something amazing. This way i know the truth, and i know the synth sucks.

Of course i would prefer to be helped than joked.

The beatassist.eu project was to be closed on May (due to a lack on my finances) but i decided to give it another shot for 1 year more else you wouldnt be playing with Mantra anymore.

I take all those jokes and comments as a help for my final decision, so i rather thank you than to be ofended.

Regards,
Duarte

Taron · Post by **Taron** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:58 am

Ok, what the heck...here's my track:
https://soundcloud.com/taronium/mantrolls

STATS:
30 instances of Mantra Evo
(...all sounds fresh from init patches, except "electric lead", actually.)

DAW: MuLab ( http://www.mutools.com )
internal effects:
TeaVerb
tight room
delay cross
PingPongBeat
Vintage Echo 1
various parametric EQs (single, 2 Band, 4 Band)

plugins:
George Yohng's W1 Limiter x64 (free)
Voxengo SPAN (free) to monitor spectrum

I'm still trying to conquer the dreaded mixing/mastering, which really seems to escape my knowledge, when ever I hear some of your excellent tracks. I've started to check the spectrum against other songs and realized that my entire mid section was way too weak. In addition to boosting those zones (300 - 8k), I've added instruments deliberately to saturate the weakest spots in my spectrum. That felt like an odd thing to do and I have listened to it too much now to really be able to judge it properly, but well... ...again, as always, I would be thrilled to get some feedback for sure!

...and also:

This song also plays out a cute little scenario with loads of Mantrolls, all making the music together, hehehe. This synth, despite serious awkwardness, really helps to create some super exciting stuff, as far as I'm concerned. But we've talked about this enough, I'm afraid...

Anyway, I hope you like my lil'- how do you say - ditty?!

...I normally say "doodle".

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:09 am

Taron wrote:Ok, what the heck...here's my track:
https://soundcloud.com/taronium/mantrolls

STATS:
30 instances of Mantra Evo

DAW: MuLab ( http://www.mutools.com )
internal effects:
TeaVerb
tight room
delay cross
PingPongBeat
Vintage Echo 1
various parametric EQs (single, 2 Band, 4 Band)

plugins:
George Yohng's W1 Limiter x64 (free)
Voxengo SPAN (free) to monitor spectrum

I'm still trying to conquer the dreaded mixing/mastering, which really seems to escape my knowledge, when ever I hear some of your excellent tracks. I've started to check the spectrum against other songs and realized that my entire mid section was way too weak. In addition to boosting those zones (300 - 8k), I've added instruments deliberately to saturate the weakest spots in my spectrum. That felt like an odd thing to do and I have listened to it too much now to really be able to judge it properly, but well... ...again, as always, I would be thrilled to get some feedback for sure! ...and also:

This song also plays out a cute little scenario with loads of Mantrolls, all making the music together, hehehe. This synth, despite serious awkwardness, really helps to create some super exciting stuff, as far as I'm concerned. But we've talked about this enough, I'm afraid...

Anyway, I hope you like my lil'- how do you say - ditty?! ...I normally say "doodle".

OMG...I love it! Without a doubt probably mt favorite OSC track since I've been doing these things.

Just goes to show what talent can do regardless of the synth. Almost makes me want to crank that thing open again and see what I can get out of it. The snare was absolutely killer! Those sounds! That quirkiness!

I give it a 5+

You sir are a freaking genius.

Taron · Post by **Taron** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:31 am

...waaahhh!

Thank you, wag, that makes my day FOR SURE!

Oh, and here's one for alienoiz, too:

Mojo42 · Post by **Mojo42** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:52 am

alienoiz wrote:Noone needs to apologize for the jokes and stuff. I realy do not feel ofended...sorry if i created a miss understanding here. The jokes are normal, what i realized is that if i had heard your songs created with Mantra without knowing the synth sucks, i would be thinking i created something amazing. This way i know the truth, and i know the synth sucks.

Of course i would prefer to be helped than joked.

The beatassist.eu project was to be closed on May (due to a lack on my finances) but i decided to give it another shot for 1 year more else you wouldnt be playing with Mantra anymore.

I take all those jokes and comments as a help for my final decision, so i rather thank you than to be ofended.

Regards,
Duarte

I`m impressed by your relaxed mind

How can I reach this buddhahood?

I`m glad that you don`t feel as bad as I supposed you would do. But I`m neverthless the opinion that a synth that works different than others doesn`t need to be useless or suck. It depends on what someone is looking for and for what exactly someone use this synth. For musicians who like to experiment and who find surprises interesting this synth is a useful option, you know?

Of course for OSC the people wish something which works best flawless, reliable and as they are used to. There is not much time for creating a track and so the preferences at OSC are mainly having a synth which creates immediately, best as easy as possible the desired sound someone wishes to create with. There is simply not much time for experimenting, but this doesn`t mean that your synth sucks in general. It maybe only sucks for people who have massive time pressure and need to get quickly to a certain goal. Anyway, now that we have it at OSC a lot of people are aware of it and those who like it maybe donate something which could solve your financial problems

All the best,
Yvonne

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:53 am

You know, I think this synth, in some weird way, has brought out the creativity in people. I just listened to Reefius track and I really enjoyed it, as simple as it was. It had a nice quirky feel to it. Very 80s sounding.

This might turn out to be a very interesting OSC.

TheBellows · Post by **TheBellows** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:28 pm

Taron: you need to stop saying bad stuff about your mixing/mastering, imagine how us others feel that has far worse mixes than you?

It sounds great in my opinion, i can't hear anything 'wrong' with the mix.

Taron · Post by **Taron** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:46 pm

...I've never worked as intensely on a mix as on this one, so that really means a great deal to me!
It's always hard to judge this, but when I listen to a lot of all your tracks, it feels like many of you have a brilliant routine already, knowing pretty well what to do without breaking a sweat. At least that's how it feels to me and I'm just in awe.
Making this little song was pretty quick, compared to the amount of days in which I brooded over the mix. I left it alone for a whole day, just so I can somehow distance myself and get more of a fresh take on it. But it wasn't until I did some direct comparisons to other songs today that I really made some massive adjustments.
Needless to say that I really still have plenty of justifiable insecurities, not the least of it because I do not consider others to have far worse mixes at all...everyone of you pushes this stuff so powerfully to the front, while my stuff has a tendency to fall into the background, quietly lingering in an ambient, so to say. I admire and aspire your fantastic urgency in your mixes, you know.

However, in case some of you could benefit from it, I really want to share my mixing evolution with you, let you witness my mistakes and my leaps forward. I have no intention to stop until I've got it down somewhat solid, you know, and it would be my great pleasure, if my journey radiates some inspiration for others, too.

stone1 · Post by **stone1** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:05 pm

TheBellows wrote:Taron: you need to stop saying bad stuff about your mixing/mastering, imagine how us others feel that has far worse mixes than you?
It sounds great in my opinion, i can't hear anything 'wrong' with the mix.

Yes - totally agree! And also what a composition - so amazingly imaginative! Incredible sounds. A real tour-de-force!

alienoiz · Post by **alienoiz** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:09 pm

I´m finding all tracks a beauty, i wonder (once again) if the synth sucks, how would it be if i didnt?!!!!

I will not enter OSC cause im very far of all of you guys, anyway as a newbie and seeing all of your quality i thought on adding my soundcloud profile here in order to get some musical tips from those who may want to give them to me.

https://soundcloud.com/beatassist

I wonder if you have some joy to listen to my work??!... there are not a lot of tracks, i tend to select the ones i like most and delete the others far sometime after pubish them.

Jokes are welcome, anyway tips are precious, so if some of you listen to this work, i hope you PM me (in order to do not change matter here in the forum topic) with tips.

Thanks and i hope i will not be banned for this post since it has nothing to do with the forum´s topic.

Duarte V.

Taron · Post by **Taron** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:51 pm

I think, you should start a thread over there:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=62

I was just looking for a good place on KVR that might allow for a focused discussion and feedback of something like this. Seems like the perfect place for it!?
Maybe you should write a little introduction for yourself first, link to your website and all that, you know.

I'm really just now starting to discover the range of KVR. How cool is that!

@stone1
Uuhh, totally didn't see that post...

THANK YOU!

stone1 · Post by **stone1** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:08 pm

alienoiz wrote:I´m finding all tracks a beauty, i wonder (once again) if the synth sucks, how would it be if i didnt?!!!!

I will not enter OSC cause im very far of all of you guys, anyway as a newbie and seeing all of your quality i thought on adding my soundcloud profile here in order to get some musical tips from those who may want to give them to me.

That's not true - You should definitely enter if you feel inclined!

I had a quick listen to some of your tracks - and to me they have a distinct early acid house vibe. For the authentic late 80s/ early 90s sound though, I think the mixes are a bit busy - and could probably do with a 303 sound in there. The repetition gets a bit dark/scary/nightmare like after a while - not sure if this is the vibe you wanted to convey? Anyway, I am also a beginner at this so I probably don't have much useful to add - but perhaps listen to a lot of the kind of music you want to create but also try lots of different experiments and get feedback as much as you can.

One Synth Challenge #76: Mantra Evo (Syntax Project Wins!)