One Synth Challenge #80: MUX by MuTools (Voting Over, preliminary results in)

[bluerobot]

FUNKY ISSUES WITH MuLAB on Mac

My strategy was to create one big MUX synth -- my version of a super synth and use that as the starting point for all the sound design. This worked out well -- it's actually really cool - 3 oscillators, (2 standard and 1 multi) each with their own multi-seg envelopes and filters, a couple of additional master filters, a bunch of LFO's to modulate pitch, filter, noise generators with dedicated envelopes and filters, etc... Fantastic how easy it is to build a customized synth and even make a convenient front end. If there was an AU version of this that I could use in Logic I would buy it right away.

I've run into some issues though with sequencing. One is that when I've opened a third party VST (the free version of Eventide Channel Strip) it leaves a big white square on the screen when I close it and it stays in front of everything unless I close and then open MuLab. I haven't tried anything else yet mostly because I don't have many free VST effects but I was going to download some as I don't love the built in compressor. I assigned some shortcuts which have suddenly stopped working. Even closing and opening the program does not bring them back -- this is a pain. I'm going to restart to see if that helps, but it was inconvenient to say the least and it interferes with workflow. Also, the shortcuts will only do one function so it's not possible to set the space bar to jump back to the last point that I played from and start again, which is kind of aggravating.

Anyway, it's been a really fun program to use, but these issues are beginning to stand in the way of being able to focus on getting a piece finished.

Anyone else having these issues?

Thanks.

I had issues with VSTs on Mac, too. Loading a VST would often crash the program, and I would have re-enter the key each time I restarted.

I also must admit, I find a lot of the keyboard shortcuts and operating paradigms very un-Mac like, which makes the experience somewhat counter-intuitive.

Hoping this is useful feedback. Otherwise I think it's really powerful and quite unique.

[bluerobot]

Can I get an official ruling on VSTs that were once free but not now?

Examples:

1. Replika was once free but now must be purchased (I've been told before that this one is not ok).

2. Single Mault SE from Fxpansion... this used to be free and is simply no longer available... is this one ok?

Is this a reasonable distinction? Or do they all have to be free and available today?

Well, consider the spirit of the rule: if there's doubt about some patch in your project, bjporter can request your project file. He'd need to be able to play it back, so would need legit access to all the VSTs you use. Thus, only currently-free and readily-available VSTs are allowed. There might be some leeway on readily available, e.g. if it's in archive.org or something, I suppose, but in previous contests we've had this discussion and Replika and similar temporary giveaways are no-gos.

Ok. Thanks. Fortunately I decided to err on the side of caution and did not use Single Mault ES.

[doctorbob]

HI

Quick question - in the polysynth can we use the top list of odd looking waveforms, or are we only allowed to use the rectangular, saw and sine waveforms?

I want to make a more convincing ride cymbal sound - need a more "bell like" quality.

dB

[z.prime]

in the polysynth can we use the top list of odd looking waveforms, or are we only allowed to use the rectangular, saw and sine waveforms?

Yes! Use any of the single-cycle waveforms. Also, bj said the granular synthesis is ok just no sampler.

[psmacmur]

How about this one: my Other DAWs can dither my 48k working mix down to 44.1k for mainstreaming and the TT-DR meter. I can't find a dither-down option in MuLab or audacity. Anyone know how I can get down to 44.1k without going through S1 or Reaper?

[z.prime]

How about this one: my Other DAWs can dither my 48k working mix down to 44.1k for mainstreaming and the TT-DR meter. I can't find a dither-down option in MuLab or audacity. Anyone know how I can get down to 44.1k without going through S1 or Reaper?

You can just output whatever format from MuLab and load in Audacity to convert.

[pljones]

Audacity: Flick the project sample rate to the rate you want then File->Export audio..., pick "Other uncompressed files" and click "Options..." then pick your format (WAV, 16bit).

[Dee.P.Tree]

But concept is ready in mind. "Gandhi Meets Mandela" (amalgamation of Indian raga based melody and african / tribal rhythm). Let me try, How much I can get close to complete it, only coming days can tell.

This is going to be interesting to hear!
I suppose you're familiar with Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat?

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... B4FDC11841

.... You read it, sir..? i had posted it many days back....!

This month I am trying with Raga Kedar (pronounced as "Kedaar"). I am stretching my capabilities so that I don't do injustice or disrespect to any classical or cultural music. Time will tell how much I've succeeded. As always, I'll not give up till last moment of contest.

And about the album... Unfortunately. I'd heard it last year only when I started researching electronic and fusion music. I absolutely loved it. I had listened pure indian classical music, Bollywood or folk music only. It was very much refreshing when I listened it forst time. It is said that Shri Charanjit Singh is pioneer of Acid House genre. ("Shri" is similar to "Mr." in Hindi/Sanskrit language). During 80s, such music was very unusual for Indian listeners. The sound and concept was very futuristic at that time. PsyTrance came later... Which, I think, also has roots to Indian ragas.

I am glad that the world listens other Indian artists also than Shri Ravi Shankar (the sitar maestro).

[doctorbob]

Hey all Mux-ers!

Here's my meagre entry for this challenge. All sounds reprogrammed from the presets, but drilling down to the individual modules to get at the parameters I needed to change - most of them in all presets!!!

This track continues from the last challenge with more dense sounds , big pads, plenty of hopefully interesting movement and some nice catchy melodies and hooks! So get yer tappin' feet out for the second part please enjoy the first section which features violins for the main solo - but listen out for that killer organist in the centre with his simple, but effective riff just waiting to get into your heads!

But ... most of all, just please enjoy another release from DoctorBob!

DAW: REAPER 5.03

Track Details:
27 * MUX
27 * ReaEQ
4 * LFX-1310 (autopan only)
8 * TDR Kotelnikov
4 * TAL Reverb II
1 * Classic Delay

Master Track:
TDR VOS SlickEQ
Ferric TDS
Limiter no. 6

DR:8

https://soundcloud.com/doctorbob/doctor ... mux-osc-80

[wagtunes]

Hey all Mux-ers!

Here's my meagre entry for this challenge. All sounds reprogrammed from the presets, but drilling down to the individual modules to get at the parameters I needed to change - most of them in all presets!!!

This track continues with dense sound, big pads, plenty of hopefully interesting movement and some nice catchy melodies and hooks! So get yer tappin' feet out for the second part please enjoy the first section which features violins for the main solo - but listen out for that killer organist in the centre waiting to get into your heads!

DAW: REAPER 5.03

Track Details:
27 * MUX
27 * ReaEQ
4 * LFX-1310 (autopan only)
8 * TDR Kotelnikov
4 * TAL Reverb II
1 * Classic Delay

Master Track:
TDR VOS SlickEQ
Ferric TDS
Limiter no. 6

DR:8

Please Enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/doctorbob/doctor ... mux-osc-80

FWIW, whenever I see you post your track, I run to listen to it because I know it's going to be different. Once again, you did not disappoint.

Very pleasant to listen to. Great mix. Nice sounds. Interesting melody.

Normally, I'd predict this to be a top 10 finish, but with the quality of this synth, I just don't know. I have a feeling the bar is going to be set ridiculously high this month and even with my own track probably being the best thing I've done to date (I'm still not finished with it) I'm probably still going to end up near the bottom.

This is a testimony to this amazing piece of software. You got a lot out of it.

I just wonder if it's going to be enough.

Either way, I liked it and give it a 4.

[doctorbob]

Thanks Wag! Glad you liked it. An interesting mix of quite dense soundscapes. The second part has some interesting rhythmic structures too - and does get very dense, with only about 6 or 7 or the 25 tracks ducking out!

I suspect you are right, the quality is going to be stunning this time round - we have a synth/system with pretty much endless possibilities - but the trick is to get a track done too! As you know, placings really are not overly important to me - it's nice if people like it - and it helps me focus on the various aspects of making a decent track. It's just great to be able to offer something a little different each time - just hope I can continue without recycling things - although it will happen I'm sure ...

Good luck getting yours done - pleased you are still here.

Cheers,

dB

PS ... this is NOT Mulab, but the AVS network editor I used maybe 10 or so years ago to program up complex 3D visualisations of scientific data... similar???

[jmqjmq]

here is my submission for OSC#80:

https://soundcloud.com/jmquarles/jmq-jm ... phantosc80

done with:

Tracktion6
-16 instances of MUX
-6 TAL Dub3 delay
-1 Poor Plate
-6 ReaEq
-2 VOS ThrillseekerLA
-1 Molot02 compressor
-1 TDR feedback compressor
-2 Modern Lost Angel compressor
-1 Limiter6
-1 VOS Baxter eq
-1 Klanghelm IVGI

[wagtunes]

Still working on my track.

Bzzzzzzzz

[z.prime]

Still working on my track.

How's the sound design coming? Are you using any specific strategies to get the sounds you want? Taking a sample or other sound source that gives you what you want and putting it on one channel, then putting the OSC synth on another and doing an A/B comparison between them can yield some very good results with enough tweaking. Without a reference, sometimes the sounds can go south a bit - pretty easily - from where they "should" be.

[wagtunes]

Still working on my track.

How's the sound design coming? Are you using any specific strategies to get the sounds you want? Taking a sample or other sound source that gives you what you want and putting it on one channel, then putting the OSC synth on another and doing an A/B comparison between them can yield some very good results with enough tweaking. Without a reference, sometimes the sounds can go south a bit - pretty easily - from where they "should" be.

I'm not overthinking this. I put down a basic track and said "Okay, what can we do with this?" Then I put it aside for a while and listen to it to see if I hear any glaring problems. Fresh ears give me fresh ideas. I am literally building this seconds at a time, adding in, taking out, moving around, changing sounds. Think of it as a chemistry set with no instructions and thousands of compounds to mix any way you choose. It's time consuming but going about it in this methodical way, I am confident that I will end up with a track that will finish somewhere in the middle of the results at worst. And that's if I manage to finish it. I'm still not happy with it and there is a good chance that I won't be when the deadline comes. But whatever I have at that time, I'm submitting for better or worse.

Right now I would say I'm at the "seasoning" stage. The structure is complete. It has a verse, a chorus a bridge and all the elements of a normal basic song. It's kind of 70s retro with a little bit of modern mixed in. What it's missing right now are those subtle little things that bring out the goodness. I'm having trouble getting past the "it's good enough as it is" playback block that usually dooms most of my songs. This is where a co-writer would help a lot. Somebody to throw ideas at me. But since I'm on my own here, I have to force myself to think outside that box I usually put myself in and come up with those ideas on my own. That's what will make the difference between this being an average track and a great one.

But I would be very shocked if this thing finished at the very bottom like I always do. Then again, who knows. There are other factors that go into a song's placement in these contests. But I won't get into those again. I think most people already know my feelings about the voting so I'll just leave it at that.

Bottom line: This will be my best work in these OSCs by a wide margin.

That's if I can finish it in time.