Muon Software

Mnemonic · Post by **Mnemonic** » Thu Aug 01, 2002 9:45 pm

Hi Dave,

I don't know whether you're taking feature requests for future versions of DS-404, but if you are, I've got a simple one for you.

On the front panel there is a function that allows you to set the number of voices to be used by the patch. It would be really nice to have a little display next to it showing the actual number of voices being used at a certain time (like VSampler has). This saves having to use trial and error to work out the best number of voices for performance purposes.

Thanks,

Dave

dunk · Post by **dunk** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 12:49 pm

is it cool if I add me tuppence worth? a couple of minor things I'd like to see:

1) drag and drop samples to load them (and also load multiple samples in one go).

2) the GUI "F" keys I find a bit bizarre -It would be nice if the keyboard F keys could be used or if there was just one menu from which you could select any operation (and then a button to return to the top menu). Also, editing values with the alpha dial is a bit wierd for me - I keep wanting to click on the values and edit them as you do for the keymap/voices boxes. I know this is probly quite difficult tho' cos you'd need a bunch of dynamic GUI stuff, so I'll learn to get used to the F buttons and dial.

apart from them minor niggles, cheers for the sampler Dave! top work.

regards,
dunk

Muon Software Ltd · Post by **Muon Software Ltd** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 12:56 pm

Unfortunately we're not taking feature requests for DS404. The way our contract works with CM is that we do the code, and maintain it but there's no extra development work done.

As for the GUI, there was a limited amount of time and budget available for the coding and inevitably some things had to be simplified.

Having said that, I've been using DS404 every day all day for the last two weeks (working on a top-notch sample CD for it!) and you can work very quickly once you get used to it.

Remember though that it is much easier to edit your loops etc. in a wave editor like Wavelab first before importing them. DS404 will automatically use loop data and root note information if it is stored in the WAV or AIFF file.

Cheers
Dave

[ 02 August 2002, 08:57: Message edited by: Muon Software Ltd ]

Mnemonic · Post by **Mnemonic** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 1:16 pm

Dave,

You say that you coded DS-404 for CM, and the contract says that only code maintenance may be done on it, but does that stop Muon from making another DS-404 compatible sampler in the future? With those incredible sounding filters, it would be nice to see an upgraded version in the future.

I guess the only worry is that the sampler VSTi market is becoming a very crowded place at the moment, with HALion, Kontakt and VSampler all baying for the crown. All the same, 20,000+ people now have the DS-404 sampler, and so the format could become an extremely strong one as I guess that most soft synths don't normally sell in that kind of quantity (am I right?).

Just musing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Muon Software Ltd · Post by **Muon Software Ltd** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 1:21 pm

We are working on some adaptations of the DS404 concept to extend and develop the format. Watch this space!

You are quite right about the wide distribution and I don't see soundware companies, for example, being able to ignore something as big as this <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Kind regards
Dave

dunk · Post by **dunk** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 5:45 pm

good luck with your future projects Dave!

having made my suggestions, I've spent the morning playing about with ds404, building a patch from cyclick multisamples and the like, and doing repeated jobs on samples does become very quick. Like any instrument, it just takes a bit of learning and effort.
cheers again,
dunk

Deuce · Post by **Deuce** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 7:47 pm

I found that once I got into the rhythm of things when building patch, it became very easy. After just building one patch I now know all of the F keys etc. and am finding the jog wheel quite handy...

...but yes, loading multiple samples would have been nice <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Dave: A question for you <img border="0" alt="[Crazy]" title="" src="graemlins/1eyecrazy.gif" /> - The reason why my patch contribution so far has been a simple drum machine was because I tried to do a synth patch (which is turning out quite nice) but found the size of it was too large (50mb) for distribution over the net or by email. <img border="0" alt="[No No]" title="" src="graemlins/1headshake.gif" />

CM, as always, are keen for people to send patches but how shall we manage this? Is the only way to send them a CDR or are Muon/CM going to arrange a place where we can upload them. This would be nice, but even then my dial-up won't manage uploading one file this big before I time out.

...maybe CDR is the only way to go??

(I think I may have just answered my own question? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="redface.gif" /> )

Muon Software Ltd · Post by **Muon Software Ltd** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 7:55 pm

Alex: send an email to cmpatches@futurenet.co.uk and they'll be able to arrange something for your patches. Dunno if Ben has got the bandwidth to deal with DS404 patches...?

Whilst we're on the subject if anyone has any good quality vintage-keyboards type stuff sampled from real analogue beasties or crusty old organs/electromechanical stuff get in touch with me straight away. I'm *particularly* after some nice analogue polysynth patches. Bear in mind though that it must be a sample from the original equipment, and we can deal with all the business of building DS404 patches from the samples.

Cheers
Dave

donkey tugger · Post by **donkey tugger** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 8:02 pm

Errrrrm, can you do an Umbrella next time time please. Just been into Leeds to get my copy, got pissed wet through to the skin!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

Kriminal · Post by **Kriminal** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:56 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by donkey tugger:
Errrrrm, can you do an Umbrella next time time please. Just been into Leeds to get my copy, got pissed wet through to the skin!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>Are you sure you dint get pissed and wet yourself?!?! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

sorry <img border="0" alt="[No No]" title="" src="graemlins/1headshake.gif" />

crimsonwarlock · Post by **crimsonwarlock** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 11:37 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Muon Software Ltd:
Whilst we're on the subject if anyone has any good quality vintage-keyboards type stuff sampled from real analogue beasties or crusty old organs/electromechanical stuff get in touch with me straight away. I'm *particularly* after some nice analogue polysynth patches. Bear in mind though that it must be a sample from the original equipment, and we can deal with all the business of building DS404 patches from the samples.<hr /></blockquote>I have an ESQ-1 lying around unused. Digital osc's with analogue everything else. Has a very distinctive sound. Only problem is a busted power supply that needs repair (it looks to me that only one 7812 died (if that means anything to you). I have one lying around but no time to solder it in. Interested ?

(if you have someone that can do the (small) repairs, you can have it for a couple of months or so).

Muon Software Ltd · Post by **Muon Software Ltd** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 4:25 am

What I'm really going after right now is just one other classic polysynth to sample for the sample CD we're making.

We've just scored a Prophet 600, which is a lovely piece of gear and although I've got a Juno 2 right here I don't think it fits the bill. My dream machine to sample would be something like a MemoryMoog.....anyone??

Cheers
Dave

crimsonwarlock · Post by **crimsonwarlock** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 3:28 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Muon Software Ltd:
What I'm really going after right now is just one other classic polysynth to sample for the sample CD we're making.

We've just scored a Prophet 600, which is a lovely piece of gear and although I've got a Juno 2 right here I don't think it fits the bill. My dream machine to sample would be something like a MemoryMoog.....anyone??

Cheers
Dave<hr /></blockquote>Well, if you have ever played an ESQ-1 you would know it is a classic in it's own right. But I understand your lusting for a MemoryMoog. Hehehe... I'm currently building one in SyncModular... might take a long time though before I get it tweaked into perfection <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Muon Software Ltd · Post by **Muon Software Ltd** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 3:32 pm

You're right, I've not had the pleasure of playing on a an ESQ-1. It's a pity the power supply is busted though, it'd be nice just to hear a quick snippet to see if it sounded nice.

Cheers
Dave

crimsonwarlock · Post by **crimsonwarlock** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 3:49 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Muon Software Ltd:
You're right, I've not had the pleasure of playing on a an ESQ-1. It's a pity the power supply is busted though, it'd be nice just to hear a quick snippet to see if it sounded nice.<hr /></blockquote>It will be long before I get to fixing the darn thing myself (eventually I will and sample the hell out of it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ). I'll see if I can dig up some old recording that has it, as I have my new DAW up and running now, I'll be moving several old tape-recordings to the digital realm soon.

Muon Software

KVR Audio

Feature requests for DS-404?