StiX : MultiSynthesis Drum Machine (v1.6 Released + Flash sales)

[ariston]

Got some bugs and irregular behaviour with the latest version:
- I can hear an osc although its level is turned down. Just sometimes, though.
- turning on the FX section muted the sound; turning up the disto know made the sound audible again.
- turning the delay knob for one pad affects other pads. Again, just sometimes.

AFAIK, these didn't exist before.

0.98F full version, Win 7, Live 9.6.

[simesf]

I downloaded the demo just now and when I tried to install it I got the message: ShellExecuteEx failed: code 299. Only part of a ReadProcessMemory or WriteProcessMemory request was completed.

Sorry about the repeat message. The KVR server had a burp.

Thanks for the report simesf,

Could you please give more details : What demo version ? ( Full featured/Time Limited ot Restricted Features/Non time limited ?)

Also, what host and system do you use (+ versions)

I'm sorry; I really should have thought of giving those details. I'm using Windows 7 64 bit with 16 gig ram, an intel processor. The version I downloaded was item 2 off your download page, the stiX dongle free version 0.9.8f which needs to be reloaded every 25 minutes. I hope that's of some help to you.

[Lotuzia]

Got some bugs and irregular behaviour with the latest version:
- I can hear an osc although its level is turned down. Just sometimes, though.
- turning on the FX section muted the sound; turning up the disto know made the sound audible again.
- turning the delay knob for one pad affects other pads. Again, just sometimes.

AFAIK, these didn't exist before.

0.98F full version, Win 7, Live 9.6.

Thanks Ariston,

1/ There are several possibilities : Something modulates the oscillator, possibly its output, so the oscillator sound appears according to this modulation. This can be in one of the matrix/Macro mods in the Advanced synthesis page, or in the Single line sequencer (where mods 1&2 can also modulate an osc volume). Or sometimes in cross synthesis presets, depending on the gate time, the oscillator can 'exhibit' it's sound. If however this happens for all drumpads, and at random, it's a bug.

2/3/ Could you remember if the mixer Gang Mode wasn't activated when this occured ? When the Mixer Gang Mode is engaged, parameters like Pan or Effects send are also *ganged*, so this might be the result(s) of an operation in Gang Mode (??).

[Lotuzia]

I downloaded the demo just now and when I tried to install it I got the message: ShellExecuteEx failed: code 299. Only part of a ReadProcessMemory or WriteProcessMemory request was completed.

Sorry about the repeat message. The KVR server had a burp.

Thanks for the report simesf,

Could you please give more details : What demo version ? ( Full featured/Time Limited ot Restricted Features/Non time limited ?)

Also, what host and system do you use (+ versions)

I'm sorry; I really should have thought of giving those details. I'm using Windows 7 64 bit with 16 gig ram, an intel processor. The version I downloaded was item 2 off your download page, the stiX dongle free version 0.9.8f which needs to be reloaded every 25 minutes. I hope that's of some help to you.

Thanks, yes details are always likely to help tracing bugs.

A possibility is that it's your antivirus blocking the installation. Some antivirus are very picky, so maybe it could be worth deactivating it during the install and reactivating it after. If some other people have this problem, we'll investigate to see if it's something else, but, only at first view, the first possibilities are antivirus, or possibly a faulty download file.

[ariston]

1/ There are several possibilities : Something modulates the oscillator, possibly its output, so the oscillator sound appears according to this modulation. This can be in one of the matrix/Macro mods in the Advanced synthesis page, or in the Single line sequencer (where mods 1&2 can also modulate an osc volume). Or sometimes in cross synthesis presets, depending on the gate time, the oscillator can 'exhibit' it's sound. If however this happens for all drumpads, and at random, it's a bug.

2/3/ Could you remember if the mixer Gang Mode wasn't activated when this occured ? When the Mixer Gang Mode is engaged, parameters like Pan or Effects send are also *ganged*, so this might be the result(s) of an operation in Gang Mode (??).

Thanks for the quick reply, Lotuzia. I checked it again, and it's really haphazard. I was using the init pads (that are somehow really loud so they clip my output), so there's no extra modulation involved. There's also the noise sample coming through, even though its level is set to zero. The only modulation afaics is the EV-VCF, and when I turn that down and back up again, it sounds like it's probably meant to sound, meaning the noise is gone and the signal is "normal".

I couldn't replicate the FX bug UNTIL I engaged and then disengaged gang mode. Even then, it didn't happen every time. Really weird. Likely a UI issue?

[HardSinc]

I was really excited to get the extended license email, put in my elicenser, downloaded it, started it up...

....too big to fit on my laptop screen..... 1366x768....gutted.

Please add a UI resize so it can work on 720p at least.

[stardustmedia]

Positive reports:
- Installation of 0.9.8f (ilok) over an existing StiX ran fine on Mavericks 10.9.5. AU-validation on Logic 10.2.1 also successful.
- SHIFT+click on volume fader now allows to fine adjust (thanks!)
- The GUI looks more cleaned up, yeah!


Open issues:
- CRITICAL: Reverb causes very loud and nasty distortion (if send level >= 31) or no reverb at all (if send level <31). I almost shit my pants Turning off the reverb module doesn't help. As soon as the send level is below 31 the distortion is gone. It happens no matter what the reverb settings are. Even if the level = zero, the distortion is still there. And no matter what instrument reverb send is turned up.
- CRITICAL: After the bug "Nasty Reverb" above, sound's only on the left side (independent from the pan, setting the pan to the right = no sound at all). Reloading the plugin solves the issue.
- CMD+click on volume fader resets to default value, but only if the previous value was above 53 or 54. Below that value the fader is moved just a bit, the higher the value the more it moves (looks like a logarithmic value). Plus if you have moved the fader down before resetting to default, it moves downwards. If you have moved it up before, it moves upwards by that "logarithmic" value.
- CMD+click on velocity value (single line in sequencer) doesn't reset to default value
- Effect sends still pre-fade (already reported). But additionally found issue: The effect send is muted when the instrument is muted, or if another instrument is soloed. Definitely not the expected behaviour.
- Time Division Parameter (activated thru rightclick on a step) should be removed if the user clicks somewhere outside. At the moment it stays until the user selected a value.
- Time Division Parameter menu jumps to the left side (and stays until user has selected a value. Rightclick on any step, do not select a value but rightclick on another step = menu jumps to the left (see screenshot). This happens in the multi and the single line editor.
- Smaller font size for the 3 OSC buttons. Especially when you select 'MOSC', the button looks cramped (see screenshot). This is independent from the GUI size.
- Wider button for the sample selector (OSC section) and center align text, vertically and horizontally. It just looks off (see screenshot)
- Button 'SINGL' has a typo, it reads 'SINJ'. But only when not selected (see screenshot)
- In the preset info there is a text box above the buttons 'Save' and 'Cancel'. User has to click above, it blocks the buttons (see screenshot)


That's for today... sorry to bring up such a list...

[Lotuzia]

1/ There are several possibilities : Something modulates the oscillator, possibly its output, so the oscillator sound appears according to this modulation. This can be in one of the matrix/Macro mods in the Advanced synthesis page, or in the Single line sequencer (where mods 1&2 can also modulate an osc volume). Or sometimes in cross synthesis presets, depending on the gate time, the oscillator can 'exhibit' it's sound. If however this happens for all drumpads, and at random, it's a bug.

2/3/ Could you remember if the mixer Gang Mode wasn't activated when this occured ? When the Mixer Gang Mode is engaged, parameters like Pan or Effects send are also *ganged*, so this might be the result(s) of an operation in Gang Mode (??).

Thanks for the quick reply, Lotuzia. I checked it again, and it's really haphazard. I was using the init pads (that are somehow really loud so they clip my output), so there's no extra modulation involved. There's also the noise sample coming through, even though its level is set to zero. The only modulation afaics is the EV-VCF, and when I turn that down and back up again, it sounds like it's probably meant to sound, meaning the noise is gone and the signal is "normal".

I couldn't replicate the FX bug UNTIL I engaged and then disengaged gang mode. Even then, it didn't happen every time. Really weird. Likely a UI issue?

Thanks for the additional tests Ariston. I've quickly checked the init presets, as I've made some presets from scratch today, and I did not notice anything, but will look at them closer tomorrow

Else : So yes, it's likely to be related to the Gang Mode, that narrows possibilities. I tried to recreate it today but everything is normal here. We will try to recreate it, and keep an eye on it also, but nothing changed in the code regarding this area iirc . Btw did it happen in the multi output or in the stereo out version ?

[Lotuzia]

I was really excited to get the extended license email, put in my elicenser, downloaded it, started it up...

....too big to fit on my laptop screen..... 1366x768....gutted.

Please add a UI resize so it can work on 720p at least.

Hello Hardsinc,

did you try the three sizes ? ( Option menu : GUI SIZE) ( note you must relaunch StiX after changing the GUI size )

[HardSinc]

I was really excited to get the extended license email, put in my elicenser, downloaded it, started it up...

....too big to fit on my laptop screen..... 1366x768....gutted.

Please add a UI resize so it can work on 720p at least.

Hello Hardsinc,

did you try the three sizes ? ( Option menu : GUI SIZE) ( note you must relaunch StiX after changing the GUI size )

I'm sure I did, but maybe there was a glitch or I was just having a special moment.

I'll install it again over the weekend and double check that didn't fix it. In my memory it resized but not small enough to access the important stuff. I'll look again.

[Lotuzia]

Positive reports:
- Installation of 0.9.8f (ilok) over an existing StiX ran fine on Mavericks 10.9.5. AU-validation on Logic 10.2.1 also successful.
- SHIFT+click on volume fader now allows to fine adjust (thanks!)
- The GUI looks more cleaned up, yeah!


Open issues:
- CRITICAL: Reverb causes very loud and nasty distortion (if send level >= 31) or no reverb at all (if send level <31). I almost shit my pants Turning off the reverb module doesn't help. As soon as the send level is below 31 the distortion is gone. It happens no matter what the reverb settings are. Even if the level = zero, the distortion is still there. And no matter what instrument reverb send is turned up.
- CRITICAL: After the bug "Nasty Reverb" above, sound's only on the left side (independent from the pan, setting the pan to the right = no sound at all). Reloading the plugin solves the issue.
- CMD+click on volume fader resets to default value, but only if the previous value was above 53 or 54. Below that value the fader is moved just a bit, the higher the value the more it moves (looks like a logarithmic value). Plus if you have moved the fader down before resetting to default, it moves downwards. If you have moved it up before, it moves upwards by that "logarithmic" value.
- CMD+click on velocity value (single line in sequencer) doesn't reset to default value
- Effect sends still pre-fade (already reported). But additionally found issue: The effect send is muted when the instrument is muted, or if another instrument is soloed. Definitely not the expected behaviour.
- Time Division Parameter (activated thru rightclick on a step) should be removed if the user clicks somewhere outside. At the moment it stays until the user selected a value.
- Time Division Parameter menu jumps to the left side (and stays until user has selected a value. Rightclick on any step, do not select a value but rightclick on another step = menu jumps to the left (see screenshot). This happens in the multi and the single line editor.
- Smaller font size for the 3 OSC buttons. Especially when you select 'MOSC', the button looks cramped (see screenshot). This is independent from the GUI size.
- Wider button for the sample selector (OSC section) and center align text, vertically and horizontally. It just looks off (see screenshot)
- Button 'SINGL' has a typo, it reads 'SINJ'. But only when not selected (see screenshot)
- In the preset info there is a text box above the buttons 'Save' and 'Cancel'. User has to click above, it blocks the buttons (see screenshot)


That's for today... sorry to bring up such a list...

Thanks for the report(s)

Hmmm reverb works fine on all my systems, but tyou're right it's a critical one. Just two questions : Did the reverb work ok on your system in the previous beta, and does it happen regardless of preset/drumpad etc

Some typos I already spotted, like the SINGJ. This will be fixed.

For the divisi parameter, we'll see. It works ok on all our systems, but this kind of things is so OS/DAW/System dependant that we'll have to track it.

We had another more fluid system in the first non public beta versions, where you could slide/choose directly in the list, but it brought so many problems in different systems/daws etc that we had to revert back to the *right click then choice in list* combo, wich is less quick, but much much safer. That's also why we have to make sure user click on a value, wich closes the pop up. We might see if we can get a better behaviour in the future, but it works like it is now.( ie ... when the list doesnt appear full on left like on your screenshot )

Fx sends are still pre, thats correct. Until we can add a post/pre toggle, I think it's better that the fx send are muted when a pad is muted. And also when another pad is soloed. We could refine the solo routines though, at some point.

Preset info : Yes this one is also on our list since a few betas. It will be solved ( Field moved, or possibly not shown anymore ) Thanks for the reminder

[Edit] Velocity in sequencer single panel : add possibility of Reset to default : Noted

[stardustmedia]

Thanks for the report(s)

Hmmm reverb works fine on all my systems, but tyou're right it's a critical one. Just two questions : Did the reverb work ok on your system in the previous beta, and does it happen regardless of preset/drumpad etc

You're welcome

I think it wasn't like this in 0.9.8d, because that's where I noticed the pre-fade routing. As far as I can remember I had a kick sent to the reverb and heard only the reverb and the send was pretty high. But not 100% sure. I can give it a try with 0.9.8d tonight in the studio, I haven't yet updated that computer. I was testing at home yesterday.

It happens regardless the drumpad, yes. I think it's also independet from presets, but not 100% sure. I'll have a look tonight.

[Lotuzia]

StiX Grand Contest launched : 18 winners for 18 Xils-lab instruments, 2000€ of prizes. Free Time Restricted full featured demo version for everyone who want to participate.

3 categories, 6 winners per category. Lots of prizes ( Total Value > 2000€ ) to win, including of course StiX itself, also Xils4, Syn’X2, PolyKBII, Oxium etc.

• Category 1 : Global Preset Design
  Category 2 : Drumpads and Drumkit Design ( A drumkit includes 10 drumpads)
  Category 3 : Demo Track ( StiX with other instruments in any genre )

* Consult this page for all Contest details ( Rules, where to submit your files, prizes, voting etc )

Deadline for submissions: February 29th 2016

Take your chance and participate :
Download StiX free NON RESTRICTED version
Ask for a LONG time limited license

We want to hear what YOU can do with StiX

[HardSinc]

That's definitely a reason to check it again

So when you say compressors and eq's are allowed does this include stuff like UBK1's and pre amps on eq's? I would think not, but I wanted to clarify.

[.jon]

Nice contest and nice synths. I'd like to participate but your products apparently require some sketchy looking gadgets to run. Will you send me one of those?