Orpheus 2. Free synth with amazing potential but not there.

[arseniy2]

Hello everyone.

I created this topic not only as a feedback for the author but also as a things to think about for authors of other software.

I stumbled upon a free synth Orpheus 2. And it really captures my attention. I created a demo for you with my own presets. Check the music demo before you read further:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/670 ... ration.mp3

The synth has a great potential but it lacks lots of things to open it.

The biggest thing missing in the synth:

Filters LP/BP/HP or others.

Here is tons of other stuff(you can tell your suggestions in the topic too):

Key Tracking in the MOD matrix. For both directions so you can make that the lowest key is 100% and the highest is 0% and vice versa the lowest is 0% and highest is 100%. It is most inportant for filters and OSC amplitude. But any other parametrs are welcome.

Triangle/Saw/Square waves and more wave shapes.

Dry/Wet for Chorus, Unison, Precense, Filters and anything else.

Unison stereo spread knob(so it could be mono too)

Retrigger option for the wave start in OSC(maybe that option is there but seems not working or bugged).

Phase start of the OSC wave

Partamento option to work for every pressed note.

Noise waveform or separate noise OSC

Retrig/Free flow options for the knobs

Free LFO missed in the formant section

Retrig LFO missed in the MOD matrix

Tempo sync LFO's

More stuff to attach in the MOD matrix and ADSR matrix. Any knob is welcome. Color, dry/wet of a knobs, Cut off etc.

Positive/negative LFO shape option. Will give the ability create arpegiator like stuff.

ADSR(or Envelope) matrix tab just like the MOD matrix. ADSR's for oscilators and filters could be removed and controlled by the ADSR matrix instead.

Few more color options. This color works like some crazy bitcrusher as it creates a huge peaks on each stairs step. Which is good but it's extreme. Would be good to have options of different stairs.

Formats are unbalanced. Somewhere over the middle of keyboard they create huge resonance. Not a problem if you using only low notes or a short range.

It has bugs and issues of course. I am not going to list them here.

Download Orpheus 2 here:
http://bserrano.free.fr/Synths_Orpheus2.html

Post your thoughts and feedback about the synth.

Download presets in attachment.

Orpheus-II_3.jpg

[wagtunes]

Are you saying the synth doesn't have filters?

[arseniy2]

Are you saying the synth doesn't have filters?

It has only allpass filter with 3 tunable peaks. But LP, BP, HP would be much more usefull for many types of sounds.

[Schiffbauer]

Ya, that´s right, but ORPHEUS 2 is envisaged as an stringmachine-emulation.....I know b.serrano
since his first synths, more than 10 years ago....
The implementation of usual filters runs in another direction...but thanks for your effort
and the advice for B.Serrano´s new synth. This is the successor with more possibilities than
version 1

[arseniy2]

but thanks for your effort
and the advice for B.Serrano´s new synth. This is the successor with more possibilities than
version 1

He at least might have this things in mind if he is going to make some other synth based on it, or maybe he'll consider to make Orpheus XL or Orpheux, hehe. He told me if I want to make pads I can use Anubis 2. But I tried it and it doesn't sound so captivating.

Anyway. If Orpheus 2 had filters and other basic features it still would be able to do everything it does now. But also would be able to make more. Nice pads obviously. So, I don't see the problem with adding those into Orpheus 2 itself.

[martyj]

Thanks, arseniy. I like the sound and the demo serrano shows on YT but I can't figure much out beyond just randomly fiddling with knobs. Is there any guide to learning more on using it? (I'll check your presets, though)

[arseniy2]

Thanks, arseniy. I like the sound and the demo serrano shows on YT but I can't figure much out beyond just randomly fiddling with knobs. Is there any guide to learning more on using it? (I'll check your presets, though)

He is too busy with job and family so his synth making hobby is on pause. So I don't think he will be able to make any guide in near future. And I think he usually doesn't do guides for his products

I guess this synth is not too hard to figure if you are familiar with synths.

[Vospi]

There's a lot of free synths that have most of these features you've listed.
What's so special about this one? Why it shouldn't be left as it was envisioned?