One-Synth-Challenge: General discussion thread

[Eauson]

I'm not sure about using commercial plugs, as this would put Linux users at a disadvantage no?
I use a 12 yr old daw and don't buy plugs very often or at all if I can help it, osc is a chance for me at least to test freebies for my own gains really.
However if people want to go down this route, wouldn't it be better to enter the music cafe competition as this is more likely to meet this criteria?
At the end of the day its about making music and sharing, the challenge i's to your self and the chance to improve your skills and get feedback etc in order to make better music the next time you turn on your computer.

Liam

[ATN69]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

[bjporter]

if it's the same sound, it should be fine

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

[wagtunes]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

[bjporter]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

Is it easy to use them without touching that extra functionality?

[Frostline]

The issue of fairness comes up repeatedly. It is true that the current rules give an unfair advantage to those who spring for a decent DAW,

I disagree with this almost 100%.
Those who regularly place in the top 10 would probably place in the top 10 regardless of the DAW they used. They might not be as efficient as usual but talent and skill will shine through. Give them time to get to know a tool and a true artist will make the most of it.
Those like me who place in the bottom tier would probably place in the bottom tier even if they had access to the most expensive feature rich DAW. I am not self-deluded enough to claim it is my "inexpensive" DAW or the plug-ins that come bundled with it that is holding me back from dominating the competition.
I know I just don't have the necessary skill set and am not looking to blame my deficiencies on something else. Realistic self-awareness can be a handy thing.

However, true fairness would require everyone to have identical tools, not just synth and plugins, but also the DAW and even down to the CPU. Otherwise, someone would complain that someone who can afford a hex core Xeon has an unfair advantage over someone who can only afford an APU or i3.

Why stop there? Why not demand equal musical background and training? Or equal time available to devote each month to the competition? (not claiming you psmacmur are suggesting this, but rather curious why you draw the "fairness" line at tools but not training or time). Personally I think training, ability and time management are much greater indicators of potential success rather than tool availability.

I believe the typical counter-argument is to swing the other way and open up the rules to allow commercial plugins. That makes it very hard to verify that someone hasn't cheated...

First just let me say that anyone who would knowingly cheat at this competition is a sad individual indeed. Seriously.
And again I don't believe that a paid vs free effect plug-in is going to have that great of an impact on the final result. Without the skill to put the plug-in to best use the cost of the plug-in is irrelevant. The top people in this competition are making amazing music with free effects. I predict those on the bottom will still be on the bottom even if commercial plugs were allowed. Those on top 'might' sound a bit better with paid plugs but the divide between those with skill and those lacking skill will still be there.

[bjporter]

The top people in this competition are making amazing music with free effects. I predict those on the bottom will still be on the bottom even if commercial plugs were allowed. Those on top 'might' sound a bit better with paid plugs but the divide between those with skill and those lacking skill will still be there.

There's only one real way to know this for sure, and that would be to try it out for a month. Who here would like to see this happen?

[ATN69]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

Is it easy to use them without touching that extra functionality?

This is what Melda say on their website.

Advantages of the upgrading

The software is totally free of charge, so please download and enjoy! You should consider upgrading to a professional version though, as this is what you would get:
•You can change size and style of the plugins.
•You can access the sonogram feature in the analyzers and equalizers.
•You can manipulate (save, load, organise) your own presets.
•Most plugins can perform upsampling which minimizes aliasing, therefore it is useful to improve sound quality.
•The plugins will not display the big red reminder box with our clickable logo at the bottom of every GUI.
•You will make us happy and help us develop more free software .

[ATN69]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

There is 2 sides of that coin. Everyone can then use the Melda free plugin bundle except me because I have paid some Money. You see, I can't have a non paid version and a paid version installed. Not really fair play either then.

[wagtunes]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

There is 2 sides of that coin. Everyone can then use the Melda free plugin bundle except me because I have paid some Money. You see, I can't have a non paid version and a paid version installed. Not really fair play either then.

So you want to have an advantage over everybody else who just has the free version.

Yes, that certainly seems fair.

Hey, not my call. Do what you want and then let the chips fall where they may when voting time comes and you may get DQ'd.

It's no skin off my nose either way.

[ATN69]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

There is 2 sides of that coin. Everyone can then use the Melda free plugin bundle except me because I have paid some Money. You see, I can't have a non paid version and a paid version installed. Not really fair play either then.

So you want to have an advantage over everybody else who just has the free version.

Yes, that certainly seems fair.

Hey, not my call. Do what you want and then let the chips fall where they may when voting time comes and you may get DQ'd.

It's no skin off my nose either way.

Hey, don't forget to turn the coin. Everyone else have the advantage if they can use it but not me, since I happened to pay some Money. The Point with this is that things are not just black or White. The only fair solution in such case would be to ban Melda plugs all together, which would fail some of the submitted songs. I actually didn't use my Melda plugs because I am aware of this grey zone. I just wanted to take it up to discussion.

[Syntilla]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

Is it easy to use them without touching that extra functionality?

Yep.

[wagtunes]

I have Melda free plugin bundle. It is free for anyone to download and use. I did however pay the $60 to Melda to get full version and get rid of the nag screen. Am I allowed to use them in OSC?

No, because the full version FX (we've already been through this) have functionality that the free FX don't have. They aren't exactly the same.

Is it easy to use them without touching that extra functionality?

Yep.

Easy or not, how would somebody know? How would you prove it?

Look, I've got a delay that, a short time ago was free. It's the best delay I own. But I can't use it anymore because it's not free anymore. How fair is that?

And how about free FX that are so old that they devs disappeared and you can't get them anymore. So only people who got them when they were available can use them.

What about those plugs?

We can turn this competition either into one where anything goes or nothing goes.

Which direction do you want to take this to?

Can we just decide this once and for all so we can stop having these pointless discussions.

Life isn't fair. Deal with it.

[ontrackp]

I propose there be a test --- one month allow using any plug ins that we own and see how it goes.

The fact is, you can own and use all of the most expensive efx plug ins there are, and still make a crappy track that gets low scores. OSC combines composing, sound design and production. If someone has a masters degree in composition they have an advantage over me in that area -- I don't consider that unfair -- it's just part of the game.

Wag, and probably some of the other participants are pro sound designers -- so they have a built in skill set that many of us don't have. Is that an unfair advantage?

Some people use DAW's with better features... it's by nature a slightly uneven playing field?

[bjporter]

one month allow using any plug ins that we own and see how it goes.

Yeah that's the idea. Then after the 15th (following track votes), we can do a proper vote on this question.