Aurora FM - New Win(32/64) VSTi FM synthesizer - Introductory pricing

[RyFi]

Please consider to add optional osc shapes (maybe importing of own samples), a chorus and filter fx and... OSX version. Then it'll be dream fm vst synth.

The additional osc waveforms and chorus are things I'm totally into doing if given the chance. The filter is something I'm avoiding because I'm embracing a pure FM mantra. The Mac version is not going to happen unless the Windows version does well first.

[sinkmusic]

Congratulations for the release.

Some small first impressions about the GUI :
- Is it resizeable/scalable ? This would be great, as it is becoming a standard nowadays.
- The interface is very big, but the text is very small : is there any way to find a btter balance between huge size and small text ?
- the bottom part is indeed quite busy, while the LFO sections are much more empty.
- The gradients shades in the LFO sections are a bit distracting. Are they needed (they don't help the overall readability) ?

And about the featureset :

It's not a DX7 emulator.

Yes, obviously.
- But does it bring anything different than modern software FM synths (Tone2 nemesis, NI FM8, U-He Bazille) ?

- It seems a "straight" FM synth : did you consider adding a filter, or more "exotic" features (like embedded FX, or a wavetableor granular oscillator, a step sequencer, and arpeggiator, etc) ?

[RyFi]

Reaper users: I have a workaround. It's the "Do not scan VST names/types" option that's causing the problems. Mine has always been checked. I unchecked it and ran into the same problem.

I shall now figure out how this is causing a problem and come up with a resolution.

Thanks for informing me and sorry for the problems right out of the gate.

[RyFi]

Fix for Reaper scanning failure is up. Please retry.

[RyFi]

Congratulations for the release.

Thank you!

Some small first impressions about the GUI :
- Is it resizeable/scalable ? This would be great, as it is becoming a standard nowadays.

No. My goal is to achieve an optimal layout and not require scalability. If you don't agree that I've achieved that, I can understand that, but I'm certainly trying to.

- The interface is very big, but the text is very small : is there any way to find a btter balance between huge size and small text ?

It's not possible to satisfy everyone it seems. I've been working on the layout balance issue for months and have given everything plenty of thought and can rationalize all of the decisions I've made. Yes the text is small, but it's there to augment the controls and not to be the primary focus. The size and placement of the controls are the primary objective and the text size thus has constraints. I'm doing the best I can to create a harmonious layout. Make one decision somewhere, it causes a cascade of issues to be dealt with elsewhere...

- the bottom part is indeed quite busy, while the LFO sections are much more empty.

If you're talking about the relative emptiness of the operator modulation sections, then that's because of my variable 2x3 or 3x2 operator layout. I've done the best I can making use of the two different rectangle aspect ratios that my operators need to use.

- The gradients shades in the LFO sections are a bit distracting. Are they needed (they don't help the overall readability) ?

Nah, not NEEDED, but they're part of the design and thematic aspect. People complained when my synth lacked visual flair too. I agree that there are still readability compromises because of the "aurora" colour bands. Please understand that I'm not oblivious to these kinds of things, and I'm still trying to improve things.

And about the featureset :

It's not a DX7 emulator.

Yes, obviously.
- But does it bring anything different than modern software FM synths (Tone2 nemesis, NI FM8, U-He Bazille) ?

You'd have to tell me. I do know that you can't buy FM8 for $17 CAD though, and it was written by a team of people.

- It seems a "straight" FM synth : did you consider adding a filter, or more "exotic" features (like embedded FX, or a wavetableor granular oscillator, a step sequencer, and arpeggiator, etc) ?

It IS a straight FM synth. I'm probably not adding a filter. You don't use filters in FM synthesis, you use frequency modulation to get the spectral content you want.

Yes, I'd love to add a step sequencer and arpeggiator and a ton of other things. I even say so on my website. These things take time and effort though and so far I've spent tons and tons of time and money getting what you see. Better would be better, of course, but I can't make the best synth ever for $0. Let's be real.

If people buy a license and put food in my fridge then I can keep making Aurora FM better.

Thanks for the feedback.

[sinkmusic]

Thank you for your answer.

It IS a straight FM synth. I'm probably not adding a filter. You don't use filters in FM synthesis, you use frequency modulation to get the spectral content you want.

Yes, i do know that, from my DX7 and TX81Z experience
But several software FM synths added a "classic" filter, and i must say that i enjoyed it every time i used one on a softsynth (the old DiscoDSP Phantom features one, as well as the freeware Dexed, for instance, but other advanced FM synths also, like Tone2 Nemesis).
However, i understand and respect the "hardcore" point of view I am just trying to understand better what's already featured vs what could possibily be implemented at some point.

I do know that you can't buy FM8 for $17 CAD though, and it was written by a team of people.

Sorry, i didn't meant to be rude : i know that Native is big, not a one man business. And i know the pricepoint of FM8 or Nemesis is not the same as your creation, obviously
But price apart, I am trying to figure out where to "put your synth on the map", between the free Dexed and the "bigger" (and more expensive) synths made by a team, and featuring FX, filter, arp or a different take on FM (like Bazille or Nemesis).

[gentleclockdivider]

32 bit version ?

[Halonmusic]

32 bit version ?

Same here.

[RyFi]

Yes, i do know that, from my DX7 and TX81Z experience

You're right, that sounded kind of snarky. Sorry. I realize that you understand FM synthesis.

But several software FM synths added a "classic" filter, and i must say that i enjoyed it every time i used one on a softsynth (the old DiscoDSP Phantom features one, as well as the freeware Dexed, for instance, but other advanced FM synths also, like Tone2 Nemesis).
However, i understand and respect the "hardcore" point of view I am just trying to understand better what's already featured vs what could possibily be implemented at some point.

I really am pretty keen on avoiding unnecessary concessions to subtractive synthesis. I think being a strict FM synthesizer is something to embrace and be proud of. It's not that I don't love filters, because of course I do, but I also love being faithful to the core tenet of FM synthesis and I'm comfortable doing that. You can do amazing things just by modulating one sine with another! That's what I love about it.

Sorry, i didn't meant to be rude : i know that Native is big, not a one man business. And i know the pricepoint of FM8 or Nemesis is not the same as your creation, obviously

Thank you.

But price apart, I am trying to figure out where to "put your synth on the map", between the free Dexed and the "bigger" (and more expensive) synths made by a team, and featuring FX, filter, arp or a different take on FM (like Bazille or Nemesis).

From my perspective it seems obvious. It's not free because it does so much more than Dexed, and it's not $149 because it does so much less than FM8. I think it's as simple as that. Can't there be a price point between free and $149? That implies that there's a corresponding feature point between them, and that's what I'm targeting. If that doesn't make sense, please help me understand why not.

And let me be clear: if time and money weren't things, I would make it the best FM synth ever made. I love synthesizers! My own feature wishlist is bigger than anyone else's, I guarantee.

And this isn't directed at anyone in particular: If you don't think it does much more than Dexed then I'd have to conclude that you haven't tried it. Please, do. If I'm defending it before people are even trying it, then something's wrong here.

[RyFi]

Same here.

32 bit version ?

This I can do. I didn't know there was any interest, but now I do. Consider it imminent.

[Halonmusic]

Same here.

32 bit version ?

This I can do. I didn't know there was any interest, but now I do. Consider it imminent.

[Nielzie]

Fix for Reaper scanning failure is up. Please retry.

Yes, it works now, thank you!

[Distorted Horizon]

My experience with this synth is that you need to play it with keyboard and play with the modulators to get the most out of it.
And what I found fun, was that it really invites me to actually play the melodies instead of painting them on pianoroll.

It's sine only atm but it sounds very pleasing and is joy to use

[Roman Wisniak]

I've tried Aurora on Studio One. It sounds great (nice reverb!, delay needs to have ping-pong variant). Unfortunately on every presets I'm getting audio clicks (on each key on midi message) regardless of envelopes settings.

[fmr]

I still cannot understand why people keep following the DX7 paradigm. Even Yamaha had gone beyond that long ago, first with the DX5/DX1 followed by the DX7 II (which layered two FM elements, because clearly, one single FM element was too short), then with the TX816 (which could layer up to eight FM elements), followed by the SY77/TG77/SY99 (more algorithms, more waveforms, up to four FM layers, or combination of FM and PCM layers, interaction with samples), and later with FS1R. Still, programmers seem to think that there is something magical in the DX7