One Synth Challenge #138: Surge (MrKarolus Wins!)

[] Peter:H []

Muddy is when there is too much energy and/or conflicting frequencies in the lows and mids.

Okay, that makes sense. So with my entry for the previous OSC, I probably had conflicting frequencies with the different oscillators I was using. (It was a one instance)


@ Maltone Thanks for the link!
@ schiing Thanks for the tips, frequencies and the music to listen to!

Keeping the low end clean is exactyl it. Important thing to note. It's not only "frequencies" but "phase" as well. If you combine a basedrum with a bass both same frequency but different phase you could end up with a weak low end because of cancelations.
Another thing is low end and "stereo" ... better not do it. keep or make everything below a given freq threshold in mono.

My personal journey regarding mud. First I designed sounds, each was full and cool for itself. In the mix they fought each other. I used lot's of EQ even dynamic EQs to fight collisions. Nowadays I try to avoid collisions by going back to sound design and cut stuff away already in the patch if possible. Means I use the often neglected (by me) HP filter ...or even use short attack times instead of zero to get one instrument out of the way of another one.

I think you can also create mudiness by using compressor and other dynamic processors not optimal. think about a 80hz wave which is 12,5ms "long". if you compressor attacks faster than this, then the bass might get distorted and losses defintion.

So much to keep in mind ...

[Aro]

Thanks z-prime and ahanysz for the further tips and examples. I now have a clearer idea of "dark and not muddy" but now I'm thinking maybe the sound I'm aiming for is more along the lines of "lo-fi and not muddy".

I'm currently reading the wikipedia on lo-fi music to help me get it clearer in my head. But I welcome any further tips if anyone has them.

[Aro]

@ PeterH also thanks for the additional tips on avoiding muddiness!

[twomonths]

Made using FL Studio 12
19 Instances
No effects outside of those available in Surge

https://soundcloud.com/user-384367534/moon-reservoir

[EvilDragon]

That was pretty great!

[MrKarolus]

@Aro If I remember correctly there is one Surge preset for vinyl crackles-noise, which you can hear often in lo-fi music, so that might come handy

[Eauson]

Nvm

[IV!]

I have a question. Does Surge have functions for transferring settings from scene A to scene B, from B to A, and creating one split/layer preset from two different presets? Or can this be done only by redrawing the settings manually?

[ELEX]

To the first: Yes, if you right-click the scene-buttons, you'll see 'copy' and 'paste' ( the latter only after actually copying a scene ) . To the second: I don't think so. Which is a pity, really. It would be very convenient if that were possible.

[Shifrin]

An option to copy from either scene A or B from a preset into the current scene would be handy

[baalisoda]

This is my submission for this month's One Synth Challenge (#138). I have used 6 instances of latest version of Surge VST to create this track in its entirety. All patches used in the track are created from scratch using init patch.

https://soundcloud.com/baalisoda/ecstasy

Details of the DAW and FX used are as follows.

DAW - FL Studio
VST - Surge - (x6)
Fruity Delay Bank - (x2)
Classic Delay - (x1)
Linda Audio IronVerb - (x3)
Engineer's Filter - (x1)
Baxter EQ by VOS - (x1)
Reviber - (x1)
PTEQ x - (x1)
TDR Nova - (x1)
FerricTDS by VOS - (x1)
Fruity Multiband Compressor - (x1)
LoudMax brickwall limiter - (x1)
Youlean Loudness Meter - (x1)

[EvilDragon]

An option to copy from either scene A or B from a preset into the current scene would be handy

You can do this by:

1. Saving your current patch
2. Loading the patch from which you want to copy a scene
3. Right-click on scene A or B depending on which one you want to copy
4. Choose "Copy"
5. Load back your patch to which you want to paste
6. Right-click on which scene you want to paste, then choose "Paste"


Yes, it's not the fastest method, but it's what is possible today. Issue on this exists: #1420.

[Shifrin]

Cheers ED

[IV!]

To the first: Yes, if you right-click the scene-buttons, you'll see 'copy' and 'paste' ( the latter only after actually copying a scene ) . To the second: I don't think so. Which is a pity, really. It would be very convenient if that were possible.

Thank you, this is exactly what I need! You can do without this in OSC, but, for example, live sets...

An option to copy from either scene A or B from a preset into the current scene would be handy

You can do this by:

1. Saving your current patch
2. Loading the patch from which you want to copy a scene
3. Right-click on scene A or B depending on which one you want to copy
4. Choose "Copy"
5. Load back your patch to which you want to paste
6. Right-click on which scene you want to paste, then choose "Paste"


Yes, it's not the fastest method, but it's what is possible today. Issue on this exists: #1420.

Thanks! I don't see how it can be done any faster... What in this world can be easier and more convenient than ctrl+c => ctrl+v ?!

[Oberlai]

Hello friends, here's my entry for OSC 138: "The Last Enchanter"

It's not a pure chip tune but has a few 8bit-like instruments, and i find Surge perfect for this because of the uber control and flexibility in the LFOs and envelopes

- DAW: FL20
- 10x Surge (3 channels), using some in-patch Surge-fx like delay, reverb, some EQ
- External effects: Maximus, Fruity EQ2, Fruity Limiter

https://soundcloud.com/oberlai/the-last-enchanter