One Synth Challenge #140: Pendulate (exponent1 wins!)

[DGillespie]

Random button is totally random. The only tricky bit is to not randomize a couple of the parameters, and to randomly only choose a couple of the mod patches to randomly set to non-zero. Here's the code:
...

So, I don't know much about codes, so I went the other way. I opened Pendulate in Cakewalk, created the first three random sounds, and write down all their parameters. Then I opened Pendulate in VSTHost, created the first three random sounds again (just in case, even starting with a different pattern), and compared them. The parameters were identical Then I scrolled through about 250 random sounds and didn't notice exact repetitions, although there were very similar sounds (let's put it down to randomness ). Here's what I think about it:
1) The Pendulate randomization algorithm really knows how to generate an infinite (at least more than 250!) sequence of random numbers, but, alas, only one This means that all participants will get the same set of "unique" sounds, the only question is how much patience you have!
2) It is possible that some action in working with Pendulate restarts this sequence. In addition, it is exactly reset by restarting Pendulate. This means that you will need a lot of patience!
Conclusions? It's time to stop believing in magic buttons (after Santa Claus, you can definitely survive this) and go make your own presets...

Okay

Interesting, are you on Mac or Windows, what host and plugin type?

FWIW, I just tested this exact scenario before posting, as what you described would be caused by a random algorithm with a stale seed. On Mac Ableton VST2 I got different random values each time, but maybe there is a bug.

FYI, we do believe we fixed the Pitch Bend problem (José did it, I’m still potty training a 2yo). So I’ll look at this seed problem and try to get a fix for both out Wednesday if we can reproduce it and fix it.

Thanks,
Dan

[kanduvisla]

This is a nice plugin. Also my first experience with a mono synth. And I'm going to try to honor that, so no multiple tracks / instances to create chords. If it's meant to be mono, it's going to be mono!

On a sidenote: I do have a strange "issue" with this synth: I've set an LFO of 1br on the sustain controller, but as soon as I start the song it's not LFO-ing immediately . It sometimes even takes a whole pattern before the LFO kicks in. Could this be an issue with the plugin? Or is this something that is common when using VST Plugins? I'm using Renoise 3.2.2

[IV!]

Interesting, are you on Mac or Windows, what host and plugin type?

I use Windows 7 64Bit, Pendulate VST2 64Bit (downloaded at the beginning of the month, I don't know the exact version number), tested in Cakewalk and VSTHost.

FYI, we do believe we fixed the Pitch Bend problem (José did it, I’m still potty training a 2yo). So I’ll look at this seed problem and try to get a fix for both out Wednesday if we can reproduce it and fix it.

It's not me ask about the pitch, but thank you so much, it's good for all of us!

[Spring Goose]

I think it's not too difficult to tame this wild beast. Hopefully i'll be entering the competition this month.

[h.s.j.e.]

Been so busy that I skipped last month, and it took until this morning for me to remember that a new month had kicked off. I played around with Pendulate a tiny bit the day it was released, so I think I might open up Reaper and kick around a bit and see if it starts to go somewhere.

[doctorbob]

@hsje If you want chords, pizmidiPolyphony is your friend. PM'd you a link to .rpp

See page 2 @elex post for link to piz

dB

[] Peter:H []

Haven't followed everything... forgive me if this random thing has been discussed and solved already

1.) float modProbability = float(rand()%(10000))/250000.f; //From 0 to 50%
The code does not say what comment says. It generates max 10000/250000 which is max 0,04, i.e. 4% not 50%. Am I right?
2.) Using rand() has it's quirks. Its only pseudo random and it uses a seed. The seed starts the pseudo random sequence. If you start with the same seed then you get the same sequence over and over again. The symptoms look like you have a srand(1) call or sth similar in the plugin intializer. May be re-seeding rand in the function itself with unix time utc can help to avoud repeating sequences. And reseeding each time the fct is entered.
http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/cstdlib/rand/

Because this part of the code will not be called to often, at least not in the audio loop, I would recommend to use a different type of random generator method ...

BR Peter:H

[Spring Goose]

Is an automated notch filter, against the rules? It sounds like a phaser. Is it actually a phaser?

[WasteLand]

i will try to participate for the first time, i use effects in 2 ways: sounddesign, and the normal way...
so i will try to use as less effects, or no effects at all. EQ'ing, the DAW's EQ (or EQ's), that i can use, that can also sculpt a sound, but i will only use it for some "air" (not maag..). or deeper bottom......
so stock plugins are allowed, no third party, no prob.

@Spring Goose a notch filter as a phaser? could be, you can get phaser sounds or etc. with other techniques, but simply put (and i am nó expert); it is an all pass filter, an all pass filter? yes it changes only the phase of a certain frequency, that is way a phaser has more "lines" (and feedback into back into a line..).

a notch filter is, is a filter. filters are they allowed, that i can't remember. you can use an eq as a filter, and a dynamic eq, as multiple effect processor. a notch filter, will effect the sound quite intense. or can.

but i don't know if it is against the rules.

i am asking about the rules. made already 8 patches for pendulate. that together may produce a track. i try to use no effects, nor a LUFS/loudness war stuff. as clean as possible. because pendulate; no effects. and i althoug i work with a lot of effects, for sounddesign, for my own sources (i.e. own presets, own samples (field recording, etc.)), at some times. i do also have tracks without any effects.

[Spring Goose]

i will try to participate for the first time, i use effects in 2 ways: sounddesign, and the normal way...
so i will try to use as less effects, or no effects at all. EQ'ing, the DAW's EQ (or EQ's), that i can use, that can also sculpt a sound, but i will only use it for some "air" (not maag..). or deeper bottom......
so stock plugins are allowed, no third party, no prob.

@Spring Goose a notch filter as a phaser? could be, you can get phaser sounds or etc. with other techniques, but simply put (and i am nó expert); it is an all pass filter, an all pass filter? yes it changes only the phase of a certain frequency, that is way a phaser has more "lines" (and feedback into back into a line..).

a notch filter is, is a filter. filters are they allowed, that i can't remember. you can use an eq as a filter, and a dynamic eq, as multiple effect processor. a notch filter, will effect the sound quite intense. or can.

but i don't know if it is against the rules.

i am asking about the rules. made already 8 patches for pendulate. that together may produce a track. i try to use no effects, nor a LUFS/loudness war stuff. as clean as possible. because pendulate; no effects. and i althoug i work with a lot of effects, for sounddesign, for my own sources (i.e. own presets, own samples (field recording, etc.)), at some times. i do also have tracks without any effects.

I believe a filter is allowed, but i weren't sure about a filter behaving as a phaser.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[WasteLand]

i will try to participate for the first time, i use effects in 2 ways: sounddesign, and the normal way...
so i will try to use as less effects, or no effects at all. EQ'ing, the DAW's EQ (or EQ's), that i can use, that can also sculpt a sound, but i will only use it for some "air" (not maag..). or deeper bottom......
so stock plugins are allowed, no third party, no prob.

@Spring Goose a notch filter as a phaser? could be, you can get phaser sounds or etc. with other techniques, but simply put (and i am nó expert); it is an all pass filter, an all pass filter? yes it changes only the phase of a certain frequency, that is way a phaser has more "lines" (and feedback into back into a line..).

a notch filter is, is a filter. filters are they allowed, that i can't remember. you can use an eq as a filter, and a dynamic eq, as multiple effect processor. a notch filter, will effect the sound quite intense. or can.

but i don't know if it is against the rules.

i am asking about the rules. made already 8 patches for pendulate. that together may produce a track. i try to use no effects, nor a LUFS/loudness war stuff. as clean as possible. because pendulate; no effects. and i althoug i work with a lot of effects, for sounddesign, for my own sources (i.e. own presets, own samples (field recording, etc.)), at some times. i do also have tracks without any effects.

I believe a filter is allowed, but i weren't sure about a filter behaving as a phaser.
Thanks for your thoughts.

as notch filter(s) does shift phase... haha, rules and cutting corners.. rules aren't always that simple.. a notch filter can do a lot indeed.. good luck!

[Spring Goose]

i will try to participate for the first time, i use effects in 2 ways: sounddesign, and the normal way...
so i will try to use as less effects, or no effects at all. EQ'ing, the DAW's EQ (or EQ's), that i can use, that can also sculpt a sound, but i will only use it for some "air" (not maag..). or deeper bottom......
so stock plugins are allowed, no third party, no prob.

@Spring Goose a notch filter as a phaser? could be, you can get phaser sounds or etc. with other techniques, but simply put (and i am nó expert); it is an all pass filter, an all pass filter? yes it changes only the phase of a certain frequency, that is way a phaser has more "lines" (and feedback into back into a line..).

a notch filter is, is a filter. filters are they allowed, that i can't remember. you can use an eq as a filter, and a dynamic eq, as multiple effect processor. a notch filter, will effect the sound quite intense. or can.

but i don't know if it is against the rules.

i am asking about the rules. made already 8 patches for pendulate. that together may produce a track. i try to use no effects, nor a LUFS/loudness war stuff. as clean as possible. because pendulate; no effects. and i althoug i work with a lot of effects, for sounddesign, for my own sources (i.e. own presets, own samples (field recording, etc.)), at some times. i do also have tracks without any effects.

I believe a filter is allowed, but i weren't sure about a filter behaving as a phaser.
Thanks for your thoughts.

as notch filter(s) does shift phase... haha, rules and cutting corners.. rules aren't always that simple.. a notch filter can do a lot indeed.. good luck!

Maybe (hopefully) somebody experienced at or knowledgeable about the OSC competition can put me right.

[exponent1]

Is an automated notch filter, against the rules? It sounds like a phaser. Is it actually a phaser?

This is a grey area and should best be avoided. Volume automation is fine, but using an external filter automation for sound design is ideally not recommended. LP/HP for transition effects are still kind of okay as they don't mess with the phase of the sound as much. Any external phasing/flanging effects achieved by any external means are ideally best avoided. If the synth itself has a notch/band pass filter or flangers/phasers/choruses, then it's totally fair game.

This synth offers a lot of modulation capabilities and you can ideally achieve a lot using just the synth parameters. All the best!

[Spring Goose]

Is an automated notch filter, against the rules? It sounds like a phaser. Is it actually a phaser?

This is a grey area and should best be avoided. Volume automation is fine, but using an external filter automation for sound design is ideally not recommended. LP/HP for transition effects are still kind of okay as they don't mess with the phase of the sound as much. Any external phasing/flanging effects achieved by any external means are ideally best avoided. If the synth itself has a notch/band pass filter or flangers/phasers/choruses, then it's totally fair game.

This synth offers a lot of modulation capabilities and you can ideally achieve a lot using just the synth parameters. All the best!

That's great. Thanks.

[FrogsInPants]

Is an automated notch filter, against the rules? It sounds like a phaser. Is it actually a phaser?

I don't know whether a notch filter affects phase at all, but this seems like it would be a pretty significant change to the sound of the synth either way. Depending on how much the sound is changed, it could be considered under the general prohibition against any effect which fundamentally changes the sound of the synth. "Any effect that transforms the sound to make them unrecognizable as being from the synth." Presumably your notch filter doesn't render the sound completely unrecognizable, but it seems kind of against the spirit of the thing if an external filter is a fundamental part of the sound design. As exponent1 said, it's a grey area. Opinions will certainly differ as to where to draw the line.