Hooray: Metasynth is coming for Windows

[fmr]

If existing software (Photosounder etc.) gets you close enough, that may be good news all around!

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Not even close. Photosounder is not bad, but Metasynth is a completely different level.

[Michael L]

If existing software (Photosounder etc.) gets you close enough, that may be good news all around!

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Not even close. Photosounder is not bad, but Metasynth is a completely different level.

True, but some people may not want everything Metasynth has to offer
It's a little universe of its own. I am grateful that Eric is still working on it!

[wasi]

If existing software (Photosounder etc.) gets you close enough, that may be good news all around!

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Not even close. Photosounder is not bad, but Metasynth is a completely different level.

I'm sure it is, but out of curiosity: Do you mean as an 'all-in-one' solution or does it offer things simply not achievable otherwise?

My point is, Photosounder, Virtual ANS or even Harmor allow image manipulation outside the box and re-importing the result, so you have access to a ton of tools in image manipulation software that you can utilize. Sure, it requires a little understanding of the subject matter, but once you get the hang of it you can do a ton of stuff. It's all experimental anyway, so it's not like you can say "that's not how it's done".

So again, out of curiosity: Is Metasynth "a completely different level" in how it does things or truly in what it does and if it's the latter, I'd really like to hear what it is exactly?

[fmr]

If existing software (Photosounder etc.) gets you close enough, that may be good news all around!

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Not even close. Photosounder is not bad, but Metasynth is a completely different level.

I'm sure it is, but out of curiosity: Do you mean as an 'all-in-one' solution or does it offer things simply not achievable otherwise?

My point is, Photosounder, Virtual ANS or even Harmor allow image manipulation outside the box and re-importing the result, so you have access to a ton of tools in image manipulation software that you can utilize. Sure, it requires a little understanding of the subject matter, but once you get the hang of it you can do a ton of stuff. It's all experimental anyway, so it's not like you can say "that's not how it's done".

So again, out of curiosity: Is Metasynth "a completely different level" in how it does things or truly in what it does and if it's the latter, I'd really like to hear what it is exactly?

The Image Synth is just the beginning in Metasynth. And in Image Synth you can use several waveforms as the basic material (it works basically as an additive synth, but you can "add" other waveforms, not just sines).

Then you have all the other components: Image Filter, Spectrum Synth, Effects Room, Sequencer, Montage, etc.. You can have a quick image here: https://uisoftware.com/metasynth/

[Dirtgrain]

I wonder why someone hasn't made something like this that is more fluid and modern.

[Krakatau]

So again, out of curiosity: Is Metasynth "a completely different level" in how it does things or truly in what it does and if it's the latter, I'd really like to hear what it is exactly?

to add to the comments before, talking about image synth room, not only you have a bunch of waveforms and wavetables too, but you can create an image both with virtual painbrushes, pencils, circles or squares, you can use a bunsh of so to say filters (in the photoshop vocabulary) , you can analyse a soundfile (also into the spectrum synth room that is even more suitable for that type of mangling), ...and you can completely change the canvas that support the image from usual scales, customised scales, semi-tones, quarter-tones and even a canvas of 50th of half tones that is precise enough for a rather decent speech resynthesis

i doubt that a bunch of specialised applications, all put together might (yet ?) rival with such a vertigineous versatility, sincerely...

[wasi]

Thanks, I can see the added value to an extent. Especially pitch is a challenge with the other tools. I usually made a mask with a pitch grid on it as reference when I'm editing in other software but it's clunky and then you keep hitting roadblocks because of the different pitch scaling, there are advanteges to having it all in the box, no doubt.

I'm still moderately enthusiastic about Metasynth when it pops up on my radar, I'm just done holding my breath until I see some real, promising progress towards Windows.

[fmr]

I'm still moderately enthusiastic about Metasynth when it pops up on my radar, I'm just done holding my breath until I see some real, promising progress towards Windows.

I felt more hopeful before than I feel now.

[wasi]

I'm still moderately enthusiastic about Metasynth when it pops up on my radar, I'm just done holding my breath until I see some real, promising progress towards Windows.

I felt more hopeful before than I feel now.

Bah, look at it this way: It needs to come to windows organically to be sustainable. They're looking into it, which means they're come to realize that there's a market and they need to move their product in that direction. They just need to figure out how. It may be another ten years but it will come, eventually.

[Michael L]

...they've come to realize that there's a market and they need to move their product in that direction. They just need to figure out how.

One way U&I are figuring out how to port to Windows is with this survey that includes options:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2MFC26J? ... ydyNUoJQBo

[fmr]

...they've come to realize that there's a market and they need to move their product in that direction. They just need to figure out how.

One way U&I are figuring out how to port to Windows is with this survey that includes options:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2MFC26J? ... ydyNUoJQBo

Answered. Thanks for pointing that

[U+I Software]

Update Nov2025: Hope isn't lost! Another round of Kickstarter discussions has begun. Estimates are it would take 1,600 to 2,000 backers at a 25-30% discount. We believe with AI coding support we can improve on the 1.5 years estimate, but Windows requires a completely different framework than AppKit so must work would have to be manual. Anyhow, never say never.

-----
Older Post: Unfortunately, don't think it will happen. Recreating MetaSynth for CarbonOS (Apple's older Mac OS X platform discontinued Oct 2019) as MetaSynth CTX for AppKitOS (Catalina and later) plus the port to Apple Silicon has consumed all bandwidth for the last 5 years and the two initiated Windows projects went no where ($ and war). At least it has been restored to the Mac for a future generation and expanded in features.

[U+I Software]

Did an experiment for educational purposes. MetaSynth CTX 1.5 running on a T480s ThinkPad Windows 11 PC via VMware. Specs in the video's description:

[scott_free]

Wow! Would be dream come true to have Metasynth for windows. Hopes are up now.

[fmr]

Running in VMware isn't running in Windows.