One Synth Challenge #159: Surge XT (j5v Wins!)

[dakkra]

Already making waves... very distorted waves

[zachy9]

Been curious to learn Surge properly, always eager to use open-source software. Maybe this is the excuse I needed

Is it fair to say that Surge is the most full-featured open-source softsynth out there at the moment?

[H-man]

Been curious to learn Surge properly, always eager to use open-source software. Maybe this is the excuse I needed

Is it fair to say that Surge is the most full-featured open-source softsynth out there at the moment?

Probably, this and Vital.

[zachy9]

I don't believe Vital is open source, just free.

edit: whoops! I was wrong: https://github.com/mtytel/vital I'm surprised by that actually.

[H-man]

Between these two, one could throw out most of their commercial offerings (although I sub to Vital). Really quite amazing

[EvilDragon]

Been curious to learn Surge properly, always eager to use open-source software. Maybe this is the excuse I needed

Is it fair to say that Surge is the most full-featured open-source softsynth out there at the moment?

Probably, this and Vital.

Zyn as well.

[RichardSemper]

Rules question, possible discussion: In Surge XT we can load basically any sound we want as a wavetable, right? Are there rules limiting the use of this feature? (I feel there ought to be.)

With wavetable synths usually you are free to import any wavetable you want as long as it's not exploited as a sample player. For example loading a drum sound, or a piano, and using it as a sample player.

Hmm okay. I think I understand. To clarify (I'm new to all this), it'd also be using it as a sample player if I imported a recording of someone typing on a typewriter, leaves rustling, or if I imported a sound recorded from another synth right? So in other words, is the basic rule that any importat WT must not be recognizeable, nor originate prior to application of various FX, as a natural or manmade sound that could occur in the physical world?

Exactly. And any tables you want to use need not be restricted to two frames. That's already been clarified not that long ago, during the WhispAir round.

what about the presets included that have wavetables?

Excellent questions. We have had many discussions on this in the past.
I think we could add the following to the general rules for clarification:

WAVETABLES
Sometimes we feature a synth with wavetable capability. On these occasions the following will apply:
- All built in wavetables may be used without restriction.
- Imported waveforms are allowed, but these must not be used for straight sample playback i.e. to replicate the recorded instruments, vocal phrases, real world sounds etc. directly, but rather to synthesise, morph and mangle the waveforms.

[Andreya_Autumn]

This is going to be fun.

[AmoralAudio]

Saw this challenge for the fist time a couple of weeks ago. I was looking forward to having a go this month but I'm still very new to music making and this looks very overwhelming. I may try or wait for the next one, but I look forward to other people's submissions.

[Frank Geppert]

Amazing. Surge is a great Synth, the best open-source-tool in my mind. On the other hand I really like the visual feedback of Vital / Serum / Phase Plant for sketching. I am just faster there. But in the end I can assure you, that you can do the same in most cases in Surge but you even have a better result. I did some experiments re-creating some real instruments in some synths and Surge always was the winner. Even when it often feels like a blackbox because of the missing visual feedback that I am used from Vital.

I am really looking forward to use it this month!

Dont hesitate! To work with this synth is really a chance you should not miss!

[silverpants]

Saw this challenge for the fist time a couple of weeks ago. I was looking forward to having a go this month but I'm still very new to music making and this looks very overwhelming. I may try or wait for the next one, but I look forward to other people's submissions.

You could just write a tune with the presets. Have a go anyway.

[AmoralAudio]

Saw this challenge for the fist time a couple of weeks ago. I was looking forward to having a go this month but I'm still very new to music making and this looks very overwhelming. I may try or wait for the next one, but I look forward to other people's submissions.

You could just write a tune with the presets. Have a go anyway.

I'll give it a tinkle anyway.
We'll see what turns out.

[3lu5iv3]

can we use beta version of Surge XT as well or only stable version?

[MadMcMan]

can we use beta version of Surge XT as well or only stable version?

In previous OSC's new versions have been released during the competition and people have used them, as its an open source and the nightly versions are released as executables i personally don't see why not.

I'm slightly disappointed the nightly doesn't come with the newer AirWindows plugins.

[silverpants]

Saw this challenge for the fist time a couple of weeks ago. I was looking forward to having a go this month but I'm still very new to music making and this looks very overwhelming. I may try or wait for the next one, but I look forward to other people's submissions.

You could just write a tune with the presets. Have a go anyway.

I'll give it a tinkle anyway.
We'll see what turns out.

That's the spirit. The whole thing is just fun anyway.