Updated to v1.2: Integrate — Subtractive Synthesizer [CLAP, FL Studio]

[jdoo]

Sounds like a fun learning project. If youre serious about leaping from open source to commercial ventures.. wouldnt you benefit from leaning in to something like JUCE/C++ as you can target VST/AU/iOS and beyond, later. Much larger target market / group of folks who could use your stuff. You are way beyond anything I have done , or have good knowledge of - so sorry for the dumb questions! I've contemplated this stuff, myself. Hope it all works out for you!

[nakst]

wouldnt you benefit from leaning in to something like JUCE/C++ as you can target VST/AU/iOS and beyond, later.

Using JUCE really would not be helpful for me. I have not found any difficulty in implementing plugin APIs so far; once you've worked with a lot of code, this stuff gets easier. I spend far more time polishing the user interface and working on DSP code.

But as for the C++ part, I've already been writing C++ for the better part of a decade now :)

Hope it all works out for you

Thanks!

[Korg Supporter]

Wouldn't more than 3 LFOs or 2 mod envelopes be welcoming?

[Korg Supporter]

Also, will there be FM, ring modulation, and wavetables?

[nakst]

Wouldn't more than 3 LFOs or 2 mod envelopes be welcoming?

Perhaps, but my goal is not to create a all-in-one workstation synth. I want to make something that balances the feature set with simplicity and ease of use.

When I designed the layout of the synth, I knew that I wanted all modulators to be present on the interface at all times (as opposed to being hidden away in layers of tabs), so that you can quickly hook a parameter up to a modulator, and also so you can effortlessly dissect and understand an existing patch, without having to hunt around to understand the signal flow. All this meant I had to keep the number of modulators fairly low -- but nonetheless I think that there are enough for most of what you want to do with a patch.

I'm heavily inspired by classic synths like the Virus C (3 LFOs) or JP8080 (2 LFOs), and these certainly had great sonic capabilities, without needing heaps of endless features. Certainly, the all-powerful synths you see today are very useful for delving into complex patches, but I want to offer a more streamlined, simpler alternative, helping to fill out a producer's set of tools so that they can use the right one for the task at hand. =)

Also, will there be FM, ring modulation, and wavetables?

Yes, there is FM and ring modulation. Osc1B can FM or RM Osc1A, and Osc2B can FM Osc2A (and of course, the amount of FM is a modulatable parameter).

There are over 60 built-in extra wave shapes alongside the main shapes (tri-saw morph, pulse, sawtooth, sine, variable-color noise), but you cannot load custom wavetables; the reasoning for this is much the same as my explanation above. There are already many synths that offer expansive wavetable synthesis options, but this synth is designed for when you don't want the added complexity of having to pick a wavetable, and just want to jump straight into the sound.

I hope I have explained my design rationale clearly!

[Korg Supporter]

Thanks. Yeah I love synths that are limited like that.

[jdoo]

So, you're creating a plugin using the LV2 C API for plugin code. https://lv2plug.in/ ? Again - I only know enough about this stuff to ask dumb questions. I looked into JUCE/C++ but was considering C++, and developing a standalone synth. Being quite honest here, it was Steve Duda who recommended going this direction to me. It's extensible, supported and can make further development a lot easier. Note (Steve doesnt use JUCE, but sees the benefit). Serum / Xfer is too invested in a different direction to change that now. His recommendation to me - was because I was starting at square one with this work.

My day job, has been programming / IT, since the early 80s. So - I've seen a lot of folks dive in, get excited, then drop it. Stay excited! Stay leaned in. Break your project up into small bits that allow you to see progress, and keep moving. You've been developing for a decade, so you probably know this stuff. Have you set high level targeted release dates for your alpha and beta folks? i.e. when do you think you will have a product to share with the world?

[mikeyo]

Think it sounds really good. Would love to try it out. Good for you, hope it does well!

[nakst]

It's extensible, supported and can make further development a lot easier.

Perhaps. But I guess it's just not my style to use pre-made libraries, when avoidable. I enjoy the control of getting to build everything up from scratch YMMV, of course.

Have you set high level targeted release dates for your alpha and beta folks? i.e. when do you think you will have a product to share with the world?

The project is in a state where I could release it right now. I have tested it in several DAWs, and all the features are working great. But there are many tasks I want to complete before it sees a release: create more patches for the factory ROM, further DSP optimizations, make another skin, make an installer, UI scaling, etc, etc. How long will these take? I'm not sure. I guess it's a "ready when it's ready" type of thing.
I've given a copy to one beta tester so far, and they said it was "very epic"

[jdoo]

Sweet! Excellent to hear @nakst

[briefcasemanx]

Sounds like a fun learning project.

This sounds like a really patronizing comment unless you know the OPs skill level somehow prior to this thread. Skill level seems pretty high based on the audio demos posted...

[Examigan]

But then later jdoo mentions this:

"You are way beyond anything I have done , or have good knowledge of - so sorry for the dumb questions! I've contemplated this stuff, myself."

[jdoo]

My comments were sincere, not meant in any demeaning way. Im sorry if it came across that way to anyone (especially the OP). It's been a dream of mine to do a software synth effort (which is why I reached out to Steve Duda). I've been programming for decades.. and there is a huge difference with audio/DSP/synth development than system or application development. It's apples and oranges, so i had keen interest in this. If anyone misinterprets that as talking down to someone, they dont know me. Fricken internet

Joe

[nakst]

Update 22nd May:
Added a couple more audio previews to the main post. This one's my favourite:
https://nakst.gitlab.io/integrate/LD_Un ... round.flac
I've been working hard at creating patches for the factory ROM, and it's now got over 150 patches. And there's some pretty cool stuff in there! Interface scaling has been implemented, and various other little features. Feedback from the beta testers has been very positive

[dmbaer]

My day job, has been programming / IT, since the early 80s.

So, I'll hazard a guess that your day job did not involve DSP. I'd be curious to know how you approached learning DSP (not trivial stuff, to be sure) and what resources did you use?