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

[treeheated]

Attaching a patch that does a vocal count in ("1, 2, 3, 4") using a phrase built into the Twist oscillator.

[RichardSemper]

Quite a debate regarding the MTS-ESP plugin.
Commercial MIDI plugins are allowed in the rules, provided the output can be rendered to MIDI in the timeline for file checking reasons. Its equivalent to using a fancy midi controller really.
An exception would be if this were used to generate the sound (audio rate modulation) instead of the synth.

In this context I think the use of MTS-ESP should be allowed.

Someone asked if it'd be possible for judges to inspect my project file without having paid for the plug in question, and the answer is definitely yes! Surge will default back to the normal 12-tone tuning if the MTS-ESP master is not present, and honestly I think the tune would sound pretty similar without it.

It would not sound identical in 12-EDO tho, this is true. The tuning does influence the timbre, just like EvilDragon, Diaseis and others mentioned. To be specific, I'm using Just Intonation, which makes notes in a chords blend together differently. It's almost sorta like an opposite musical effect of detuned voice stacking? Makes the notes sound more like *one thing*, kinda... Anyway.

To reiterate, a perfectly identical result *can* be achieved by loading tuning tables into individual Surge instances. It's a good point too, that the rules specifically allow for MIDI from other hosts/plugs, which should be rendered to timeline. That could also be done here, with Surge in MPE mode, to achieve an identical sound.

On request, I'll provide the original .RPP file (obviously) plus a second version modified to play the same exact tuning without the MTS-ESP master. I could do that with multi-instance retuning or with rendered MPE MIDI, judges choice.

This seems totally reasonable to me. If anyone is still concerned I can easily check the file with the rendered MPE-MIDI.

[RichardSemper]

Attaching a patch that does a vocal count in ("1, 2, 3, 4") using a phrase built into the Twist oscillator.

Nice discovery in the synth. I had too look quite deep for it

[FrogsInPants]

Quite a debate regarding the MTS-ESP plugin.
Commercial MIDI plugins are allowed in the rules, provided the output can be rendered to MIDI in the timeline for file checking reasons. Its equivalent to using a fancy midi controller really.
An exception would be if this were used to generate the sound (audio rate modulation) instead of the synth.

In this context I think the use of MTS-ESP should be allowed.

I have understood the rule on commercial MIDI plugins to mean that the output should be recorded to MIDI prior to submission. I like this ruling in that I think it's good to allow curative measures like this to be performed only as necessary for actual rules compliance validation, but I would be happier if this was stated in the rules. (It might also be good to generalize the rule on MIDI plugins to cover other sorts of parameter modulation plugins, as this isn't technically a MIDI plugin unless you opt in to the MIDI output, and similar plugins could come to exist which do not have such an option.)

This seems totally reasonable to me. If anyone is still concerned I can easily check the file with the rendered MPE-MIDI.

I don't think this is necessary. It's only been a question of how the rules apply to this plugin, and the technical details of how it works and how its effects could be captured or otherwise replicated. It is clear that it is possible to cure the project in multiple ways, so if the ruling is that it is only necessary to do so on demand for validation purposes, I don't see a need to actually carry out the exercise just to prove it can be done.

[z.prime]

In the context of commercial MIDI plugins being allowed, it would seem that extrapolating this to "note data" is a logical jump and I agree with Richard that MTS-ESP should not be a problem.

[Korg Supporter]

I have voted for all tracks! Lots of solid and creative entries out there! However, there is one entry that doesn't show up and was likely deleted.

[BrainBeatMusic]

I can't seem to login. Assuming the login info is the same as last time???

[Korg Supporter]

I can't seem to login. Assuming the login info is the same as last time???

You have to login with your email instead of your username.

[BrainBeatMusic]

lol I guess I got done by my password manager which thought I needed my user name

[BrainBeatMusic]

There is a blank one?

[The Sound Of Merlin]

Done voting! Dear friends I have heard some amazing tracks. This has been a great round. Congratulations to us all.

I have got one favorite track this time that deserves at least 6 points. Dunno if it's appropriate to advertise for one of the tracks but in this case I think it deserves to be in the limelight: Surge of the Machine by EIVicente. It's wonderful and perfect! And very inspiring for numerous reasons

https://soundcloud.com/user-637213504/s ... he-machine

[Darksynth FX]

Voted.

[BrainBeatMusic]

After hearing the first 3rd I can say 2 things a lot are very moody and dark (I hope everyone is feeling ok) and the quality is crazy high with most either 4 or 5 so far.

[The Sound Of Merlin]

After hearing the first 3rd I can say 2 things a lot are very moody and dark (I hope everyone is feeling ok) and the quality is crazy high with most either 4 or 5 so far.

I think that Surge XT has so many nice features that it automatically invites us to explore darker atmospheres as one easily stumbles over these qualities while getting to know the synth. Surge XT is super inspiring and it's great that it makes people create wonderful stuff.

[empphryio]

Attached, for anyone who wants them. I have not included a preset for the vocal count in, because it won't do anything without the automation. But maybe I can recreate it in a self-contained way - I'll think about it.

Thank you.