One Synth Challenge #163: Cardinal by DISTRHO (Voting Started!)

[FrogsInPants]

I'm looking for something similar to stoermelder µMAP, to map CV to module parameters without CV input. There are Host Parameters Map and Host MIDI CC Map modules, which do this with input from the host, but not with CV generated in the plugin itself. I could use one instance to generate envelopes and pass them to another instance via MIDI, I suppose. Any other ideas?

[doctorbob]

I think I will be able to do my track using only Cardinal. Each instrument will have the usual midi-in, osc, filter, EQ etc. I will create a reverb buss and use CardinalFX on that and send from each instrument track to that. I will then use CarinalFX again on the master track to make a mastering chain.

Thus avoiding any DAW or 3rd party FX. Whether this would sound better using FX outside Cardinal is moot, but I see this as the challenge in much the same way I used ALL hardware for my hardware track (ie using a real synth and hardware fx units and mixer EQ's outside the box - (again no DAW or 3rd party FX!!).

So, now onto removing the reverb from my instruments, dumping the DAW EQ, make the buss and master chain! Will take some time.

Any advice on which EQ, comp, m/s processing, tape FX/saturation Cardinal FX to look at???

dB

[FrogsInPants]

I think I will be able to do my track using only Cardinal.

Yeah, that's the spirit!

Any advice on which EQ, comp, m/s processing, tape FX/saturation Cardinal FX to look at???

I'm liking MindMeld EQ Master. It's meant to be used with MixMaster, but can be used independently. Audible Instruments EQ Filter is also good, and more straight-forward. Fehler Fabrik Chi gives you an output per band for multiband processing fun.

Rackwindows and chowdsp have a variety of Airwindows/Chow effects that are likely familiar for tape saturation/degradation. I've had some interesting results with cf Disto and HetrickCV Shaper for distortion, as well, and I'm sure others are also worth trying.

Not sure what's good in compressors, but it doesn't look like there are terribly many to choose from. Mid/side processors, I'm not sure there would be much to recommend one over another; I would probably default to the VCV M/S.

[doctorbob]

Thanks. That looks like a great set of things to look at.

BTW: I have linked midi velocity to the BogAudio offset to then offset an ADSR CV so that you get velocity working with the VCA. Patch here ... linear velocity curve of course! Maybe using a different "math" module you can program up different functions for the offset scale value to give different velocity curves.

dB

[FrogsInPants]

I was hoping to have PdArray available for a drawable velocity curve, but apparently that isn't in (yet) - nuts. But there are some useful shapers and math functions: HetrickCV Exponent and Shaper, as well as cf Algebra and Funktion.

I have unfortunately run into some instability in the plugin. I've had a couple of crashes while just working on a patch, as well as when trying to save after removing an instance from my project. (Cardinal VSTi plugin, Reaper 6.66, MacOS 12.5, M1.) The crash on save after removing an instance was pretty consistent when running the plugin in the DAW process. Setting it to run as a separate process, the plugin process would die and the save would be successful. Setting it to run in a dedicated process per instance, no errors were reported to me. I hate to run it this way because it makes the UX so clunky switching between plugin and DAW, but it seems necessary to protect my project.

[YouSampleMe]

Here is my entry, this time a generative modular drone.

https://soundcloud.com/sampleme/broken- ... al_sharing

I used Ableton Live 11 and 1 instance of Cardinal by DISTRHO.

Stock Plugins:
EQ 8
Glue Compressor
Limiter

No external plugins.

Below is the general "logic" used in the patch.


Thank you for listening.

Sample Me

[doctorbob]

Don't forget "MusiFrogs"

dB

[ELEX]

...
I have unfortunately run into some instability in the plugin. I've had a couple of crashes while just working on a patch, as well as when trying to save after removing an instance from my project. (Cardinal VSTi plugin, Reaper 6.66, MacOS 12.5, M1.) The crash on save after removing an instance was pretty consistent when running the plugin in the DAW process. Setting it to run as a separate process, the plugin process would die and the save would be successful. Setting it to run in a dedicated process per instance, no errors were reported to me. I hate to run it this way because it makes the UX so clunky switching between plugin and DAW, but it seems necessary to protect my project.

I've been getting these crashes on save after instance removal as well on Windows. Just tried running as dedicated/separate process with embedded GUI, which went well enough ( just a minor resizing issue ) and avoids awkward floating FX windows.

[DRMR]

Please do bug-reports on these crashes. Otherwise they won't get investigated or fixed.

[Frank Geppert]

Here is my report regarding Cardinal:
It is really an interesting toy, much components to play with. But this is also a problem from my point of view. I found it hard to select something from the huge palette of modules. Also they look different, have different input labels and different behaviour. Many do not have the best audio quality. But on the other hand some sound really unique.

Some components do not work properly with others. This gets harder, when you try to use polyphony. But even in mono I had problems. The OCT module as an example sometimes destroyed the voltage changes.
In general I had to restart my DAW (Reaper) sometimes when it started to play only distorted noises instead of my sounds.

It really takes some time to create a decent sound. You need a screen full of components to make something good, like in- and output, oscillators, amplifiers, filters, distortion, delay, reverb, slew plugin for portamento, mixer for aggregating and maybe others.

But the good thing is the result. At least in my case I made some sounds I never created before. Some oscillators and also the granular modules are just great. You can also test some unusual ways, some strange connections and maybe find something crazy. You can modulate almost everything, even the modulator itself. Also many modules have a FM input / knob, not just oscillators.

So in the end it can be rewarding, if you take your time.

Here is my result but maybe I will do some changes before the final submission:
https://soundcloud.com/frank-geppert-19 ... al_sharing

[3lu5iv3]

wow this virtual modular synth looks super complicated.
i don't think i can do this even with a tutorial. ㅠㅠ

[doctorbob]

wow this virtual modular synth looks super complicated.
i don't think i can do this even with a tutorial. ㅠㅠ

My approach was to compose first. Then build the instruments and tweak each one to suit when in the mix. To add to the challenge, I am not using any DAW or 3rd party FX - everything from synthesis to FX processing will be done using Cardinal modules.

Once you have the default patch up - kudos to the folks for giving us a head start - you can easily poke around and change the VCO module, add a filter and/or reverb (Valley reverb as mentioned before is a really good plate).

Lots of time, and you will learn a lot about synthesis this way - really.

dB

[DRMR]

Don't forget there are also some "presets"/examples included and patchstorage.com has a number of patches to investigate if you need some inspiration!

[Frank Geppert]

I found this tutorial video helpful. I am using this virtual modular synth the first time as well.

[mmGhost]

in Logic x 10.7.4 valdation not successful!
in StudioOne 5.5.2 works more or less stable (AU/VST3)... from time to time the DAW crashes. Up to now, i do not know why...
wait and see if maybe this time I will participate

did you try opening plugin manager (Logic > Prefrences > Start Plugin Manager (?)) and enabling Cardinal manually? After doing that, to find the plugin, Apple stashes unconfirmed plugins at the very TOP of the plugin list in some bracketed category like [Disabled].

Haven't tried it yet but maybe that works

logic is becoming increasingly antiquated and frustrating. their updates seem to break plugins that worked perfectly fine before, without adding any features that actually matter