One Synth Challenge #178: Vaporizer2 by Vast Dynamics (Exponent1 Wins!)

[doctorbob]

Typing this with the same hands that once pulled the weeds out of Paul McCartney's garden...

Typing this with the hand which shook Paul's hand at his 2nd Wings gig!
dB

[Double Tap]

Typing this with the same hands that once pulled the weeds out of Paul McCartney's garden...

Typing this with the hand which shook Paul's hand at his 2nd Wings gig!
dB

I do hope you haven’t washed it since.

[spridgeon]

Typing this with the same hands that once pulled the weeds out of Paul McCartney's garden...

Typing this with the hand which shook Paul's hand at his 2nd Wings gig!
dB

I do hope you haven’t washed it since.

That's exactly what I tell people when I mention it! It helps cut down on handshakes.

[doctorbob]

But then, should I have washed my hand that shook the hand of Dmitri Shostakovich at one of his premiers???
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[loord]

I need to do 8 more entries to complete a 10 year run (120 on the trot - and no misses!) ...
Just need to keep getting inspiration ... and explore even more genres ...

Season greetings everyone ...

dB

We must organize best party ever in august 2024!!!

Virtual cheers...why not

[FrogsInPants]

December’s synth was open source. Is there a OSC rule which either allows or disallows modifications of the source code? [...]

Does a similar OSC rule already exist governing use of open-source effects plugins?

And then there is potential use of closed-source plugins by those of us who have written plugins which have not been publicly released.

I think this generally falls under the "must be easily available freeware" clause. If your plugin (or your modified version of an open source plugin) is not publicly released, that seems like a problem. Though, I've used custom JSFX in Reaper for scripted MIDI processing and parameter automation without pushback. I suppose that's partly because it's not a traditionally compiled plugin, and partly because processed MIDI can be rendered to MIDI clips if necessary.

I'm not sure how the rules on unreleased plugins work in rounds with special exceptions to allow commercial effects. It doesn't seem permitted according to the letter, as they're not really commercial, either. But it seems to me it ought to be considered equivalent as a plugin that is not freely available to everyone.

As far as modifying the synth of the month, personally, I would consider it fair play to make modifications to get it working on your system, or modify the interface to your liking, as long as the engine is unchanged such that your DAW project would load and play the same for someone with the publicly available version. Adding synthesis capabilities to your own personal version doesn't seem acceptable, even if you made it public.

[NeuKatalYst]

I would have said the same thing: another person would need to be able to open the project, which would be impossible if the synth has been modified to be a completely different one, for all intents and purposes.

[NeuKatalYst]

Anyway, I'm back and just got done voting!! Good luck everyone!

[loord]

Voted.Happy New Year to all here!

[empphryio]

Voted. I noticed 3 tracks that a week into the voting didn't have a single comment. I don't think that's good. I think the commenting matters more than the voting.

I really do wish people would be less afraid to say something critical. But also, just random observations. What did the song make you think about/feel? It would be nice to see more of that on peoples' tracks.

I understand that some people can't handle negative comments at all. Some have left the competition as a result. That's a pity but I don't think the rest of us should have to tiptoe around each other just in case someone is maybe feeling very sensitive.

Oh well, it is what it is. It won't change. It's safest this way, right?

Edit to add: I've been upset by comments myself and sometimes I haven't hardly commented. I know it's hard.

[spridgeon]

I understand that some people can't handle negative comments at all. Some have left the competition as a result. That's a pity but I don't think the rest of us should have to tiptoe around each other just in case someone is maybe feeling very sensitive.

Years ago, I joined a local camera club (I'm not sure if I posted about this before; if so, sorry for the repetition). There were some very good photographers, some aspiring newbies and some snapshotters. We all took turns admiring each other's photos. It was boring! I stuck my neck out and started encouraging everyone to offer positive criticism. A few people didn't like it and left, but the rest started getting into good discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of the photos, and how they might have been improved. We all learned from each other, and the standard of the pictures improved noticeably.

Having said that, I've been very reluctant to comment for different reasons. Although I've been a musician for many years, I've done very little composing and mixing, and feel totally unqualified to criticize the work of others. I'm also a 70's dinosaur, and struggle to understand contemporary electronic music, which makes up the bulk of the entries, which makes me even less able to offer informed comment. Having put that in writing, I'm wondering if I should even be entering OSC contests, although I do enjoy throwing my hat in the ring, and am definitely learning from the feedback.

[neverbeeninariot]

Having said that, I've been very reluctant to comment for different reasons. Although I've been a musician for many years, I've done very little composing and mixing, and feel totally unqualified to criticize the work of others. I'm also a 70's dinosaur, and struggle to understand contemporary electronic music, which makes up the bulk of the entries, which makes me even less able to offer informed comment. Having put that in writing, I'm wondering if I should even be entering OSC contests, although I do enjoy throwing my hat in the ring, and am definitely learning from the feedback.

For what it's worth, dinosaurs are cool and there are a few of us around here. It's good to hear different musical styles in the competition so I'm glad you take part.
Also, all these kids with their new fangled EDM guff** can get off my lawn : )

I agree that leaving comments, good or bad (but constructively bad, hopefully..), is a big part of OSC and while everyone wants to hear 'great 80's track, bro', it's also good to hear that your track is too short/long/repetitive, or the sound design is lacking, or that the mix sounds way too gnarly/brittle/harsh/dull, etc... If those critical comments come with helpful suggestions on how to at least partially resolve any perceived issues, then all the better because there's more opportunity for improvement (many don't come with solutions, but I'm sure they are well intentioned).

TL;DR - your opinion is as valid and welcome as anyone else's because all comments are opinion, no matter how experienced the commenter thinks they are...

That said, if I'm gritting my teeth when I'm listening to something, it's likely that I won't comment but I will still try to be objective while voting.


**I've been into electronica/techno since the late 80's, and I don't have a lawn.

[Negoba]

I also have mixed feelings about giving any feedback. I have a lot of (amateur) songwriting experience but I'm relatively new to sound design / mixing / and electronic music in general. And I don't know folks well enough yet to know how constructive ideas might land.

[empphryio]

The worst is when you come in close to last and no one leaves any critical comments.

Someone should write an article about that. "What to do when everyone apparently dislikes your music and they won't say why".

[DaveClark]

Hi all,

IMO leaving public comments is a bad idea primarily because it can influence voting, but indeed can cause other problems. Imagine going to a voting booth and having to listen to everyone around you muttering about this or that candidate and this or that proposition.

Those who have benefitted from discussions in the past are most likely recalling deep discussions, not off-the-cuff comments of seven words or less made in the hallway while people pass by each other.

There is the avenue of PMs on KVR Audio for making private comments, and I think that this is far better in that it allows for more expression than mere snippets, in addition to being more personal.