One Synth Challenge #179: Any One Synth (ZioMau wins!) (Updated Prize)

[folderol]

When did that start and why?
It certainly wasn't always like that, as in the past I've joined in two or three times before I even had a Soundcloud account. The only requirement was that the file had to be downloadable - exactly as in the KVR Music Cafe.

[empphryio]

When did that start and why?
It certainly wasn't always like that, as in the past I've joined in two or three times before I even had a Soundcloud account. The only requirement was that the file had to be downloadable - exactly as in the KVR Music Cafe.

...I have gone back and listened to competition results from more than ten years ago where most of the tracks are still there on soundcloud. That's one of the things that's really nice about the OSC. I really like the OSC. Very glad it exists. I wish the music cafe was run similar. Because it isn't, I can't be bothered to enter it. Or hardly anyone else it seems.

[emikaela]

Well, seeing as it's any synth I can join in with my obsessively fave synth
Rather than on Soundcloud, the file is on my personal website and I'll be removing it once the contest is over.

Well, I also prefer using my own server, but as far as I know, you must use soundcloud.

Well if that's the case, I either have to get a paid account or delete one of the tracks already there as I'm at my free limit. A paid account is currently £75 for one year as an 'introductory' offer, and there are no tracks I want to remove.

secret third option: create another soundcloud account.

the questions of when and why seem more suited for the general discussion thread.

[PeterBPL]

Discussion about Soundcloud is not so strange. Personally I hate all that "free" services that appears to be paid as soon as you need more than just fraction of functionality. I never liked Soundcloud, but sure - I created account on it.
Then I read on OSC rules page that users can replace their songs as many times as they want until the end of the month (updates like fixes, changes etc). Wow, great! And then I realized that only paid version of Soundcloud allows replacing song. So - the only option is to remove song and re-upload it. Is it even allowed on OSC?

[doctorbob]

You are allowed to change the track on Soundcloud as many times as you wish up to the end date/time. The downside of not having a paid for (Pro) account is that you will lose any comments made whereas on a paid account the file is replaced, but the comments left intact.

Most people are not bothered by that "restriction" ...

I agree it's nice to have the older OSC tracks available for quite some time ...

dB

[maxym.srpl]

What about to create another free SoundCloud account?

[PeterBPL]

You are allowed to change the track on Soundcloud as many times as you wish up to the end date/time. The downside of not having a paid for (Pro) account is that you will lose any comments made whereas on a paid account the file is replaced, but the comments left intact.

Most people are not bothered by that "restriction" ...

Me too.
I just uploaded new version, deleted old one and updated my post from previous page. Not a problem.

[RichardSemper]

wow! Offline for a few days and no end to the questions Here goes:-

Question RE: rules. I am planning on using Massive as never had a chance to use it really... I have pulled up first available links for some freebie presets for inspiration; nothing paid for, all free. Are these permissible to use? What does "Commercial" mean in "Commercial synth patches/soundbanks are not permitted"?

No problem with the freebie presets. Commercial would mean synth patches/soundbanks that are not free or freely available.

So I can't use the included one-shot waves for drums in Icarus?

Use of samples in not allowed.

Hello.
May I create a song in SynthMaster3? Its beta was released a few weeks ago for owners of all bundle licences, however not sure it's officially available.
I have thought it would be nice to promote this synth this way. Also, as usual, it's a unique opportunity to learn this synth for me.

It appears the alpha version is currently available, according to their website. I see no problem with using it.

Would something like Plogue Alter/Ego be valid for this challenge (voice synth that uses premade packs that may contain samples, idk? https://www.plogue.com/products/alter-ego.html)

Can one of the organizers please comment on whether AlterEgo is allowed or not?

A difficult one - as it does appear to be sort-of sample based (recorded phonemes) but in no way works like a sampler, or even a regular synthesizer. Words and phrases can be strung together in various languages using text input. Might be interesting to hear if someone could complete a whole track using only this as the synth. Other opinions are invited

May I use a commercial phaser this time (Fazotran 2).
If not I will use Synthmaster3's built-in one, but the results are not as good enough as I expect

As always, effects built into the chosen synth are okay to use as you like. External fx are subject to the usual rules. This is Not a 'go full 11' month

Commercial plugins are allowed this month but otherwise the normal rules still apply. This mean that you may NOT use external effects such as:

• Any type of modulation effect (e.g. chorus, phaser, flanger, rotary etc.). (Please note that effects like reverb or delays that perform modulation to achieve their sound are ALLOWED, but the modulation usage must be minimal.)

• Tapestops, Granular delays, pitching, or related sampling effects.

• Effects that pitch the sound (e.g. pitched / granular delays, tapestops etc.

• Turning up the effect too much where it transforms the nature of the synth (Heavy overdrive / distortion, etc)

• Any effect that transforms the sound to make them unrecognizable as being from the synth (Overdrive, heavy distortion, bit crushing, or related). Never go full 11

https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules

Correct.

I think this month choruses, flangers etc. should be allowed. Not some extreme deformations, but just nice ones.
Why? Well, I'm using PhasePlant this month and with his SnapHeap I can made basically all effect I want. And since SnapHeap can be part of preset itself and it is how presets are made, it would be not fair to limit people only because other synths have limited number of effects. I would say - guitar amps and stuff like that should be prohibited. Also - all kind of UJAM magical FX plugins (they're like predefined effects and the point is to create own effects and understand how it works). But reverbs should be allowed - even extreme ones (as long as it not produce complex granular pad from single pluck). After all the main point is to create something using single VST instrument + effects. And people here for sure are not stupid so they can vote based on other factors than "oh, how nice is that phaser and reverb!" After all - composition, ideas etc. matters.

There are a number of synths (like PhasePlant, SurgeXT, Synthmaster etc.) where the built-in fx can also be used as an external fx. In cases like these I think using them within the synth or on a bus is academic, and more about workflow, as such effects can be considered 'part of the synth'
Use of any external fx not part of the selected synth are subject to the usual rules as stated above, i.e. No to modulation Fx, pitching, granular etc.

Well, seeing as it's any synth I can join in with my obsessively fave synth
Rather than on Soundcloud, the file is on my personal website and I'll be removing it once the contest is over.

There is a requirement to post on Soundcloud, and make downloadable. It may not be possible to include in the voting playlist otherwise. If you have some difficulty with this it might help to contact bjporter. He may be able to find a way to include it.

Discussion about Soundcloud is not so strange. Personally I hate all that "free" services that appears to be paid as soon as you need more than just fraction of functionality. I never liked Soundcloud, but sure - I created account on it.
Then I read on OSC rules page that users can replace their songs as many times as they want until the end of the month (updates like fixes, changes etc). Wow, great! And then I realized that only paid version of Soundcloud allows replacing song. So - the only option is to remove song and re-upload it. Is it even allowed on OSC?

Until the end of the month, before voting starts, you may replace your song as many times as you like. With a 'free' soundcloud account that does mean deleting and re-uploading it. You would also have to replace the link in your kvr post. Once voting has started any change to your entry would invalidate it, and it would disppear from the voting list. This has happened in the past.

FX - T-Racks (commercial) and (in one place) a little of Antares ModernExciter (free).
Let someone (admin?) confirm is everything (informations, SoundCloud settings) ok. It's my second time on OSC.

Great! All seems fine, I would just ask for a little more info about how the T-Racks is used (I think it has multiple fx capability and various modules)

[neverbeeninariot]

Submission.

The unreliable narrative of Spaceman D. Bassman continues...

https://soundcloud.com/neverbeeninariot ... -the-beach

Reaper 7
u-he Hive (17)

TrackFX : Pro-C2 (4), Pro-Q3 (14), MAutopan (1)
SendFX : PSP Springbox, ValhallaDelay, ValhallaVintageVerb (2)
MasterFX: Teote, Satin, Pro-Q3, Pro-L2, TDR Prism, Youlean Loudness Meter

[PeterBPL]

Great! All seems fine, I would just ask for a little more info about how the T-Racks is used (I think it has multiple fx capability and various modules)

I described details in Soundcloud. But no problem, I can copy it here:
TR5 Equal, TR5 One, TR5 Bus Compressor, TR5 Brickwall Limiter, TR5 EQ-PG, TR5 Opto Compressor, TR5 Stealth Limiter.
Rest of effects like chorus, reverb, delay etc. are part of presets now, so no SnapHeap used after all.

[Frank Geppert]

Vital has a text-to-wavetable-function. I guess this is judged as sampling and thus is not allowed, am I right?

[violator_alba]

Great! All seems fine, I would just ask for a little more info about how the T-Racks is used (I think it has multiple fx capability and various modules)

I described details in Soundcloud. But no problem, I can copy it here:
TR5 Equal, TR5 One, TR5 Bus Compressor, TR5 Brickwall Limiter, TR5 EQ-PG, TR5 Opto Compressor, TR5 Stealth Limiter.
Rest of effects like chorus, reverb, delay etc. are part of presets now, so no SnapHeap used after all.

I would imagine that as long as you observe the no chorus/flanger/etc rule, T-Racks stuff should be fine. I'm hoping that's the case as I've used TR5 One on OSC #178! I'm sure I've used the limiter and some of the reverbs on other 'commercial allowed' rounds.

[PeterBPL]

[edited]

[empphryio]

Vital has a text-to-wavetable-function. I guess this is judged as sampling and thus is not allowed, am I right?

It was allowed when Vital was the OSC synth last. 142.

Listen to Truly Alive (OSC 142 Vital) by Aaron Jasinski on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/ponbB

[Frank Geppert]

It was allowed when Vital was the OSC synth last. 142.

Listen to Truly Alive (OSC 142 Vital) by Aaron Jasinski on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/ponbB

Yes, I know, I love this song