One Synth Challenge #198: Any One Synth (The Sound of Merlin Wins!!)

[empphryio]

Would anyone object to my using Korg Wavestation? I bought the VST about 15 years ago and never used it, so I just thought I would test it out. I realize its synthesis is based on short samples, but for that matter I don't see it as much different from, for example, the SQ8L or any other wavetable synthesizer.

Meanwhile I think Pigments is OK to use but it's also loaded with samples...? I look forward to hearing your Korg Wavestation track.

[diaseis]

Hey ! Here's my entry to OSC !

https://soundcloud.com/diase_i_s/the-on ... ll-osc-200

All sounds are synthesized using Native Instrument's Massive X.

Daw : Ableton Live
Massive X : 21 instances including
- The preset "Full Blown" for the flute
- The percussions are tweaked from the base library presets
- The hurdy-gurdy is made from scratch

FX from Ableton :

- ∞ x Compressor
- ∞ x Auto Filter
- 2 x Delay
- 2 x Auto Pan
- 4 x Glue Compressor
- ∞ x Utility

Free plugins :
2 x KHearts Trance Gate

Paid plugins :
- 3 x FabFilter Saturn (Drum bus and Basses, subtle Warm Tube)
- 1 x Valhalla Vintage Verb
- 2 x Eos 2
- 1 x FabFilter Pro-G
- 2 x NI's Replika
- ∞ x FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Mastering (paid) :
- 1 x Endless Smile (Pace Melting Joy preset = delay + filter)
- 1 x TRacks Saturator X
- 1 x FabFilter Pro-L 2
- 1 x TRacks 5 Quad Imager

Metering :
- Youlean Loudness Meter (free)

[silverpants]

Hey ! Here's my entry to OSC !

https://soundcloud.com/diase_i_s/the-on ... ll-osc-200

All sounds are synthesized using Native Instrument's Massive X.

Daw : Ableton Live
Massive X : 21 instances including
- The preset "Full Blown" for the flute
- The percussions are tweaked from the base library presets
- The hurdy-gurdy is made from scratch

FX from Ableton :

- ∞ x Compressor
- ∞ x Auto Filter
- 2 x Delay
- 2 x Auto Pan
- 4 x Glue Compressor
- ∞ x Utility

Free plugins :
2 x KHearts Trance Gate

Paid plugins :
- 3 x FabFilter Saturn (Drum bus and Basses, subtle Warm Tube)
- 1 x Valhalla Vintage Verb
- 2 x Eos 2
- 1 x FabFilter Pro-G
- 2 x NI's Replika
- ∞ x FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Mastering (paid) :
- 1 x Endless Smile (Pace Melting Joy preset = delay + filter)
- 1 x TRacks Saturator X
- 1 x FabFilter Pro-L 2
- 1 x TRacks 5 Quad Imager

Metering :
- Youlean Loudness Meter (free)

Great to see you back!

Infinite number of compressors? Or am I reading that wrong?

[diaseis]

Great to see you back!

Infinite number of compressors? Or am I reading that wrong?

Hi Silverpants !

I'm just too lazy to count them, I just put infinite when I extensively use the plugin on almost every track

[ettrick]

Hi all, I'm new to the One Synth Challenge and have a question about the rules. I didn't see a thread specifically for rules, so I guess I'll ask here.

Would I be able to use my One Synth Challenge composition in another current competition as well? There is a 1-week itch.io ambient music jam going on that started 8/15/25 and ends this weekend 8/24/25. I would love to write a track that fulfills the requirements for both competitions. I'm having fun with Native Instruments RAZOR!

The rules say "Your entry must be composed specifically for this contest. Cover tracks are not permitted." but this doesn't exactly address my question.

If this is against the rules or generally not encouraged, no big deal! Thank you

[z.prime]

Would I be able to use my One Synth Challenge composition in another current competition as well?

Sure thing! You have all the rights to your composition to use otherwise as you see fit. The main thing is that by submitting to the competition, you are giving permission to have your track posted in archive.org and that you're asserting it's an original composition (copyrighted materials / covers would have legal issues, etc., and certainly aren't in the spirit of OSC).

[silverpants]

Great to see you back!

Infinite number of compressors? Or am I reading that wrong?

Hi Silverpants !

I'm just too lazy to count them, I just put infinite when I extensively use the plugin on almost every track

Understood. I like it

[SIL3NC3_SWX]

One Synth Challenge #198: AnyOneSynth => Apricot

https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/20 ... -one-synth
https://nakst.gitlab.io/apricot/

-------------------------------------------------------

Although OSC is currently celebrating its 200th anniversary, this track was created for the 198th challenge – a small tribute to the series that nevertheless captures the groove of the anniversary energy.

With 92 BPM, catchy harmonies, a concise bass hookline, and crisp kicks, FractiQ takes you straight to the dance floor. The melodic fractals weave together into a catchy tune that sticks in your mind.

Perfect for all fans of melodic EDM, hypnotic chords, and pulsating energy.

NJoy. Any feedback welcome.

-------------------------------------

SiL3NC3_SWX - FractiQ
https://soundcloud.com/soulwerx/sil3nc3 ... tiq-osc198

-------------------------------------

DAW: Bitwig 5.3.8
15 instances of Apricot

FX:
- Bitwig: Arpeggiator, Dynamics, Convolution, EQ+, Delay-1, Vocoder, Humanize, Compressor+
- Valhalla Supermassive
- Wider

Mastering:
- Free Clip 2
- LoudMax
- TDR Kotelnikov
- Peak Limiter (Bitwig)

Analysis:
- MAnalyzer
- YouLean Loudness Meter2


Keep on Looping...

[PeterBPL]

https://soundcloud.com/peter-b-37806886 ... -spotlight

30 instances of Babylon 2 synth by W.A.Production
all presets made from scratch (init)

FX used:
TR6 Equal
TR6 Classic Clipper
TR6 Opto Comp
Dropkick
kHs Haas
Melda MDynamicEQ
Melda MVibrato
AAS ObjeqDelay
Stereo Savage
bx_enhancer
bx_masterdesk Pro

[Full Bucket]

Ah too bad, but I am in Japan this month or else I would take part in this great challenge!
Happy #200 to all of you guys!
Cheers, Björn

[Daru925]

Ah too bad, but I am in Japan this month or else I would take part in this great challenge!
Happy #200 to all of you guys!
Cheers, Björn

There are still a few great synthesizer shops left in Tokyo!
Try Five G at harajuku if you get the chance.

[astur]

can you use synth with build in samples my yamaha v50 has a build in sampled drum machine where you can't use your own samples. also can I use the build in chorus

[NeuKatalYst]

can you use synth with build in samples my yamaha v50 has a build in sampled drum machine where you can't use your own samples. also can I use the build in chorus

Yes, and yes; but in the spirit of OSC, try to do a lot of emphasis on synthesis and processing (as Richard says: the goal shouldn't be to show off how good the samples are on their own).

Meanwhile: built-in effects have always been fine, as long as they are part of the synth.

[z.prime]

can you use synth with build in samples my yamaha v50 has a build in sampled drum machine where you can't use your own samples. also can I use the build in chorus

The FM synth part of the Yamaha V50 would be perfectly fine. If the chosen synth has a built-in chorus in its effects section, it is perfectly fine to use

... as for the drum samples, I think these would probably be frowned upon. Given the other discussions, it seems to be on the wrong side of the line, but I dunno for sure Noise samples are allowed, but these are not usually full drum sounds at least in the stock Serum and Vital noises, for example. So using a small transient like those or like a Roland D50 seems to be on the ok side of things. I don't know how you can use the samples -- maybe if it's used as a transient with a synth body in a kick drum, for example, that would be the same as the noise oscillators. I really wish there were some words to help make the rules 100% cut and dry.

I wondered how good AI is at answering life's hardest philosophical questions like this. It says:

Built-in drum samples—the kind you can't replace—don’t count as external sample libraries or romplers. They are part of the synth itself, so in principle they're allowed.

[Dirtgrain]

My entry:

https://soundcloud.com/fritz-e-18766441 ... o-time-for

Phase Plant
Ableton Live 11 DAW
Ableton Devices: Utility, Limiter, EQ Eight, Glue Compressor, Compressor
DSEQ3
Smart:limit
ADPTR Sculpt--compression only