Curves & Membranes - A Slick Monosynth for Mac

[Tj Shredder]

Ah, you mean something like a wavetable…

[unusable]

Ah, you mean something like a wavetable…

In a way. The synth is built around a single cycle bézier shape with a movable mid point and 4 handles. The position of these as you move them are automatically written into the current wave preset slot. The slots can be sequenced by different stepping modes and slew between states. At the same time the waveshape can be modulated by an orbital modulator each - moving the point in 2 dimensions either in constant mode or just half orbit on key down in envelope mode. So it is actually not done with wavetables as such, the oscillator is pure math.

I suggest you to check the bit here around the 6 minute point for a better explanation:

[unusable]

Is it possible to use host automation to control the Wave Preset selection? Normally, I'd look for MIDI CC control but on a synth like this I think it's probably not that productive as there probably aren't many places where it makes more sense than host automation. Except for the preset selection as I can see a use-case for using that as a performance control and attaching it to the mod wheel or expression pedal – which I could do via the DAW...but that's the one parameter or set of parameters I can't find in the automation list.

The other option would be to do something like Ohmforce's old Melohman system of mapping the presets to either very low or very high MIDI keys so they can be triggered from the keyboard.

Otherwise, nice job, fun to play. A bit like getting Wiggle back after that died, but with better waveform/bezier controls than Wiggle had.

I got it implemented today to test it, and it will be part of an update coming next week. Basically I mapped CC#4 to the preset selection when the clocked stepping and kbd based stepping or reset is off. Depending on number of slots active it maps the cc-range accordingly so the slots are spread equally across the full cc range. The slew rate is good to smoothen the clicks between slots or to make it sound more morphy. I've played with it in a couple of ways so far. With foot controller (as I used that standard cc - and it is likely better for people used to foot controllers, I am crap at wah-wah, so I am not the main user here), mapped to a knob which was quite nice. But the best part was using logic's midi-fx: modulator, I tried it both with lfo and envelope, and especially envelope as well as combination of them was rewarding.
As mentioned, it will be part of next update, I hope you will enjoy it.

For anyone else interested in the scientist bundle or the full bundle. I have added a grain cloud plugin to it already now. The prices of those bundles will increase on Monday when it is officially released (by 10 euro). So anyone buying the bundles before that gets the new plugin included for free (same goes for all the current owners of those bundles).

Sorry about the little promotion.

Have a great day!

/Rasmus

[shonky]

For anyone else interested in the scientist bundle or the full bundle. I have added a grain cloud plugin to it already now. The prices of those bundles will increase on Monday when it is officially released (by 10 euro). So anyone buying the bundles before that gets the new plugin included for free (same goes for all the current owners of those bundles).
/Rasmus

Will there be a similar discount available on the bundle when it's available for Windows?

[unusable]

Will there be a similar discount available on the bundle when it's available for Windows?

I dunno, I think I will have expanded the full bundle with at least one more plugin by the time I am ready for windows release. I am making decent progress with my polyphonic synth - the sound engine is where I want it, it is mainly about interaction features and reductions now on that one. There is of course a big chance of a discount on launch for the windows lineup as I plan on spending a bit of cash on PR - and a discount is likely good for marketing. I will however always offer cheaper cross-grade paths for current owners.

But, to be sincere, I haven't thought much about it yet. My main pleasure is making stuff - the business part is more a necessity. The great thing though is that everyone I've been in contact with so far has just been wonderful, making that part fun too.

Anyway, thanks for pointing me to it, it is something I need to take into account in my planning.

All the Best,
Rasmus

[unusable]

Is it possible to use host automation to control the Wave Preset selection? Normally, I'd look for MIDI CC control but on a synth like this I think it's probably not that productive as there probably aren't many places where it makes more sense than host automation. Except for the preset selection as I can see a use-case for using that as a performance control and attaching it to the mod wheel or expression pedal – which I could do via the DAW...but that's the one parameter or set of parameters I can't find in the automation list.

I got it implemented today to test it, and it will be part of an update coming next week. Basically I mapped CC#4 to the preset selection when the clocked stepping and kbd based stepping or reset is off. Depending on number of slots active it maps the cc-range accordingly so the slots are spread equally across the full cc range. The slew rate is good to smoothen the clicks between slots or to make it sound more morphy. I've played with it in a couple of ways so far. With foot controller (as I used that standard cc - and it is likely better for people used to foot controllers, I am crap at wah-wah, so I am not the main user here), mapped to a knob which was quite nice. But the best part was using logic's midi-fx: modulator, I tried it both with lfo and envelope, and especially envelope as well as combination of them was rewarding.

I had a bug fix that I needed to get released - so it is already available in 1.1.2 that is available on your account.

/Rasmus

[Gamma-UT]

I got it implemented today to test it, and it will be part of an update coming next week. Basically I mapped CC#4 to the preset selection when the clocked stepping and kbd based stepping or reset is off...

I had a bug fix that I needed to get released - so it is already available in 1.1.2 that is available on your account.

/Rasmus

Thanks for adding it. That works fine.

[unusable]

Sorry for spamming, will keep all unusable stuff in this thread though.

If you liked the simulation running in my free plugin, Cavitation Fractures, the new plugin is built on the same simulation, but driving a granual effect instead. It is quite nice and interesting as it reacts to the incoming audio in a rather organic way. There is a 10 minute walk-through video on youtube explaining all controls and a bit of the engine's inner working...

For here, I will just post a shorter sound examples video with various sources:


It is 29 euro incl. 25% VAT, less if you are outside EU. It is free and available on the account page for all owners of the full suite or the scientist suite:
https://www.unusable.net/effects/grain-discharge/

---

As a smaller update on what is going on, I have 70% focus at the moment on the windows porting - the great news is that I have managed to get it working using the same codebase, so updating and maintaining it will be smooth. Semi-bad news is that as I use WebView for the UI, I won't be able guarantee that it works on Windows 7. It still needs extensive testing on various setups, but it is running smoother than I ever thought possible (I haven't owned a PC since 2002)...

The rest of the time is spent on something much more fun, developing the next software synthesizer. It is quite far from Curves & Membranes, but the interface will be quite unique and I really adore the sounds I'm getting out of it. It is an additive synth, but unlike any additive synth I've ever used.

[unusable]

The windows version is available now.

A little news post about it and about the new "neural vocoder" that was released at the same time:
https://www.unusable.net/news/windows-v ... resonance/

(and a few notes about my coming polyphonic additive synth)

[pekbro]

Awesome, tho it may take me a few days to swing the bundle.

[nordickvr]

…
(and a few notes about my coming polyphonic additive synth)

This looks quite promising.
Can’t wait!

[morphex]

and a few notes about my coming polyphonic additive synth

I'm a bonafide additive addict, so you're preaching to the choir when you start talking about a polyphonic, additive synth in the works. Sounds exciting!

Thank you for adding a free license for the new Synaptic Resonance effect, for those who had bought the full bundle. That was much appreciated. These effects look deceptively simple, considering the amount of audio chaos that they're capable of. They're so quirky, and that's what I like about them.

[sofu72]

Hi there,
is it possible to change the gui size? Maybe 125% size?
Also: There is a difference in the cpu load regarding if the vst is being opened or works in the background.
DAW: Fender Studio Pro 8.
Great synth so far

[unusable]

Hi there,
is it possible to change the gui size? Maybe 125% size?
Also: There is a difference in the cpu load regarding if the vst is being opened or works in the background.
DAW: Fender Studio Pro 8.
Great synth so far

[unusable]

Hi there,
is it possible to change the gui size? Maybe 125% size?
Also: There is a difference in the cpu load regarding if the vst is being opened or works in the background.
DAW: Fender Studio Pro 8.
Great synth so far

There is a hidden handle in the right bottom corner to resize the gui. It is a bit hacksy, codewise, but it should work for resizing.
And yes, the CPU load is higher with the GUI as the graphical drawing of the bézier wave as well as the filter is quite heavy, I tried to implement way to save CPU cycles by not using as much power there when not needed. I guess that is what you see, if it is the other way around I would need to look into what Studio Pro 8 does.

----

If anyone is curious on the coming synth, I recorded myself playing around with it today:


All the Best,
Rasmus