One Synth Challenge #160: ADLplug / OPNplug by jpcima (ZioMau Wins!)

[Rahodees]

First location of the plugin files is predetermined, unlike vst2,

I appreciate all the information. As to this particular bit, it doesn't seem true, I put my vst3s in a folder of my own choosing, not any particular default one. (Namely, I have a "VST3s" folder in my hard drive's root directory that I put them all in.)

[Rahodees]

sample accurate automation.

I know what automation is but what does "sample accurate" mean in this context?

[z.prime]

Sample accurate automation means: a DAW can automate things per sample instead of per block. The way plugins process audio is based on your buffer size, so let's say you have a 16 sample buffer, every 16 samples with VST2 it is able to send automation information. That wouldn't be too bad, as 16 is pretty small, but let's say you increase this to 2048 samples because you're running in to CPU issues... now every 2048 samples the DAW is able to send automation information. This can end up being fairly janky instead of smooth because the amount of audio each cycle. With VST3 there is a way for the DAW to send automation information to the plugin regardless of the buffer size that instructs the plugin when to change values. Is this a game-changer? Not really but can be a significant improvement because plugins have worked around these limitations by using parameter smoothing and other techniques which really just don't work great compared to having accurate automation.

[Rahodees]

Checking out the two plugins, I see a link to a manual for ADL but am having trouble finding any manual for OPN. It looks like the two are substantially identical, but do we know what the substantive differences between the two are? Maybe just which chips they emulate--but what are the substantial differences between the two chips?

[Tj Shredder]

Does someone know how to get rid of the vibrato modulation controlled by aftertouch? Playing this with an expressive controller is a pain, all sound start to vibrate in the most terrible frequency... Playing with a dumb keyboard is fine but boring...

[cdbaksu]

Are these plugins running native on Apple Silicon?

[Rahodees]

Any ideas why 4 operator FM-FM in ADL is yielding no sound? Every other algorithm seems to work okay, and for testing I just put all four osc levels to their highest settings.

[Rahodees]

Oh maybe it's not true all the other algorithms are working as expected. Just realized four operator AM-FM results in ONLY operator 1's settings making any difference to the sound at all.

[ELEX]

Any ideas why 4 operator FM-FM in ADL is yielding no sound? Every other algorithm seems to work okay, and for testing I just put all four osc levels to their highest settings.

The "4 ops" parameter in the top right corner is set to zero in the default patch. It determines the maximum number of 4 op voices the the chip(s) can play. Set it higher than zero and 4 op sounds will emerge. Pressing the lightbulb button will set it the the maximum available for the selected number of chips.

Also take note of the behaviour of the S knob with regards to lack of sound. When the sustain switch is engaged, it will work as expected, but with said switch disengaged, it will determine the level at which the decay stage is stopped. Which is very quickly indeed with S set high, resulting in just a little click.

And don't forget to check the algorithm help under "?" It'll show which operators are carriers, as well as how to select the algorithms.

[FrogsInPants]

Are these plugins running native on Apple Silicon?

Unfortunately, no.

[cdbaksu]

Are these plugins running native on Apple Silicon?

Unfortunately, no.

Thanks for the info, looks like I won't be participating in this one then

[empphryio]

It didn't fail to scan but Reaper 6.53 doesn't see either 2 or 3. They're there. Standalone works fine.

[Rahodees]

Any ideas why 4 operator FM-FM in ADL is yielding no sound? Every other algorithm seems to work okay, and for testing I just put all four osc levels to their highest settings.

The "4 ops" parameter in the top right corner is set to zero in the default patch. It determines the maximum number of 4 op voices the the chip(s) can play. Set it higher than zero and 4 op sounds will emerge. Pressing the lightbulb button will set it the the maximum available for the selected number of chips.

Also take note of the behaviour of the S knob with regards to lack of sound. When the sustain switch is engaged, it will work as expected, but with said switch disengaged, it will determine the level at which the decay stage is stopped. Which is very quickly indeed with S set high, resulting in just a little click.

And don't forget to check the algorithm help under "?" It'll show which operators are carriers, as well as how to select the algorithms.

I had it set to 8 on the 4 ops parameter, so that doesn't seem to be the issue.

To retest, here's what I did:

Opened Reaper
Created a new track with ADLMIDI
Played a key, heard a sound
Clicked on 4 op
Played a key, no sound
Clicked on light bulb, which set that setting to 8
Played a key, no sound
Turned all levels on all ops to max
Played a key, no sound
Moved all S dials to middle position
Played a key, no sound
Moved all S dials all the way to the right
Played a key, no sound
Moved all S dials all the way to the left
Played a key, no sound
Clicked on 2 op
Played a key, heard a sound

I also went searching through the presets to find one that is naturally set to 4 op but apparently there aren't any. I can't say I tried every preset but I did get through about 2/3rds of them selected semi randomly...

Any ideas?

[ontrackp]

So Mac users are out this month? Hmmmm.... how about a Mac only month???

[Tj Shredder]

So Mac users are out this month? Hmmmm.... how about a Mac only month???

Its running fine on Mac. If someone rejects it because its not running natively on M1 is beyond me. Its not CPU hungry and there is that Rosetta helping out…
I am more concerned about that seemingly hard coded vibrato connected to aftertouch. I would need to get into the code and repair it…
I suspect Juce being responsible for it, I came across another synth with this recently…

P.S. what about a Linux only OSC? It would make it easier to get into the top 5…;-)