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

[NeuKatalYst]

Thanks, Richard!

[67maxx]

...

[doctorbob]

Some interpretation of the rules will always have some grey areas. Not everything can be black and white. In the main, from what I observe, the usual reason for a question is about how far to push this and that part of the rules - maybe even bending them as far as they can!

I for one have always tried to keep well below the notion of a even a mild use of certain devices (eg distortion, bit-crushing etc). But then perhaps the music I make does not call for these types of FX.

In the end, i pretty much ignore the discussions about this and that because, to be honest, it rarely, if at all, applies to what I do. I simply don't stress about it at all. Perhaps over time (... a looooong time), I have learnt to cope and just get on with things in my own way. My music is for me, and if others like it, all well and good, if not, well, that's fine as well.

Just my personal take on things. Coming from the past days when FX were more simple, you had to make your own etc, I guess I just let these things roll by, almost not noticing them

dB

[BlitBit]

[...] but I still see too many grey areas in the rules. My intention is just to offer a suggestion for clarity, [...]

IMO there are many grey areas because not everything can be clarified completely and in a "water-tight" fashion.

So I propose to simply use what you interpret as fitting the rules and to go by the principle "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission" which applies to many situations in life. Very often the former is not even necessary.

[3lu5iv3]

Is it okay to bounce the 1 bar midi into an audio file and then chop it to individual pieces and change the pitch using the pitch knob(Reaper)?

[RichardSemper]

Is it okay to bounce the 1 bar midi into an audio file and then chop it to individual pieces and change the pitch using the pitch knob(Reaper)?

Absolutely Not!

See the rules (under 'samples')
https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules

[3lu5iv3]

Is it okay to bounce the 1 bar midi into an audio file and then chop it to individual pieces and change the pitch using the pitch knob(Reaper)?

Absolutely Not!

See the rules (under 'samples')
https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/rules

Ah i see, thanks.

[Starsickle]

I tried to resist, but I work fast, simple, and sometimes I drive myself crazy and need to move on.

I'm done! Here it is: Nebulous Journey.

7 Tracks, powered by FLStudio and Quilcomm's Trout. Maximus for loudness.

Based on various incarnations of the Trautonium - a Synth Design originating in the 1930's. I chose Trout because I've wanted to try my hand as something very old and very strange with the plugin. And oh my - it's strange.

Cover is AI generated this time - Colors and some things fixed/added afterwards. My blender skills aren't THAT good.

Early synths defined some of the sounds and vibes that powered Science Fiction, so I went with something that evoked a dangerous and strange job in space. Enjoy!

EDIT: I have updated my track (26AUG2025) based on suggestions and with some additions.

https://soundcloud.com/user-299616995/s ... us-journey

[PeterBPL]

About rules - since commercial FX are allowed and commercial synths are allowed, then it shouldn't be a big deal if someone uses some nice FX. After all some synths have really extreme built-in FXs (like "guitar architect" in MSoundFactory for example; I am talking about using it as a synth, not as a sample player). So for example - I want to use a little less complex synth (Babylon 2 in my case). And I want to use some external EQs, compressors etc. (they're for sure allowed) but also DropKick for adjust kick drum a little. I see nothing wrong with that (transient shapers are allowed too). But if someone wants to use something more complex then why not? As long as single synth will be used as instrument and external FX do not change sound drastically (like creating evolving pad from pure saw), it should be allowed. For me it's more strange when someone uses external reverb when synth has great built-in one.

[bzz]

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.

[PeterBPL]

(...)

[z.prime]

Given that Richard has said "samplers and romplers are specifically not allowed per the rules", I would think that sadly would exclude classic synths such as the Korg M1 and Wavestation. Personally, I don't see any huge advantage using those over something like Serum or Vital, so I would be happy for people to use them, but I don't think they are allowed based on what's been said. I think specifically the Korg Wavestate was mentioned as being a rompler and not allowed, which is a newer version of the Wavestation from my understanding and would support the assertion that the Wavestation is a rompler, too.

[bzz]

I just played around with the Wavestation a bit, and honestly, it doesn't offer much of an advantage — just some percussion sounds that are really very close to what SQ8L can do. I've decided to put something together with it anyway, even if just for myself. If I'm told not to enter or am disqualified, never mind

[MadMcMan]

My assumption / example: Vitals built in Phaser is allowed, Bitwigs Phaser+ not. Right?

Is bitwig's phaser+ not in polygrid? you could select that as your synth.

[The Sound Of Merlin]

My Entry for this celebration round: https://soundcloud.com/thesoundofmerlin ... io-ps-3300

29 instances of PS-3300 by Cherry Audio
Reverbs: Body &Soul by TSOM, VertiVerb by Audiority and VitaliumVerb
Delays: Deelay by Sixth Sample and Dual Delay X by UVI
EQ: Claro by Sonnox and Graphic EQ by Viator
Compression: FET-76 by Arturia
Enhancer: Type B by Audiothing
Mastering: Smart:Limiter and Smart:EQ4 by Sonible

Please note: I haven't used any distortion or saturation plugin to create the guitar tone. It's all been synthesized in PS-3300