Tone2 I2 vs Trueno Analog

[EvilDragon]

It's an interesting concept because they split the engine. Analog oscillators, analog modulation, filters on the stick and the rest like the LFO's , Envelopes, effects are in the software.

LFOs, envelopes and effects are also on the stick. Software just sends data to control things.

[Highvoltage]

I'm curious though, how much is left open to reprogram the software part, like for future updates with firmware.

[Ingonator]

Well that makes no sense to me, as there are plenty of digitally controlled analogue synths which offer complex modulation, and have a full analogue signal path. Take Elektron for example...only the FX send passes into the digital realm.

Or a newer Moog..."The Sub 37 is an analogue/digital hybrid with an analogue signal path controlled by digitally generated modulators and contour generators."

Yes, Sub 37 has DACs in order to execute those modulations and store presets. It doesn't have to make sense to you, but it's a fact: where there's digital control, there are DACs. Plain and simple. Write it 100 times on the blackboard!

ok...but as I see it the signal isn't being converted in itself — the audio remains fully analogue. I think there's some confusion here between digital processing of the path for control/recall and digital conversion of the actual audio signal.

I again use my Waldorf Pulse 2 as an example also as i own one here and had a lok at the circuit board a few times.
This includes a DAC integrated with the CPU to convert digitally created modulations into control voltages that are sent to the analog circuits. On the other hand the CPU coudl also contain certain analog circuits taht could be part of the synth engine. Really depends on which CPU you use.
The analog Osc, noise source, filter, VCA and analog drive FX circuits directly end in the anlog audio outputs without DA/AD conversion. This means the signal path is indeed mostly analog.

Usually as the "signal path" of a synth the parts of the synth that create audio are are meant which is oscs, noise source, filter, VCA and effects. Modulation sources usually do not seem to be regarded as part of the signal path even if this might be wrong. This is especialy problematic if a lfo could go up to audio rate modulations (= above 20 Hz).

[braj]

Truneo apparently uses Osc 3 as an optional LFO, from the screen shot of the plugin. So at least one LFO source can be analog, I guess.

[EvilDragon]

...or digital, if you use one of digital waveforms. Osc 3 could also be used for audio rate modulation too, not just LFO.

[Highvoltage]

But you can't control the PWM with the LFO or the Envelopes, which is kind of a big bummer for me.
And you cant put Osc3 to non tracking mode, and into lfo-mode.

I hope this can be solved with the software side.

[tripleflows]

I really like this concept of ditching hw UI but getting sounds from analogue path, integrated into DAW.

Has anyone tried it in real?

[Ingonator]

One long argument later, I basically agree with ghettosynth. It's not an analog synth. It's an analog plugin. You plug it into your PC and you have an analog synth in your DAW. If you think of it that way, not in terms of the synths you already know, it might make more sense who this will appeal to.
It's an interesting concept.

https://waldorfmusic.com/en/hardware-archive/afb-16

quoted from there:

The AFB16 Analog Filter Bank was the world's first "analog plug-in", making it a totally unique innovation.
Combining the sonic superiority of Waldorf’s analog technology with the flexibility of a digital musical computer system, the Waldorf AFB16 can be seamlessly integrated into the computer-based production environment of the modern studio.

Connecting the AFB16 to the computer using a standard USB cable, the AFB16 automatically integrates itself into the digital production environment making 16 real analog filters available to any compatible host system. Full dynamic control of the filters is achieved inside the host system and plug-ins like the ROT Analog Filter Step Sequencer, the PPG Red or the Messing.

FWIW AFB-16 was created back in 2003...
There seemed to be a special version of PPG Wave 2.V for it called "PPG Red".

[EvilDragon]

...and it also made Waldorf file for bankupcy

[ZaBong69]

I really like this concept of ditching hw UI but getting sounds from analogue path, integrated into DAW.

Has anyone tried it in real?

Amazon has it on its way. Will try it a few hours when it comes.

[ENV1]

Analog oscillators, analog modulation, filters on the stick and the rest like the LFO's , Envelopes, effects are in the software.

I dont think thats correct. (Source?)

As i understand it the software merely serves as a substitute for a hardware chassis, i.e. a graphical interface to access the sticks electronics while all of the action (sound generation, modulation, etc.) is taking place on the stick itself.

Would be surprised if this turned out not to be true. A lot of its appeal would be down the drain.

[elassi]

Now gimme that tube EQ on an USB stick.

[Cinebient]

I really like this concept of ditching hw UI but getting sounds from analogue path, integrated into DAW.

Has anyone tried it in real?

Amazon has it on its way. Will try it a few hours when it comes.

Oh great. Tell us more about it if you got some time to play with it.

[ghettosynth]

Analog oscillators, analog modulation, filters on the stick and the rest like the LFO's , Envelopes, effects are in the software.

I dont think thats correct. (Source?)

As i understand it the software merely serves as a substitute for a hardware chassis, i.e. a graphical interface to access the sticks electronics while all of the action (sound generation, modulation, etc.) is taking place on the stick itself.

Would be surprised if this turned out not to be true. A lot of its appeal would be down the drain.

Why? Unless I'm missing something, that would be a reasonably approach. The LFOs and EGs are not (analog) hardware, for that there is absolutely isn't enough hardware there on the chip, so there's not much difference between having them run on the host vs having them run on an embedded processor. The only real concern that I can think of would be unpredictable timing across the USB port, but, that's probably well with bounds of reasonableness for this product. It won't be the quoted 17ms, that's for the audio coming in the other direction.

[EvilDragon]

Exactly unpredictable timing over USB kinda makes me thing they AREN'T sending modulation from the plugin into the hardware. It wouldn't make a lot of sense...