One Synth Challenge #108: Diodow by HrastProgrammer (Schiing Wins!)

[schiing]

Yep. If you ever want to throw those patches out there for grabs, let me know. They cover a lot of ground for that late 70's sound L.O.V.E.I.T.! I don't use presets, but I would use those things like mad.

That's a badge of honor!

I'll definitely pack up a zip and post it for anyone who wants it (it's very well organized ) - maybe we should wait until after the competition? I feel like they're part of my weaponry against the fierce competition here at OSC!

[schiing]

But hey, I was just thinking - after all, the whole point of this thing is to share and learn. And I have absolutely no problem sharing them whatsoever - that's probably more in the spirit of things around here?? Tell me what's the right thing to do and I'll do it!

[TheNeverScene]

Well, if you feel the trust to PM that zip, I promise not to use it against you! lol and my lips will be sealed for eternity...but I can wait til after the comp....like an over anxious child 3 weeks before Christmas

[Taron]

@schiing
That's awesome! Thanks, schiing!
...now you make me check which track that was, haha.... it's late here already, getting tired.
Hmmm...sometimes it's quite fun to listen to old tracks. I don't do that very often. Not like December would be that long ago....(still tired)
Well, could hardly feel more flattered, considering the powerful understanding you showcase there! I wished my Jazz stack would be that complete. Crazy good!

[TheNeverScene]

Shiing has emerged as a jazzy Guenon and a retro Taron, so his name is now Shiingon.

[schiing]

Hmmm...sometimes it's quite fun to listen to old tracks. I don't do that very often.

Oh, I expect we all get sick and tired of our tracks once they're done - we listen to them so many times during the making that other people must surely think we're crazy. Well, I know I do If we still enjoy listening to them when they're finished, there's probably something wrong with them

Well, could hardly feel more flattered, considering the powerful understanding you showcase there! I wished my Jazz stack would be that complete. Crazy good!

Thanks! I've listened and have no doubt - so are yours!

[schiing]

Shiing has emerged as a jazzy Guenon and a retro Taron, so his name is now Shiingon.

Righton!

[TheNeverScene]

Righton!

I see what you did there!

[Frostline]

I took him to mean an automation parameter, but you’re right, the modulation you get with pitch bend going into a matrix seems to blend it with the MIDI pitch data, and works effectively like a relative offset.

I did mean automation parameter.
For example on the init patch (I think mine is still actually init anyway) set the filter level for osc2 so it can be heard.
On mod matrix set env1 to osc2pitch (the 3rd choice in the list) and set the amount to +.5
Play a C4 and you will get osc1 playing C4 and osc2 playing G4. And root note doesn't matter you always get a 5th chord.
Or if you want the inverted 5th set the env1 amount to approximately -.245 (just a quick by ear example I think you made a chart with actual values or at least the formula for calculating it but I don't have it handy). And again the root note doesn't seem to matter the interval remains constant (or close enough in the 4 octave range I tested).
Down at the bottom of the list of the mod matrix destination box is one just called pitch which seems a global do all 4 osc at once and in sync.

So what I was thinking was mapping the PB wheel to that pitch parameter(or at least each individual osc#pitch parameter and trying to set full up on PBW to be equal to an octave and full down to also be an octave. Was not sure how I was going to set PBW for a different down value than up value but since the parameter does not appear to be exposed to host I didn't get to experiment and I probably would not have gotten it to work anyway.

It would be a good improvement over the notchy nature of transposing the midi for those who actually want to glide through the pitch range like a slide whistle rather than the sliding a hand up a keyboard with distinct notes. But I suppose one could get by just going one direction and setting the amount in the mod matrix to the correct amount depending on which direction they want to slide to a specific target.
_________

@TNS
The best way I was able to wrap my mind around the envelopes is to use the oscilloscope(length 2 sec, range where it doesn't chop the top off) in Reaper and experimentation with env4 while having a loop of various length notes play with gaps between so the release doesn't corrupt the attack stage.
Set the env power sliders to different amounts so you can see how the level changes with the time set by the sliders on the left. You can also see how the ramps log vs exp can shape the slopes between the stages. It really helped me get a slight grasp of what the envelopes are capable of.
Then just try to remember (which is the bit I keep forgetting) the env1-3 can be set to negative values on the power sliders but the timing and curves seem to be the same.

[TheNeverScene]

I was thinking that whatever root note you played on the keyboard would be confined to the designated frequency (as well as any additional fifths etc) using the set frequency parameter, if we're talking the one in the osc section, and would rely solely on modulation or automation to change the pitch(es).

I'm gonna try the oscilloscope and see if that helps with some visualization. Right now, I feel like I've created similar ADSRs with completely different settings. Scratched my head nearly bald this month.

[cturner]

So what I was thinking was mapping the PB wheel to that pitch parameter(or at least each individual osc#pitch parameter and trying to set full up on PBW to be equal to an octave and full down to also be an octave.

I went over to thepiz site a grabbed a copy of pbcurve, which seems to be just what you'd want:

https://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=midiPBCurve

It seems to run fine in Reaper's 32bit bridge. So to get a PB in the range of +- an octave, you'd want a curve that looked something like this:

pbcurve.png

The points are:
x 0 y 4309
x 4136 y 5802
x 8208 y 8191 (0,0)
x 12247 y 11605
x 16383 y 16383

This basically sets +- octave, and +- 6 semitones. I'll see if I can run some computation in the next two days, and least provide the 127 pbcurve x/y values--or better--an FXP file.

So I used Diodow's ModMatrix, not the MIDIModMatrix, Source = Pitchbend, Destination = Osc1Pitch, Amount up full. Obviously, pbcurve in the same track as Diodow, and before it in sequence.

HTH

[Frostline]

I went over to thepiz site a grabbed a copy of pbcurve, which seems to be just what you'd want:

https://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=midiPBCurve

Wow, that was exactly what I wanted, just didn't know it before.

The points are:
x 0 y 4309
x 4136 y 5802
x 8208 y 8191 (0,0)
x 12247 y 11605
x 16383 y 16383

Putting the points in is very fiddly. I can't seem to move the pointer up/down without a bit of shimmy left/right. So I only did the first one. I'm not skilled enough with the PBwheel to accurately halt to where the accurate middle of each side of center is anyway. I'm more a hit the end stops kind of player.
My ears didn't like the x0,y4309 setting though.
Much prefer x0,y4096 and a quick check with ReaTune agrees.

But it is a perfect solution to the issue. PB 100% fixed now for me so thank you very much.

[Guenon]

Great job on the track, schiing! And on the contrary, I think it's very much in a genre that can find a lot of appreciation here! A beautiful showcase of the synth, and wonderfully retro.

Also nice to see the parameter remapping stuff, thanks for digging in cturner. Piz midi plugins for the win, haha. They are cool tools, aren't they?

[] Peter:H []

Yep. If you ever want to throw those patches out there for grabs, let me know. They cover a lot of ground for that late 70's sound L.O.V.E.I.T.! I don't use presets, but I would use those things like mad.

That's a badge of honor!

I'll definitely pack up a zip and post it for anyone who wants it (it's very well organized ) - maybe we should wait until after the competition? I feel like they're part of my weaponry against the fierce competition here at OSC!

Yes packing up presets is not a bad idea...some of mine, that I used for my two Thorn-only tracks actually ended up on Thorns Website (me bit of proud): http://dmitrysches.com/sounds/sounds-thorn
Anyway: The more up-to-date pack for Thorn is shared here on KVR: https://www.kvraudio.com/banks.php?s=author&id=385862. That was a tip coming from a fellow OSCer...was that you, Frostline?
And that said, I would suggest to share your presets on KVR the same way as well. Positive side effect is that they are going to be in google search results, and you can add some tags. Both makes it easier for fellow misicans to find your presets. But it's up to you how you want to share your presets, I'm just thinking loud...

[cturner]

My ears didn't like the x0,y4309 setting though. Much prefer x0,y4096 and a quick check with ReaTune agrees.

I made that with a quick visual reference via a spectrum analyzer. I’m not surprised it’s out of tune. I’ll try to get a preset for pbcurve with the actual math done in the next day.

Glad to help out, all the best!