Fathom Synth Development Thread

[yellowmix]

Computer Music 339 Autumn Issue introduced a new CM Suite of plugins. On page 13 it has an "In Remembrance" callout listing plugins no longer included. One of these is Seaweed Audio Fathom CM. Pouring one out.

[Benjamin923]

The upgrade page on Fathom wasn't working for me when I tried just now (no server response, I haven't updated in a long time). I emailed support. Anyone else had issues with this/is the support email responsive?

[ReverendLove]

Mh...
I cannot authorize it on my new machine.
It tells me: Server not foumd

[gentleclockdivider]

For years during Fathom's development I struggled with finding the exact technical reason why a very select handful of soft synths sound so much more hardware like than anything else on the market. These would include Omnisphere, Lennar Digital Sylenth and uHe Diva. This trick can not be found anywhere in the DSP literature because the companies that know this secret are understandably reluctant to share it. However, after working on the project for over eight years now I believe I have discovered it. Only recently it occurred to me. I can't discuss it in detail but it is related to the most rudamentary mathematics of how the sound is generated. So a short time ago I began a redesign of Fathom's entire sound engine using this technology and will be releasing this sometime in 2024. This will also include analog emulation down to the individual partial level for a true hardware sound. This will mean that a Seaweed Audio synth will not only have more features and parameters than most (if not all) soft synths on the market but the best analog sound or at least equal to the leaders mentioned.

You make it sound like there is one magical algoritm that makes certain synths sound like hardware , sorry but that is hogwash .

[RPH]

In my opinion the UI should have just gotten an overhaul, some parts are not logical or difficult to work with.
The examples he names have a good/easy workflow.

[rtoip]

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[El°HYM]

Server is still offline but you don't need it.
I made sure the latest release did not need the server for the license.
Just drop the plugin where you normally would and it will run.

Yes, I still check this thread regularly.
However it often goes months without a comment so sometimes I forget to take a look every day.
Normally a few times a week.

Don't forget you can always reach me through my company email.
I have to check that every morning for download requests
so you will almost always get a response within a day.

[Inversion Of Control]

Mh...
I cannot authorize it on my new machine.
It tells me: Server not foumd

Two years ago I asked a question here on the forum - is the synthesizer still being developed ? I did this before purchasing the program, feeling that something was going wrong. Several people acted as the author's advocates and the author himself laconically stated that the product did not fail. Although I have seen a similar situation many times - the indications showing the failure are always the same. And here you go, two years later not only is there no new version of the product but there are also problems with authorization or ongoing support. What will happen next ? Well, the developer will appear after some time assuring that everything is fine, and then disappear again for half a year without even addressing the current problems. The pattern is always the same, for example Vital. It's sad that current and potential new customers are treated this way.

which is shame cause Vital and Fathom are two of my favourite synths

[osiris]

I got the new CM Fathom. It sounds amazing. Still don't like the UI. I don't understand why it uses more CPU than the Virus TI vst.

[FrankH]

I started a new project, FATHOM is my synth choice this week. Made quick progress with this patch. Kind of a glitchy percussive thing.
https://soundcloud.com/user-194933727/f ... al_sharing

[FathomSynth]

I just set up email notifications to my support email when there is a comment in this thread so hopefully that will work. I used to check this thread daily but there were no comments from May to September so I got out of the habit.

In regard to general responsiveness. I always check the support email daily and I usually respond there with download links in a day or two at the most. So if you need a quick response it is worth trying that.

In regard to the server not found. You do not need to run the license installer on that latest version. Just drop the files in where your host expects them and you are good to go. I did that because I knew we were moving and I did not want any customers left stranded.

In regard to "Hogwash". My apologies. From now on I'll say less here about the DSP until it is proven.

"Current problems"? Of what problems do you speak? I've had one bug report in the last six months and that was a VST3 issue. All others were resolved over a year ago. I get emails every day asking for the download link and I usually respond in twenty four hours or two days at the most. This thread is a general discussion forum. If anyone needs a quick response please try the support email which, like I said, I check every day.

"Still being developed". What features in particular are you looking for?

In regard to UI overhaul. OK, now that's a good point. I agree on this one. Fathom is too complex for many new users and needs an easy page to get started. Also the graphics need to be updated and I've started looking into more modern GUI control packages. I personally always preferred Fathom's workflow to any other synth which is why I developed it in the first place but I understand that is highly subjective. Keep in mind most soft synths have a single front panel while Fathom has literally a hundred pages of parameters so that has always been a UI challenge. Many people have commented that they find it overwhelming at first.

[RPH]

Hi Everett,

Thanks for taking the time to respond here.

"Still being developed". What features in particular are you looking for?

- For me, I remember once suggesting a re-synthesis option in Fathom.
When doing some sounddesign would love to record the "output" and render it back into an oscillator and build on that some more.

In regard to UI overhaul. OK, now that's a good point. I agree on this one. Fathom is too complex for many new users and needs an easy page to get started. Also the graphics need to be updated and I've started looking into more modern GUI control packages. I personally always preferred Fathom's workflow to any other synth which is why I developed it in the first place but I understand that is highly subjective. Keep in mind most soft synths have a single front panel while Fathom has literally a hundred pages of parameters so that has always been a UI challenge. Many people have commented that they find it overwhelming at first.

Maybe a flat UI design as an option, we can already change the color scheme.

I like the workflow as well, but e.g. the effects could use a easy/advanced switch.
That principle can also be used for the LFO/ADSR, instead of what we have now (seperate items) insert a LFO or ADSR and decide in that module if you want the easy view or advanced.

For me it's about adding elements quickly to get a result, e.g. the delay has so many options I barely touch. Bet new users run into the same.

Cheers,

Rob

[FathomSynth]

Rob,

Hi. Yes, I definitely agree. There needs to be a design philosophy prioritized which allows users to get to their sound faster. This would apply to oscillators, modulators and especially the Detune which could be done with a single dial like most synths. Some great ideas. I really appreciate it.

Oh, and the email notification seems to be working now because I was alerted by email of your post so that is good news that I finally found the right settings. That will allow me to be more responsive here.

[RPH]

I'm getting some unexpected behavior from selecting waveforms in the metamorphic Oscillator.
Made a video to show what happens.

When I insert the metamorphic osc, it comes with a default waveform in slot 0 and 1.
I press the waveform view to change waveform 0, I set it to a sine.
Next i rotate the knob to waveform slot 1, and press the waveform view.
It doesn't show the default waveform for that slot, but the sine. So I can't edit the default waveform for slot 1, it's gone.
OK nvm, I want to set waveform slot 1 to a saw.
I press the waveform view, while the knob is at waveform slot 1, and I set a saw and exit.

Slot 0 now contains a sine and slot 1 a saw.
I now want to change waveform slot 1 from a sine to something else, so I rotate the knob back to the left and press the waveform view. I get to see a saw, not the sine. I exit the view and now waveform slot 0 is also a saw.

What happened to my sine? It doesn't seem to remember what the slots contain.

[FathomSynth]

Rob, I've seen the same behavior myself but I thought I fixed that in the latest release. Which version are you running? I will do the same thing tonight per your instructions and see if I can recreate the problem in order to make a fix release.