One-Synth-Challenge 29: String Theory - Submissions and gossip

[bzur]

- Cubase Comp

Tsk tsk..

I've nothing to say in my defense !!!
I'll replace it with another comp, if it infringes the rules. Let me know...

[IrionDaRonin]

- Cubase Comp

Tsk tsk..

I've nothing to say in my defense !!!
I'll replace it with another comp, if it infringes the rules. Let me know...

Don't worry, it doesn't infringe any rule. Just change it, and reload the new track. Problem solved.

I got a laugh too with V'ger comment. Haha.

Have a good day.

[V'ger]

Yes as long as songs comply with the rules before submission deadline, everything's fine.

Again, the rule is:

"External effects: Allowed but must be freeware and easily available to all except your DAW's native EQ which is ok."

I can understand the confusion when people are getting away with using Reaper host effects like Reacomp, ReaFir, JS stuff etc, but that's because they are also available as a free download to everyone. Cubase effects are strictly for Cubase and therefore not free or available to all..

[Doc Jon]

Doc Jon - Downstairs at Eric's

Upstairs the electronic synth revolution was beginning, meanwhile downstairs it was business as usual.....

Kept it simple this month due to time constraints and the fact that Cubase 64bit would only run String Theory in single core processor mode (a bit like trying to run VSTs on an abacus)

Host - Cubase

6 instances of String Theory

Freeware effects -
Kjaerhus Compressor on all channels
All channels routed to single instance of Kjaerhus Reverb as send effect
Kjaerhus Limiter on main channel

[IrionDaRonin]

I just was playing Soundcloud player to hear some entries, and this is the first time i'm listening a little "hish" white noise in the background when volume is high?

Is this new or i didn't noticed before?

[bzur]

Same here. It sounds like a sort of bitcrusher effect. New feature from soundcloud...? wow!

[IrionDaRonin]

I sent a message to them, when i know anything i will let you all know.
Stay tuned.

I don't like it...

[gorgorgathgorgorgor]

Okay dokay, here's my thing!

Gorgorgathgorgorgor - Rat Fink



8 instances of String Theory in Reaper



digitalfishphones Blockfish compressor

VOS Boot EQ

Audiocation Compressor

Cableguys Pancake

Voxengo OldSkoolVerb

VOS FerricTDS



Enjoy!

[IrionDaRonin]

This is all what i got from SoundCloud...

Hey there,

I'm not sure exactly the noise you're talking about, but it could be that our transcoding system can sometimes create audio artifacts, as we transcode all tracks to 128 kbps mp3 for streaming playback.

Thanks,
Parker

If they don't know even...

Have a good day.

[pocvecem]

Well, never say never, hehe.
In fact I have so much on my to do list (repairing the tractor, gardening, fix the roof, ...). But fortunately bad weather kept me from working outside.

So I got a little time to "squeeze" out a little easy tune. Yes, squeeze is the right word. First my Cubase refused to work stable with more than one instance of String Theory. The renaming trick didn't work since Cubi only recognized the first plugin. And one core is not enough ...
So I switched to Ableton Live which is imho not my favourite host for pure midi sequencing. And then I needed tons of eq and comp to tame the little resonance gremlins. Don't know how you got along with those.
This synth is a little beast but it can be very organic sounding. Sometimes I wished the sliders were a little bigger to find the sweet spot better and not turning a sound into some ear and speaker killing feedback.

But finally here is:

Easy SloMo (5:30, 112 bpm, f minor)

Host:
Ableton Live 8.2.2 on Windows7 64

18 x String Theory 1.5 (7 x Drum/Percussion, 11 x Instruments)

Insert FX:
15x Ableton EQ Eight
1 x TAL Filter
1 x TAL Filter-2 (used as panner)
1 x digitalphishphones Dominion Transient
3 x VarietyOfSound epic Verb
1 x TAL Dub-2 Delay
1 x TAL Bitcrusher
1 x tinbrooketales SaturatedDriver Compressor
4 x Kjaerhus Classic Compressor

Send FX:
1 x VarietyOfSound epic Verb
1 x Kjaerhus Classic Delay

Master Chain:
VarietyOfSound DensitymkII
Voxengo MSED
Ableton EQ Eight
VarietyOfSound BootEQmkII
tinbrooketales TLs-Maximizer

No sampling, freezing, bouncing,... song is playing in realtime.

So, enjoy and take it easy,
Gerald

[CapDan(X)]

Here's my entry: Theory and Practice

Host: FL Studio 10

28 Instances of String Theory (8 for drums)

FX: VarietyOfSound NastyDLA

and here's a strong theory:
"In theory, theory and practice are the same.
In practice, they are not."

In theory I could do better, in practice ... not.

Cheers,
CapDan

[bzur]

- Cubase Comp

Tsk tsk..

I've nothing to say in my defense !!!
I'll replace it with another comp, if it infringes the rules. Let me know...

Done! Now with Kjaerhus Classic Compressor.

[V'ger]

Cheers for the submissions guys

This is all what i got from SoundCloud...

Hey there,

I'm not sure exactly the noise you're talking about, but it could be that our transcoding system can sometimes create audio artifacts, as we transcode all tracks to 128 kbps mp3 for streaming playback.

Thanks,
Parker

If they don't know even...

Quite nice to get a reply from them, but I can't hear the new artifact you are which is strange.

What SoundCloud really should do is not transcode mp3's already in the right format, but I guess it's easier than to have a file detection system. Still a bit strange for a sound site..

[HiEnergy]

My entry is named "Strings in theory".

This track was prototyped with Synfire Pro 1.2 and produced with Reaper 3.76

4 * String Theory
4 * Cockos ReaEQ (native EQ)
1 * Cockos ReaComp (native compressor)
1 * Kjaerhus Classic Limiter

I hope you like it.

[IrionDaRonin]

Contest Song

Song Name: I would tell you...
Song Composer: Irion Da Ronin

Equip

OS: Windows XP x32
Memory RAM: 2 GBs DDR
CPU 2,66 MHZ
SoundBlaster Extigy SoundCard
SkullCandy 20-20000 Hz HeadPhones
FL Studio and ASIO4All Drivers

Instances

Synths: 18 instances of String Theory.

• ·1 Synth: Bassline (Main Host EQ)
  
  ·1 Synth: Spanish Nylon Guitar (MGTempo Delay, TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  ·1 Synth: Gayageum Korean Pluck Instrument (MGTempo Delay, TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  ·1 Synth: Reversal Plucks FX (MGTempo Delay, TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  ·1 Synth: Tiny Asian Arps (MGTempo Delay, TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  
  ·1 Synth: Metallic Wind Lead (TAL-Reverb 3)
  ·1 Synth: Steel Guitar Chords (TAL-Reverb 3)
  ·1 Synth: Stell Guitar Portamento (TAL-Reverb 3)
  
  ·1 Synth: Violins Pads (TAL-Reverb 3, Main Host EQ)
  ·1 Synth: Cello Pads (TAL-Reverb 3, Main Host EQ)
  ·1 Synth: Daegeum Korean Wind Instrument (TAL-Reverb 3, MGTempoDelay, LFO Volume Automation)

Percussion

• ·1 Synth: DrumKick 1 (TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  ·1 Synth: Darbuka Stab (TAL-Reverb 3, Loudmax)
  ·1 Synth: Fluttering Birds Slap (TAL-Reverb 3, MGTempoDelay)
  ·1 Synth: Slap 2 (TAL-Reverb 3)
  ·1 Synth: Metal Blips (TAL-Reverb 3)
  ·1 Synth: DrumKick 2
  ·1 Synth: Tiny Metallic Arp

Effects

Main Mixer Channel: Thomas Mundt Loudmax and FLUX Stereo Tool. I didn't use too much EQ this time, due i used the built-in filters from synth. Only used EQ on Bassline and Pads.
Free Effects Used: TAL-Reverb III, MGTempoDelay, Flux Stereo Tool and Thomas Mundt Loudmax.
Built-In Synth Effect used: Delay, Metalizer, Arpeggiator.

Explanation

18 synths String Theory mixed with free effects in a structured song.
Used Main Host EQ only in Bass and Pads, due i used the built-in filters from the synth.
Automations: Only the Master Volume to fade out.
An ambient-instrumental 5:46 minutes length love song for relax.

Notes

No freezing or bouncing, the song was made in real time. With the obvious CPU spikes, etc.
If you listen carefully, and read the names of the "patches" you could read the story written below with your ears.

Due the Gayageum and the spanish guitar sounds alike, i panned each instrument, one to right and one to left.
I really enjoyed making this song because is full of sentiment.
You all know what love is. And what can makes with your mind sometimes.
I made all the velocity notes different manually, due i haven't MIDI keyboard. So i tried all sounds like alive and heartfelt. Was a hard work.

Another thing what really took me too many time too was the title. "Asian beauty", "Oriental princess", "My asian lover", "The distance between us".
But i decided to let the first title it had, "I would tell you..." because in the song there is no beauty, or princess, it just an impossible love story, a kind of desire, and hope.

Two different cultures, two different beats, two different main instruments, two different panoramics.

Anyway, i will make a proper song from this with "real" instruments when i have time. MiniDizi VST is awesome for the wind thing. So i will change somethings in the future "improved" song.
The girl on the pic, is her. Beautiful, right?

The song

• First was the loneliness. The cold steel vibrating, marking and accompanying the steps of our lives.
  
  I was playing a melody. With a spanish nylon guitar.
  That night you appeared in my life.
  Suddently I got a sentiment, like birds fluttering in my heart.
  I could feel the rhythm of my heart beating, accelerated.
  I wanted to fly...
  
  You were playing your own asian melody. In the far East.
  I could listen the melancholy gayageum sound somewhere in the oriental coast.
  What is a melody? A whole lifetime.
  
  At the moment, we are far away from the other yet.
  There is a great distance between us.
  
  Maybe someday we will be playing our song together. At same time.
  And feel our hearts beating at one voice.
  That is something that only the destiny knows.
  
  But what i know is... We are lucky.
  
  Because we know about the other...
  Because we are alive...
  Because we have our feet in the same planet, in the same time...
  
  Time...
  It's just a matter of time...
  
  I would tell you too many things... so wait for me...

Dedicated to Jin. A special korean girl to me. The inspiration of this track.

If there is any problem with the song, just let me know, as usually.
Just enjoy my two tracks this month, i hope you all like them, and good luck everyone