One Synth Challenge #111: Crust by Eugene Yakshin (Jasinski Wins!)

[generaldiomedes]

That's an interesting point about filtering the noise.
Btw just in case somebody missed that: there is a dedicated tilt filter for each oscillator's noise. It's visible when the show/hide AM params switch is in the leftmost position.
But I understand the idea of having the noise have similar sort of spectral character as the osc does. I actually had this idea back when I wrote that part of the synth, but thought that I was overengineering. Perhaps I should give this idea a try after all.

I think this would be a great idea especially for timbres that aren’t necessarily percussive

[schiing]

I like seeing the number of each FX.

I started out being very conscientious about all of this, but I have to admit that after noticing that people seemed to be pretty lax about it, I didn't list the fx count last month. But you're right - it doesn't take very long to count them, and if someone finds it useful I'll definitely do it from now on.

I almost invariably use eq on every single track, so that corresponds fairly well with my synth count. Usually no extreme settings, just putting the focus on the relevant frequencies for the sounds, and high- and lowpassing them, so extreme frequencies don't stack up - saves me a lot of time when eq'ing groups and master, I find. In addition I might use 4 or 5 different eq's on the master - starting with the broad brushes, then focusing in, with smaller and smaller adjustments for each new eq.

For reverb I mostly use one main reverb on an fx bus, and one very subtly (3-4%) on the master. Sometimes I'll use a separate fx bus for snare and some solo reverb.

So far I've only used static external effects on all my entries, no big filter swipes or anything, but I considered some automation for a couple of wind gusts this round - looks like I might not use them after all, though.

[generaldiomedes]

I think if you want to know how a certain sound was made, just ask the person. Number of FX doesn’t tell me what track they were used on or how they were used. Even remix competitions with actually monetary prizes don’t require this level of documentation.

[doctorbob]

@Frostline - I may have been around a long time, but certainly don't profess to know all the rules & documentation. Many times things can be a matter of semantics. I think the only point I was trying to make was that without the noise being able to be filtered internally was perhaps an omission by the dev and that to get variations in the sound of the noise we would be minded to use an external filter, and as you say, many times this external processing has led to cries of "not legal" usually with e.g. distortion & chorus fx! In the end from what I have seen is that the only time people have been gently and nicely asked to change things is when they have used a commercial plugin or a once freebie has now become a paid for item. So no biggy there.

The final sanction is with Brian who could ask for the project file for the submitted track. I would bet this has never been done!

I'll shut up now and concentrate on making a track - don't want to pick a fight or annoy anyone, I like this place too much

dB

[progtronic]

I think if you want to know how a certain sound was made, just ask the person. Number of FX doesn’t tell me what track they were used on or how they were used. Even remix competitions with actually monetary prizes don’t require this level of documentation.

^ this

There's certain FX I'll use on almost every single track (limiters, channel strips, eq's, etc..).. and counting them is a real hassle (because I use a LOT of instances and tracks), particularly in Studio One.

There's many kinds of different buses that will generally have FX chains on them. One instrument may route through several before it meets the final master bus, and each will have its own chain of FX.

Then there's basic channels, generally with a chain of FX on each. Multi-instrument channels.. where literally each synth instance has it's own channel within a multi.. and can only be accessed by either opening the entire multi and clicking on each instance, or by opening the entire thing on the mixer with a dedicated button (per multi) and then scrolling through them all.

If there was a function I could select, that would tally up and list each separate effect.. in a logically combined order, that could be easily counted.. I would totally use it. As far as I can tell, there's nothing like that in S1.

[Frostline]

I think if you want to know how a certain sound was made, just ask the person. Number of FX doesn’t tell me what track they were used on or how they were used. Even remix competitions with actually monetary prizes don’t require this level of documentation.

^ Not this

Is it a rule for this contest that you list the number of FXs in the project?
Yes.

If you enter a contest should you follow all the rules of the contest?
Yes.
Or at least I think you should follow them. Feel free to petition to have the rule changed, but while a rule is in effect it should be followed shouldn't it?.
Or is it cool if I throw some drum samples in my track this month even though there is a rule about that?
It takes too much time to create a good drum sound, Reaper doesn't have a "make this synth sound like a drum" feature or otherwise I would totally use it. So since samples are easier it's all good yeah?

If one person can not gain value from something does that mean no one else can gain value from it?
No.

Does it matter in the slightest for this contest how other contests are run?
No.
But if you want we can compare to other contests where all project files must be posted with the submission and an essay describing how the track was made just as easily as we can compare to contests that only require the track. Either way this contest is not those contests. This contest has its own specific rules and I don't see "pick and choose" options on which rules need to be followed.

@Shiing. Thanks for the brief explanation of how you do some things. I gleaned some useful information out if it even if someone else might not be able to.

[TheNeverScene]

That's an interesting point about filtering the noise.
Btw just in case somebody missed that: there is a dedicated tilt filter for each oscillator's noise. It's visible when the show/hide AM params switch is in the leftmost position.
But I understand the idea of having the noise have similar sort of spectral character as the osc does. I actually had this idea back when I wrote that part of the synth, but thought that I was overengineering. Perhaps I should give this idea a try after all.

The tilt filter is great to get the color (wrong term here, I know), so please don't change that. But like you said, it would be nice to follow the spectral character of the osc through the filter, or even without the osc for resonant sweeps, etc.

[progtronic]

...If you enter a contest should you follow all the rules of the contest?
Yes.

OK.. let's just immediately disqualify the majority who have collectively come to a seemingly reasonable conclusion (as a community, over time) that a few of the rules seem excessive and unnecessary.

We'll let the two or three remaining folks, who actually followed every single rule, to the letter.. battle it out.

Wait!.. that guy actually used 238 instances of Klangelstein's Mixer Fixer, not the 237 he claimed to have used in his listings.. get him up against the wall!!

HOLY CRAP?! WAS THAT A TAPESTOP??!!

WATERBOARD THAT F**KER!!!

(I'll be here all week...)

[Frostline]

OK.. let's just immediately disqualify the majority who have collectively come to a seemingly reasonable conclusion (as a community, over time) that a few of the rules seem excessive and unnecessary.

So you know the conclusion of the majority community as a collective eh? Tell me comrade when was the secret meeting held where this majority opinion was decided on?
If this so called majority holds the opinion that a rule is unnecessary why have they not banded together to seize the ability to petition to have this oppressive yoke of a rule lifted from their shoulders? Why instead this meek silent protest of non-compliance if it is truly the majority opinion?
Could it possibly be that some people who you include in your majority are not standing with you in solidarity but simply standing because they see others stand and are unaware of the rational behind it? Put another way, they are not following a rule they are not aware of even being a rule perhaps? You count them as comrades, but are you so certain?

We'll let the two or three remaining folks, who actually followed every single rule, to the letter.. battle it out.

No comrade the collective cannot let those who follow the rules to continue. It is an oppressive reminder of the majorities failure to follow past oppression by the rules. Instead you must convict them of the thought-crime of thinking they are following the rules. Or better still craft new rules and convict them of not following them in the past. That way we are all equal in our shame victory over power.

I can hyperbole too.

[baalisoda]

FWIW, I always list out all the FX (and instances of it) in detail on all my submissions (both here as well as at Soundcloud description)

On topic - Can some nice soul out there help me design (if possible, guide me) a ok sounding kick (tight sounding with less subby edmish style tone to it) and snare (with decent body and long tail, ready for 80s style mixing) with this vst?

So far, whatever the trial and error method(s) that i have utilized have come a cropper.

Thanks in advance, guys!

[progtronic]

I can hyperbole too.

[Frostline]

On topic - Can some nice soul out there help me design (if possible, guide me) a ok sounding kick (tight sounding with less subby edmish style tone to it) and snare (with decent body and long tail, ready for 80s style mixing) with this vst?

@A you left-click and drag up to get more pitch range. Then use whatever your DAW does to move the knob per note trigger or draw the automation since no assignable env for pitch in Crust.
@B move toggle to left (two left clicks) to open lower display of needed knobs.
@C changes the density? of the noise so it is more traditional sounding.
@D changes the color or frequency curve of the noise.

Then it is more or less standard subtractive techniques. Though I have yet to figure out how to not have the noise come out of the synth so wide sounding, makes snare placement tricky.

Probably all stuff you figured out already and not much help.
But hey, I'm on topic finally.

[baalisoda]

On topic - Can some nice soul out there help me design (if possible, guide me) a ok sounding kick (tight sounding with less subby edmish style tone to it) and snare (with decent body and long tail, ready for 80s style mixing) with this vst?

@A you left-click and drag up to get more pitch range. Then use whatever your DAW does to move the knob per note trigger or draw the automation since no assignable env for pitch in Crust.
@B move toggle to left (two left clicks) to open lower display of needed knobs.
@C changes the density? of the noise so it is more traditional sounding.
@D changes the color or frequency curve of the noise.

Then it is more or less standard subtractive techniques. Though I have yet to figure out how to not have the noise come out of the synth so wide sounding, makes snare placement tricky.

Probably all stuff you figured out already and not much help.
But hey, I'm on topic finally.

Thank you so much for this huge help, mate!

@office right now, will sure try this once I get back home

[schiing]

On topic - Can some nice soul out there help me design (if possible, guide me) a ok sounding kick (tight sounding with less subby edmish style tone to it) and snare (with decent body and long tail, ready for 80s style mixing) with this vst?:

You don't have to automate the pitch. Here's a pitched '80s "Eastenders intro" tom with a long tail that can quite easily be turned into a snare or a kick - I'm leaving the transformation process to you.

tom.jpg

[baalisoda]

On topic - Can some nice soul out there help me design (if possible, guide me) a ok sounding kick (tight sounding with less subby edmish style tone to it) and snare (with decent body and long tail, ready for 80s style mixing) with this vst?:

You don't have to automate the pitch. Here's a pitched '80s "Eastenders intro" tom with a long tail that can quite easily be turned into a snare or a kick - I'm leaving the transformation process to you.

tom.jpg

Thanks again, sir! will try it at home in the evening