STRANG 2: a classic subtractive synth with a living body (v2.0.3 - resizable UI + offline activation)

[quantasticalsound]

I tried deleting the plugin and reinstalling but there must be a setting in the registry somewhere that keeps track of the trial activation because it still loads without giving me an activation option.

Question: What happens when the 14 day trial expires? Will it then give me the option to activate or will it simply stop working?

FWIW, I think you should consider a different activation method of at least incorporate a menu option to activate if in trial mode.

Theres an update on the website now! 2.0.2 and it gives you the tools you need to access your license. This is how it was supposed to be but another little slip from me.

[nordickvr]

Moonbase offers the option to authorize/use a plugin totally offline without any “phone home” routine necessary.
Is this the case with Strang?

[Teksonik]

Okay now that I've had a chance to use STRÄNG on a proper system with higher quality headphones I can say that it is indeed a wonderful sounding synth.

As with any synth the three main factors are the type of sounds it can make, the quality of those sounds, and perhaps most importantly the character or "flavor" the synth has.

While I can do the type of sounds it can make with some of the other synths in my collection, STRÄNG has a very pleasing character and appealing flavor that certainly makes it worthy of adding to your arsenal in my opinion.

I'll second the request for an INIT patch as it's always nice to start with a blank canvas. It's easy to make one with other synths but with a new and unconventional architecture it's hard to know what the "zero point" is.

A resizable GUI would be welcome here since I'm old AF and my eyes suck. It's getting harder and harder to see smaller elements even with specialized glasses made for studio work.

All in all I think this synth has a promising future.

[quantasticalsound]

Moonbase offers the option to authorize/use a plugin totally offline without any “phone home” routine necessary.
Is this the case with Strang?

Right now it's online activation, and after that it runs offline, only needing to reach the server about once a month. Fully offline activation is supported by Moonbase and on my near-term roadmap, it's just not exposed in the UI yet.

Dealbreaker for you?

[quantasticalsound]

Okay now that I've had a chance to use STRÄNG on a proper system with higher quality headphones I can say that it is indeed a wonderful sounding synth.

As with any synth the three main factors are the type of sounds it can make, the quality of those sounds, and perhaps most importantly the character or "flavor" the synth has.

While I can do the type of sounds it can make with some of the other synths in my collection, STRÄNG has a very pleasing character and appealing flavor that certainly makes it worthy of adding to your arsenal in my opinion.

I'll second the request for an INIT patch as it's always nice to start with a blank canvas. It's easy to make one with other synths but with a new and unconventional architecture it's hard to know what the "zero point" is.

A resizable GUI would be welcome here since I'm old AF and my eyes suck. It's getting harder and harder to see smaller elements even with specialized glasses made for studio work.

All in all I think this synth has a promising future.

This means a lot, especially after the rough first run, really glad it clicked on a proper system.

That "character/flavor" is the thing I cared about most. STRANG is full of personal decisions, and a few deliberate oddities in the signal chain. I've basically tried to pour 30+ years of producing into how it sounds, so hearing that land is the best feedback I could get.

INIT patch: agreed, and you're right that it matters more here, the architecture is unconventional so "zero" isn't obvious. I'll add a proper INIT/blank-canvas patch so there's a clear starting point. Good call, and noted it's a second request.

Resizable GUI: heard. It's a bigger job than the others, so no date promise, but it's on the list. Accessibility matters, and old-AF eyes deserve bigger knobs.

Thanks for coming back and giving it a proper go.

[nordickvr]

Moonbase offers the option to authorize/use a plugin totally offline without any “phone home” routine necessary.
Is this the case with Strang?

Right now it's online activation, and after that it runs offline, only needing to reach the server about once a month. Fully offline activation is supported by Moonbase and on my near-term roadmap, it's just not exposed in the UI yet.

Dealbreaker for you?

Thank you for the follow up!
“Dealbreaker for you?”
Yes, the moment it’s supported, I go for it.
Would it be before the end of the intro price?

[quantasticalsound]

Moonbase offers the option to authorize/use a plugin totally offline without any “phone home” routine necessary.
Is this the case with Strang?

Right now it's online activation, and after that it runs offline, only needing to reach the server about once a month. Fully offline activation is supported by Moonbase and on my near-term roadmap, it's just not exposed in the UI yet.

Dealbreaker for you?

Thank you for the follow up!
“Dealbreaker for you?”
Yes, the moment it’s supported, I go for it.
Would it be before the end of the intro price?

Thank you for the follow up!
“Dealbreaker for you?”
Yes, the moment it’s supported, I go for it.
Would it be before the end of the intro price?
[/quote]

Ill make it my top priority then. and yes it will be before the intro price ends. Im on it!

[wagtunes]

Where are the presets stored? I'm trying to create a library but it looks like the presets are stored internally in the plugin. There doesn't seem to be a folder anywhere.

Exciting, cant wait to hear them!

Saving presets: dial in a sound, hit Save in the PRESETS tab (or Cmd/Ctrl+S), give it a name. It's written to your user presets folder and shows up in the "User" lane in the browser.

Folder:
- macOS: ~/Library/Audio/Presets/Quantastical Sound/STRANG/
- Windows: %APPDATA%\Quantastical Sound\STRANG\Presets\

Drop preset files others share into that same folder and they'll appear in the browser, same in every DAW.

I'm also working on a smooth way to build and share full preset packs (organised in their own group in the browser), so if you end up making a set, that's coming.

Had to do a drive search. Presets are here on Windows 11

C:\Users\user\Library\Audio\Presets\Quantastical Sound\STRANG

As for the license, I seem to have 2. One from yesterday and one from today. I don't know if it automatically updated after purchase or what. Guess I'll find out in 14 days.

[jethrobull]

Sounds lovely! It was my birthday on the 12th so it would be a fantastic present

[quantasticalsound]

Sounds lovely! It was my birthday on the 12th so it would be a fantastic present

Happy birthday!

[jethrobull]

Sounds lovely! It was my birthday on the 12th so it would be a fantastic present

Happy birthday!

Thank you so much

[Sandra F]

Amazing synth, love it! It runs smoothly on my M3. Thanks!

[wagtunes]

When will be getting an INIT preset? I'd make one myself but I'm not sure where ground zero is on this thing.

[Nug Wrangler]

This sounds really good

[nordickvr]

Thank you for the follow up!
“Dealbreaker for you?”
Yes, the moment it’s supported, I go for it.
Would it be before the end of the intro price?

Ill make it my top priority then. and yes it will be before the intro price ends. Im on it!

I’m trusting you, just bought it!
Will wait to install till it’s implemented.