KVR Audio

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:50 am

zerocrossing wrote:Am I the only person in the world who still thinks "beta" means "feature complete?"

Hehe, yeah I know what you mean. I agree that while I add core functionality technically it should be called an Alpha, but I figured the switches in terminology between Alpha and Beta would be too confusing for everyone.

I know you're only joking, but to put it in perspective you can check out the feature set of the full version of the UAD Moog filter plugin compared to the Beta of The Drop. The Drop already does everything the UAD plugin does (including only having a single circuit being modelled - although that circuits are different ones), but The Drop also has: FM from Audio or Audio SC, a way more powerful LFO, a way more powerful envelope follower, midi triggering and keyfollow, modulation of amplitude via the LFO and an envelope follower, linear phase oversampling, and more.

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:53 am

metrosonic wrote:Hi Andy,

Will there be a chance to purchase The Drop whilst it's still in beta? I'm already using it in a number of productions - silly of me I know, seeing as it's still in beta! I'm aware that you're due to release a a new beta with an extended 2 week trial period but I'd hate to be in a situation where I'm unable to use it anymore because the trial period has expired.

Other than the the reported bugs that are mentioned on the download page I've found The Drop to be rock solid (hence why I'm using it on commercial productions).

Thanks in advance,

JM
------------
https://soundcloud.com/leftside-wobble

Hi JM,

Yes you will be able to purchase The Drop while it is still in Beta. I'm finalising a new build today which I'll upload and will give you another 2 weeks. I will also get the shop up and running as soon as possible after that.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:17 am

andy_cytomic wrote:
zerocrossing wrote:Am I the only person in the world who still thinks "beta" means "feature complete?"
Hehe, yeah I know what you mean. I agree that while I add core functionality technically it should be called an Alpha, but I figured the switches in terminology between Alpha and Beta would be too confusing for everyone.

I know you're only joking, but to put it in perspective you can check out the feature set of the full version of the UAD Moog filter plugin compared to the Beta of The Drop. The Drop already does everything the UAD plugin does (including only having a single circuit being modelled - although that circuits are different ones), but The Drop also has: FM from Audio or Audio SC, a way more powerful LFO, a way more powerful envelope follower, midi triggering and keyfollow, modulation of amplitude via the LFO and an envelope follower, linear phase oversampling, and more.

I'm just poking fun... but not quite joking. I'm in software development too and it's a constant struggle to push back on publishers who seem to think our QA can do a good job while they're still asking for additional functionality. I'm sure the Drop will be fantastic and I can't wait. If it sounds anything like the demos it'll be a no brainer.

cain · Post by **cain** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:18 am

oh cool really enjoying the beta and im just waiting for the buy button

looking forward to the new build

Mogular · Post by **Mogular** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:37 am

What does the drive knob do in the plugin? I can hear it has some effect on the resonance but I am not clear exactly how/why.

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 4:11 am

Mogular wrote:What does the drive knob do in the plugin? I can hear it has some effect on the resonance but I am not clear exactly how/why.

The Drive amount boost the input signal and then cuts the output by the same amount. For example if the Drive is set to +12 dB then you have this gain structure:

pre gain -> + 12 dB drive -> high pass -> low pass -> -12 dB drive compensation -> post

xh3rv · Post by **xh3rv** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 4:32 am

Mogular wrote:What does the drive knob do in the plugin? I can hear it has some effect on the resonance but I am not clear exactly how/why.

[e: didn't see above post, I suddenly feel quite slow

]

I think conventionally drive knobs involve a boost in overall gain, but Andy mentioned a few pages ago The Drop's drive actually attenuates (theoretically 0 gain at most). As a result, pre-gain is maybe more important to consider, more accurate in a sense, when dialing in a hot-sounding output. I really like this behavior, I think it makes gain-staging more tangible, something that's often lost in the virtual world.

The Glue has probably my favorite VU meter on a plug, makes me curious about level monitors in The Drop audio / audio side-chain / midi side-chain? I trust developer dogma on this more than my own ...

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 4:47 am

xh3rv wrote:
Mogular wrote:What does the drive knob do in the plugin? I can hear it has some effect on the resonance but I am not clear exactly how/why.
[e: didn't see above post, I suddenly feel quite slow ]

I think conventionally drive knobs involve a boost in overall gain, but Andy mentioned a few pages ago The Drop's drive actually attenuates (theoretically 0 gain at most). As a result, pre-gain is maybe more important to consider, more accurate in a sense, when dialing in a hot-sounding output. I really like this behavior, I think it makes gain-staging more tangible, something that's often lost in the virtual world.

Yep, spot on. If you want a regular increasing volume drive knob just use the Pre control.

xh3rv wrote:The Glue has probably my favorite VU meter on a plug, makes me curious about level monitors in The Drop audio / audio side-chain / midi side-chain? I trust developer dogma on this more than my own ...

Thanks! I spent a long time getting the "blur" and ballistics to match as closely as I could in software the look and feel of the physical needle on the analog unit. For The Drop I'm doing to add basic single LEDs metering for input level, output level, and modulation sources so you get some visual feedback on these things.

Mogular · Post by **Mogular** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:05 am

andy_cytomic wrote:
The Drive amount boost the input signal and then cuts the output by the same amount. For example if the Drive is set to +12 dB then you have this gain structure:

pre gain -> + 12 dB drive -> high pass -> low pass -> -12 dB drive compensation -> post

Ok so how is this different to just boosting the pre gain and then reducing the post by the same amount?

camsr · Post by **camsr** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:14 am

Mogular wrote:
andy_cytomic wrote:
The Drive amount boost the input signal and then cuts the output by the same amount. For example if the Drive is set to +12 dB then you have this gain structure:

pre gain -> + 12 dB drive -> high pass -> low pass -> -12 dB drive compensation -> post
Ok so how is this different to just boosting the pre gain and then reducing the post by the same amount?

From what I have seen there are two different saturation mechanisms. The first being the filter itself, which the Pre will drive into. And then the Drive, which seems to be pre-filter and has a gain compensation at the output stage. By the looks of the waveform, the Drive knob adds a solid state character, which can be tricky but usually sounds good.

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:36 am

Mogular wrote:
andy_cytomic wrote:
The Drive amount boost the input signal and then cuts the output by the same amount. For example if the Drive is set to +12 dB then you have this gain structure:

pre gain -> + 12 dB drive -> high pass -> low pass -> -12 dB drive compensation -> post
Ok so how is this different to just boosting the pre gain and then reducing the post by the same amount?

The result is the same, it's just easier too have it on one knob.

Mogular · Post by **Mogular** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:43 am

Great, thanks Andy. I did try this out and that is what my ears told me, but I wanted to be sure I understood your logic. This way makes it very easy to use.

Do you think the sound of the saturation will change with the other filter models? I watched the promo vid of the UAD moog filter today and the saturation on that was very creamy (for want of a better word). I failed to get that sort of sound with the Drop but I think the source material has a lot of bearing on how the drive sounds plus I probably need to experiment more.

andy-cytomic · Post by **andy-cytomic** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:20 am

Mogular wrote: Do you think the sound of the saturation will change with the other filter models?

The MS20 rev2 is very different to a Moog Ladder in sound. Each circuit sounds completely different and has completely different drive. In The Drop you'll be able to flick through all the different circuits and easily compare the tone of the drive and pick the one you prefer.

camsr · Post by **camsr** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:22 am

andy_cytomic wrote:
Mogular wrote:
andy_cytomic wrote:
The Drive amount boost the input signal and then cuts the output by the same amount. For example if the Drive is set to +12 dB then you have this gain structure:

pre gain -> + 12 dB drive -> high pass -> low pass -> -12 dB drive compensation -> post
Ok so how is this different to just boosting the pre gain and then reducing the post by the same amount?
The result is the same, it's just easier too have it on one knob.

It is? It didn't look the same but maybe I am wrong. The drive is just a clean gain into the filter with output compensation?

VariKusBrainZ · Post by **VariKusBrainZ** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:29 am

VariKusBrainZ wrote:
masterhiggins wrote:Is anyone else's CPU getting its ass kicked when using oversampling? I'm running 2.6 i7 quad core and most of my sessions can't run more than 1 instance at 96k. Anything higher than that leads to serious clicking and popping. My buffer is also set at 512 in Logic.
And youre suprised lol !

Try running FXpansion Etch under the same conditions.
I have a similar machine with an RME multiface

I finallly demoed The Drop.
Changing system sampling rates and plugin oversampling hardly changes performance at all!! CPU hardly changes only Lives "CPU meter" goes up.
Incredible!!
I set my system to 64samples buffer, 96Khz sampling rate and upped the The Drop's oversampling. No audio glitching or any "expected" CPU related problems

I thought Etch sounded amazing.
This thing is the next level.......so easy to get warped madness.
Those high frequency resonances just sound so undigital.
Definate sale from me

Cytomic "The Drop" Resonant Filter