Bazille 2 feature suggestions

[Blogbert]

Let’s discuss features we would like to see in future versions of Bazille. Here are my suggestions…


Cable Tidies!
The manual states that ‘like in hardware modular systems, there’s no cure-all for cable spaghetti’. However, unlike hardware cables, software cables can be infinitely lengthened and tucked round corners to keep them out of the way. I suggest that around the outside of the synth (the wooden panel and on the OSC/LFO labels at the top), we could plug cables in and daisy-chain them around, to keep the main interface looking neater.

Here are two images to illustrate my point:


In the top image, the cables go straight to their destination. In the image below, the cables daisy-chain to their destination. Granted, it arguably looks worse in the daisy-chained one, but you can imagine that in a complex patch, the centre of the synth would be easier to see if cables doing long voyages took detours around the oscillators and filters.


Sequencer ‘Divide’ Modulation Input
I want the sequencer’s speed to change over time! Even if it was menu-based, like the mod inputs for filters 3 and 4.


Expanded / Swappable Oscillators
Some people seem to want wavetable in Bazille. I am indifferent towards this idea. I would be more interested in novel or unusual oscillator functions. One idea is Vector Phase Shaping, which has been implemented in FAW’s Circle2 synth. Or, there could be an analog-style oscillator (perhaps even borrowed from ACE). For this, the oscillators could be swappable. I could get behind this idea.


New PD Waveforms
I love the Res 1/2/3 waveforms; I find them to be an endless source of strange, unpredictable sounds. What kinds of waveforms could be added to the list?


Expanded Multiplex Function

I believe the multiplexes would be improved by having a selector under each to choose how the signals will be combined. This would make the multiplexes more self-explanatory. It would make patches more tweakable (being able to switch from AM to RM to X-fade in a single click). It would free up multiplexes and simplify the workflow, for example by allowing three signals to go straight into a multiplex and be ring modulated by a fourth signal.
Having a multiplex mode selector would also make room for new ways of combining the signals. What are such ways? I don’t know. Maybe some kind of waveshaper? Some other ideas I have are essentially space/time-savers. For example, double RM: the RM output goes into another multiplex and is ring modulated by the same source as before. This may be just a space/time-saver, but it would also facilitate experimentation and more complex patches.


Integrated Effects

I would like to see some selection of basic effects, such as a mono delay with a time and feedback control.
As a side note, it would be good if the main FX on/off buttons were MIDI mappable, so that I could activate/deactivate them without leaving the main page.


Improved ‘Original’ View Layout


Filters 3/4 should have cutoff+resonance controls on the main page. Some controls should be kept together: for example, you wouldn’t put an envelope’s AD and SR controls on separate pages. Yes, tucking these controls away makes the main page look neater and less cluttered. But, it makes using these filters very inconvenient. I actually find it easier to switch to GearPorn to use these filters; going back and forth between tweaks and the main page is something I never get used to.
As an alternative to this, I suggest adding a button equivalent to the Tweaks button on Repro 1/5. This could be a quick switch between Standard and GearPorn.

[nilhartman]

While reading my post, please keep in mind that Bazille is my favorite synth

On the top of my head :
- Super mega ultra giga HQ mode... and lo-fi with attitude mode as well. I want to get dirty or pristine, depending on the patch / tune.
- the option to have a transparent Fractalize at 0 : not a big deal to most I suppose, but it can drive me nuts sometimes (and the only workarounds are at the expanse of CPU)
- all the ideas re:modular synthesis that Urs has gathered since v1
- Hive 2's shape sequencer / new modulation modifiers, because it's freakin' awesome !

Pure bonus :
- more OSC/filter flavors... Serge and Buchla inspired included, as well as 100% u-he designs of course.
- uhm compatibility : not sure why, though I bet it could be super fun
- color presets for cables : lets imagine that it can be set in Bazille's prefs that all cables coming from OSCs are yellow, all Multiplex outputs are blue etc...

Unrealistic wishes :
- additive mode with an insane lot of partials, so that basically Bazille could encapsulate Razor (and then some).

Ps: as much as I like the Original UI, Gearporn is perfect.

[Blogbert]

Oh I forgot to add that Bazille is also my favourite synth.

[Urs]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated!

Is daisy chaining a feature request? - Because that you can, always could...

Or did I misunderstand?

[Blogbert]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated!

Is daisy chaining a feature request? - Because that you can, always could...

Or did I misunderstand?

Ah, I think that bit of my post was unclear; it was part of my suggestion for cable tidies. Right now, you can avoid some bad cable spaghetti by daisy-chaining via unused inputs. So, my suggestion is to take this idea further, by having some kind of hooks around the edge of the synth (like on the wooden bits), that you could use to route cables around, so that they didn't criss-cross over the main controls of the synth. For example, if you wanted white noise to modulate OSC4's pitch, you could route the cable up the side panel and along the top of the synth and then down.

[pdxindy]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated!

Is daisy chaining a feature request? - Because that you can, always could...

Or did I misunderstand?

Ah, I think that bit of my post was unclear; it was part of my suggestion for cable tidies. Right now, you can avoid some bad cable spaghetti by daisy-chaining via unused inputs. So, my suggestion is to take this idea further, by having some kind of hooks around the edge of the synth (like on the wooden bits), that you could use to route cables around, so that they didn't criss-cross over the main controls of the synth. For example, if you wanted white noise to modulate OSC4's pitch, you could route the cable up the side panel and along the top of the synth and then down.

That seems like it could be hard to follow what is doing what... plus it is more work.

I'd like an easy way to show/hide cables

[Blogbert]

That seems like it could be hard to follow what is doing what... plus it is more work.

I suggested it because I thought it would make it easier to visually identify where cables are going. It is lots of crisscrossing over the central area of the synth that can make it confusing for me; circumventing some cables around the edge would reduce that. As for being more work, it would be optional. I don't know if you've tried making patches in Reaktor... for me, putting in some work to make a neat layout always feels worth the extra effort.

However, it is just an idea that came to me, and I have some idiosyncratic opinions and preferences. I can see why some would not think it is worthwhile idea.

[pdxindy]

That seems like it could be hard to follow what is doing what... plus it is more work.

I suggested it because I thought it would make it easier to visually identify where cables are going. It is lots of crisscrossing over the central area of the synth that can make it confusing for me; circumventing some cables around the edge would reduce that. As for being more work, it would be optional. I don't know if you've tried making patches in Reaktor... for me, putting in some work to make a neat layout always feels worth the extra effort.

However, it is just an idea that came to me, and I have some idiosyncratic opinions and preferences. I can see why some would not think it is worthwhile idea.

I'd like the per voice distortion from RePro in Bazille

[Garzita]

I actually would like the ability to see the Sequencer "bigger", like even opening it on another pane, expanding it, as the values are quite hard to read, setup.

Also, a better reverb, I still dont think the Spring Reverb is the ideal one for this synth.

Morphable, Filterscape-like filters would be the bomb

Hiding the cables is actually already done by a 3rd party skin (Plugmon) and it works quite well

[pdxindy]

Hiding the cables is actually already done by a 3rd party skin (Plugmon) and it works quite well

Yeah, I have the Plugmon skin... but I ended up preferring the Gearporn skin and went back to that.

I'd really like copy/paste for Oscillators

[nilhartman]

I'd really like copy/paste for Oscillators

Oh yes, that'd be so handy !

[Blogbert]

I actually would like the ability to see the Sequencer "bigger", like even opening it on another pane, expanding it, as the values are quite hard to read, setup.

I don't find the values hard to read or setup, but I think it could be cool to have an expanded sequencer view. Perhaps there could be a switch to enable/disable 'morphing'. With morphing disabled, the sequencer would simply play through the sequence... sequentially. This may be possible using workarounds (though I have never managed). Playing through a sequence sequentially seems like such a pedestrian yet useful function, so it seems odd to me that achieving it requires so much more thought and effort than simply cranking up the 'rotate' knob.

I think a 'clear all frames' and a 'copy to all frames' function could also be handy.

[V0RT3X]

Hive2 function generators please

[spunkmuffin]

Hive2 function generators please

The Hive2 function generators are very visual. If you add them to Bazille they will kind of distract & detract from the immersiveness that Bazille has now.

[spunkmuffin]

I actually would like the ability to see the Sequencer "bigger", like even opening it on another pane, expanding it, as the values are quite hard to read, setup.

Agree. When I am using the sequencer and really getting into it, it feels cramped and sort of sidelined down at the bottom right.

The sequencer needs it's own page. With a separate tab to switch pages as in Repro. The Tab / File / Page switching works really well in Repro. Tab function is easy to grasp and is visually distinctive so you don't confuse it with any other function. And the tabs always remind you that the option is there.

If the sequencer gets its own page you can expand its function there without cluttering the front page. I am sure Urs has ideas. The sequencer is immersive enough that it deserves it's own page.

Only sequencer input/output points should remain on the front page.