Opsix - as a 6 piece modular going wild with user algorithm - expand imagination

[lfm]

This guy is just incredible


With user algorithm you can connect 6 operators any way you like, between them and to itself.
- at any level 0-100%

So much more depth than I imagined before buying it. Late adopter but thought posting if anybody just overlooked Opsix not seeing this.

at 25 minutes he explores a full patch creation to the end
at 21 minutes he just shows some possibilities with user algos

He uses a lot of shortcuts available to directly change modes of an operator as well waveforms, just using shift plus touch rotaries or sliders.
- no menu stuff doing that is needed

Opsix really inspires just like playing a round with Neutron and cables, but having proper presets with Opsix to recall later. And loads of more options.

With Wavestate you can do this stuff, but not in such a exploratory way where accidents just happend. You had to plan from start where to end up and looking for samples like crazy.

With Opsix you don't feel the need for a computer editor at all. It's all at your finger tips cleverly layed out.

Yes, a fanboi now....

[egbert101]

True. It's not just an FM synth:

[lfm]

Thanks, yes, Oscillator Sinc has great tutorials.
I had good help when I had DeepMind too.

[kritikon]

I'll have to have a look at that vid, thanks. TBH I never got round to getting deep into Opsix, as I just haven't had the time last year. I did try the Oscillator Sinc thing for combed strings and made some great dubby guitar stabs and then warped that out, but not even touched user algos yet. I instantly knew Opsix was way deeper than it's surface (thats why I got it...and for the FM bass twang ). I think it's a classic synth for you gets out what effort you puts in - typical Korg. Between it and Wavestate you could spend years getting into the deep synthesis. Same for Modwave, but I just don't like the sonic character of wavetables.

I've dabbled in warping some of the classic atonal FM clangs and grinds and damn near blew my speakers up. Both at the top end where only dogs can hear it, and a surprisingly incontinence-promoting subbass end. I do find it fiddly to program though. So I got the Native version also, but sadly that's still almost unusable with CPU issues (no sign of a fix from Korg yet). I love the sliders & knobs for on the fly tweaks, but the rest of it isn't as easy as I'd hoped it would be. TBH, though I love hw, Opsix is better suited to sw, if only Korg would fkn fix it.

[lfm]

Having had a TX81Z in the 80's with no luck programming it I had a short idea to maybe get the Yamaha Reface DX for a bit. But passed on it partly for minikeys.

Saw the demos of Opsix some years ago and felt I might try that some day.

Just recently I found the Linear Labs C15 I posted in another thread, and was stumped on the sounds it could make
- just two sines
- some wave shapers
- FM stuff
- some comb filters etc

But €4000 felt like beyond what was interesting, and hated the interface as well.

So had a look at Opsix again
- and this was all there
- and a tenth of the cost

That was some christmas gift, I felt.
- a universe of options

I completely missed about Opsix in demos I saw years ago
- each operator could have any of six modes
- and in mode effect 10 different to pick from
- in waveshaper effect 60 different shapes to pick from
- user operator open up to connect these any way you can think of
- and also make any operator both a carrier and modulator if so

A couple of things in fw v2 was really interesting, so update if you didn't.
- effect mode and 10 different to pick from
- waveshaper, phaser and comb filters are really interesting to fit into equation

This guy explains some and give ideas and audio samples and stuff
- look down the page for Opsix stuff and click on dates
https://www.icemoonprison.com/blog/

It takes a bit to get into the thinking, like when I used Neutron and connected cables all over.
But when you find those accidents that you can use to get something evolving going it is really satisfying.

[egbert101]

There is some kind of pseudo granular effect in the effects section called Grain Shifter. But so far I've not exactly understood how it works. You can however add modulations in the Virtual Patch (Modulation Matrix) on any of the effects four parameters.
This thing is a beast, but seems like a bit of a learning curve.

[kritikon]

Big learning curve IMO. I'm almost finding Wavestate easier to program...

[lfm]

If you have a clear idea - I want this sound played in between - then wavestate might seem better tool.
- you browse all the sounds or upload that too WS and make such a sequence
- I was bored doing that

If looking at the start of video I posted above, it's really quick to make really good playable sounds.
- yes, he is skilled by now of course
- getting something you never heard before takes some effort

But if wanting unusual sounds that inspire to something, I find Opsix the choice as tool.
- Cuckoo shows this really well too

I just experimented having a tower of 3 operators
- wavefolder mode on top, then two comb filters below and some lfo modulation going
- and had the same epiphany with this really intriguing evolving sound
- so this becomes the base for one of my timelapse films, like some birdy like floating around
- discoveries like this have me going
- this not even using user algos

Opsix make unusual things and you still have operators left to do some pads or leads to go with it.
- you can do a lot with REV2 being dual timbre and plenty modulations too
- but Opsix brings some unusuall creative noise to the arena

You can use Opsix as normal subtractive synth too
- 6 oscillators and a filter, kind of

Different strokes for different folks, I guess....

[egbert101]

It's an ambient dream machine, but you just have to work a little harder to get something new and interesting. I've not fully connected with it yet, but time will tell.

[gentleclockdivider]

This guy is just incredible


With user algorithm you can connect 6 operators any way you like, between them and to itself.
- at any level 0-100%

So much more depth than I imagined before buying it. Late adopter but thought posting if anybody just overlooked Opsix not seeing this.

at 25 minutes he explores a full patch creation to the end
at 21 minutes he just shows some possibilities with user algos

He uses a lot of shortcuts available to directly change modes of an operator as well waveforms, just using shift plus touch rotaries or sliders.
- no menu stuff doing that is needed

Opsix really inspires just like playing a round with Neutron and cables, but having proper presets with Opsix to recall later. And loads of more options.

With Wavestate you can do this stuff, but not in such a exploratory way where accidents just happend. You had to plan from start where to end up and looking for samples like crazy.

With Opsix you don't feel the need for a computer editor at all. It's all at your finger tips cleverly layed out.

Yes, a fanboi now....

So you bought an OPsix and didn't even know it had user algoritms and what it could do ?

Cool story bro

[lfm]

So you bought an OPsix and didn't even know it had user algoritms and what it could do ?

Cool story bro

That was not the story, no.

Just not knowing the full depth of every part, just enough to buy it.
- and was surprised how deep it turned out to be

User algo as one
- not only stack operators in various ways
- each can be both modulator and carrier
- the amount of connect between any can be set from 0-100%
- and each operator can feedback to itself, not only in FM mode, but all of the 6 modes available.

It was the same discovery with REV2 and about modulations slots.
- specified as 8 slot modulation matrix
- but in reality there are over 20 such modulations connections.
- much more versatility than realized before purchase

For the full story read more than the OP.....

[stoopicus]

All of the Opsix, Modwave and Wavestate are way deeper than they first seem.

[egbert101]

Agreed. Blown away by the depth of all three.

[kvotchin]

Hm. Worth picking up the VST? Or is there a real advantage to the hardware?

[stoopicus]

Hm. Worth picking up the VST? Or is there a real advantage to the hardware?

As far as I can tell the hardware is all disadvantage compared to the VST, but YMMV. The plugins are excellent and if I owned the hardware I would use the software to do any programming at all, as it will be much easier than menu-diving for these synths.

Some kind of combo of the two would be optimal, where you had the software for visual feedback and the knobs (and Kaos Pad or Joystick, depending on model) for control input.