Vanishing Star - Root Drop: A one-of-a-kind guitar effect for Drop D fingering

[iunogui]

Hi everyone,

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the staff for planning and running such an incredible contest. I would also like to thank everyone who has checked out my entry, Root Drop, or simply opened this thread. It is an absolute honor as a developer to challenge myself on this ultimate stage where the world's most passionate creators and guitarists gather.

Since I have this wonderful opportunity to connect with you all, there is something important I want to share, and a question I want to ask as a developer.

When people hear the term "Drop D Simulator," they probably imagine an effect that detects the 6th string (the thickest string) and lowers it by a whole step. With recent advancements in AI, achieving that might no longer be entirely impossible. However, I imagine that bringing such an approach to a truly practical level would likely limit its versatility—for example, an effect that only works under specific pre-trained conditions.

Therefore, prioritizing practicality and versatility above all else, Root Drop chose a different specification: detecting and lowering only the root note (the lowest note being played).
This is the question I'd like to ask all of you:

"With this specification, we can bring it to a practical level. What do you think?"

As the ultimate stage to test the value of this idea, I chose the KVR Developer Challenge—one of the communities where innovators and early adopters gather the most.

I also believe there is potential demand for this kind of Drop D simulator in hardware form. If Root Drop is well-received here, it could help demonstrate that this concept "is technically feasible and well-received by the community," which may encourage hardware manufacturers to explore similar ideas. I myself might even consider turning it into hardware in the future.

However, if it does not gain traction here, this feature may end its journey solely within this one and only software plugin called Root Drop. Major manufacturers may never even become aware that it existed. And even if they did, the result of being undervalued in the KVR DC is more than enough reason for managers and executives to reject the project, claiming there is no demand, as I know too well.

Ultimately, only real-world feedback will tell whether this technology becomes a brand-new kind of future standard pitch shift effect, or an OOPArt (an Out-of-Place Artifact).

Either outcome is meaningful to me. Any feedback, whether positive or negative, is genuinely valuable because it helps me understand whether this idea truly has a future.

— Vanishing Star

[Dexter US]

I am having some fun with it among the delay --- reverbs .. while I test everything out and sort everything..

[pekbro]

For me the lower string tension is a big part of drop D. Not sure I would want to lose that. It take only a sec to retune by ear for me. Interesting idea though.