SideTrack

SideTrack is mainly a Sample Based instrument with some very unique Play Modes such as Chromatic Split, which divides a WAV into x slices and the maps the slices across the keys chromatically. The slices have various volume modes which can shape with Attack/Decay or they can be cross faded into seamless loops. This can make some fascinating instruments depending on the source material.

Another mode is Octatrack Sample Chain import or CUE Meta sliced WAVs, these are mapped across the keys either as a Kit or mapped chromatically across the keys with a knob to control the currently playing slice. This can be modulated.

{See video at top of page}

YouTube/eo3gm481S0k

The Main Features so far

• Resizable GUI - Drag the corner to resize.
• Sample Based Oscillators x 2 - Each loads a single sample & has up to 9 Unison Voices with detune & spread. Each can either use a single volume envelope or have a unique envelope for more sophisticated sound design.
• Sample Loading - Samples can be dropped on to the WAV Display, or loaded from the Samples Panel. Each has a dedicated browser on this page, and the left shortcut panel is for adding any locations you want, and will add a scroll bar when needed. You can drag n drop from an external Finder/Explorer or find a folder/file in the browser and drag it to the left and drop. To delete a shortcut click the X. Clicking a shortcut will take the browser there, both browsers share the same shortcuts.
• Multiple Wave Play Modes
  • Poly - This mode maps the sample chromatically and has a sample loop with cross fading capability.
  • Cycle - This is for small files used as single or multiple cycle WAVs, the entire file is looped and there is a Pulse Width control as well an LFO1 > Pulse Width Modulation.
  • Wave Scan - This mode will pull a cycle out of a larger waveform to use as an Oscillator, there is also Stack mode which allows using different cycles from a spread for each Unison Voice.
  • Chromatic Split - A unique mode to SideTrack which splits a WAV into x number of slices decided by the Slice Knob. The Sample is played back chromatically, each key using the next slice as its sound source. There are various modes used to shape the slices such as cross fade & Envelope Shape modes. This is an interesting way of exploring samples, and very different based on the source material and slice number.
  • Chromatic IDX - Similar to Chromatic Split, however there is an index knob which decides which slice will play on the next Note On. This is inspired by the Octatrack, this parameter can be automated or is also a Modulation Matrix destination which is where it comes alive.
  • Chain Map - This is exclusively for use with either Octatrack Sample Chains or WAVs which contain slice CUE data. These are WAVs with defined slices like a drum kit for example, you can make these yourself with the free Octachainer, or add markers to a WAV in an audio editing application like sound forge or wavelab. Kit Creator can also batch create these files.
  • Chain IDX - The same as Chain Map but uses the index knob to determine which slice will be used.
  • Lofi Oscillator - This brings an Oscillator in the style of the old Roland Oscillators using a Triangle, Saw, Pulse Width Square & Sine Sub to produce the signal. There are also a selection of FM, RM & Syn Modes.
• Alternate Wave Views - You can show a single Wave display/Oscillator panel on the left half by clicking Wave A/B, Dual will show both on each side, and Dual f Will show B's Wave Display but keep the Filter section visible.
• Resonant Filters x 2 - Each has a choice of 2 Low Pass, a High Pass, Band Pass & Notch. The filters have flexible routing & can be routed in series or in parallel.
• Modulators - As well as the dedicated Volume Envelopes & a dedicated Filter envelope, there are an additional 2 envelopes & 4 LFOs.
• Envelopes - The Envelope is a bit different to the usual ADSR in that it is based on tempo locked Beats and so the max length of the Attack & Decay parameters is decided by that value. They also support looping between the Attack and Decay/Sustain stages and the frequency can go into audio rates.
• LFOs - Each LFO is based on a tempo locked beat similar to the envelopes, however the beats are divisions in this case and so a higher number will back the LFO faster. The Frequency knob can be used to scale between 0 and this max beats value. Basic Shapes are available as well as Random and Meander(smoothed random). Each LFO can be Polyphonic or Global, has optional Re-trigger, and an optional fade In or fade out.
• FX Section - Still some development to do here but its well on its way.
  • Modulator - This is a generic Effect type which involves an LFO and some kind of effect. Currently there is a Flanger/Chorus and a Phaser.
  • Delay/Looper - A tempo based Stereo Delay with Modulation. It can also be used as a Looper by setting Feedback to full. You can record to it and use the bypass button to play over the top of the loop. The Clear Button will clear the buffers instantly. The Max Delay times are very long, but there is also a Comb Mode for much smaller delays. because we all love comb filters, don't we?
  • Reverb - Basic Room Reverb with size & Damp.
  • Routing - Drag n Drop Routing is coming, but for now there are a few routing modes.
• Modulation Matrix - A large Modulation matrix which currently has 48 outputs & 14 inputs. There are another 12 outputs in reserve as well as 11 more inputs for future expansion if needed. It's a hardwired matrix and so no messing with popups, and easy to see. double click will reset control, clicking an input label will clear the row and clicking an output label will clear the column.
• Theme System - The theme system is advanced which uses a combination of SVG Assets & Colours. Themes are edited from the interface via the control right click menus. The colour Chooser is a Modal Window so it's advisable to use the standalone version when creating themes. Note that the supplied factory themes will be overwritten with each update so save copies rather than saving over them if you want to keep them. Even better, make a copy of the theme set and switch to using that instead. If you plan on distributing a theme, using a unique Theme Set is the way to go.
• Preset System - Presets can saved and loaded to file, however there is still work to do on this section regarding the front end.
• MIDI Learn - Right click a knob and select MIDI Learn, move external control & it's assigned.
• Default/Randomise - This has yet to be implemented throughout the synth however the Save/Load default preset works.