Virtual synth beta-testing invitation
2008-05-22 by jdcx64
The Roland JX series synths are straightforward digitally-controlled analogs with two oscillators, noise, two ADSR envelopes, a LFO, a high-pass and a resonant low-pass filter. Making sounds on them is not very different from making sounds on a CZ. The [harmonics content changing] parameter on a JX is called 'VCF cutoff' and does more or less the same thing as the 'WAVE' parameter on a CZ. Its standard ADSR envelopes are more limited than the CZ's but on the other hand they are a lot easier to control, using just 4 knobs. I'm developing a virtual synth with a structure similar to the Roland JX series. I'd rather do a virtual CZ but SonicBirth, the open-source tool I'm using for development, has no 'phase distortion' capable oscillators. It is called the Dark Olive synth. It will be used as the starting point for a CZ type virtual synth as soon as 'phase distortion' is added to SonicBirth. It is Mac only for now and works best if used with a Midi controller having at least 8 faders and 8 rotating encoders. I will accept the first five CZ group members as beta-testers. I warrant all beta-testers an irrevocable license to use the Dark Olive synth, including any future versions. Join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/darkolivesynth/ to download the synth and post feature requests, bug reports and presets. Please do not re-distribute the files, I'm entering the KVR 2008 design contest with Dark Olive synth and prior release is grounds for disqualification. The new / the good (when compared to a JX): - LFO can be applied to all synthesis parameters. - LFO goes through a resonant filter, adding more texture and complexity to the sound. This makes creating storm, wind, internal combustion engine, alien ship and rubbery sounds very easy. - Continuous and discrete levels LFO random ramp. - User interface is simple if you have a Midi control table with a compatible layout. - Made with SonicBirth, an open source AudioUnit development tool, making the development and testing of new ideas very easy. Later I may opensource the synth itself, letting other people continue the work if I get tired of it The bad: - Mac only. I may do a Windows version later using the more polished and powerful SynthMaker - The minimum system requirement is a 1.67MHz G4 (I wanted to use my G3 Pismo) - It turns any laptop computer into a laptop heater - It still needs some work Joaquim Carvalho