Wiardgroup

At 06:56 PM 9/9/2006, Grant Richter wrote:
>I will try to explain a little of the philosophy behind the Wiard 
>modules. It has to do with
>the "East vs. West" coast synthesizer history. This is an over 
>simplified explaination, some
>"East Coast" instruments support FM for example.

Excellent post, Grant. Thanks.


>In the "West Coast" instruments, there are 3 possible synthesis 
>modes. Additive, non-
>linear waveshaping and dynamic depth FM are the primary synthesis modes....

Like most people's, my knowledge is quite slanted toward the East 
coast school. So, for example, I don't understand why non-linear 
waveshaping and dynamic depth FM can't be done with East coast style 
VCOs. (I'm not asking you to expound on this, though I would 
certainly welcome anything more that you'd care to write.)

Off the top of my head, it seems that dynamic depth FM would require 
2 "East coast" VCOs -- one with a linear FM input -- and a VCA to 
modulate the FM depth. Am I oversimplifying? Wouldn't be the first time. ;-)

There's also been a lot said about the need for through-zero 
operation, but we don't need to get into a big ZO discussion, do we?


>.. The JAG will convert two simple ADSR envelopes
>into a multiple output complex envelope generator....

Now there's an interesting idea!


>... Modulating the timbre parameters then becomes a matter of "walking
>about" in a large timbre space with multiple dimensions of 
>simultaneous control. This is
>true timbre morphing and not just simple crossfading between timbres 
>(which is good
>too).

Cool. Sounds like the "terrain" thing you've mentioned.


>... I feel support for subtractive
>synthesis should be included in a complete instrument. That is why 
>the Wiard designs
>support BOTH East and West Coast synthesis methods....

Great philosophy.


>I think that I need to focus on education to promote the idea of the 
>more complex
>synthesis "West Coast" style....

Yes, one problem with deviating from the beaten path is that too many 
people don't understand where you are going. Like I said, I am among 
those who need to learn more about the West coast ways.


>As always, thank you to all you fine people for your continued 
>support and all the amazing
>music you have sent me. Keep up the good work and thank you again.

Thank you for trying to educate us and for continuing to expand the 
boundaries of synthesis.
--
john