Simulation Vs Real Things

[Martin Fay]

> >One of the best advantage of computer simulation of analog modular
> >is, IMHO, that it can emulate the real thing PLUS offer numerous
> >added features.
> 
> but do they?

Not that frequently it would seem, but what would it be interesting 
to do? The problem here is coming up with the ideas!

> The idea of haveing
> Memories for synths is nothing new, it IS a good idea, but it does
> also limit the creativity of the musician.
                                                           can! ^^^^

For instance, my BassStation has patch memory, but I start from a 
blank patch for every track I do, with the Odyssey I have to try to 
recreate a patch if I want to recreate a track which is rather more 
of a headache!

> DO they?.. all of computer simulation stuff, will NOT do anything
> real time, only the frequency shift, ie tone from keyboard, it takes
> too long for a PC to calculate what effect a change in decay rate
> has an a VCF with resosnance applied...

That isn't necessarily true, it's just that the designers may not 
have made this possible. EVERY parameter of my synthesis software is 
tweakable in real time.

> >	- using other types of events / data than VC control to drive
> >synth modules

If you mean using, say, an audio source as a modulation source, again 
no problem.

> Ever heard a VCO being modulated with itself through an FM input
> summed with a CV from a sequencer and have the PW change by the
> ouput wave of another VCo whilst they are synced to each other? the
> BEAUTY of analog synth and patch leads, is that ANY lead can be
> plugged into ANY socket, Not just CV's..

And again, no problem. As ever the limitation with software is what 
the designer thought it should be able to do! 

> >I'm sure that brainstorming a little more on the subject would
> >allow us to come up with tons of new weird & exciting ideas. The
> >main purpose being to blur the frontier between analog & digital,
> >events & data, etc.

Definately! Getting a fully real-time (i.e. latency free) digital 
system running with multiple inputs/outputs which could integrate 
with analogue gear would be _very_ interesting. At the very least it 
would create the most powerful MIDI/CV box ever ;)

CODA: 
1. I'm a total analogue freak like the rest of you and I wouldn't be 
   without it.
2. I don't have 2000 quid spare for a nice modular.
3. An analogue simulation which sells for a tiny fraction of the real 
   thing is useful for the poor and starving musician.
4. I hope this kills the pointless side of the discussion ;)



Martin

+-----------------------------------------------+
| Martin Fay - Multimedia/RAD/MIDI a speciality |
| Email: martin.fay at umist.ac.uk                 |
| Web: http://www.cp.umist.ac.uk/users/martin/  |
+-----------------------------------------------+
| See web site for:                             |
| VAZ: Vurtual Analogue Synth Emulator          |
| SpeedPatch for Turtle Beach soundcards        |
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