2 modules ideas

[Theo]

On the subject of a user interface for additive syntheses:
I will upload a picture of my Bottom-Line synth soon.
The Bottom-Line is a additive synth that only gives macro controls to the
user.
Feels more like a analog synth than a additive one.
Naturally there are some unusual parameters ;)

Resynthesis is not part of the Bottom-Line vocabulary,
guess nature sounds is not its strongest point.
There is a morph function to change between sounds,
however morphing between patches that are "far apart" often gives
err....well, err...interesting results.

The Bottom-Line will be on display at the Music-expo in Rotterdam next
September
(well it's not Frankfurt or NAMM but it will do for a start).
As things look now it will be a "under glass", but at least it will be there
to be seen.

So far the sound engine has only be tested in computer simulation,
actually I am not even sure what dsp will be used.
There are lots of dsp's choose from and in most cases with sky high priced
starter kits.
Any suggestions of "easy to enter" dsp's are appreciated.

Will post the Bottom-Line url when the page is up.

Cheers, Theo

----- Original Message -----
From: jbv <jbv.silences at wanadoo.fr>
To: <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: 2 modules ideas


> > I agree that programming an additive synth using, eg. Walsh functions,
is going
>
> > to be a user interface nightmare, what with hundreds (!) of envelopes to
> > consider.  However, I think the way round that is to take a higher-level
> > approach to programming.  Instead of twiddling each envelope parameter
yourself,
> > you draw waveshapes or harmonic patterns then let some software generate
all the
> > envelopes necessary to morph between the various harmonic groups.
> >
> > For example, start with a trumpet, fade into a piano, then cycle back
and forth
> > between a cow fart and a thunderstorm every 5 seconds.
> >
>
>
>
> IMHO that is an EXCELLENT remark, and I must confess
> that my feeling is the same.
>
> Actually, the main pleasure of playing a modular (tweaking pots
> & switches) lies mainly in the fact that each control modifies
> only 1 parameter (for instance : FM depth for a VCO of freq
> cutoff for a filter).
>
> But when it comes to multiple parameters (like cascaded
> formant filters, or additive synthesis) for which the final
> result depends on the relationship between all parameters,
> then it becomes a real nightmare and the user loses track
> of what's happening very quickly.
> The situation becomes similar in case of complex patches :
> when turning 1 knob, it can become hard to figure out
> exactly which parameters are been changed...
>
>
> That's why the idea of providing tools for a higher-level
> approach is exciting : because users can experiment / play
> from a set of fixed parameters that give a useable and
> regognizable sound result.
>
> Drawing waveshapes that software translates automatically
> into a set of harmonic patterns is an option.
> I was also thinking of a set of pots allowing to define a
> set of breakpoints (like an ADSR) in order to shape the
> harmonic spectrum for additive synthesis...
>
> jbv
>
>