[sdiy] Expo-Con

[Rutger Vlek]

Hi Ian,

I wasn't aware of this implementation of waveform animation, but it makes sense (Moog also adopted the constant beat rate detuning concept in the Sub37).

For exploring new circuit ideas I often do simulations on my Nord Modular G2. It has limitations (mainly quantization errors and aliasing), but helps figuring out if new ideas are worth pursuing. I have implemented linear detuning between oscillators and really needed time to adjust to how it sounds. Perhaps we have become used to the sound of 'normal' detuning to such an extent that anything else sounds strange. I do like blending different detuning curves though! Somewhere half-way linear and "normal" (expo) sounds very nice to me. I've been wondering how things work out in the world of physical instruments (e.g. piano). Perhaps linear detuning is not something that occurs there naturally, because of string length, elasticity, tuning system precision, etc. Remember that the main reason why Jurgen Haible liked linear detuning was not because of big detuning effects (trance pads, etc), but because of subtle beating, a form of instability that reminds of vintage synth designs.

Best,

Rutger



On 4 feb 2015, at 19:26, Ian Fritz wrote:

> At 03:52 AM 2/4/2015, Rutger Vlek wrote:
>> Thanks for sharing your opinion. I agree with your view on stability in the higher range and I'm pretty sure Jurgen Haible would have too, given his work on linear 'constant beat rate' detuning.
> 
> Good point, thanks.  Along the same lines, there is a question on how waveform-animator rates work.  One commercial unit has the animation rate increase with the frequency of the audio input.  They claim this is more natural -- and it may be.  But I prefer a fixed rate.  Not sure why -- just sounds better to me.
> 
> Ian
>