It's not that I think additive synthesis is some new great idea. I'm
well aware of the history and as I said I do own a Kawai. I'm a control
freak. I like having control over as many parameters of a sound as
possible, if for no other reason than asking the question of what
happens when I do this? And being able to answer it.
To achieve that goal, it would be musically useful to be able to
generate a Fourier Series with complete control over the amplitude of
each harmonic over time, which you certainly cannot do at present with
the MOTM. Having harmonically rich waveforms that can be modified with
subtractive synthesis is not the same thing.
In addition with the design I am contemplating you would be able to
individually exert real-time control over the phase relationship of the
harmonics and would even be able to detune individual harmonics for more
percussive sounds. All under voltage control. As Paul S. pointed out,
my design is in fact a modified version of his cloud generator. (I
would say great minds think alike, but I really don't put myself in the
same class as Paul S. when it comes to design. Although we both are EEs
he has made his career out of it whereas I have diverted into other
pursuits.)
I'd also like to build an implementation of the DX7 in modular form, as
well as a completely modular vocoder, and I've been after Stooge Moe for
some time to get super-moe out there. I've told Paul S. that the 450
should have individual outputs for each bank. Why? Because I am a
control freak. I want to be able to experiment with my modular. That's
a big part of the reason for having one. I want to be able to ask what
if? And find the answer.
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Rossen [mailto:
mididood@...]
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 12:01 AM
To:
motm@yahoogroups.comSubject: [motm] Re: Additive Synth Tools
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: paulhaneberg <phaneber@o...>
> I have also been contemplating trying to build a MOTM style Fourier
series generator. This is a big design project, so I'm asking if
anyone has any ideas to let me know. I'd rather not reinvent the
wheel.
Yet you will be doing so...
Just my input from some experience - you will be definitely
reinventing the wheel (but please don't take this as a reason to stop
the pursuit on what your looking for)
Additive synthesis has existed for quite awhile now- especially in
the academic sector - 'modulars' or software based ones for that
matter have been around for quite awhile. I've played one down at
Univ of IL back in the later seventies when I was going to go there
after HS to major in the veterinary school (love animals) and was
going to minor (diminish?) in Emusic. Its a LOT of wanking around
with minimal effect - my general proof: no major synth manuf. are
pursuing it anymore.
And keep in mind - ALL motm vcos ARE fourier generating devices
already - right? They do generate multiple integer harmonics up to
infinity - eh? (if you can hear that high)- you just subtract off
then with the filter thingys, right!
I had a good friend - good guy - but not totally an "expert
synthesist" , mind you, per se - he dreamed of having 8000 sine wave
VCOs (lotta knobs?) I told him he'd never even be able to get close
to anything much better than the Kawais already out there...keep in
mind however that once you 'leap' out of the fourier thinking, then
you can get fairly off-the-wall, NON-harmonic, and possibly creative
with it-
Mr. Fourier really didn't do a whole lot musically speaking, (and he
wasn't a musician to my knowledge)other than 'prove' that things like
square, sawtooth, triangle waves, are composed from sines waves - big
whoop - from a musical standpoint-eh?
Just further ramblings from a goofball who has long since gone crazy
having TRIED all these things in his very obsessive, synthesis mind,
making strange sounds kinda life.
I hope these are some words of wisdom for you.
Let the flaming begin! I can take it!
No just kidding really - don't do that!
Rog
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