Strangely xodular or automatonism don't get much coverage, I guess that "nice" UI did skyrocket vcv rack
Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
21–30 of 79 posts
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#22"Digital audio workstations have become increasingly sophisticated, able to emulate with "plug-ins" the capabilities of sought-after analog studio gear of the past. It has taken a bit longer for virtual instruments to meet this same standard, but they may be nearly there." Hardware is much more hands on, with real dials, switches, and other means of physical interaction which screens and mice don't come close to matc…
Yes. The phrases "menu" and "software update" are what kills all tactile electronic instruments of various kinds. This is the same for electronic test equipment as well. There are so many features crammed in new devices, even if you manage to get enough controls for the basic cases on the front panel, a lot is still hidden in nested menus galore and they aren't necessarily sensible or discoverable or even work proper…
The UX of digital equipment _really_ sucks. At first I thought it was because it was a new technology still in infancy, but things haven't improved since and we are still emulating analog controls. VST interfaces often have static background image (skin) and 'knobs' you control with your mouse. Actual hardware usually features rotary encoder or buttons to navigate the menu system with several layers of depth. This is tedious and hampers creativity. One positive example is Teenage Engineering OP-1, they seem to know what they are doing.
I'm currently building digital instruments for android phones and I refuse to add any UI elements until I figure out something that makes sense. Until then the interpreted Lua code is the user interface. I would be very interested in some new UI patterns for touchscreen that take good advantage of interaction between user actions and visual feedback.
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#23How does this compare to something like Pure Data?
Pure Data is visual programming language, you could essentially build native / vst / mobile apps with it and go more low level eventually.
VCV rack is more Eurorack hardware simulator so to speak, musical instrument. Good for reality check before going hardware but you don't create apps with it.
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#24"Digital audio workstations have become increasingly sophisticated, able to emulate with "plug-ins" the capabilities of sought-after analog studio gear of the past. It has taken a bit longer for virtual instruments to meet this same standard, but they may be nearly there." Hardware is much more hands on, with real dials, switches, and other means of physical interaction which screens and mice don't come close to matc…
Yes. The phrases "menu" and "software update" are what kills all tactile electronic instruments of various kinds. This is the same for electronic test equipment as well. There are so many features crammed in new devices, even if you manage to get enough controls for the basic cases on the front panel, a lot is still hidden in nested menus galore and they aren't necessarily sensible or discoverable or even work proper…
Yeah i'm a fun of scrounging around for cheap little used modules like Mopho, ms2k, ms20 mini, mother32, mini/monologue, the Roland and yamaha recreations jp08, bass station 2 and various novas from Novation, emu proteus 2k. Roland actually has released dozens of rackmounts, some quite decent. Also kits: Preen, audiothingies, mutable instruments etc. It's astounding what you can buy for under $300 in many cases.
I do wish for a cheap knobby controller like the maudio axiom or novation SL mk2 that has reliable faders, pots and encoders. Those are the one instrument product i would say you should buy new and get the extended warranty from Sam ash or Guitar center. When the pots start shooting out lots of spurious midi CC's, deoxit's not going to save you. Deoxit's great for making door hinges stop squeaking tho
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes. The phrases "menu" and "software update" are what kills all tactile electronic instruments of various kinds. This is the same for electronic test equipment as well. There are so many features crammed in new devices, even if you manage to get enough controls for the basic cases on the front panel, a lot is still hidden in nested menus galore and they aren't necessarily sensible or discoverable or even work proper…
The UX of digital equipment _really_ sucks. At first I thought it was because it was a new technology still in infancy, but things haven't improved since and we are still emulating analog controls. VST interfaces often have static background image (skin) and 'knobs' you control with your mouse. Actual hardware usually features rotary encoder or buttons to navigate the menu system with several layers of depth. This is…
It is completely baffling why software synths and routing software etc. feels the need to make itself look like a patch board and have rotary knobs and things. Can't we come up with a set of conventions for software-native synth UIs? Sure the physicality of real knobs and sliders is nice on real hardware, but on a screen - especially non-touch systems - there's no way it's the best option.
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#26Can this be hooked into a DAW like Reason?
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
The UX of digital equipment _really_ sucks. At first I thought it was because it was a new technology still in infancy, but things haven't improved since and we are still emulating analog controls. VST interfaces often have static background image (skin) and 'knobs' you control with your mouse. Actual hardware usually features rotary encoder or buttons to navigate the menu system with several layers of depth. This is…
It is completely baffling why software synths and routing software etc. feels the need to make itself look like a patch board and have rotary knobs and things. Can't we come up with a set of conventions for software-native synth UIs? Sure the physicality of real knobs and sliders is nice on real hardware, but on a screen - especially non-touch systems - there's no way it's the best option.
Exactly THIS!
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
The UX of digital equipment _really_ sucks. At first I thought it was because it was a new technology still in infancy, but things haven't improved since and we are still emulating analog controls. VST interfaces often have static background image (skin) and 'knobs' you control with your mouse. Actual hardware usually features rotary encoder or buttons to navigate the menu system with several layers of depth. This is…
It is completely baffling why software synths and routing software etc. feels the need to make itself look like a patch board and have rotary knobs and things. Can't we come up with a set of conventions for software-native synth UIs? Sure the physicality of real knobs and sliders is nice on real hardware, but on a screen - especially non-touch systems - there's no way it's the best option.
> but on a screen - especially non-touch systems - there's no way it's the best option
There is a good option - but the current, dumb UX fad, rejects it whoreheartedly. That option is keyboard. Give everything a keyboard shortcut and let the user learn them (if at least by providing a visual overlay listing shortcuts straight on the interface).
If something is a tool - not a shiny cloud SaaS toy intent on getting audience to drive the hockey-stick graph straight into acquihire - users will learn keyboard shortcuts.
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#29Well software has been able to recreate analog sound sine 1997 when I started working seriously with computer mudic. The problem back then was that in order to make a faithful emulation that would need quite a lot of processing power. But back then I had a 200 mhz Pentium , nowdays I have a 3.4 Quad Core. Modern soft synths sound quality wise can dance around analogy synths , in depth , quality and versatility. Not to exclude the fact that software updates can practically fundamental change the synthesizer or offer amazing new features. The edge for vintage analogue synths was the fact that they offer more hand on control but with the wealth of midi controls that come with a wide array of presets support many software synths its still not much of a good reason to pick a hardware synth. Hence why software has practically monopolised audio synthesis lately. Thor in Reason can easily compete with my Alesis Andromeda A6 , the most powerful non modular analogue to ever exist. When it comes to modular synths, software reign supreme, while hardware users have to battle with the terror of the spaghetti monster. Nowdays going down the hardware synth lane is purely a personal taste choice.
Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music
#30How does this compare to something like Pure Data?
Pure Data is visual programming language, you could essentially build native / vst / mobile apps with it and go more low level eventually. VCV rack is more Eurorack hardware simulator so to speak, musical instrument. Good for reality check before going hardware but you don't create apps with it.
PD does more stuff. The dataflow model takes some getting used to and tends to linger in the background even if you get down to the libpd level.
VCV/Eurorack is a simplified rather dated synthesis model for people who don't want to go that low. It's ideal for people who just want to noodle around plugging and unplugging things and turning knobs.
I've been sketching ideas for a next-gen synthesis language which is more powerful than PD/sc, keeps some elements of modular thinking, but adds some useful creative extensions.
If I'm really lucky I'll find the time to do something with the ideas in the new few years.