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Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

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Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#31

Post by FigBug »

mathw wrote: post #25
veli_joza wrote: post #22

Earlier 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.

Knobs are still the best option I've come up with, they act like sliders with the mouse, yet they are smaller so you can have more density. You can also draw a longer track for a given control size, 2pir > 2*r. They often get assigned to a knob on a midi controller anyway, so it makes sense.

My knobs look like software, I refuse to do screw heads, metal finishes, etc.

I haven't done much touch screen software, so no comments there.

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#32

Post by FigBug »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #28
mathw wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 au…

I always let my users click on a knob to direct enter a value with the keyboard. But keyboard shortcuts to increase / decrease a value -- that's just a pain. Mouse drag / mouse wheel is far faster at going between coarse and fine adjust.

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#33

Post by freeflight »

I wish I would understand even a fraction of the stuff that's going on with software synths.

Every couple of years I get this fancy idea of "I'd really like to create some sounds/music", which usually ends up with me aimlessly manipulating digital knobs and switches on some massive UI, creating weird sounds with no real structure and changing all the default settings. The other option being something like FruityLoops, but doing anything in there kinda feels like making "Lego music" due to just slapping together samples.

The closest I ever got to creating something like "music" was actually through a game, FRACT OSC, which I think is still really cool. But I guess for most professionals the toolset in there is just very basic and it also suffers from the same "Lego music" feel of just slapping together samples.

Then there's stuff like SoundStage VR, which looks quite amazing to tinker around in, but due to a lack of VR setup, it's not something I had a chance to play around with yet. But the basic idea of making music in VR really appeals to me, it's just so cyberpunk and feels like it could be way more approachable, at least compared to something like software synths with their intimidating UI.

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#34

Post by crispyambulance »

mathw wrote: post #25
veli_joza wrote: post #22

Earlier 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.

There are software synths that don't follow the "virtual patch panel" concept: Audiomulch and Supercollider come to mind.

Audiomulch has a graphical interface. Signals are processed by constructing a graph where each line represents an audio channel that can be routed between blocks that perform specific functions.

Supercollider is more like a programming language, you can think of it as a DSL for audio generation.

Both of them can interface with hardware, of course.

I think there will always be a strong demand for tactile hardware interfaces, regardless of what people come up with on a laptop application. The kinaesthetics of making sound by manipulating something physical is so satisfying and intimate.

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#36

Post by alexilliamson »

freeflight wrote: post #33

I wish I would understand even a fraction of the stuff that's going on with software synths. Every couple of years I get this fancy idea of "I'd really like to create some sounds/music", which usually ends up with me aimlessly manipulating digital knobs and switches on some massive UI, creating weird sounds with no real structure and changing all the default settings. The other option being something like FruityLoops…

I get the same fancy idea every now and then. If anyone has been in the same place and gone on to really explore making synth music, I would love to hear it!

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#37

Post by juliangoldsmith »

mhd wrote: post #14

Anyone got a good "full stack" setup for something like this (from midi controller to synth/sequencer/daw software)? I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the modularity and combinations of virtual synthesizers. I'm okay with a "toy setup" as long as it's possible to build upon (i.e. preferrably not something entirely different from what you'd use after you pass the acolyte threshold).

LMMS would probably fit what you're looking for.

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#38

Post by tpm »

veli_joza wrote: post #22
cjsuk wrote: post #10

Earlier 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…

You probably mean software equipment, because there is lots of digital music equipment with good UX. See for example Mutable Instruments' Tides or Rings modules, 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator etc. - no menus, no displays, one knob one function (well there are sometimes 'special modes' and easter eggs of course).

Re: Open source modular synth software lets you create 70s & 80s electronic music

#40

Post by edraferi »

EamonnMR wrote: post #26

Can this be hooked into a DAW like Reason?

From the VCV Rack FAQ [0]:

When will VST/AU support be added?

VST/AU support will be added with the “VCV Bridge” module in Rack v0.6.0, scheduled for release in late January 2018.

Rack itself won’t be a VST/AU plugin because of the major limitations of these formats, but instead you’ll be able to connect Rack to your main DAW by adding the lightweight VST/AU Bridge plugin to as many DAW channels/tracks as you like, which will each connect an equal number of Bridge modules in Rack. This cross-application method allows you to break the mindset of mixing linearly in your DAW and instead use nonlinear methods like cross-modulation between tracks, enveloping audio to control filters and sidechain compressors, etc. The Bridge protocol will be fault tolerant and will not matter which order you open the DAWs.

[0] https://vcvrack.com/manual/FAQ.html

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