ok....here we go.
the things marked with *, i think need clearing up by the idea givers, or other "in the know type folks"
idea giving peoples names are noted after each idea.
some ideas were cleaned up as i saw fit.
some were combined into other ideas.
have you allready sent these suggestions in spirit? didn't cross my mind that you may have, but it sounds like you may have.
anyhow, here is my contribution.
-------
<pre>1.
An about page for patches. Like the shareware devices have, e.g.
Ingo's "guitar amp".
Then essential info about the structure of the patches are readily
availible, and proper credit can be given to the author. :algorhythm:
2. Custom Oscillators, e.g. John Bowens "Pro One", "Rotor", Nicholas Chokrahns "Analogy".
a joint endeavor. :algorhythm:
3. Granulation as an effect or synthesis type. :algorhythm:
4. Improvments to our collection of sequencers.
- Ability to display 32 steps via 16/32 button :spirit:
- Ability to output discrete note, velocity and controller data
outside of patches via the sequencers (can only sort of be
done as of now, and only with the MDS sequencer). :subhuman:
- Ability to "tab" between fields/controls (maybe hold a key combo for e.g. shft+tab,
to tab through one or the other). For quicker data entry. :castol:
- Ability to set midi channel output numbers per track (would mean that
sequencer modules would be independent of the global patch channel) :madmod:
- * Multiple midi outs (not sure i get the reasononing behind this?) :madmod:
- Continous pitch controls on the pitch sequencers (none of this semitone stuff).
Most old modular step sequencers didn't have semitone steps but continous knobs. As
we're not working with MIDI notes here, just pitch, you could happily tune each
step of your sequence randomly or to some exotic scale. :TonyR:
- A frequency readout for the pitch sequencers. You wouldn't necessarilly need one
for each step, just one which displayed the frequency whatever step you were
positioned at, from clicking on that steps control, or via tabing, or whathave you.
:TonyR:
- Ability to program triplets into the sequencers (not sure how this would be
implemented?). :TonyR:
5. An "Export to audio file". It's so good in Rebirth (and various other
programs) to be able to have a drum or synth loop and export to a
perfectly cut wav file. :spirit:
6. A Modulator to Midi CC convertor module. So as to be able to
use modulators in a patch to modulate external mod patches, devices
or anything really. :subhuman, MarlinSpike:
7. Morphing Targets, like in the Nord Modulator. It would be amazing; to
be able to tweak- at your own specified amount- several knobs( not only
modulationinputs- but all knobs!) all assigned through the morphing
target to- say, the modulationwheel, or velocity. Total madness!
We would need the ability to set the modulation range of each assigned
parameter (ala Nord Modular).
Also, if we could say, have a module that does this, with actuall
knobs, and mod inputs to control these "morphs" via modulation it
would be totally awesome! :massus:
8. An Oscilloscope, for audio and mod signal sleuthing
:castol:
9. It would be nice to be able to enclose a group of modules that collectively
work together for one purpose, into a macro object. Sort of the way NI's
Reaktor works. This might take a bit of work, and on second though isn't so
important, but it could cut down on the enormity of visual size patches can tend
to occupy. :castol:
10. A Quad Crossfade Module, ala the Yamaha Tg33 (or vectron,
wavestation). It would have 4 inputs and 2 mod inputs for the x, y axis,
with something aproximating Defex's Joystick controller he uses a lot in
his devices for controlling the crossfading manually. :castol:
11. How about going in a totally different direction? I've seen some
requests on alternate synthesis techniques like physical modeling,
granular etc.. I think it would be logical to have some sort of fft or
stft analyzers with minimal support for algorhythmic control.
The general "lean" towards subtractive and FM is actually sort of getting
old... and I think there's only so much you can do with these methods..
What's interesting is that the STS5000's time stretching and
pitch/formant shifting ability relies heavily on phase vocoding and
heterodine analysis/resynthesis... So it means that Pulsar does have a
way to do FFT related tranformations in real time.. Perhaps a spectral
morph synth/effect shouldn't be too hard to implement since STS5000
seems to handle phase vocoding to a pretty high level. (though it
probably won't reach kyma's level in terms of quality).
And perhaps a small scripting or programming package to tranform the analyzed data
would be nice. As you all know, sts5000 requires a short analysis before
you do the pitch/formant shifting abilities but what if you would alter
the data with certain codes? What if there was a linear predictive or
some sort of predictive module or perhaps even a 4 pole pitch detecting
code and you could control read pitch information off an FFT analysis?
Then you could control an EP's note number with your voice... and then
perhaps modulate the EP/strings morph ratio with the amplitude of your
voice.. you see where I'm heading?
With some more heavy R&D it could even be possible to only use the odd harmonics of strings blended with
the even harmonics of a guitar.. the possibilities are endless..
Sorry for my blabbering, I've had too much csound lately and I'm practically
going berserks trying to help my friend finish up his graduation
thesis... sheesh.. I still don't get why I'm feeding him with vital
ideas.. But anyway, a little of juice from this field of dsp research
could help in building some new wacky synths.
How about analyzing a specific audio, chopping it up into specific time segments(which could
be changed according to how much amplitude change there is in the next
segment), look for the average amplitude action there are, and then
giving that as a label for each segment... that would give us a matrix
right? (probably amplitude action for one axis and perhaps some other
derivative as another axis) Then, that matrix, or a 2D plane could be
used in conjunction with another axis.. say the cut off of a simple
resonant lowpass filter.. that would give us a 3 axis 3 dimensional
"space" sort of. Then... this is the punch line. You could end up with a
3 dimensional vector synthesizer with FFT/granular characteristics! Wow!
Now that's a monster I'd like to work with.
Oh well, I'm getting a bit personal with this FFT thing.. but, you get the idea.. it can open new
horizons, and with a little developement from creamware, it seems pretty
realistic to me. errr... maybe JUST to me. Ah ha!
How about colaborations with IRCAM or ICMC people? They've got some really
crazy/strange ideas.. I just read a '98 paper about having artificial
lips made of latex blow a trumpet to see how real it can get... physical
modelling? I don't know but it sure is a wacky synthesizer! haha:lol: So
I think we could use a little of their craziness. :kensuguro:
12. * Track Sequencer Modules(like reason's). Maybe single tracks with
midi out and key edit (needs to be explained more). :alfonso:
13. * An empty modular that is used for ONLY loading ones modular patches (needs to be
explained more). :alfonso:
14. Filters frequency controls which display pop up value windows for the exact
frequency they are tuned to, when one holds their pointer on top of the parameter.
Maybe just ditch numerical values all together and go for "real units" instead.
:kensuguro:
15. * How about some different sound sources - not just standard oscillators, but
something a bit more environmental and uncontrolled. I'm not sure exactly what, but I'm
sure you know what I mean - something for industrial and ambient. (may be a bit broad).
:spirit:
16. * Inputs and outputs for any tipe of signal (also modulation, freq., envelope
etc.)! i have many ideas for new modulars with such ins and outs.... (needs to
be explained more). :alfonso:
17. Interface abstratraction -- like the control suface that is built with reaktor
patches. "add this knob to my quick control surface". Built-in controller scale, and
ranging of incoming and outgoing data. Perhaps a joint venture with some hardware
controller developer? :six_wax:
18. A basic Waveshaping Module. :six_wax:
19. Easier ability to "wrap" modular patches into a device (for developers only, of
course). :junklight:
20. Modulatable Delays -- change time via modulation input....smoothly, without clicking.
Smoothing should be applied to settting the delay time manually as well. Clicky Delays
are no fun. :six_wax:
21. * Resonant Neuron Synthesis like it is done in the "Resonator Neuronium", a new
hardware box by J. Michaelis Check this out, but it´s all in german so far...
http://www.jayemsonic.de/resoneuro.html (a bit more specific perhaps. suggest ideas, not
entire products
) :joeka:
22. Something approximating a 4 part (or more) cross-over network (mono and stereo
versions should be provided). Which one could use to split up an audio signal into band
limited parts, for effects processing and all sorts of interesting uses.
The cross-over points perhaps could be modulated via mod input, or at the least
by midi.
A simple Delay line could be introduced after each band limitation, so you could introduce
each frequency range individually until you built up the complet sound.
:joeka,MarlinSpike:
23. * Audio/Modulation Patchbay for e.g. 8x3 (needs to be explained a bit more, for
myself at least). :joeka:
24. More Forgiving .WAV reader:
- Stereo .WAVs supported even in MONO Wave players - upon loading, it asks "Use
Left", "Use Right", or "Mix" - even Fasttracker 2 had this...
- Loading .WAV files even with header information which is saved by almost all
popular .WAV editors by default - currently, Soundforge-editted .WAV files default
to saving header information in the file, and these won't load into Mod2. Some
people have HUGE collections they would have to convert. :subhuman:
25. An Invertor Module & a mixer more suited for modulation mixing (though not limited
to) that has on a per channel basis the ability to invert, & rectify (full and half
wave). Ala Nord Modular. :castol:
26. * Sort of in a similar vein as the "Morph Groups" suggestion. Say a 2, 4, 8 channel
mixer type module, with range limiting, rectification, and inversion on each input, and
direct outputs for each input and a single control (knob) which added gain, values, frequency or
attenuated, or subtracted values/frequency. scaling or offset of input values could be selected.
(a bit far fetched, i'm not sure i entirely get my own idea, needs some revising
) :castol:
27. Waveform Drawn Oscillator/Lfo:
There could be a drawing window, which would allow freeform drawing with the mouse
(maybe the mouse pointer changing to the pencil tool) Standard wave shapes could be
selected or a clear button would give a blank drawing area. Drawing over or
correcting the waveform overwrites the displayed waveform. A frequency controller
knob (it would be grand if it enabled positive and negative values / forward and
reverse playing of the waveform). All the other functions of the Multi LFO A. A smoothing
function would be nice, as well as a line drawing tool. :MarlinSpike:
28. * 3d waveform window, which could be played across different planes of the 3
dimmensions. Perhaps the waveform plane could be rotated by three midi assignable knobs
representing the (x,y,z) axis. Again with all the functions of the Multi LFO.
(needs to be explained a bit more). :MarlinSpike:
29. A bank of 8 sine waves, with seperate amplitude control and frequency multiple per
oscillator, mixed to a single output. there were a few other features in the nord
modular version, but these 3 would be sufficient. Don't have any nifty ideas that would
maybe expand upon it, really. A module in the nord, where the idea was gotten from.
:castol:
30. The ability to scroll the modular when a module is dragged around. or even cooler
would be the abilty to like opt-ctrl click on a module (or group of modules), and
navigate to where one wants the module(s) to go and just click there. The module(s)
would be moved to this new location, or in the case of a group, the top most left module
would be placed at the point where one has clicked, and all the rest would follow.
:castol:
31. The ability to insert a label/name into the module, where the module name is. A
feature in the nord. Super handy and very user-friendly. SpaceF's "text modular"
works great, but it takes up precious space. :castol:
32. Logic Modules. And, Or, Not, XoR....etc. :castol:
33. A Flip Flop module. Which would take two signals (or more) and flip between them via
a gate signal (logic on), maybe with the ability to change the behavior of the switching.
:castol:
34. Multisample Module with 2-3 velocity switched (or other) layers. :castol:
35. Sampler Module with ability to modulate (mod inputs!) loop start, end and both ends
together (sliped), through the sample. as well as sample start, end. :castol:</pre>
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