Soundfonts

NothanUmber · 16 Apr 2005

Hi,

hm, I'm not sure if that's possible with the current version (no generic file i/o, missing puffers etc.), but you could encapsulate the sfz player (a vst plugin) into a (partial dummy) module and exchange that with a complete and proprietary solution once that it possible (don't know about the priority of these components though, a roadmap would be very helpful here in order to allow people to estimate if it makes sense to wait for a certain feature within a given time frame or if that feature is even planned to be part of Synthmaker 1.0 ...)

Link to the sfz player: http://www.rgcaudio.com/sfz.htm

Greetings, NothanUmber

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

i have to be honest i started off using synthedit then someone let slip about synthmaker and i'm impressed. The thing is one of my main loves are soundfonts and multi sample systems. I've created several soundfont players and wav drum modules etc however the CPU tends to go through the roof sometimes. I've noticed that this system is a lot more CPU friendly so i'm looking at all available options. So if there is no soundfont ability how about multi wav samples could this be an option.

NothanUmber · 16 Apr 2005

There seems to be a beta version of a wave file player (haven't tested it though) so that could be possible. But I don't know how one could accomplish a root file that defines the note/velocity layer to wave file mappings (without that one would have to change and remap all single wave files if one wants to change the instrument). Perhaps it could be helpful for the developers if you would post all the components you'd need in SynthEdit to build your synth that are not present in SynthMaker, so they get a feedback what people are missing.

NothanUmber · 16 Apr 2005

But there is a preset manager available, so you could "hardwire" some instruments that the user can cycle through then (look at the example.oxm file that comes with SynthMaker to see how to use the preset concept).

P.S.: Ah, I see saving presets is possible, too. So you could use a preset file as your "root file". Many things to learn at my side, too 🙂

NothanUmber · 16 Apr 2005

Btw: Does anybody know if it's possible to load/save presets/banks within SynthMaker? (I only managed to do that with an exported vsti and the aid of an appropriate host application)

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

If i posted some of the parts from synthedit then you would need synthedit to open them. Also doing this i think i'd be breaking a few reegistration laws. The soundfont is essentialy an osscilator that uses soundfonts instead of driving directly off the soundcard. The same with the waveplayer.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

Hi NothanUmber

NothanUmber wrote: Btw: Does anybody know if it's possible to load/save presets/banks within SynthMaker? (I only managed to do that with an exported vsti and the aid of an appropriate host application)

Not possible at the moment but the component required to save presets from inside SM has already been started, other things like bug fixes and ASIO took priority but I think we'll get back to it soon.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

Hi Benney

Benney wrote: Hello i was wondering if anyone could help me. Is it possible to create a synth that uses soundfonts as its sound source. If you can then how? Any help would be appreciated.

There is no soundfont support at the moment. We have started on wave file support which will probably be available soon.

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

i look forward to wave file support with great anticipation

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

There is already a Wave File component that plays the first 64K samples in a loop. It's obviously not flexible enough but it's meant as a start, it's easy to change it to be much more flexible. At the moment it's a beta component, if your toolbox is not showing the beta components you can go to the settings and specify that you want to see them.

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

Thanks i'll check it out but i'm still in the beta stage with this system myself so it'll be a while before i can say i understand the system even 50% afterall i've only had it running for 3 days. Thanks to everyone for thier help. I might be asking for some more later today. Still having problems just trying to create a single ossicilator synth with LFO and ADSR etc. You know the standards for a synth.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

Benney wrote: Still having problems just trying to create a single ossicilator synth with LFO and ADSR etc. You know the standards for a synth.

If you need help, dont hesitate to ask, even if it is to do very simple stuff. I'll be happy to post screen captures and schematics.

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

As you've made the offer what i would like is a basic synth setup so i can get to grips with the basics and then develop from there. My overall goal isn't so much synthesis to the extreme but more of a case of trying to create acoustic instruments from all families using synthesis. It sounds irish i know but i'm more of an acoustic musician not a synth musician. If you can understand that then you're a better man than me.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

Benney wrote: My overall goal isn't so much synthesis to the extreme but more of a case of trying to create acoustic instruments from all families using synthesis. It sounds irish i know but i'm more of an acoustic musician not a synth musician.

That is an endless subject. You should find plenty of info here: http://www.soundonsound.com/search?url=%2Fsearch&Keyword=%22synth+secrets%22&Words=All&Summary=Yes I can help you with translating some of those articles to SM, maybe we should start with a simple one. Let me know if you have a preference.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

ok, here is a very simple example.

If you want to emulate a Brass instrument, you should use FM. You should have an OSC modulating another OSC, both with the same frequency. An envelope can be used to control the modulation giving it the brightening of the timbre during attack:

[old link]

Of course this is an over-simplification and needs more work to sound more realistic.

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

Thanks for that i shall have a browse and a twiddle on SM and get back to you. Thanks again much appreciated. I just hope my printers got a full tank of ink.

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

thanks for the brass schematic. I'm just researching it to figure out what does what and how parts are built and why to get the required results. i'm also trying to figure how i can make the whole thing velocity sensitive. Compared to synthedit this is like a forein language to me. I also noticed there are no help files or tutorials so that'll slow me down quiet a bit. However i'm not one to give up. 🙂

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

Benney wrote: I also noticed there are no help files or tutorials so that'll slow me down quiet a bit. However i'm not one to give up. 🙂

Did you notice that there is some documentation at [old link] ? I'm glad you're not giving up, you should be able to find plenty of help in this forum too, all you have to do is post your specific questions. I'll change the Brass schematic to show you how to make it velocity sensitive and I'll post it here.

jorge · 16 Apr 2005

here is the velocity sensitive version:

[old link]

Benney · 16 Apr 2005

You're a saint. If you were next door i'd buy you quiet a few drinks. Now all i've got to do is sus it all out. Thanks again 🙂