[LAD] automation on Linux (modular approach)

[Ralf Mardorf]

Nick Copeland wrote:
>
> > For filters etc. most times just 128 steps are enough, hardware synth
> > tend to use just 128 steps even when using SysEx instead of CC.
>
> Just 128 steps for filter cutoff for an oscillating emphasis does not 
> work well
> if it needs to be tuned exactly to an VCO/DCO, it is basically never 
> in tune
> and was a big grumble about the early programable analogues since they
> only had 64 to 128 steps available for filter frequency from their AD 
> control
> converters and memories. Two bytes does go a long way towards the goal and
> it pretty much on if it is not applied as literal Hz but as a power scale.
>
> Somebody asked which soft synths would support this kind of feature, 
> Bristol
> will be implementing CV in the next release for subset of its emulators.
>
> Regards, nick.

Hi Nick :)

the Roland MT-32 (don't judge it because of the factory presets) is 
using less than 100 steps, the Oberheim Matrix-1000 is using 7bit, the 
Yamaha TG33 and Yamaha DX7 don't have filters and I don't have any other 
manual ready to hand right now. I don't have any issues because of the 
tuning when using the MT-32 or Matrix-1000.

IMO for virtual synth more important than automation would be a more CME 
microchips similar sound.

Cheers,
Ralf


PS:
This reminds me to make a test. I've got an original DX7 in the brown 
metal case, one of the first ever released without any software update, 
but I know someone having a DX7 II in a black metal case and I like to 
compare the DX7 II with Hexter. Hexter completely has nothing to do with 
a DX7 in the brown metal case, but for the sounds I heard on the DX7 II 
I had the impression that those might be comparable to Hexter. Anyway, 
the really important issue for soft synth is, that nobody ever was able 
to emulate CME microchips. Some days ago I played a Nord Lead virtual 
analog synth and it was relatively good. But even people like Dave Smith 
be less fond of virtual synth. I've got no time to scroogle for Dave 
Smith now, but I'm sure there are some interesting links in the web, 
because of issues for virtual synth and "real" synth.