[linux-audio-user] Your synth wishlist?

Thorsten Wilms t_w_ at freenet.de
Fri Jul 30 05:09:38 EDT 2004


On Thu, Jul 29, 2004 at 06:26:45PM -0400, Dave Robillard wrote:
> 
> So, what features are important to you in a synth?  What annoys you
> about the current crop of linux synths?

I only took a rather brief look at AMS, Galan and SCM some time ago.
Besides some gui issues the biggest problem was understanding 
how to work with MIDI.

I think there should be no special MIDI bindings dialog,  
but all should work with modules (staying inside of one 
general concept). Allthough it might be nice to have a 
modulation matrix (covering MIDI controlers _and_  internal 
modulations).

It would be nice to allow MIDI to be used like this:
- start with a input module
- filter out a channel
- optionaly filter a range of notes
- send the signal to an osc
- the osc automaticaly plays the right frequencies
- the full midi signal is put through to the output
- a following envelope can be triggered on note-ons,
a filter can have its frequency modulated by the velocity,
all without extra cabling


Sending 2 or more outputs to 1 input could lead to 
automatic creation of a mixer module.

modules I would like to see:
- a sample player with variable speed, direction, pitch, 
formants
- a buffer that can be used to cut of a variable part of 
the begining of any audio signal
- a mapping module with x and y axis and a curve like known 
from Photoshop or the GIMP


I would like to see a system of assemblies/sub-assemblies  
and patches.
The full setup of modules and connections would be the 
assembly (just using this term because I have the idea from 
Solidworks). Now an assembly can contain any numbers of 
assemblies (making them sub-assemblies). But they all are 
stored in seperate files.
Patches would work on top of assemblies, by bringing in 
the specific settings of all parameters (a patch for the 
top assembly could reference patches for all contained 
sub-assemblies).
To make it all perfect there should be a versioning system, 
but I guess that's a bit much to ask for :)


An old idea for a modular synth gui:
make it zoomable! Zoomed out you would have a nice overview 
even of large systems. Zooming in allows to easily manipulate 
controls right on the modules.
A variation on this would be a fish-eye like effect, showing  
the area around the pointer large, with decreasing size 
with growing distance from it. Of course without distortion, 
but working block by block.


There are some small ideas from my work on Specimen that 
might be interesting for single modules. But for now 
it should be about the big picture, right?

---
Thorsten Wilms



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