keyman_sam Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 hey guyz, can u think about features that make ur dream synth? here's mine : 1). thrice as huge as the TRITON's touch screen 2). unlimited polyfony 3). built in kaoss FX pad 4). Performance mode with 128 tracks 5). Live Mode with various performance settings in the touch of the touch screen (WOW!!) 6). Sampler with 2 gig RAM and load time of 1GB/sec! 7). Built in 9-in-1 card compatability 8). 800 gig HDD 9). sound bank of 10K programs and 10K performances 10). User creatable effects! 11). GUI interface similar to Palm OS in color screen! 12). lyrics and staff notation. 13). 10 shortcut keys 14). 32 quick performance set recall buttons 15). each program with 8 LFOs and 8 oscillators 16). Water proof (next to impossible!!) 17). Able to withstand a 20-feet drop 18). weighs 5 pounds 19). 88 keys fully weighted GH2 action with changeable modes which change the keys to synth-action (dont ya think this is a bit too much?) 20). 16 Inputs with 5 insert FXs and 2 master FXs for each input 21). 5 IFX and 2 MFX for each of the 128 tracks 22). Funky professional name like Mach 6 or FIRE or somethin 23). all this for under 500 bucks (THE BOMB!!!) Dont follow me....i'm lost too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyman_sam Posted August 10, 2004 Author Share Posted August 10, 2004 anybody?? dream synth?? doesnt matter if it sounds silly...just blast away.. :-) Dont follow me....i'm lost too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mound Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 something that I can wear on my head that will translate to sound in exact detail, exactly what I am hearing my head "You look hopefully for an idea and then you're humble when you find it and you wish your skills were better. To have even a half-baked touch of creativity is an honor." -- Ernie Stires, composer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 Cool idea! However, we must also retain manual controls and keys - sometimes the 'mistakes' are more interesting than the original idea Originally posted by mound: something that I can wear on my head that will translate to sound in exact detail, exactly what I am hearing my head I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 http://home.hccnet.nl/hans.bellwinkel/startrek/grafisch/str-TOS/VUL_HARP.jpg "Fascinating" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 http://www.yamahapkclub.com/keyboards_type/9000pro/img/9000p.jpg My dream synth would be an update to the discontinued Yamaha 9000 Pro pictured above. It already had so many "dream features" that it's main problem seemed to be processor overload. At this point Yamaha hasn't announce any instrument to replace the 9000 Pro, and a lot of pro player never even knew about it so I'm doing some lobbying for a "9000 Pro Mark II". The 9000 Pro's sounds and 128-note polyphony came from the Motif so adding the Motif ES MegaVoices would be a natural upgrade. It took the PLG boards already so it was ready for the new Yamaha PLG150-AP triple-strike grand piano without any upgrades (and since it could take two PLG boards then you could have a 128 notes of polyphony for the grand piano alone). It already had built-in vocal DSP processor and harmonizer, programmable mixer, and even a pair of LittLite sockets so only minor upgrades would be needed there. The 9000 Pro also had sampling (mono only - stereo is desireable) and four assignable outputs in addition to the stereo outs - but no digital outputs were offered so that would have to be addressed. The display was large and functional but was a blue mono-color so a large color screen would be necessary. The key feel was good for "synth-weighted" but a 76-note hammer-action keyboard would be a dream if it didn't add too much to the weight (the 9000 Pro weighs 47 pounds as is). What really made the 9000 Pro close to ultimate was two things: it was a powerful arranger keyboard so when you weren't playing with a band you could pull off solo gigs with it; and every feature from the SMF or backing styles to the sounds, layers, mixer settings, vocal DSP and harmony, samples and more could be saved and recalled by song name. That makes everything on stage much easier. This really isn't asking too much because Yamaha's home keyboards like the CVP-900 have 256 notes of polyphony, a large color display, MegaVoice sounds,etc. Put it into a portable package with a nice 76-note keyboard and some pro features like stereo sampling, large HD capacity, digital output options, and keep the weight under 50 pounds and you have my dream synth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 My Dream Synth would be a Yamaha GX-1 that only weighed 100 lbs and cost under $5000.00! http://www.obsolete.com/120_years/machines/yamaha/gx12_2.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrancedelicBlues Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Okay, I'll have a go: 256 poly should be plenty, but with zero latency 1000GB flash-ROM sample memory, 10000 GB hard drive All known sample libraries, including the wave ROMs of all Romplers going back to the K250 Ability to host VST and audio Units voice-activated AI interface named Herb that should do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Originally posted by TrancedelicBlues: Okay, I'll have a go: 256 poly should be plenty, but with zero latency 1000GB flash-ROM sample memory, 10000 GB hard drive All known sample libraries, including the wave ROMs of all Romplers going back to the K250 Ability to host VST and audio Units voice-activated AI interface named Herb that should do it http://www.ee.ryerson.ca:8080/~elf/images/hal.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Originally posted by tarkus: http://home.hccnet.nl/hans.bellwinkel/startrek/grafisch/str-TOS/VUL_HARP.jpg "Fascinating"Waitaminute!!!! Isn't that...... a....... KEYTAR ???? ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Originally posted by drawback: Originally posted by tarkus: http://home.hccnet.nl/hans.bellwinkel/startrek/grafisch/str-TOS/VUL_HARP.jpg "Fascinating"Waitaminute!!!! Isn't that...... a....... KEYTAR ???? Nope it is a vintage Vulcan Harp - no keys but knobs and other fancy stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrancedelicBlues Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Originally posted by tarkus: Nope it is a vintage Vulcan Harp - no keys but knobs and other fancy stuff![/QB]Cool! i don't care too much for those "modern" vulcan harps, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clusterchord Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 OK first the rompler/sampler thing: 1.HD streaming, unlimited DDR RAM like a PC 2.No detectable latency 3.Weighted, Graded Hammer, using real wood,pivot point at least 5 inches from the end of visible key, 76 keys and 88 keys version. 4. Quality of filters and mod matrix along the lines of EOS samplers, but with two filters in a row. 5. High Quality DSP FX engine - lot of horsepower, flexible, re-routable, automatable etc 6. 16 faders, ribbon, pedals, etc 7. Touch screen - big , and inputs for mouse and VGA/DVI screen (like reoland s-series had, but in todays standards) 8. Firewire, usb etc for storage, pc communication, and multichannel audio transfer 9. resample and other sample edit goodies from EOS and Kurzweil Analogics: Andromeda in a rack (32 voices) Waldorf Q+ in a rack Omega16/32 - with possibility of simultaneous use of different filters, hardware snappy envelopes/lfos, more flexible Andy style voice arhitecture, mod matrix, keyboard version with lotsa knobs, on-board killer dsp fx via bus connection (again A6 style) Roland Jupiter16 - JP8 sound/circuitry with velocity and other MKS80 improvements, another filter along the classic JP8 filter, much more mod routings and matrix, nice semi weighted keyboard, ribbon , lotsa knobs, dsp fx etc, same design looks as JP8 !!! memorymoog that works... http://www.babic.com - music for film/theatre, audio-post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssian Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 I'd like to see a Memorymoog and a Matrix 12 mate and have offspring. Next, mix in a little Yamaha VL-1, and top if off with granular synthesis capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 It would be nice to have a super do-it-all instrument, but I've learned long ago that it will never be as powerful as a well-integrated network of different synths doing different things. That said, I'd love to see a good implementation of harmonic resynthesis (with separate noise engine). The closest to this is the CA5000 software, but it still has several limitations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Originally posted by TrancedelicBlues: Originally posted by tarkus: Nope it is a vintage Vulcan Harp - no keys but knobs and other fancy stuff!Cool! i don't care too much for those "modern" vulcan harps, though [/QB]I think the one pictured is pre-CBS! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABECK Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 Dream synth? I'd like a modern version of the PPG Realizer. Of course we're close with softsynths, but I'd like a dedicated hardware unit that emulates classic synths and beyond. Plus, you've got to love the wokrstation-on wheels design. Very sci-fi. http://www.synthmuseum.com/ppg/ppgreal01.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progfusion74 Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 Originally posted by marino: That said, I'd love to see a good implementation of harmonic resynthesis (with separate noise engine). The closest to this is the CA5000 software, but it still has several limitations.My newest acquisition along with the Moog Modular V. Lets just say, I am in synth programming heaven http://www.indiegrooves.com/dnm/images/dnm_small.gif My Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togakure99 Posted August 14, 2004 Share Posted August 14, 2004 Interesting that someone brought up Star Trek, because I think the coolest synth would be on that has a control surface that changes through software, just like the computer terminals on The Next Generation. Just a flat, blank touch panel (but not like the Korg ones ) until you configure it how you want, with virtual sliders and such. Since you can't "grab" the knobs of a flat surface, the graphical representation of a knob will be more like a round slider, just circle your finger on the path around the dot, etc.... Brett G. Hall Piano Company, Inc. Metairie, Louisiana Kurzweil Keyboard Dept. Manager "My dream is to have sex in odd time signatures." - J. Rudess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rylos Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 quote: the graphical representation of a knob will be more like a round slider, In actual use I've found that a "virtual" control works better when done as a straight line. When you have dozens of "virtual sliders" in front of you at once, it's easier to interpret the settings at a glance when the displays are simply straight lines, instead of curves. Also makes it much easier to adjust several at the same time, which would be impossible to do with curved controls. A key element in a touch control panel of this type is the responsiveness of the controls. They have to have quick response time, otherwise the latency between touching the control and when it responds will make it feel very sluggish, and will drive you batty. It also has to be a reliable response to touch, without any false operation due to other external influences, such as electrical interference from cell phones, light dimmers, etc. Getting a snappy, accurate, and consistent "look & feel" with touch controls is a common problem, but can be accomplished if appropriate technology is used. In which case the results are astounding. The goal is to be able to call up a group of control settings from the instrument's memory, then being able to immediately tinker with those settings with absolutely no "quirks" due to the settings starting from memory, instead of being manually initialized. Anyone who has adjusted a parameter using a data slider on a DX7 or a knob on a voyager knows what these quirks are. The full benefits of a smooth-operating set of controls of this nature are hard to imagine until you've actually used them for a little while. Initially you get hooked by the ease with which you can call up a preset sound and immediately tinker with it, without menu-diving. This also makes it much easier (and fun!) when learning how to program the synth. The real fun starts when you've spent enough time with it so that the controls become second-nature to use. That's when you start playing the "sound" as easily as you play the notes. Using synths with currently available controls is absurd. Would a piano player put up with having to go through a multi-step procedure whenever he wanted sustain? Lots better to have a simple, single step procedure: press a pedal. Thus the sustain can be used expressively, as part of the music. Synthesizers should have the same ability to use the sound parameters as part of the music, instead of having to figure out ahead of time which parameters you want to control from the too-few manual knobs. About time to see a truly interactive control surface on these instruments. So far the manufaturers are addressing the musicians frustrations with the instrument by just adding morer "features". Features which add to the compexity, thus adding to the frustration. How about a better way to control these features, allowing us to more fully express ourselves! The surface-one was a step in the right direction, but the technology wasn't up to it, plus it had way too few strips, and no display in what few sensing strips it had. What opens up the possibilities are having dozens of virtual sliders, with integrated displays, with very fast response times, with high resolution. And it has to be affordable, and durable. Forgive the length of this post, but it's hard to be passive about this subject after having used a control surface that lets one get dynamic, flowing music out of an old DX7II. Now when I see the newest synths hit the streets, they seem "retro". "shit" happens. Success Takes Focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabbe Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Hmm... maybe something like this: http://koti.mbnet.fi/nsalakka/files/kuveja/MotifEsXS.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrancedelicBlues Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Originally posted by Jabbe: Hmm... maybe something like this: http://koti.mbnet.fi/nsalakka/files/kuveja/MotifEsXS.jpg it doesn't have a joystick!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabbe Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 No, but those D-beams are 3D, with XYZ-parameters.. Additionally, you can configure them to project a hologram StarTrek -style user interface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 The hard drive should be removable through the back of the keyboard for plugging in a replacement or upgrade (off-the-shelf drives), without using a screwdriver. Like the slide-out drive trays for PC, whateveryacallem. Connectors: USB Ethernet (with 802.11g wireless) Firewire Computer monitor (2 connectors for up to 2 screens). Of course, a kickbutt PC inside, pre-loaded with Gigastudio 160 and everything that Native Instruments sells. That's in addition to the audio inputs mentioned above, so we can double on guitar and use Guitar Rig without lugging another amp around. Servo-motorized Hammond-style drawbars, OF COURSE! (I mean like, duh!) Virtual sliders don't quite do it for playing the drawbars; you have to be able to grab a handful of them and move them all at once. But we'd also want the ability to pick a preset and change smoothly with an adjustable time constant, rather than "blip". 77 keys would be enough for me; from low C to high E. Heck, that should be a standard (in addition to good ol' 88 of course, but we're dreaming about keyboards here, not stages.) Don't forget the anti-gravity device that allows us to just float it and nudge it where we want it to go. Then it can weigh enough to not jump around when we bang on it. My 80-lb MR76 is about heavy enough, but I shudder to think what a 20 pounder would do! Built in, 1-touch-collapsible/expandable rock-solid stand, with extension tier mounting brackets? Wireless pedals. Heck, wireless everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 You're forgetting that a designer had to figure out prior to building the piano that note duration was a parameter he'd want to control, and then he had to design an entire instrument to accomodate it. It wasn't as easy as just screwing on a pedal; the entire action had to account for it. The flip-side of what you're describing is the fact that there's only so much real estate on the average synth in which to put controls for sound parameters. At some point you run out of room, and then someone has to decide which parameters will be controlled by sliders (or whatever) prior to actually using the patch. Unless, of course, you want a synth that looks like a Moog 55 or other modular, and requires a truck to haul to your next gig.... Originally posted by rylos: Using synths with currently available controls is absurd. Would a piano player put up with having to go through a multi-step procedure whenever he wanted sustain? Lots better to have a simple, single step procedure: press a pedal. Thus the sustain can be used expressively, as part of the music. Synthesizers should have the same ability to use the sound parameters as part of the music, instead of having to figure out ahead of time which parameters you want to control from the too-few manual knobs. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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