8bit

µB · May 10, 2009 1:43 pm - VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Features:

- Low-bit volume envelopes
- LFO for pulse-width modulation, FM and Granularity
- Vibrato
- Pitch Attack
- Arpeggiator with basic chords
- Volume keyscaler (Volume decreases with increasing pitch)
- Note glide
- Key velocity
- Pulse, Sine, Triangle, Saw, and Pseudo-Noise (NEW)
- FM Mode for Sine, Triangle and Saw (NEW)
- Granularity for Pseudo-Noise (NEW)
- Monosynth Mode (NEW)

So, here she is, in her second (actually third) incarnation. You will note that the interface hasn't changed much, but the goal was always to keep it simple. Here's a run down on the new features:

Clicking on the Medusa picture will now change the OSC mode between square, sine, triangle, saw and pseudo-noise. Each has it's individual bit-depth, based purely on what I thought sounds good (excuse my egoism here). The OSC mode also controls the attribute you change with the 'Pulse' slider / LFO.

Code:

Mode       Bits   Pulse effect
------------------------------
Pulse        4*   Pulse Width
Sine         8    FM
Triangle     6    FM
Saw          4    FM
Noise        5*   Granularity

*) The waveform is 1-bit but uses an envelope of the respective depth

The FM effect is very simple and just increases the amount of a +1 octave modulator on the carrier. It mimics the sound of a decreasing pulse width to some extend, so it goes nicely with the familiar PW modulation in pulse mode.

For the pseudo-noise mode, the Pulse slider affects granularity (how 'dense' the noise will sound). Medusa will also interpret the note input as sample rate in this mode, which means you can shade the noise higher or lower.

Finally, Medusa now has a Monosynth mode. It's activated automatically if you up the Glide slider. If you set it to a very tiny amount, the portamento isn't noticeable, and you can use her as a simple Monosynth.

Enjoy, leave a comment & suggestions!

Download:
http://www.milkcrate.com.au/ub/Medusa2.zip (1.5 MB)

Once again thanks to iLKke for the new graphical elements and little-scale for the hosting.

And a special note for ant1:
I'm really sorry the custom arp mode didn't make it in. It was glitchy as hell, it will need a lot more time to figure out how to convince SynthEdit to do this properly. Sorry

Last edited by µB (January 21, 2010 2:50 am)

lolitacomplex · May 11, 2009 2:42 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

looks good!
il test it if i ever boot up xp to make tracks again.
would love something as simple as this for mac though, it sucks opening a huge monster synth to bash out a simple square with a bit of glide and vibrato (and dealing with the vol envelopes not being stepped!)

Bit-Craft · May 11, 2009 3:26 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

oo, i'll test this out later :]

µB · May 11, 2009 1:09 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

lolitacomplex wrote:
it sucks opening a huge monster synth to bash out a simple square with a bit of glide and vibrato (and dealing with the vol envelopes not being stepped!)

That pretty much sums up the reasons I made this. I think I'll make a companion VSTi for Tri/Sine/Saw, too.

lolitacomplex · May 11, 2009 1:35 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

you should work on a kind of noise generator, capable of gb noise channel sounds, but with a little something something that you cant do witht that, FM (or even AM) or something!

oh yeah, and code me up a mac version haha!

iLKke · May 13, 2009 10:34 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

How many states are there for every knob? How many frames?

ant1 · May 13, 2009 10:36 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I used it on this song!

It's good for pulse waves, and it doesn't try to do anything else. Nice one!

µB · May 13, 2009 11:05 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:
How many states are there for every knob? How many frames?

Currently, it's 16 frames, from 8:00 to 4:00. The number of frames is variable though, and can be set to more or less. Any less than 16 looks really choppy though. Thanks for having a look!

Last edited by µB (May 13, 2009 11:59 am)

µB · May 13, 2009 11:08 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

the ant boy wrote:
I used it on this song!

It's good for pulse waves, and it doesn't try to do anything else. Nice one!

Thanks! You made good use of it, too.

iLKke · May 14, 2009 3:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

µB wrote:
iLKke wrote:
How many states are there for every knob? How many frames?
Currently, it's 16 frames, from 8:00 to 4:00. The number of frames is variable though, and can be set to more or less. Any less than 16 looks really choppy though. Thanks for having a look!

Is it possible (theoretically) to swap the knobs with sliders?
There are not too many controls, so I'm checking my design options

µB · May 14, 2009 4:16 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Yeah, sliders are possible, horizontal and vertical. You can either make slider handle and body separately and use a mask to combine them, or just draw every frame like you would for the knob. Frame size can be any ratio, as long as all frames are equal in size. In fact, you're completely free with the look of the control element, as long as one of these mouse movements can be applied to it:
- up, down
- left, right
- twist
- click (doesn't make much sense for stuff with non-discrete values)

I forgot to mention that in the current layout I double-sized the pixels, but I don't insist on a retro-look. High-res is also fine. Oh, and if you use png, you can use the 'transparent' colour on control elements (so you can overlay them on the background).

Last edited by µB (May 14, 2009 4:25 am)

Emar · May 14, 2009 4:57 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

oh man link is DED

µB · May 14, 2009 5:01 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Works for me, Emar- do you have cookies enabled? I think mediafire needs them

Emar · May 14, 2009 5:35 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

ah no works now, mustve been somthing at my end

will check it out today!

µB · May 22, 2009 1:16 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

BotB has launched a battle featuring this! Create a track within the next 10 days with Medusa as only sounds source, plus any effects you want.

Thanks to the Lord Bn. Knoxburry for making this!

gogogo

iLKke · May 27, 2009 4:02 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Here's my take on the skin, finally!

I might change the colors and some details, but this is mostly it. If you like it, I'll provide you with all the bits.

Statikz · May 27, 2009 4:10 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

looks awesome! I think medusa sounds realy good, i've used it on a few tracks already ^_^

µB · May 27, 2009 4:22 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:
Here's my take on the skin, finally!
http://8bitcollective.com/items/images/mock05x2.gif
I might change the colors and some details, but this is mostly it. If you like it, I'll provide you with all the bits.

Hell yeah, now that's neat interface! Awesome work iLKke, I love it! When you feel you're done tweaking colours, send the bits and bobs to matze-gruenewald(ding)gmx(dong)de

I'll have to see what I can do about the font of the chord selector, because I think Synthedit uses system fonts for that. I'm sure I can use static graphic for it tho, so I can pixel the font.

Thank you, you rock!

iLKke · May 27, 2009 4:34 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Yay, thanks!
Say, is it possible to add extra stuff into VSTs in synthedit, like about boxes, or skin switching?

Statikz · May 27, 2009 4:38 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I reckon make the colour scheme black/grey/light blye

i think that'd look awesome ^_^

peace

µB · May 27, 2009 4:42 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

There's a native About box I can use for credit info, just send along a short text and I'll include it. It's graphics are not customizable, sadly. I'll also include a readme with the zip. Skin switching unfortunately isn't an option.

But hey, if you're eager for more, I have a 'sister' VSTi to this in the works

an-cat-max · May 27, 2009 5:38 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

lolitacomplex wrote:
oh yeah, and code me up a mac version haha!

iLKke · May 27, 2009 11:59 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

K, I think I'm happy with the colors now.

How should I send the gfx? Cut in parts or on a sheet? If I cut it in bits, should I stick to 'round' hex sizes? Is alpha channel supported? What fileformat can I use?
I say we use gfx instead of fonts, seems safer and will look better.

As for your sister's VST, you can show it to me anytime ;D

µB · May 28, 2009 4:30 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Frames go on a sheet, each frame below another. Each frame has to be same in size, but doesn't need to be round hex (32,48,96 etc). Alpha channel should work, but only with png I think. That would also be my prefered format.

nezar · May 28, 2009 6:37 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:
Here's my take on the skin, finally!
http://8bitcollective.com/items/images/mock05x2.gif
I might change the colors and some details, but this is mostly it. If you like it, I'll provide you with all the bits.

damn thats pretty

lilpiggy · May 28, 2009 7:20 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

µB wrote:
lolitacomplex wrote:
it sucks opening a huge monster synth to bash out a simple square with a bit of glide and vibrato (and dealing with the vol envelopes not being stepped!)
That pretty much sums up the reasons I made this. I think I'll make a companion VSTi for Tri/Sine/Saw, too.

Just tried Medusa - it rules!! Making a triangle/sine/saw companion would be seriously awesome

iLKke · June 01, 2009 10:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

They could be called Trident, Sineweed and Sawfish, to go with the theme

µB · June 03, 2009 2:31 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Update!

Medusa has been refitted with iLKke's beautiful new skin!

Get her now:
http://milkcrate.com.au/ub/medusa.zip
Thanks to little-scale for the hosting space!

Mediafire:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mnzjjrmyulv

Last edited by µB (June 03, 2009 3:27 pm)

chunter · June 03, 2009 5:01 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I still wish it had two oscillators and/or selectable waveforms... No filters, though!

nonfinite · June 04, 2009 10:02 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

yays!!!

b-knox · June 08, 2009 4:20 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Anthony, log out when yer at other peoples houses! xD

arfink · August 09, 2009 11:05 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Very cool, does anyone want to make me a real hardware synth box with this? Just kidding, but that would be awesome.

jikoo · September 03, 2009 6:05 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I like very much the sound of this plugin !

@µB, Can I put Medusa VST plugin on my webpage dedicated to chipmusic, chiptune, 8bit music ?

http://woolyss.com/chipmusic-plugins.php

Last edited by jikoo (January 27, 2010 3:13 pm)

µB · September 03, 2009 6:13 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Sure, go ahead! Check Kraken, too- not as pure, but maybe something different

jikoo · September 06, 2009 4:07 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Thanks a lot µB, I put Medusa on my webpage (at the end, cause it's not about a specific soundchip !... It's a good VST plugin ! Thank you !)

I put the ZIP archive and an audio demo (your tune) on my own host.

http://woolyss.com/chipmusic-plugins.php

Yes, I checked Kraken... but I prefer Medusa.

Great work ! Thank you very much for sharing !

Last edited by jikoo (January 27, 2010 3:12 pm)

µB · September 06, 2009 6:27 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Thank you! I'm not sure if the demo track is the best choice- it's heavily filtered, and people might get the wrong impression. Emar's track from that compo is cleaner. I've used Medusa here as the main instrument, too, but it enters a bit late.

When you asked me for a demo track, I realized I don't have a track with only Medusa in it. Maybe I'll make one just for that.

jikoo · September 06, 2009 9:37 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Well ! I listened to the Emar's track but finally I prefer your 'The Locust'. So, I decided to put this one as audio demo.

Big thanks for your VST plugin and your track !

bivab · September 06, 2009 4:47 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I love this VST! It's perfect. I made this little track spontaneously after a few minutes of playing around with it. It's all just one Medusa instrument. Nothing special, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

http://agargara.iiichan.net/files/MEDUSA.mp3

µB · September 06, 2009 11:31 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

bivab wrote:
I love this VST! It's perfect. I made this little track spontaneously after a few minutes of playing around with it. It's all just one Medusa instrument. Nothing special, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

http://agargara.iiichan.net/files/MEDUSA.mp3

Thank you!

Very nice track, really enjoyed it- love the harmonies the bass progression creates, especially when it goes off-scale for those transition notes. Made me check if you have other tracks uploaded- alas, there where none.

bivab · September 07, 2009 11:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I'm glad you liked it! I just joined so I hadn't submitted anything yet. I just now submitted a track I made with a friend a couple years back, so I'd have at least something up. Maybe I'll make something with Medusa and/or Kraken and submit it.

MrBlitz · September 19, 2009 2:25 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Here's a quick sample of Medusa and Kraken together: http://www.4shared.com/file/133802610/2 … iting.html

µB · September 19, 2009 8:09 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Sweet! Glad you enjoy the plugs!

Monsters · December 08, 2009 8:38 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

if you did one of these for triangle and sine waves...

i'd nominate you for a spot as my new best friend.

µB · December 08, 2009 6:42 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Version 1.1 has both plus saw and pseudo-noise. It's pretty much finished, just missing a few graphics to make it presentable

We_Navigate · December 09, 2009 2:58 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

im gonna give this a go when i have the time. looks good.

joule · December 09, 2009 3:03 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I would like waveform drawing to be added.

Nice project. I hope more things are added. I would prefer drawn envelopes curves for volume (as well as pitch and pan), instead of (or as a complement to) ADSR. This would make it a great substitute for the instruments in tracker formats.

Last edited by joule (December 09, 2009 3:05 am)

µB · December 09, 2009 5:10 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I've made one with a drawable waveform, but it's glitchy as hell. I'll have another look at it, but I'll probably make a new VSTi for this, because I want to keep Medusa slim and basic.

Hmm, drawable waveform modulating (FM/AM) another drawable waveform could be interesting. I'll try around a bit and report in later.

joule · December 09, 2009 5:50 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

What about envelopes xm/it/renoise style? (pan/pitch/vol). Let me know if you want me to sum up any function design suggestion based on tracking software.

µB · December 09, 2009 6:01 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

I think I'd probably try to mimic FT2/Milky functionality. I doubt I can recreate the interface 1:1 in Synthedit, but I'll give it a try.

Meanwhile, have a look at Chip32, which at least lets you draw a waveform.

Last edited by µB (December 09, 2009 6:02 am)

ant1 · December 23, 2009 9:47 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

It would be great if there was an option with the arpeggiator so that when you play a chord, instead of treating each note separately, it plays the notes of the chord as an arpeggio.

An option to turn Polyphony off would also be nice.

8bitcollective

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#1 May 10, 2009 1:43 pm - VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

Code:

#2 May 11, 2009 2:42 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#3 May 11, 2009 3:26 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#4 May 11, 2009 1:09 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

lolitacomplex wrote:

#5 May 11, 2009 1:35 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#6 May 13, 2009 10:34 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#7 May 13, 2009 10:36 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#8 May 13, 2009 11:05 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:

#9 May 13, 2009 11:08 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

the ant boy wrote:

#10 May 14, 2009 3:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

µB wrote:

iLKke wrote:

#11 May 14, 2009 4:16 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#12 May 14, 2009 4:57 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#13 May 14, 2009 5:01 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#14 May 14, 2009 5:35 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#15 May 22, 2009 1:16 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#16 May 27, 2009 4:02 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#17 May 27, 2009 4:10 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#18 May 27, 2009 4:22 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:

#19 May 27, 2009 4:34 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#20 May 27, 2009 4:38 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#21 May 27, 2009 4:42 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#22 May 27, 2009 5:38 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

lolitacomplex wrote:

#23 May 27, 2009 11:59 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#24 May 28, 2009 4:30 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#25 May 28, 2009 6:37 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

iLKke wrote:

#26 May 28, 2009 7:20 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

µB wrote:

lolitacomplex wrote:

#27 June 01, 2009 10:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#28 June 03, 2009 2:31 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#29 June 03, 2009 5:01 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#30 June 04, 2009 10:02 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#31 June 08, 2009 4:20 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#32 August 09, 2009 11:05 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#33 September 03, 2009 6:05 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#34 September 03, 2009 6:13 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#35 September 06, 2009 4:07 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#36 September 06, 2009 6:27 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#37 September 06, 2009 9:37 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#38 September 06, 2009 4:47 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#39 September 06, 2009 11:31 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

bivab wrote:

#40 September 07, 2009 11:41 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#41 September 19, 2009 2:25 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#42 September 19, 2009 8:09 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#43 December 08, 2009 8:38 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#44 December 08, 2009 6:42 pm - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#45 December 09, 2009 2:58 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#46 December 09, 2009 3:03 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#47 December 09, 2009 5:10 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#48 December 09, 2009 5:50 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#49 December 09, 2009 6:01 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

#50 December 23, 2009 9:47 am - Re: VSTi: Medusa (WinXP)

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