DSP Robotics Support

BobF wrote:Well I know when I need help and I do need some now!

So if some kind Flowstoners could look it over and help me I would REALLY appreciate it. Also if when looking it over you see any other bugs/mistakes, or have any improvements, or other comments, PLEASE let me know.

Hi Bob

I've had a play with this project and it doesn't work at all for me

Here's some stuff that needs to be done:

(1) NEVER open a blue signal path by connecting via a selector to a dummy input. You can select between valid signals in blue with a selector (for example to choose between effects or to bypass an effect). I have a new audio interface and the same applies with this USB one as my last sound card so this is a general rule I've found for Flowstone. If you need to mute an input in blue use a stream multiplier and set its control input to either 1 or 0. In this way you don't actually open the path, you just set its amplitude to zero. Crazy maybe, but that's the way it works, every time!

(2) EVERY control (knobs, switches, menu selectors etc.) must have a unique preset name in the schematic. Your switches are all called "switch" and your knobs are called "preset name" so are still at default. One way to help with this is to paste in a Preset Properties module inside each main module then you can name the module's preset name and it will then automatically form a hierarchy in the preset parameters listing. I always make a simple preset, save it, then open it in notepad to check for repetitions line by line. If I find a non-unique entry I can then go into the schematic and locate the duplicated name. Alway do this and get it right before you make loads of presets, otherwise you'll be repeating your sound design over and over!

I know for certain that these points need to be addressed first then we can see where we are. You'll probably find the vu meter will work then, because the blue audio stream won't be upset.

I'm looking forward to seeing the updated one, looks very promising Bob!

Cheers

Spogg

Thanks Spogg,

I know you have been very busy with your synth's. Thank you so much for taking the time to look at it and comment. Will post a fix I hope as soon as possible. Again much appreciated!

Later then, BobF.....

(1) NEVER open a blue signal path by connecting via a selector to a dummy input. You can select between valid signals in blue with a selector (for example to choose between effects or to bypass an effect). I have a new audio interface and the same applies with this USB one as my last sound card so this is a general rule I've found for Flowstone. If you need to mute an input in blue use a stream multiplier and set its control input to either 1 or 0. In this way you don't actually open the path, you just set its amplitude to zero. Crazy maybe, but that's the way it works, every time!

owww .... this is something I need to know, and maybe explains a weird crashing issue I've had with BIDULE chainer.

Don't want to de-rail this thread. I need to look in FS toolbox about this 'multiplier'. [never used it].

I needed an audio router that had a EFX BYPASS ability [I controlled the switching via MIDI CC controller]. It worked fine in FS ... but crashed in BIDULE.

I used the 'dummy' input .... I'm a 'dummy'

RJHollins wrote:

(1) NEVER open a blue signal path by connecting via a selector to a dummy input. You can select between valid signals in blue with a selector (for example to choose between effects or to bypass an effect). I have a new audio interface and the same applies with this USB one as my last sound card so this is a general rule I've found for Flowstone. If you need to mute an input in blue use a stream multiplier and set its control input to either 1 or 0. In this way you don't actually open the path, you just set its amplitude to zero. Crazy maybe, but that's the way it works, every time!

owww .... this is something I need to know, and maybe explains a weird crashing issue I've had with BIDULE chainer.

Don't want to de-rail this thread. I need to look in FS toolbox about this 'multiplier'. [never used it].

I needed an audio router that had a EFX BYPASS ability [I controlled the switching via MIDI CC controller]. It worked fine in FS ... but crashed in BIDULE.

I used the 'dummy' input .... I'm a 'dummy'

It's just the stream multiply prim I'm referring to!

Cheers

Spogg

Hello Gang,

Well here it is again with hopefully all the bugs out. Thanks a million for the suggestions Spogg! If you downloaded the last one, please discard it and use the new one here. I decided NOT to write a manual as I am terrible with that kind of stuff. You can just study the presets and for the most part figure out what is going on. Use some real CAUTION when making changes and your own presets as some conditions, like feedback can cause howling feedback in your speakers or even lock up your computer. With that said, I do think I can get some better effects as a Flanger goes than some commercial vst's I have bought and also free ones. I have played my guitar through it and it sounds great, as do keyboards and drums.

Well that's it! If you find anymore bugs, PLEASE let me know. If you have any suggestions to make it better, PLEASE let me know! If you create any great presets, PLEASE let me know!

Ok, enjoy.
Later then, BobF.....

This is coming along nicely Bob and this one kinda worked for me in FS.
However there are still some issues (sorry!).

There were some odd things with some of the presets. This is because you still don't have unique names for all the controls. The "Parallel" switches all have the same preset names as do the knobs inside the 3 flanger modules. This means that any stored preset parameters won't address the knobs and switches you want them to and the host DAW won't recall the correct settings when a saved project is reloaded.

In a VST export (which I tested) you must only have ONE Clear Audio prim. You could connect the Kill switch to the one connected to the preset manager. In your VST it doesn't seem to cause a problem but I found ages ago that if there are more than one of these prims the host will sometimes freeze.

For a VST export I found it's critical not to open a blue stream, as I mentioned before. In your new version you've used a Float set to zero as a dummy and remarkably this does work in the VST export but it might not work in other hosts or every time. You may want to change the selectors to multiply prims. I need to clarify that using a dummy on a selector will work in the Flowstone edit environment but has frequently caused issues (like turning off the audio stream or locking up Reaper) when exported as a VST. This must be down to the way FS compiles the VST I guess.

If you can address these issues I would love to put the VST on the Flowstoners site under "Flowmates" (but only if you want me to). The structure is very versatile and what I heard in Reaper sounded really good, so I hope you can sort out the above points. Please just say if you need further clarification.

Cheers

Spogg

Hello gang,

Well with some help from my friend Spogg, this Combo Flanger is finally fixed.

There are 3 effects modules combined in the plugin and they can all individually create the classic flanging or phasing sound, each using a different approach and so creating their own distinct sound. We have the more common delay type, a frequency shifter and a pitch shifter (hence DFP) so you can use these individually to also create effects that these modules might normally be used for.

This is a mono effects plugin and the internal signal routing is under your control from the drop-down boxes. You can choose for the DFP modules to be routed in parallel or you can choose a series configuration for some really wild sounds. The output of each module can have its level adjusted to give the desired mix of effects.

For flanging and repeat echo, feedback is very important. Here you can choose from which point in the chain the feedback to the input is sourced, and of course its amount. You need to very careful with feedback since it can easily tip into oscillation! If this does happen you can easily hit the “Kill Audio” button to clear the buffers, and then immediately reset feedback knob/s back to zero.

The operation of the DFP modules should be easy to understand, assuming you’re familiar with such effects. It’s worth mentioning though that the “Pos / Neg” switches on the panels are simply phase reversal of the modules’ outputs to give a wider range of possibilities. Also note that the delay flange can be set for milliseconds or beats for more melodic type delays. And lastly the frequency flange has a barber pole effect button (use with caution when using feedback), and the pitch flange has a reverse and semitone button for more added effects.
P.S., If you need the vst (dll) head over to Spogg's Flowstoners websight and look in Flowmates.
Have fun!

If you have any question just ask!
Later then, BobF.....

wow also looking very nice. I see you has improved a lot since the last video.
one question, how do you record videos so fast?

What videos are you talking about?

Looks like a robot to me.