V5.0-KX-SYNTH-X16-HELP

Infos and license
Install infos
Help
Faq
Midi learn

Infos and license:

http://kx77free.free.fr

Email: kx77free@free.fr

Two monophonic versions are available on http://kx77free.free.fr
M for the VSTi without the audio inputs: kx-synth-x16-M.zip.
FX for the VSTe with the audio inputs: kx-synth-x16-FX.zip.

Infos to Fruity Loop users:
The plug-in uses less CPU (-25%) and the wav export works fine with these Wrapper options:
- Use fixed size buffer.
- FL 8 -> Allow threaded processing must be disabled (quad core).
- FL 9.1 -> Allow threaded processing must be enabled (quad core).
The Midi Learn doesn't work with FL, FL locks the CC for its automation.

General features:

Name: KX-SYNTH-X16
File name: V5-KX-SYNTH-X16.DLL
Author: Xavier Kalensky
Marque: KX77FREE
OS: All Windows VST Hosts (32 bit or 64 hosts with vst 2.xx bridge)
Type: 2.3 VSTi (32 bits)
State: Release

Versions:
5.0 © 07-2014
4.3 © 02-2012
4.2 © 01-2012
4.1a © 12-2011
4.1 © 12-2011
4.0 © 11-2011
3.3 © 04-2011
3.2 © 11-2010
3.1 © 08-2010
3.0 © 06-2010
2.5 © 01-2010
2.0 © 04-2009
1.04 © 11-2008

Built with Synthedit 1.1914

Kx77free SEM modules specialy written in C++ for this plug-in:
oscillators, matrix, filter, adsr, delay, sequencer, kxmod, etc...

Description:
Vintage Modular Polyphonic Synthesizer.
A virtual analog based on the VCS3 structure.

V 1.0 (2008):
It is unusual for me to work on VA.
But when Burnie asked us Nova and me to do a VCS3 plugin I was interested.
This old EMS synthesizer is great with its modern matrix concept, its joystick
and its possibility to do feedback patches.
Nova collected some docs and Scot Solida sent to Nova his recordings.
I used them to research the way to do a close oscillator simulation.
I did a new filter based on the KX filter code.
Nova built a modern skin.
We did not built another SE clone of this synthesizer
but added some great features on the original concept.

V 2.0 (2009):
One of the features of this plug-in is the polyphony with a total respect
of the original feeling of the EMS synthesizer.
A new KXMOD system is implemented to create fat vintage leads
or nice polyphonic instruments.
A CV and gate sequencer has been added to create real vintage sequences.

V 3.0 (2010):
The KX77FREE oscillators replace the native SE oscillators (tweaked).
The result is -40% of CPU use won (-33% up to -50%).
The waveforms have been modeled by using additive synthesis (Wavetracer v2.0).
This technology produces waveforms like the original analog waveforms,
the timbre and the shape can be identical or very close.
Now, the Kx-Synth-x16 oscillators are 100% compatible with the Kx-Modulad waveforms.
These waveforms are available on http://kx77free.free.fr.
The file is "x16-Add-Waveforms.zip".

V4.0 (2011):
New version of built-in sequencer,
Now it is polyphonic with 6 tracks and many improvements have been done.

V5.0 (2014):
New version of filters and only two outputs.

Common features with the VCS3:
Three variable shape oscillators.
16*16 pin matrix with feedback connections.
VCS LP filter, 18 db per octave with self oscillating.
Noise generator with EQ.
Ring modulation.
Two external inputs
(Only available with the FX version).
XY joystick.

Added features:
Possibility to change the waveforms.
Hard synchro from Vco2 to Vco1.
Polyphony up to 6 voices.
Total control of the polyphony features
with the extended KXMOD system.
Each voice can be controlled with RELATIVE parameters
(KXMOD).
Analog sequencer (CV & gate) with
a memory of 6 tracks of 256 steps,
files saved on disk, 32 bits data, 2 accent lines,
random clock, keyboard input to transpose
or to reccord the CV...
Mini knobs to adjust each matrix modulation, 0 to 1 or -1 to 1.
Modern skin with notepad and variable color background.
Html help file.
Many available filters (Synthi,-30,-24,-12, Hp, CS, SVF).
The original ASR (trapezoid) is extended to 2 ADSR with
Attack Reset mode, Host and internal sequencer synchronization.
Ring modulator with EQ and limiter.
Delay fx with host synchronization and LFO modulation.
It replaces the original spring reverb.
LFO, Sample & Hold and third ADSR envelope added,
monophonic modulations, they can replace the external inputs
(In1, In2).
Keyboard scalers.
X Y matrix Midi controllers.
Full Midi Learn.
Velocity to envelope segments, cut off and volume.
Midi in splitter.
Midi in channel selector.
Omni Midi output to control external monophonic instruments
and build polyphonic ensemble, each instrument is one voice...
Sequencer Midi ouput.
160 KX presets:
36 polyphonic instruments
20 unison presets
36 monophonic presets (v 1.04)
22 sequencer demos
14 tutorial and initialization presets
32 presets in additionnal bank

Infos:

If you connect a source to the input controls: Vol1, Vol2
the output volume can vary up to 0 db!
Before to connect any sources, you should adjust
the modulation level with the matrix mini knobs.

To have a best sound, please DO NOT set all levels at max!
All internal connections are in 32 bit, you can work under 0 db for each level of the matrix sources.
You will use a DSP simulation with the numeric limits without the nice possibilities
of analog distortions of the electronic circuits, simulate them in modular structure it is too hungry CPU use.
To verify the levels, you can use the vu-meter with Meter (one voice meter ouput or all voices).
If you use the meter matrix destination to verify the levels, do not forget to set its ouputs to "Mute".
Since the V5 you can adjust the levels of all main generators with the "Mixer" mini knob (vcos, ring modulator, noise).
Also, the Vcf level should be < 1 (1 at the middle) if you create a complex patch with a lot of feedback and you use SV filters.

Minimum requirements:
Windows (32 or 64): Xp sp2, Vista, Seven...
Any compatible VST 2.3 32 bit host with Asio driver.
Need a vst 32 bridge (jBridge) with some 64 bit hosts (Live 64 bit).
Any old mono SSE2 processors >= : P4, Athlon K8.

This plug-in is not compatible with the old Athlon XP processors!

A 64 bit VST3 version of this plug-in will be available when SE 64 bit will be stable
and when the convertion of my SDK2 32 bit SEM modules to 64 bit modules will be end...
So if you want to use the KX-SYNTH-X16 with your 64 bit host and if this one has not a vst
32 bridge (64 bit version of Live), you can use the jbrige 32/64-64/32 vst bridge (20$ only):
http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge.

Note:
Your host and Jbrigde must run in administrator mode:
To solve this, locate theirs shorcuts, right-click them, choose "Properties", and in the "compatibility" tab enable
"Run this program as an administrator option".

The KX77FREE plug-ins are FREEWARES, so 20$, it's a good deal!

22 07 2014 ver 5.0:
New SSE2 sem modules (less of cpu use and size).
New filter (more close of the original filter, based of BLT's recording) and SVF filters added.
Now the Sustain time is adjusted with the On parameter when the envelopes are looped.
Possibility to adjust the levels of all main generators with only one knob (vcos,ring modulator, noise).
Under Bar host synchronization (envelopes).
Only two outputs for the compatibility with jBridge and some hosts.
Improvement of oscillators: reset, synchronization and waveforms loading.
Improvement of ring modulator: new oversampling filter and now the equalizer is before the inputs.
Improvement of sequencer: files loading and host synchronization.
Internal changes for use common modules with the others plug-ins.
Internal presets modified.

21 02 2012 ver 4.3:
Improvement of the KXMOD modularity, now the levels of the inputs (1, 2) can be modfied for each voice.
Now the waveform selectors are not controlled by the Program Change and if you replace the initial waveforms
by these of the Kx-Modulad all presets which use them will be modified.
Fixed bugs:
The short Asio buffers were dropped when the program change if a sequencer file was loaded.

01 01 2012 ver 4.2:
Improvement of the matrix modularity, now the volume control inputs can be replaced by Pan or Shape control inputs.
Several sources to the FX modulation have been added.
Fixed bugs:
The joystick values were wrong when the offset of -10 to 10 was selected (M and FX versions).

18 12 2011 ver 4.1a:
Improvement of the Midi Learn, now it's not necessary to sustain a Midi note which is used to control a button,
just to play it again to stop the control. Useful to control the sequencer on/off (Pause button) with a Midi keyboard.
A selector has been added for the Midi Learn channel.

04 12 2011 ver 4.1:
Improvement of the matrix modularity, now the In1, In2, X Mod, Y Mod matrix sources have the same choice of modulations
(new: Vca Env are also included). The X Mod and Y Mod sources can modulate the Ring Modulator.
The joystick has now two offsets, 0 to 10 or -10 to 10.
Peak follower on audio inputs and Midi output added on the FX version.
Fixed bugs:
The audio inputs are muted (4 sec) when the initialization of the plug-in (Fx version).
The Midi input channel was always set to All and its selector followed the program change.
The bug of the audio outputs with Zynewave and Sonar has been fixed.

11 11 2011 ver 4.0:
Now the built-in sequencer is polyphonic with 6 tracks of 256 steps.
They are 6 data per step: cv, gate state, accent 1, accent 2, length, trigger2.
All of these data are saved on the hard disk.
More possibilities to synchronize the sequencer with the host.
The old files *.x16 are compatible with this new version.
Improvement of the ring modulator with 4 new limiters (oversampled).
An hermite interpolator have been added to the delay.
Possibility to transpose the vcos directly with pop-up menus.
A bank of 32 new presets is provided with the plug-in.
All sequencer presets has been rewritten.
Fixed bugs:
A management of the output signals (left, right, meter) has been added
to avoid the Sonar X bug: the outputs 1 and 3 are disabled, 2 to the left and 4 to the right.
Strong entries of the pitch values could crash the frequency displays, each display is limited now.

14 04 2011 ver 3.3:
Vco1 improvement when it is synchronized by the Vco2 with the possibility to
reduce the high frequencies modulations.
Possibility to verify the Meter signal (all voices) before its ouput level and now the Meter output level is not linked with the Midi Prg Change
The Vca knob controls the vca level when the Mod envelope is used to modulate the vca level.

21 11 2010 ver 3.2:
Internal presets management (fxb, fxp, copy, load, save).
New parameter: "Mod" to use only one envelop.
Skin improvement with popup menus.
Power off to the synchronised clocks.
Fixed bug:
The envelop loop mode ("Lp") could not be enabled when the envelop sustain.

12 08 2010 ver 3.1:
Possibility to use negative values with the mini knobs (matrix control inputs).
Hard synchro from the Vco2 to the Vco1.
New filters added, LP 12 db and LP 6 db with or without HP filter .
Possibility to use the Ring Modulator without its limiter and an EQ has been added on its output.
The input or output voltage values of the sequencer can be displayed in note values (eg: 5 volts = A3).
Fixed bugs:
The sequencer has been rewritten to avoid possible crash with Asio4all or similar asio drivers (samplerate update).
The matrix crash test works again (all matrix pins on).

New ver 3.0 features:
The KX77FREE oscillators replace the native SE oscillators (tweaked),
several hundred of internal modules have been deleted.

The result is -40% of CPU use won (-33% up to -50%).

The waveforms have been modeled by using additive synthesis (Wavetracer v2.0).
This technology produces waveforms like the original analog waveforms,
the timbre and the shape can be identical or very close.
The harmonic number of the waveform is controlled for all frequencies to avoid any aliasing
and the band width of the low frequencies is very large (up to 1600 harmonics for 0 volt).

Now, the Kx-Synth-x16 oscillators are 100% compatible with the Kx-Modulad waveforms.
These waveforms are available on http://kx77free.free.fr. The file is "x16-Add-Waveforms.zip".

VCS3 's waveforms:
osc-sine-10 = rectified+
osc-sine-11= normal
osc-sine-12 = rectified-
osc-tri-10 = normal
osc-saw-10 = normal
osc-saw-11 = for the pulse
osc-saw-12 = inverted

Improvements:
New LFO parameters, the AUX envelop can control the LFO speed and its amount to the LFO level is now independent
of the main AUX envelop level used to the matrix.
Midi input channel selector added.
All the Midi learn parameters are set to "none", you start with a blank Midi learn setting.
All banks in version 2.5 are compatible with those of version 3.0.
This new version keeps the same vst index (ID) of the version 2.5 in order to preserve the compatibility of the presets
between the two versions.
Fixed bugs:
If a negative value of velocity modulated the release of the VCA envelope, the VCA output level could be completely saturated.

A bug in Cubase 5 is avoided by changing only the first letters of the name of the plug-in.
Indeed if two VSTs have the same ID and have theirs names beginning with the same letters Cubase 5 shows only one in its list of VSTs.
If you want to keep the KX-SYNTH-X16-V25, the plug-in V3-KX-SYNTH-X16 will work fine and will appear in the VSTs list of Cubase 5.

Special thanks to:
Eric Langou : www.novaflash.com
Great and free VST instruments.
http://www.novaflash.com

Burnie is a moderator of instrumentsvirtuels.free.fr.
http://instrumentsvirtuels.free.fr
http://lesitedeburnie.free.fr

Scot Solida is a member of KVR forum.
http://www.kvraudio.com

BLT is a meber of Synthé-modulaire forum (Fr).
He done for me good recordings of clean VCS3 filters.
http://www.synthe-modulaire.com

Also Albedo039 who send me his Synthi recordings.
https://soundcloud.com/albedo039

for the program Synthedit : Jeff McClintock
http://www.synthedit.com

About the VCS3:

The creator of the original VCS3 (1969) and
Electronic Music Studios (London) is Peter Zinovieff.
http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMS_VCS_3

VCS3 freeware links:

First SE VCS3 clone by R. Brooks:
http://www.vickers-armstrongs.com/synthedit/synthiaks.htm

EFM, Synthia 2: http://ele4music.blogspot.com
Ninecows, Cynthia: http://ninecows.dk/cynthia

Kx-Synth-x16 license agreement :
This plugin is provided as is with no warranty of any kind.
The use of this plugin is entirely at your own risk.
You may not distribute this plugin in any way.
This version is a freeware.
I hope you will enjoy this plug...
If you like this plugin don't forget to make some publicity about it.

Warning:
Caution ! , If you are a novice, don't work with a headphone and the volume at max
because electronic instruments can generate powerfull bass (<40 hz)
and very high frequencies (res at max).
The KX77FREE plugins are made for electronic experienced musicians
who pratice electronic sounds synthesis regularly.

KX77FREE License :
author of the vst plugins KX77FREE : Xavier Kalensky

The user downloads and uses the vst plugins KX77FREE at his own risk
The author of the vst plugins KX77FREE (or all other provider with KX77FREE agreement* )
can not be responsible of material* *or corporal damages (direct or indirect) caused
by the use of the vst plugins KX77FREE.
* like Mao magazines, the url to download the KX77FREE files (zip or setup.exe, wma) is
http://kx77free.free.fr. All other urls have not the author agreement!
** as any financial, personal or computer data loss.
It's recommended to save any important data before using the vst plugins KX77FREE.

The vst plugins KX77FREE in FREEWARE version are provided without warranty.
The user may not distribute the vst plugins KX77FREE in any way.
The vst plugins KX77FREE are always distributed with the file ''Licence.pdf ''
which contains this licence.
Before downlading and using the vst plugins KX77FREE,
the user has read carrefuly this licence (1-Warning and 2-License) and he accept it.

KX77FREE : © 2003-2014 by Xavier Kalensky. All Rights Reserved.
All other copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners

SynthEdit: © 2003 by Jeff McClintock. All Rights Reserved.

VST and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH

Infos and license
Install infos
Help
Faq
Midi learn

Install infos

1- Unzip the KX-SYNTH-X16.zip.

2- Copy the V5-KX-SYNTH-X16.dll and the "V5-KX-SYNTH-X16"* folder into your x86 Vstplugins folder.

*Normally the plug-in copies its embedded files (*.sem, data, etc...) inside a folder with the same name when the plug-in is
initialized for the first time by your host program. But sometime on Vista or Seven that doesn't work with Live,
generally it is a bug about the rights. So this is why the plug-in folder is in the zip ...
You must be logged in administor not in simple user because you must have all rights on the "vstplugins" folder generally installed
in the "Program file" folder which is protected by Windows.

Help:

FAQ:

1 - What is the difference between "Run" and "Play run"?

The plug-in is alway running with "Run". With "Play run" it's running only when your sequencer host is playing (play), it's useful if you use continuous sounds or the sequencer.
Do not forget that if you use a continuous sound built with looped EGs, etc, the sound must be triggered by the trigger button or with a Midi note on.

2 - What are exactly the "Run Att" and the "Run Rel" parameters?

They are the fade-in and the fade-out of the voices!
You can use them like a global AR envelope or to control the fade-out of continuous sounds.
The "Run Att" is useful to avoid audio clicks when you trig continuous sounds following the connections of the matrix.
The "Run Gate" selector permits to select the source which controls these parameters.

3 - Why my host cannot load the SEM modules when the plug-in is loading?

You forgot to copy the "V5-KX-SYNTH-X16" folder when you installed manually the plug-in with the zip.
Normally the SE engine unzip the embedded sem modules inside the plug-in folder but to avoid this bug with Live 8 and vista32, it's strongly recommended to follow installation instructions. Windows 7 extractes the sem modules in an hidden folder system if you didn't copy manually or you didn't use the setup to install them.

4 - Why the Help button doesn't work?

You forgot to copy the "V5-KX-SYNTH-X16" folder when you installed manually the plugin with the zip.

5 - Why the sequencer track is empty (demo files)?

You forgot to copy the "V5-KX-SYNTH-X16" folder when you installed manually the plugin with the zip.

6 - Why the sound is muted after the loading in the host program?

Now only the Midi in and the sequencer outputs are muted when the initialization of the plug-in (2 sec).

7 - Why the voice panels have blank areas?

It's not very nice but I prefer to keep this blank areas if I decide to add some parameters. I think that is more easy to work with them if the voice parameters are at the same area of the main parameters.

8 - How can I reduce the CPU use?

It's not really a problem, you can reduce the number of voices.
Many of monophonic presets are provided with the original bank.
Do not forget that the VCS3 was a monophonic synthesizer, the polyphony is a bonus!
Do not make connections in the matrix if you do not use them and set to 0.000 the unused parameters (orange knobs).

Some features increase the CPU use:
The cycle mode uses more cpu because the current voice change at each note on, all voices are actived step by step.
When the Vco1 is synchronized by the Vco2 the Vco1 uses 100% CPU more but it sound good, less than a real analog synthesizer
(less high harmonics) but better than some DSP hardware synthesizers...
An oversampling code has been implemented in the ring modulator (Hq, Ltd S, Ltd T, Dist S, Dist T) and some filters (*= x2, Q = x4).
The oversampling technologie needs to use strong filters to delete the aliasing artefacts created by the samples oversampled and the nyquist limit (FS/2). So, when you use these new soft or hard limiters of the ring modulator, its cpu use is inscreased of 400% (ooops!).
But in the majority of case you don't need to oversample. The HQ selection is also oversampled but with simple filters because the signal is not limited.

The monophonic versions M and Fx use less ram than the poly version.

9 -Midi Learn Setting:

The Midi Learn setting is saved in the bank and in the preset.

10 - Beta-testing results:

This is a stable release, it was tested on 32 bits and 64 bits Windows with the main VST hosts:
Cubase SX, Cubase SE, Cubase 5, Samplitude, Orion, Cantabile, Energy XT, Reaper, FL, Live, VstHost, Chainer, Sonar...

11 - Minimum requirements:
Windows (32 or 64): Xp sp2, Vista, Seven...
Any compatible VST 2.3 32 bit host with Asio driver.
Need a vst 32 bridge (jBridge) with some 64 bit hosts (Live 64 bit).
Any old mono SSE2 processors >= : P4, Athlon K8.

This plug-in is not compatible with the old Athlon XP processors!

A 64 bit VST3 version of this plug-in will be available when SE 64 bit will be stable
and when the convertion of my SDK2 32 bit SEM modules to 64 bit modules will be end...
So if you want to use the KX-SYNTH-X16 with your 64 bit host and if this one has not a vst
32 bridge (64 bit version of Live), you can use the jbrige 32/64-64/32 vst bridge (20$ only):
http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge.

Note:
Your host and Jbrigde must run in administrator mode:
To solve this, locate theirs shorcuts, right-click them, choose "Properties", and in the "compatibility" tab enable
"Run this program as an administrator option".

12 - Recommended configurations:

All Dual Core or Quad Core configurations with host programs optimized for these processors.

13 - Know problems:

V4 banks compatibility:
The main structure of the plug-in has been modified to implement the new filters and
some internal parameters have been deleted but the V4 banks are compatible with the V5.
A message box appears when the user loads its V4 bank.
This message would not appear later if the host session is saved.
The user will correct the following values:
- Now the On parameter adjusts the Sustain time when the envelopes are looped
- set the mini knob "Mixer" to 1 (max)
- the filter choice (LpV4 is the V4 filter)
- the voice allocation selectors (id, None or Seq)
- the reset of vcos
- the Lfo level, now the Lfo knob is limited to 1
- the divide values when the envelopes are synchronized with the host tempo

FL Studio:
The plug-in uses less CPU (-25%) and the wav export works fine with these Wrapper options:
- Use fixed size buffer.
- FL 8 -> Allow threaded processing must be disabled (on quad core).
- FL 9 and upper -> Allow threaded processing must be enabled (on quad core).
The Midi Learn doesn't work with FL, FL locks the CC for its automation.

Orion:
To change the values of the knob fields, use the "Caps lock" key.

Samplitude 15:
Minor SE 1.1 graphic bugs with the knob fields,
they appear blank if you choice a preset in the preset list.
You need to click on to see the value.
You should use the plug-in preset pop-up menu ("Pst", on the bottom to the left corner).

14 - Why did you disable the Meter outputs 3 and 4?

It's not easy for me to do a regression but I notified that more than 2 outputs on VSTI are not really supported by all hosts,
specialy when the plug-in is bridged in a 64 bit host.

Midi learn:

All controllers can be edited with the Midi learn (right click).

Caution:.
CC 120 = All sounds off
CC 123 = All notes off

The default setting is all parameters set to "none".

The current setting is saved in the bank or in the preset.

Infos and license
Install infos
Help
Faq
Midi learn