MIDI not triggering Module Sound

[mivey4]

Hi,

New to the forum. I just purchased the Syndrum module and have noted that though I can visibly see the midi notes and events are being detected by the Voltage Modulator LED; I get absolutely no sound. Searching the net I've found that this is something that others have reported as well.

This should be a really straightforward no brainer process. Load the VST plugin in the DAW, make certain its configured to receive the MIDI signal, hit a key and heard sound but it's not happening.

Looking for clues as to what may be the issue.

Mac Ventura
Logic Pro 10.7

Thanks

[utdgrant]

Could you post a screen grab of the patch you're using in VM?

Or, even better, could you also attach the actual VoltagePreset file?

[ColinP]

It's not clear whether you've actually patched the Syndrum module to receive input and provide output.

It won't automatically produce sound unless you patch a cable from Voltage Modular's GATE or TRIG OUT to the TRIG IN socket on Syndrum and another cable from the Syndrum's OUTPUT to Voltage Modular's 1L(M) MAIN OUT to host.

It's actually a little more subtle than that as the TRIG IN socket is sensitive to the voltage but just a 5 V trigger should get you going.

Sorry if I've misunderstood.

[mivey4]

Thanks guys.
@ColinP I believe you nailed the issue. Played around with it a bit more and apparently in addition to patching a cable from the trigger out to a trigger in on the Syndrum, another from the Syndrum Output to the Voltage Module main out as you advised. I had to also add a bus to the MIDI IN on the VM. Sound right? I hope I got that right.

Anyway, I now get sound from the module when the MIDI is triggered.

I am getting a weird echo from the Syndrum and have tried every parameter available without any success eliminating it. IDK... Maybe it's just inherent to the module

Worse comes to worse and I'll have to bounce out the audio and then slap a gate and fade on it.

[ColinP]

That's good.

Not sure what could be causing the echo effect. If you post a screenshot of the patch as Grant suggested that could be helpful.

Although it might be something DAW related like you accidentally sending doubled up MIDI data or something like that.

I'm pretty sure that Mark Barton's code accurately simulates the behaviour of the hardware, as I believe he actually designed the original, so there shouldn't be anything strange going on.

[MRBarton]

Thanks for purchasing the Syndrum.
There should be no echo or the need for a gate on your part.
We all await your screenshot. Many nice people here will get you sorted.
Voltage Modular is a total blast and many many hours of fun await you.

--mb

[mivey4]

Hi and sorry for the delay on response.
Here is the screenshot of how it's set up but IDK.... you say there should be no echo yet I do get what I'd compare to what sounds like an echo. But upon playing around with every parameter I have it seems the vibrato setting is controlling what I hear. The selected waveform is correct but it cycles the sound again sooner than I'd like. I wanted the full decay with one note trigger but it's not happening. Maybe it's not possible?

If I set the vibrato spread to zero, the repeat doesn't occur; but then the sound extends further than I want. I believe I need a way to control the slope of the decay and cutoff the sustain at the end of the sound. Don't see any setting for that though.

Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 2.45.42 PM.png (1.65 MiB) Viewed 5966 times

[utdgrant]

From the module description:

SNARE switch -- Off = no snare sound, 1 = quiet shorter snare, 2 = loud longer snare

TONE SUSTAIN -- Controls the duration of the decaying tone.

SWEEP switch -- DOWN = tone jumps up when struck, then decays downward (the Syndrum signature sound) -- OFF = no sweep -- UP = tone jumps down when struck, then decays upward

RANGE -- Tonal range of the SWEEP

SPREAD -- Vibrato FM deviation (depth)

COARSE tuning -- 6 octave range


I think that a good place to start would be to set SNARE to Off, SPREAD to zero and RANGE to zero.

(Setting SPREAD to zero will ensure that the 'Vibrato' LFO is taken out of the equation and doesn't generate these repetitive "echo" downward sweeps.)

Then use the COARSE tune to set it to the lowest (final) frequency you want.

Then adjust the TONE SUSTAIN to get the length of sound you want.

Then adjust the RANGE to get the peak (starting) frequency you want.

[mivey4]

I think that a good place to start would be to set SNARE to Off, SPREAD to zero and RANGE to zero.
(Setting SPREAD to zero will ensure that the 'Vibrato' LFO is taken out of the equation and doesn't generate these repetitive "echo" downward sweeps.)
Then use the COARSE tune to set it to the lowest (final) frequency you want.
Then adjust the TONE SUSTAIN to get the length of sound you want.
Then adjust the RANGE to get the peak (starting) frequency you want.

Thanks for the suggestions! It helped me to get much closer to what I was targeting but I am still struggling a bit with controlling the retriggering of the signal causing the sound to restart anywhere between the middle and towards the end. I'm not certain how to acquire absolute control over that so that I can confidently manipulate the audio knowing it won't happen.

I'd like to control the length of the sustain and decay. Here is an example of what I'd like to target

Desired Decay.mp3

This is the desired sound I'm after

(30.44 KiB) Downloaded 270 times

However, it seems the Vibrato parameter is causing the sound to repeat due to the shape of the oscillator in the down position which triggers an immediate attack but if the sound hasn't fully completed (decayed) then the upward oscillator kicks in causing the undesired effect heard here. I was able to get it closer to what I want but you can still hear the retriggering of the signal towards the end.

Retriggered Effect.mp3

This is an example of the signal getting retriggered

(30.44 KiB) Downloaded 243 times

I'll experiment with it some more but I was hoping it would be slightly easier to accomplish. The first sample I provided is the classical sound typically expected with a basic electronic drum.

[utdgrant]

(Setting SPREAD to zero will ensure that the 'Vibrato' LFO is taken out of the equation and doesn't generate these repetitive "echo" downward sweeps.)

Thanks for the suggestions! It helped me to get much closer to what I was targeting but I am still struggling a bit with controlling the retriggering of the signal causing the sound to restart anywhere between the middle and towards the end. I'm not certain how to acquire absolute control over that so that I can confidently manipulate the audio knowing it won't happen.

Here is the Syndrum Front Panel:

SyndrumGlamour.jpg (163.27 KiB) Viewed 5907 times

1. Set the Snare Switch to the OFF position (underlined in red). This will leave only the 'pew, pew' tone signal. It will also make the setting of the (snare) SUSTAIN slider irrelevant.

2. Set the SWEEP switch to the DOWN position (underlined in red). This will ensure that you get the 'Classic Syndrum' downwards sweep sound. One sweep per trigger only, starting high in pitch and falling.

3. Set the (vibrato) SPREAD slider to zero. This will make the (vibrato) waveform switch and the (vibrato) RATE slider settings irrelevant. It will also eradicate the 'retrigger/echo' effect. Leave the SPREAD slider at zero. Do not change the value of the SPREAD slider.

4. That leaves four slider values (circled in yellow) which you can change at will, in order to get it sounding exactly how you want:

TONE SUSTAIN - determines how long the sound lasts from initial trigger to falling silent.

(Sweep) RANGE - determines how much pitch bend effect you get over the course of the sound.

TUNE COARSE and TUNE FINE - determine the basic pitch of the sound.

Have a play with those four sliders and get to know how they interact. You should be able to derive a whole range of classic syndrum effects by tweaking only them.


Set the (vibrato) SPREAD slider to zero. Leave the SPREAD slider at zero. Do not change the value of the SPREAD slider from zero.

"Let he who is without syndrum cast the first stone." - Disco Jesus