Competition - Graindance & Plasmatron challenge - Ended

[Timo]

All entries are now closed. Voting is now online, best of luck!

[Plasmatron voting (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30648)], [Graindance voting (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30649)]




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Graindance and Plasmatron Competition (the brainchild (http://www.infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30372) of fellow user Brambos!)

Win official Access Virus T-Shirt! (thanks to Marc @ Access!)

A fun challenge to all.

Access are known for displaying photos of the Virus with imaginative preset names for promotional photo shoots, notably "Plasmatron (http://infekted.org/virus/images/announce/ti2fascia-hires.png)" and "Graindance (http://www.infekted.org/virus/images/announce/virustisnow.jpg)" from the TI|2 and TI series respectively....

http://www.infekted.org/virus/images/announce/GrainPlas.png

... however the patches are entirely fictional.

The competition: Program your very own sounds to best fit the two "Plasmatron" and "Graindance" titles!

Rules:

* There are two competitions. One for Plasmatron and another for Graindance. They will be judged separately each by public vote - so you can enter one patch, or the other, or both.
* The patches must each be evocative of, or sound related to, the 'Plasmatron' and 'Graindance' names in some way. - This is what it'll be judged on, so no bog-standard, random, heard-before trance patches (unless they are covered in ectoplasm, or split into atoms and reconstituted back into something that sounds half decent)!
* The patches must each be entirely new, and entirely your own creations. No tweaked presets here!
* Any Virus may be used (A/B/C/TI/Snow).
* To keep it fair, a maximum of 1 x Plasmatron entry and 1 x Graindance entry per person only.
* Edit the patch names to Plasmaxxx or Grainxxx or similar (where xxx is your own identifier - your two initials for example), so we know whose are whose when we play each others' patches.

How to enter:

¹ Create a brief <20 second MP3 audio demo of each of the patch entries (100% Virus only, no external processing) to showcase your creations. [Any such live modulations that you use (in addition to note, velocity and aftertouch) should be restricted to the Pitch/Mod-wheels and Definable knobs only. - Make/assign good use of them!]

² Export each of the individual patches in raw Midi format. - Instructions on how to do this here (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?p=287318#post287318). - I will retain them until after the entry date has elapsed, after which they will be compiled and publicly released to the community. [Unfortunately I don't have a TI, so hopefully someone here may be able to compile them all into a single bank, please?!]

Contact me via PM with links to both your patches and accompanying MP3s, or send me an email (via my profile) - if you send via email, please specify your Infekted username in the mail.

The last day for submission is: 1st March.

Prize: A rare opportunity to bag an official, exclusive, highly sought-after Access Virus T-Shirt, as also modelled by the likes of Ben Crosland and the Access team at music trade shows!

If you're up for it state your name, and may the force be with you! :)

Sign up list:
• Splat!
• Kcinsu?
• Big Tunes?
• Monobeat
• ///OS

Entries submitted:
• HiEnergy
• Matt van k
• Timo
• gjvti
• Ceri CJ
• Brambos
• ShortBus

Note: Although the T-Shirt is donated by Access, the competition is an unofficial one created by the community, specifically by Brambos!

[brambos]

Cheers! *does a little [grain]dance*

:D

[big tunes]

picture of shirt? :D

[kcinsu]

Ok, so question about the modulation sources.

Are patches to be of the live/performance type variety?

Personally, all my music is done with automation of parameters. So, you say we can only use mod wheel, and the 3 soft knobs... but in what context?

So should the audio demos be of just the patch playing, and a real time performance of tweaking the knobs, or can we automate those assigned knobs in our sequencer?

[kcinsu]

Also, should the mp3s be of just the patch, or could it be the patch with other elements (ie drums etc) to give it more context?

[brambos]

Ok, so question about the modulation sources.

Are patches to be of the live/performance type variety?

Personally, all my music is done with automation of parameters. So, you say we can only use mod wheel, and the 3 soft knobs... but in what context?

So should the audio demos be of just the patch playing, and a real time performance of tweaking the knobs, or can we automate those assigned knobs in our sequencer?

I think the MP3 should be just the patch (or maybe both patches if you think they fit together well). And maybe some manual twiddling of the soft-knobs and modwheel.. but I would say no automated parameter changes, otherwise you can do 3 total preset morphs in those 20 seconds ;)

Compare it to the way commercial sound designers advertise their preset banks.

[Timo]

Yes, 100% Virus only, no external processing, as the votes will be on the merits of the actual patches themselves.

Let's say you can use a sequencer if you wish, but other than note, velocity and aftertouch, only the Pitch/Mod wheels and Definable knobs can be automated. So program and assign the definable knobs and mod-wheel to good effect (makes good practice, anyway!).

Remember you can also assign more than one destination to a single knob or wheel using the matrix, so there's plenty of flexibility.

Unleash the beast within!

picture of shirt? :D

Hopefully Marc may be able to give us a screenshot? :)

[marc]

Hopefully Marc may be able to give us a screenshot? :)

no, that would put to many people off - but i got a riddle for you fanboys ;) - what was the patch name in the display of the first TI pics and brochure and why should i have checked back with the oracle before choosing it?

cheers, marc

[Monobeat]

Timo. Count me in on both Plasmatron and Graindance. This sounds like a lot of fun.

I will of course dress my Virus up like a Casio before attempting the patches.

[///OSS]

Im down for both :D

[Timo]

no, that would put to many people off - but i got a riddle for you fanboys ;) - what was the patch name in the display of the first TI pics and brochure and why should i have checked back with the oracle before choosing it?

cheers, marc

Tsunami, and then of course one occured for real (in the Indian ocean) not too long afterwards.

[Oscar later]

I'm gonna try for both but i'm movin house this month so probs just be 1 ;)
sound like a cool idea though, can't wait to hear them already....

[marc]

Tsunami, and then of course one occured for real (in the Indian ocean) not too long afterwards.

not bad at all sir, but that wasn't the exact patch name ...

m

[Timo]

Tsunami MS [MS = Marc Schlaile = your patch, hence your need to have checked with the Oracle prior to publishing it. ;) ]

[HiEnergy]

My Graindance is already done. Now I'm heading for the Plasmatron.

[Timo]

Great stuff.

Just about to submit my own.

Haven't graintables on my own Virus so conjured up a little PCM action for Graindance. :)

11 days left to go.

[brambos]

11 days left to go.

I have my graindance ready.. now on to the plasmatron!

[Ronkaz]

Tsunami MS [MS = Marc Schlaile = your patch, hence your need to have checked with the Oracle prior to publishing it. ;) ]

patches with MS signature are done by Manuel Schleis (http://www.vengeance.de)

r

[Ceri JC]

Just a quick n00b question re: the format you want this submitted in. I've never used sounddiver/pre TI viruses, so please forgive my ignorance.

As I've only used TI machines, I've always just used VC's patch manager and the midi files which that generates are effectively patch banks. So I could easily make a midi file containing both patches. Am I right in thinking that this isn't acceptable for the competition and that "² Export each of the individual patches in raw Midi format." means that the two patches should be exported seperately, presumably this way:
http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=24159

TIA.

[gjvti]

Addidtionally as I understand Ableton users are not able to use this
http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=24159
method since Ableton doesn't support sysex:roll:

[Ceri JC]

Addidtionally as I understand Ableton users are not able to use this
http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=24159
method since Ableton doesn't support sysex:roll:

Right... that might pose a problem for me (and other Snow users), as I only use my Snow in Ableton. Is it okay for us to submit it in the midi format VC creates? Alternatively, can some kind soul (who promises not to use our patches as the basis for his own submission! :o ) who has a TI and a suitable host convert them, as I believe Timo doesn't have access to a TI?

[Timo]

Thanks guys, unfortunately I haven't had access to a TI so wasn't exactly sure about the specifics. On my Virus I use SoundDiver to export individual patches (right-clicking, then 'Export MIDI File'), but assumed this functionality was available from within Virus Control for TIs?

[Timo]

I've had a very quick email back from Access support (Joerg Huettner, respect!).

To export a patch using Virus A/B/C: You can use either SoundDiver:

http://www.infekted.org/virus/images/Infekted/SoundDiver.png

... right-click the patch and select "Export MIDI File".

Or if you don't have SoundDiver, you can do a patch dump from the Virus itself and use any sequencer to capture the data. To do this, press the CTRL Menu button (or System Menu button for Virus C) on your Virus, navigate left or right until you see the "MIDI DUMP TX" setting, then select "SingleBuff" to get ready to dump just the current patch. Press "Record" in your software sequencer and then press "Store" on the Virus and it will send the patch data. Once recorded, save the data as a standard MIDI file.

To export a patch using TI/Snow: You can either do the same as above (export a patch manually via the System menu (via the "MIDI DUMP TX", "SingleBuff" as described above for the Virus A/B/C)).

OR you can do the following, explained by Joerg: "With the Virus TI Control PlugIn this can be done by simply copying one of the Midi Files that reside on the hard drive under

Windows:
Access-MusicVirus TIPatches in “My Documents” folder

Mac:
/LibraryApplication Support/Access Music/Virus TI/Patches

and then renaming the copy and deleting all sounds from it in the Virus TI Control PlugIn then in its BROWSER tab. Then you can copy just one sound into such a copy of a sound bank there."

It goes without saying, back up all of your data before moving things around as I'd hate for people to accidently overwrite and lose stuff. :)

[Timo]

3 days left after today, folks!

Anyone else still up for it?

[Alakhai]

3 days left after today, folks!

Anyone else still up for it?


sorry, too late for me (have a show tomorrow)...and I don't know if I'm good enough at sound programming ;)

looking forward to heat the other's work anyway
win the best :cool:

[Timo]

sorry, too late for me (have a show tomorrow)...and I don't know if I'm good enough at sound programming ;)

looking forward to heat the other's work anyway
win the best :cool:

No worries.

Anyone can enter though, regardless of skill. "If it sounds good..." (Joe Meek)

Good luck with the show tomorrow. :)

[DeFex]

Sorry i missed this, I just popped by because access emailed me about the new OS, and wanted to see what people were saying.

[Timo]

Today and tomorrow left. :)

12 entries so far (6x Plasma, 6x Grain).

MmMmmm, Access Virus T-shirt...

[Timo]

Ladies and gents, last day for any submissions today!

Still time to enter. :)

[ShortBus]

I need an email address to send my contest files to.Please Help,Running out of time.

[Alakhai]

I need an email address to send my contest files to.Please Help,Running out of time.

click on Timo's name to see his profile, then click on "send email" ;)

[ShortBus]

It wont let me attach the Mp3 and midi files.

[Alakhai]

It wont let me attach the Mp3 and midi files.

can you grab the email address and paste it wherever you want (outlook, etc.)?

[ShortBus]

No because it goes through this website and dosnt show me any email address.

[Alakhai]

No because it goes through this website and dosnt show me any email address.

hmm...maybe you can upload the file somewhere in the net (rapidshare, megaupload, etc.) and send the link to Timo

[Timo]

No worries, sent you a PM. :)

[Alakhai]

Aaaw I can't wait to test the patches

hope there will be other contests in the future (even without prize, just for the game)

[ShortBus]

Thanx for the reply hopefully you got the patch.

[Timo]

Got it, Shortbus!

The competition has now ended. Thanks to all who entered! :) voting and the patches will be available shortly (once they are compiled into a bank).

[suzzymackenzie]

This competition is like totally brilliant. I'm way too much of a newbie to have dared enter, but I'm looking forward to sharing the goodies and voting, and most of all ... looking out for emotional thank you speeches from award winners :mrgreen:

[brambos]

This competition is like totally brilliant. I'm way too much of a newbie to have dared enter,

What better excuse to start digging into the sonic treasurechest do you need? ;)

I saw this as the perfect opportunity to spend some time figuring out how to best use the potential of the granular / wavetable capabilities of the TI.

After creating these patches I now have a pretty good grasp of what they do and how to control them.. But I'm still far from being an expert Virus sounddesigner. There's so much potential waiting to be tapped into! :D

but I'm looking forward to sharing the goodies and voting,

Me too... new patches to play with! :p

[HiEnergy]

I'm already eager to hear the results of the contest.

@Timo: What about publishing the demo snippets in advance so there's something to enjoy while waiting for the completion of the compiled bank...? ;-)

stay tuned
HiEnergy

[Timo]

Voting is now online, best of luck!

[Plasmatron voting (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30648)]
[Graindance voting (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30649)]

Full patch bank available shortly. Had a problem exporting my own patch from SoundDiver, so hopefully Ceri can add it again soon.

[wildbill]

Each and every entry I listened to was good. I voted for the ones that best matched the image I got from the name of the patch.
Sort of wish I had entered a couple patches now.

[Ceri JC]

Each and every entry I listened to was good. I voted for the ones that best matched the image I got from the name of the patch.

+1.

In a couple of instance I thought at least one other patch was "better" (sounded more professional, I would be more likely to use it in my own music, etc.) than the one I voted for, but in keeping with the spirit of the competion I ended up voting for the ones that sounded most like the aural-image the name counjured up.

[m@picone]

Sorry to contradict you on a Semantics issue, but Plasmatron and Graindance are not "fictitious"... they're UNRELEASED.

I'll offer up a dozen unreleased TI2 patches to the contest winner too.

-m@

[Timo]

Sorry to contradict you on a Semantics issue, but Plasmatron and Graindance are not "fictitious"... they're UNRELEASED.

I'll offer up a dozen unreleased TI2 patches to the contest winner too.

-m@

Hi Matt! I don't have a TI myself (only an Indigo1 unfortunately!), but I'm sure Shortbus (the Plasmatron winner) would very much appreciate the TI2 patches. You can find him here (http://infekted.org/virus/private.php?do=newpm&u=9912). Thanks for that. :)

Are there any audio demos of the real Graindance and Plasmatron patches available at all, please? Would be nice to hear those elusive sounds.

Thanks again.

[Snoozer]

I would really love to hear/use the real Graindance too - the competition entries are nice but apart from Bram's most don't really use the grain oscs to their fullest extent (if at all in a couple of cases).