KarmaFX Synth Modular voted #1 in Computer Music Special !

Sat, 01 Dec 2007

In the recent Computer Music Special: "The Fast Guide To Synthesis", CM have round up the most favoured commercial and free synths.

For the last 3 years KarmaFX has provided the public beta version of KarmaFX Synth Modular VST synth and effect unit as donationware. Computer Music readers have shown their appreciation for the software and this fact by voting KarmaFX Synth Modular into 1st place on the top 10 chart of best "free" synths!

CM writes:

“ ...KarmaFX Synth is, simply put, a wonder. ”

“ It's a breeze to carve out your own sonic signature with this instrument. ”

KarmaFX would sincerely like to thank all those who voted! To show our appreciation and celebrate, KarmaFX has created a special CM patch bank which is on the magazines DVD.

This issue also features an article on "Modular synthesis from the ground up" featuring a two page KarmaFX Synth tutorial.

KarmaFX Synth Modular has since reached version 1.0, and its donationware days are now over. On November 1st 2007 it was converted to shareware, but a free demo version is still available for download.

Breaking the Sequence ! - KarmaFX featured in CM Synth Essentials, November issue

Sat, 10 Nov 2007

KarmaFX Synth Modular is once again featured in Scot Solida's excellent two-page Synth Essentials column in Computer Music Magazine.

This time Scot shows a step by step guide on how to use the sequencer module for modulation!

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 FINAL released !!!

Thu, 01 Nov 2007

 
After years of development, testing and tweaking, the final version 1.0 of KarmaFX Synth Modular is finally ready! The project started back in 1998, so it has been a long journey. Thanks go out to the people who supported KarmaFX with testing, feature suggestions, patches, comments and donations during these past years!

With this release, KarmaFX Synth Modular is converted from Donationware to Shareware. This means that it is now available in two versions: A Full Registered version, that comes with extra patches, skins and a User's manual and A Demo version, free for trial use. It times-out and has limited save and update capabilities.

By this change we hope to give our dedicated users better support and avoid confusion with Freeware, which many sites mistakenly report that KarmaFX Synth Modular is. The KarmaFX Plugin Pack is not affected by this change, and will continue to be Donationware.

The Registered version of KarmaFX Synth Modular can be bought online here. People who have already donated $10 or more for any KarmaFX plugins are entitled to a free Registered version of KarmaFX Synth Modular and have been notified by e-mail.

The release of version 1.0 marks a new chapter for KarmaFX Synth Modular, but does in no way mean that development will cease. So go ahead and join us on our continued journey into the realms of modular synthesis !

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 final changlog.

  • Made the Registered and the Demo version branches.
  • Finished the User's manual for the Registered version and placed it in the "KarmaFX_Synth\Manual" subfolder.
    A shortcut is placed in the Windows Start menu on installation.
  • GUI: Added a new slick looking "Blue" skin to the Registered version.
  • Added an extra patch bank to the Registered version (Bonus Bank 1).
  • Temporarily disabled uninstaller in the Registered version due to a technical issue.
  • Reordered and created a bunch of new patches.

    The Demo version expires February, 2007.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 6, 7, 8 and 9] released !

Sat, 27 Oct 2007

More Synth Modular bugfixes.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 9] changes (10/27/2007)
  • Bugfix: Minimizing Notepitch controller when chained to unison module caused stack overflow. Fixed.(Thanks flos!!)
  • Bugfix: Modulating Unison parameters in polyphonic mode crashed the synth. Fixed. (Thanks flos!)
  • Bugfix: Possible memtrash bug fixed in Notepitch/Pattern module.
  • Reordered and added a few new patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.
KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 8] changes (10/27/2007)
  • Bugfix: Hooking up a modulator through another module could crash the synth in poly mode. Fixed. (Thanks flos!!)
  • Bugfix: Replacing a modulator module in poly mode could crash the synth. Fixed.
  • Reordered and added a few new patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.
KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 7] changes (10/21/2007).
  • Bugfix: Right clicking on Additive waveform selection menu could crash the Synth. Fixed (Thanks Ryan!).
  • Bugfix: HFO module could startup in overflow state. Fixed (Thanks flos!).
  • Bugfix: Sampler module's Freq knob had no effect without a controller signal. Fixed.
  • Reordered and added a few new patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.
KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 6] changes (10/14/2007)
  • Bugfix: Clearing Control Panel MIDI CC assignments now actually works. (Thanks dj.tuBIG)
  • Bugfix: Changing precalc quality in Pad module could crash the synth. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: MIDI CC mapping only worked after openening the GUI. Fixed. (Thanks dj.tuBIG)
  • Bugfix: "Harmonics" text in the Additive and Pad displays was not shown properly. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Text in Samplers Velocity Editor was colored wrong due to sign error. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Stereo separation time display always showed 0ms in Delay module. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Step module's internal offset could go out of range. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Forward looping in Sampler could overflow with a loop size of 0. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Oscillators are now initialized to random phases to avoid phase-sync when trigger is off. (Thanks dj.tuBIG)
  • Bugfix: Crop/Cut functionality in Sampler was broken for 24 and 32 bit samples. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Right click menu in Pad's magnitude editor did not work. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Fixed a stupid slowdown bug in RC5 (Registry was accessed in process function by mistake). [RC6]
  • Removed all patches containing large samples to save space. These will be included in a separate bank later.
  • Created a few extra patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 Shareware Announcement !

Thu, 11 Oct 2007

With release candidate RC5 just around the corner, KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.00 Final is closer than ever. It is time to announce that with this release KarmaFX Synth Modular will be converted from Donationware to Shareware. This means that the Synth will be available in two versions: A DEMO version that is free for trial use, and a FULL Registered version that costs money (price to be announced later).

It is therefore no longer possible to donate money in order to sign up for the full registered version.

Donations are still welcome. The KarmaFX Plugin Pack is not affected by this change, and will continue to be Donationware. People who have already donated $10 or more for any KarmaFX plugins are entitled to a free registered version of Synth Modular and will be notified by e-mail.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 4] released !

Sun, 07 Oct 2007

More Synth Modular bugfixes.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 4] changes.
  • Enabled "Tempo Sync" option to Sampler's Delta parameter. Useful for syncing drum loops. [RC3]
  • GUI: Added a warning message to the Unison display when the max number of voices has been reached. (Thanks dj.tuBIG) [RC3]
  • Bugfix: Unison could produce strange output in polyphonic mode. Fixed. (Thanks dj.tuBIG) [RC3]
  • Bugfix: Polyphonic mode will now revert held keys when too many keys are pressed and then released.
    This only worked in monophonic mode before. (Thanks dj.tuBIG) [RC4]
  • Bugfix: More than one output from Pattern module could cause it to change tempo. Fixed. [RC4]
  • Bugfix: Holding down more than 16 notes could mem-trash Pattern module when in Arp mode. Fixed. [RC4]
  • Bugfix: Sampler's output was sometimes mistakenly detected as silent after loading a sample. Fixed. [RC4]
  • Bugfix: Minimizing Unison module could potentially crash the synth. Fixed. [RC4]
  • Bugfix: Too much memory was allocated and saved when loading samples into Sampler (since v0.99). Fixed. [RC4]
  • Re-edited all patches to make sure they generally detrigger on note-off events. [RC4]
  • Created a few new patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 2] released !

Sun, 30 Sep 2007

Synth Modular has been updated. We are nearing completion of version 1.0 final, so no new features this time. Just GUI tweaks and bugfixes.
Final version will be released one or two weeks from now.
Full list of changes below.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0 [Release Candidate 2] changes.
  • Amplifier will now skip streams from input modules if amplification is 0 for more than half a second.
    This can reduce CPU load considerably, especially with polyphonic patches.
    This also means that patches will consume 0% CPU when not playing and the GUI is closed.
  • Tweaked synth engine performance and reduced vst dll sizes for faster loading.
  • GUI: Double clicking or Shift-clicking on a wire arrow now allows you to insert a module on this wire (Thanks Matthew).
  • GUI: Additive and Pad magnitude editor is now log scaled for easier editing.
  • GUI: Renamed all "Component" references to "Module" for consistency with the manual.
  • GUI: Optimized/rewrote all waveform and curve drawing routines.
  • GUI: Added antialised drawing support. The level of antialising is determined by the skin.
  • GUI: Added even better support for custom skins. Resource files placed in a subfolder inside the Skins folder will now be detected as a "raw" skin.
  • GUI: When using raw skins, hitting Ctrl-R will now reload the chosen skin.
  • GUI: Made minor edits to the default skin (colors and gfx).
  • Bugfix: Pos in Sampler was disabled by accident in v0.99. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Stereo parameter in Pad module was bogus on first output sample. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Sampler's sustain was broken when in stereo or when multiple keys were held in non-polyphonic mode. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Clearing samples in Sampler while playing a polyphonic patch could crash the synth. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Nasty interpolation bug in delay code caused some modules to overflow. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Multiple connections to a bypassed module could return garbage. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Midi control messages like Pitchbend etc. could confuse MidiTrig module. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Portamento was broken in polyphonic mode. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Fixed memory leak when replacing modules.
  • Bugfix: Fixed possible crash and memory leak when out of memory while loading samples. [new in RC2]
  • Bugfix: Arp could sometimes go out of sync in Pattern module. Fixed. [new in RC2]
  • Created a few new patches.

    Release Candidate expires November, 2007.

KarmaFX Official Sponsor for Drum & Bass Event in November

Tue, 25 Sep 2007

KarmaFX is again sponsoring 'Socialism' in London! This time November 13th.

The line up is:
SABRE, KUBIKS, DANGEROUS, ALTITIDE, KOMBINATE, DYMOND, DJ SWAY, SHABBA, M CD & BENNIE D, IRIE MC, NU-FLO

Take the Sub-way ! - This month's CM Synth Essentials features KarmaFX Synth

Mon, 10 Sep 2007

KarmaFX Synth Modular is once again used in Scot Solida's excellent two-page Synth Essentials column in Computer Music Magazine.

This time Scot shows how to take advantage of Sub Oscillators!

KarmaFX Official Sponsor for Drum & Bass Event in August

Thu, 16 Aug 2007

KarmaFX is again sponsoring 'Socialism' in London, August 21st.

The line up is:
PARADOX, INSIGHT, MARTYN, DJ TRAX, KOMBINATE, DYMOND, DJ SWAY, MC CD & BENNIE D, MASTERMIND & DOMINATA.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.99 released !

Sat, 14 Jul 2007

KarmaFX Synth has been updated. Full list of changes below.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.99 BETA changes.
  • Added auto-pitchbend to "Tune" knob in NotePitch module (Thanks Rick, for the idea!).
    Enable by clicking on "Enable pitchbend" in right click menu and choose the desired range.
  • Changed internal buffer size to reduce overall memory usage (Unfortunatly this change requires a full install, online update won't work).
  • Added Stereo module with left/right volume control and -0dB, -3dB, -4.5dB and -6dB pan law panning.
  • Added external waveform (.wav) import feature to the Additive module.
  • Wav files can now be dragged and dropped onto the sampler module and the Additive module to load/import external samples.
    The Sampler can also load multiple files this way.
  • Added support for module presets. Right click on caption to activate the caption popup and choose "Presets" to access the presets submenu.
    Presets are stored in KarmaFX_Synth/Presets and named according to module class and type.
  • Changed "KarmaFX SFX" bank name to "KarmaFX Effect" (for input effects) and added "KarmaFX SoundFX" bank for synth sound effects.
  • Added extra external waveforms to the Additive module.
  • Added Pad module (inspired by Paul Nasca's padsynth algorithm), which features Bandwith and Bandwith Scale controls, and where it's possible to edit waveform, harmonic magnitude, harmonic profile and the overall frequency response curve.
  • Bugfix: New Patch->Simple Effect was broken in 0.98. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Sidechain knob modulation won't clip to range anymore.
  • Bugfix: Faster and safer memory resize functions in reverb code.
  • Bugfix: Popup windows would destroy the GUI when dragged in Cakewalk Sonar.
    Fixed by subclassing a different window and changing the window's style flags. (Tested in Sonar 6 Trial).
  • Bugfix: Missing mousewheel support fixed in Sonar, Cubase SX and FL-Studio.
  • Bugfix: Trigger in Sampler module was broken since 0.97. Fixed. (Thanks Synchro!)
  • Bugfix: Sampler now outputs silence when busy loading samples.
  • Bugfix: Better error handling when reading patches with mismatching parameter specs.
  • Bugfix: Changing NotePitch's polyphonic mode now resets internal voices.
  • Bugfix: Additive module would not restore correctly when using the built-in waveforms. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Using "Replace" module in a polyphonic patch could crash the synth. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Clicking "Rename" in Sampler would disable all right click menus. Fixed.
  • Created a bunch of new patches and added some from the Flos bank! (Thanks Flos!)

    This beta version expires October, 2007.

Feel the pulse ! - This month's CM Synth Essentials features KarmaFX Synth

Sun, 10 Jun 2007

KarmaFX Synth Modular is once again used in Scot Solida's excellent two-page Synth Essentials column. This time he experiments with Pulse width modulation.

Scot writes:

“... This month, I'm returning to that modular masterpiece KarmaFX Synth in order to unlock the arcane secrets of the pulse wave...”

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.98 released !

Tue, 08 May 2007

KarmaFX Synth has been updated. Full list of changes below.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.98 BETA changes.
  • Added Additive generator module with waveform and harmonic magnitude/phase editor.
    Up to 1024 harmonics with support for user defined waveform presets.
  • Added Early reflection level slider and modulation toggle-switch to Reverb module. Recoded the first four verb algorithms for better quality.
  • Added BitShuffle effect module: A (1 to 16 bit) bit-cruncher where you can pick and shuffle bits. (Special thanks to Synchro for this idea).
  • Added High Quality mode to Sampler.
  • GUI: Stick drawing is now linearly interpolated when dragging mouse.
  • GUI: Added stereo dB meters to Input module.
  • GUI: KarmaFX Synth FX (VST effect) now loads the "KarmaFX SFX" bank by default.
  • GUI: Added "Bypass" option to replace menu, making it possible to remove a module while keeping the wiring. (Thanks Stefan!)
  • GUI: Switched the "Props" and "Bank" buttons in the control panel.
  • GUI: Added rangescale menu to "Tune" knob in NotePitch module. Choose between 2, 4, 12, and 24 semitone range.
  • GUI: Added support for external raw skin (resource script and BMP images) for easier skin editing.
  • Bugfix: Right click on modules is now disabled when dialogs are shown.
  • Bugfix: Unlink of automation controls could crash the synth. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Rename of automation controls was broken in 0.97. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Clicking on "Auto Assign Midi Control" again can now be used to stop assignment.
  • Bugfix: Compressor display was not updated when collapsed. Fixed.

    This beta version expires August, 2007.

KarmaFX Official Sponsor for Drum & Bass Event in May

Mon, 07 May 2007

  Once again, KarmaFX is sponsoring 'Socialism' in London. This time its on the 31st of May and the venue is Trafik.
Visit www.trafikinfo.co.uk for more information.

The line up is:
NICKY BLACKMARKET (bm soho), T.K.O. (parameter II), MISS WENDY (breakbeat kaos), DJ BASHER (ram), SNEAR (futuredrumz), KOMBINATE (lenition), DJ SWAY (futuredrumz), MASSACRE (origin fm), MC CD (l.b.g.), YOUNGMAN MC (technique), MASTERMIND (aftershock), MC NINJA (futuredrumz).

KarmaFX Synth Reviewed in Computer Music Special Issue

Fri, 20 Apr 2007

One-page review and two-page tutorial in special issue of Computer Music on the top 50 free plugins of 2007: "THE CM FREEWARE TOP 50".

CM writes:

“ Your fast track to the best free music production software available today! The CM team have spent months researching and testing hundreds of freeware applications to root out the Top 50 tools for every job in your home studio. Find out what they are and how... ”

“ ...If there's a complaint to be levelled at modular synthesizers, it's that they're too complex. But KarmaFX Synth, built around a GUI that allows the user to instantiate and patch together various modules such as oscillators, filters and effects, won't leave you scratching your head. After a few minutes of playing with a factory preset, you'll be able to get the gist of what this big, beatiful beastie can do... ”

The KarmaFX Synth as well as the KarmaFX Plugin Pack is included on the accompanying CD.



Cosmosis endorses KarmaFX Synth

Thu, 22 Mar 2007

Bill Halsey/Cosmosis writes about KarmaFX Synth in his "ask Dr.Bill" section on the Cosmosis website, under Modular Synthesis vs Fixed Architecture.

In case you don't know: Cosmosis are one of the few artists on the Psy-Trance scene with an distinctive sound, Cosmosis were also one of the original artists that, along with Total Eclipse, Hallucinogen, Man With No Name and Astral Projection, pioneered the Goa and Psy-trance sound in the early nineties.

Bill Writes:

"If you decide that you really want to get into modular synthesis and that is your thing, then save yourself some money and download the excellent KarmaFX Modular synth. It's free/donationware and is an excellent piece of software. There, I have just saved you 700 euros :)"

KarmaFX Official Sponsor for Drum & Bass Event in March

Sat, 10 Mar 2007

KarmaFX is sponsoring 'Socialism' @ Inigo Bar with free plugins. A Jungle and Drum&Bass Event night Tuesday 27th March, 8pm til 2.30am,in London, SW8.

The line-up is pretty spectacular:
DJ PHANTASY (easy), MAGISTRATE (direct), DJ FU (hit & run), SIGMA UK (charge), DYMOND (advanced), KOMBINATE (lenition), DJ SWAY (futuredrumz) UK APACHI (SOUR), MC FREESTYLE (extreme), YOUNGMAN MC (technique), MC RIZLABLU (dnbww)

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.97 released !

Sat, 17 Feb 2007

KarmaFX Synth has been updated. Full list of changes below.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 0.97 BETA changes.
  • Added oversampling to Oscillator2's ring modulation.
  • Added basic online auto update functionality; making it easier to get the latest version, without re-installing the Synth. Update is applied instantly, without any need to restart the plugin or host application.
  • Moved KarmaFX Synth core functionality into "KarmaFX Synth Core.dll". This saves disk space, reduces installer-size and makes automatic updates easier.
  • Bugfix: Right clicking on module type in captions would crash the synth. Fixed. (Thanks lalo!)
  • Bugfix: Modulating delay,fine or stereo in Delay Module had unpredictable results. Fixed. (Thanks Oliver!)
  • Bugfix: Check/Uncheck of options in GUI menu was broken. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Rangescale didn't work correctly in polyphonic mode. Fixed. (Thanks Alexeus!)
  • Bugfix: GUI was updated when window was hidden, causing overhead and artifacts in some hosts. Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Pattern modules notehistory wasn't cleared on startup (potential crash bug). Fixed.
  • Bugfix: Fixed arpeggiator indexing-bug in Pattern module.

    This beta version expires June, 2007.

KarmaFX Synth Tutorial in this Month's Computer Music

Sun, 04 Feb 2007

KarmaFX Synth Modular is again used in Scot Solida's excellent two-page Synth Essentials column. This time he experiments with Sequencer modulation using the step module in KarmaFX Synth.



KarmaFX site moved to www.karmafx.net !

Tue, 30 Jan 2007

The karmafx website has been moved to karmafx.net.

The contract with the previous webhotel was terminated since karmafx.dk was "using too many system resources".
We were basically thrown out.

After some technical difficulties, the site, forum, etc. has been restored and an auto redirection from karmafx.dk will be setup shortly.
Please note that forum posts (if any) for the last two days may have been lost.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause!

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