Analog Filter Frequency Envelope Problem

[adamg]

Has anyone else noticed the following?

When changing the value of Analog's filter frequency modulation envelope, there is a VERY pronounced "zippering" sound if the note is held down and you tweak at the same time. Is there a fix for this?

Thanks!

[twisted-space]

Yep, it sucks. Not found any way round it.

[adamg]

I just tested the same function on Operator and Sampler. No zipper. Frustrating, because Analog is a good synth that I would use more if this was fixed. This is one of those things that slipped through the cracks and will most likely go unresolved. It sure would be cool if they fixed it though.

[twisted-space]

I've emailed support with instructions on how to reproduce, I would suggest you do the same, hopefully someone will look into it.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Edit:
It might be an idea to change the thread title to something more descriptive, like maybe "analog filter envelope problem?"

[Mr Man]

ive noticed this too. its a real shame to get buggy shit like that when you pay good coinage for it

also does anyone know how to engage the level mod env in analog?

[twisted-space]

I got a reply back from Nico @ Ableton support. He says I can post his reply, so here it is:

Hi John,

thanks for your email. I can reproduce the issue here and have filed a bug report.


> Hope this can be fixed.

Well, I assume that this can be optimized by implementing a smoothing algorithm for the envelope depth parameter (and any other parameters which may be affected by the same issue), so that each parameter change will drive a small ramp within a certain vector instead of stepping directly to the next value. It isn't possible to get fully rid of zipper noise, but with the aforementioned trick it would sound a lot better than it does now.

However, please note that Analog is based on AAS' "Ultra Analog", so this needs to be implemented by AAS. Unfortunately I don't know how long this might take.

Best regards,

Nico Starke
Ableton Technical Support

So they are now aware of the issue and will get AAS to look into it.

[adamg]

I got a reply back from Nico @ Ableton support. He says I can post his reply, so here it is:

Hi John,

thanks for your email. I can reproduce the issue here and have filed a bug report.


> Hope this can be fixed.

Well, I assume that this can be optimized by implementing a smoothing algorithm for the envelope depth parameter (and any other parameters which may be affected by the same issue), so that each parameter change will drive a small ramp within a certain vector instead of stepping directly to the next value. It isn't possible to get fully rid of zipper noise, but with the aforementioned trick it would sound a lot better than it does now.

However, please note that Analog is based on AAS' "Ultra Analog", so this needs to be implemented by AAS. Unfortunately I don't know how long this might take.

Best regards,

Nico Starke
Ableton Technical Support

So they are now aware of the issue and will get AAS to look into it.

Thanks for looking into it!

[twisted-space]

I've been in touch with Eric Thibeault fron AAS. I described the problem and gave him a link to this thread.

He has given me permission to quote him directly....

"Got it. Are you automating the parameter in question? We don't "smooth" all the parameters to save CPU cycles."

After being prompted for a response over a month later....

"Unfortunately, these kind of improvements are not planned at the moment and we really don't know if they will ever make it in Analog or Ultra Analog VA-1. Sorry about that, we'll try to do better next time."

The issue isn't a bug, it's by design and it won't be fixed. I would urge anyone who is unhappy with this to contact Eric directly, his email address is [email protected]

[octavious]

I'm super fucking pissed off right now!!!!

I just found out about this shit. And i paid good money for ableton analog. I wasted 100 dolllars. Cause probably ableton wont refund me for this.

fuck ableton and ASS or AAS, whatever they're named.

[pencilrocket]

try before you buy. that's your fault if you didn't try...

[octavious]

try before you buy. that's your fault if you didn't try...

I did try. This is just not so evident. I have been developing a midi mapping app and i had not had the time to delve in analog to find this out. One wouldn't expect such shit from any decent product.

[pencilrocket]

There are many 'decent' products that have parameters not expected to be automated or tweaked realtime.

[octavious]

Yeah, but most, if not every other synth out there, free or commercial will feature smooth filter env transitions. I challenge you to find one (besides analog) that doesn't. You simply won't find one.

[andrewbrewer]

Perhaps not helpful to the discussion but I will drop my 2 cents: I have a few go to analog synth plug ins that I use mainly because they sound different. My solution when one of those synths underperforms for what I am trying to do is to switch to another synth. It's at a point where it is just a reflex, I don't even think about it.

AAS analog is good but I don't use it for everything. It plays the analog synth role probably like 30% of the time.

[andrewbrewer]

What I'm trying to get at is that you have many tools in the toolbox, and you are going to limit your creativity if you get hung up on the limitations of a single tool. You need the liberty to think outside of the limitations of your tools and make them work for you. All art is an illusion. No one will understand the tricks and compromises it took you to get to the end product, nor will they care. Your audience wants to be entertained and inspired. There are free vsts that can give you what you are looking for. Try them out and see if they can fill in the duties that you need from analog, and only use analog where it excels.

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/ ... y-277953/1