Geonik's Omega-1

an virtual synth using physical modelling synthesis
by George Nicolaidis

Description

The Omega-1

The success of the "Plucked String" clearly demonstrated the need for more quality generators. Omega-1 is an attempt at regrouping various flavours of the original algorithm and new physical models in one single generator. Each flavour is referenced by its instrument number, making the plug-in work as virtual synthesizer. The machine is extendable and therefore new instruments can be added in the future with no compromise in compatibity with older songs.

What's new

Release 1 | Initial release

Usage

> G e n e r a l P a r a m e t e r s

Note | While every note is acceptable, be careful with very low octaves
Volume | Not much to say about this one
Reserved | Do not touch this one ! It may be used in future versions of the plugin
Control 1,2,3 | The behaviour of these parameters depends on the currently selected instrument and is described below

> A t t r i b u t e s

Dynamic Range | When the sound output by a channel drops below a certain level, the channel stops running to preserve CPU time and becomes available for new notes when dynamic allocation is enabled. This attribute specifies the dynamic range of each channel, ie the distance between the louder and the quieter sound measured in dB.
Default Volume | When the volume for a new note is not specified, this is used.
Dynamic Channels | Setting this to other than zero enables dynamic allocation of channels. It is equal to the maximum number of channels to play at any time, including normal parameter channels. Dynamic allocation means that new notes don't cut the sound of precious ones, as long as there are free channels. When no more channels are available, the quietest channel plays the new note.
Note Off Amplitude | Sending a note-off decreases the amplitude of the currently playing note to this percentage

Instruments

Blank cells mean that the control is ignored.

Instrument | Description | Control 1 | Control 2 | Control 3
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 - Original Ps | The original Plucked String, sounding exactly the same as in the omonymous plug-in | Dampening | \ | \
2 - Guitar String | Enhanced version of the Original Ps that sports correct tuning for all octaves and filtering to reduce the high frequencies produced by the pluck | Dampening | \ | \
3 - Grand Pluck | Two Guitar Strings are played simultaneously at slightly different frequencies to create a chorus effect (set Detune to other than zero) | Dampening | Detune | \
4 - Mandolin | An attempt at reproducing the sound of a mandolin | Dampening | PluckPos | BodySize

Controls

Key | Control name | Description
--- | --- | ---
Dampening | Dampening Factor | High values make strings decay faster. It relates to the overall friction of the instrument
Detune | Detune | 0 is no detune and 128 is max detune. Aplicable when more than one strings are pluck simulteanously
PluckPos | Pluck Posistion |
BodySize | Body Size |

Notes

You must have dynamic channel allocation enabled with dynamic channels set to at least twice the amount of parameter channels to use Grand Pluck.

Credits

The algorithms used are based on code by Perry Cook. The original plucked model is by Karplus-Strong, and the enhanced version by Jaffe-Smith.

Bugs

Since it is new code, there are probably some bugs left. Mail me if you encounter the nasty insect.

Contact Information

Author | George Nicolaidis
Email | geonik@egnatia.ee.auth.gr
HomePage | http://egnatia.ee.auth.gr/~geonik/home