V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

16 Jan 2009, 10:11

Hi all.

I usually post in the Fantom-G forum. I'm Dan Krisher from Roland US and the V-Synth is one of the products I demo and work with.

I wanted to post the full specs of the V-Synth GT 2.0 update and give a little background on it.
Firstly, it addresses a lot of the fixes and enhancements people have asked for: arpeggiator MIDI output, wave file import, copying tones, patches and waves between projects. New easier file management system, arp doesn't drift when free wheeling on it's own. Plus lots of new stuff: theee new internal projects: Version 1.0, Version 2.0 and a completely separate analog modeled project.

New waveforms are added, new effects, reverbs, arp templates, step mod templates, the system has been optimized so it is way faster and more accurate. And lots more.

(PDF file) available here: http://www.555concepts.com/VSynthGTV2.pdf

Here's a rundown of most everything:

New effects have been added for the Tone-FX and Reverb.

Twenty-two types of Tone-FX have been added.

Includes five types of reverb that have won broad acclaim since their introduction on the Fantom-G.

Added Parameters for Tone-FX

Parameters have been added to some Tone-FX.

The capability of importing Patch, Tone, or Wave files into the V-Synth GT has been added.

A chromatic bend function has been added, letting you use the pitch bend lever to change the pitch in semitone steps.

Tap Tempo Function on screen

Copy and Delete have been added to the Patch/Tone edit functions.

The newly added arpeggio template function lets you choose from sixteen different templates.

Whole note and half note have been added as choices for the arpeggio grids.

A copy graph function has been added to the template functions of the Multi Step Modulator.

A shortcut that lets you jump from each edit screen to the Multi Step Modulator screen has also been added.

A shortcut icon to the Multi Step Modulator screen has been added in the lower left of each Pro Edit screen and each Sound Shaper screen.

The newly added Multi Step Modulator Template function lets you choose from sixteen different templates.

You can now copy a graph that you created in Multi Step Modulator.
Grid Additions.

Whole note and half note have been added as choices for the Multi Step Modulator grids.

When writing a patch, you can now specify the tone number.
Search Empty Function

When you write a patch, a newly added function searches for the first empty number following the write-destination
number.

Wallpaper Screen. You can now delete wallpaper in the Wallpaper screen.

Factory Reset: When executing a Factory Reset, you can now choose either the Version 2 or Version 1 sounds.

Clean Project Function: A newly added Clean Project function deletes files that cannot be handled by V-Synth GT and waves that are not
used by any tone.

Arpeggio MIDI Out Switch.

A switch that outputs the arpeggio data to MIDI OUT and USB MIDI OUT has been added.

Receive Switch. A Receive screen has been added for each tone.
Bender Setting.

Controls Added to Matrix Control. SW1 and SW2 (S1 and S2 switches) have been added to Matrix Control.

I have a YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/DanKrisher. After the NAMM show I will be getting up some new videos on the update. Also, since this is sort of a relaunch of the GT, I'll start hanging out in this forum more to answer questions, etc. in the weeks to come.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

16 Jan 2009, 10:19

Thanks a lot for posting this personally, Dan! I'd also be very glad to see you here at the V-Tribe.

Thanks!!!!

16 Jan 2009, 10:42

Dan thanks to you and of course an extra big thanks to the entire Roland Dev, Engeneering, and R&D team.

Truly looking forward to the vids.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

16 Jan 2009, 11:01

Great news for all the V-tribers. Amazing stuff has been added to the GT-beast.
I surely hope some of these stuff will be added on a Fantom-G v2.0 update as well.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

16 Jan 2009, 12:47

Thank you very much, this are very good news !
I am very impressed, the Update is looking good so far, and my V-Synth feels a bit like a brandnew Device now !!
Cheers
Serakina

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

16 Jan 2009, 22:00

Dan,
Are you able to still load and convert projects created from the original V-Synth 2.0 into the new GT 2.0?

Thanks Dan

17 Jan 2009, 06:21

Thanks Dan,
Great set of features in this GT 2.0 !!! I think they will answer the vast majority of requisites/complaints from V-tribers on this magnificent board.

I know that is a different machine, but I wonder if some of this features will be applied to the XT as well ? is XT dead in terms of new features / enhancements ? is the v2.02 the "last of the mohicans" ?

Take care
PauloF

Make Music and be Happy !!
PauloF

Thanks Dan and all at Roland

18 Jan 2009, 07:02

Absolutely unreservedly brilliant! I of course mean the recent V2 update. Just switched on my GT beasty with the new features and the sound set is exactly what I had hoped the GT would offer from its presets. Blinding sounds so much more up to date with current music. (Not to say that V1 sounds were bad, I liked these also very much). As probably the best synth that there is on the market right now I was really hoping for some ear splitting presets as a means of showing off the incredible potential of the V Synth GT and now we all have them ...and for free! Thank you very much indeed. Now to go and discover all the other new features you guys have so lovingly included in this update.
Cheers Nick

delay bug is STILL there (plus other annoying things)

18 Jan 2009, 08:48

Damn you Roland guys, the "wobbling midi sync delay" bug is still there, causing artifacts AND IT'S 2009 (it would have been relatively acceptable with a JD-990, but in that one you happened to get the delay all right). Also, Multi Step Modulator is not functioning 100%, sometimes it just won't run.

It is quite (no, not quite, VERY) sad because the machine clearly has a few brilliant things under hood but they're not properly designed/applied.

It would be really cool to run Mac Live/Logic in the background and sync my XT and GT to it, doing all sorts of live tweaking and tempo synced stuff with delays etc. and not saving a zillion versions of a same patch with different delay settings just to avoid the once-in-a-bar-delay-artifact-vibrato. So, how much do I have to pay to get those two things right? Really, how much would it be?

Ooh, wow. I can delete my wallpapers whenever I need to. Wow. Who needs a working tempo synced delay anyway?

I'm afraid I'm going to dump my GT.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

18 Jan 2009, 11:34

"The capability of importing Patch, Tone, or Wave files into the V-Synth GT has been added."

What a big progress!! Ha-ha! Shame it was not in GT until 2009.

"You can now delete wallpaper in the Wallpaper screen."

Yes, I could not sleep without it.

I absolutely agree with Petri - delay bug is still there - shame.
XT needs arpeggio midi out.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

18 Jan 2009, 15:40

What is this delay bug that is being spoken off as I have my GT MIDI synced on the regular and have noticed no issues.

Just wondering what the conditions are that this occur under.

Also, can't say I've noticed any issues with the step modulator. I can't say I use it often, but there were a couple patches I've developed since the release of 0S2 and I definitely didn't notice any problems with it running.
Again, just wondering, but can you describe any conditions under which these issues occur?

delay bug

19 Jan 2009, 06:51

Actually, I've written this out for a while ago.

It's part of this thread: http://forums.rolandclan.info/?action=show_thread&thread=26511&fid=4&page=1

Delay bug occurs with USB midi sync, haven't tried yet with a midi in. If I need to use Step modulator, I have to make sure it's cycling every 16 events and save. If the patch I'm editing is having a Step Modulator with a cycle of one (there are some factory patches with such a parameter value), it doesn't remember the cycle value unless I dial in "16" first and save. After saving it remembers the value. I'll try re-flashing and factory reset later today. This bug wasn't confirmed by "the other two GT guys".

The delay bug really sits there, a friend of mine (working at a local Roland here in Finland, let's call him V.L.) confirmed this. Which, by the way, did "the other two GT users I know" as well. It occurs if you sync GT by USB cable and use a midi tempo sync'd delay. Delay wobbles every bar. In the thread mentioned above I even attached an mp3 recording of the situation. It's a cool effect, yes, but unwanted.

Funny you haven't encountered it yet.

Now that you're there: it would be rather cool to include Step Modulator as a modulation destination, i.e. to be able to assign a control to the Step Modulator to increase/decrease its effect. Is this possible? Ever?

I understand that troubleshooting these machines is something way beyond my comprehension and skills, but I feel I constantly hit these bugs - a burden, some might say. I really like to dig deep into my equipment and want to understand them thoroughly, and as I continuously use them with several hosts (Live/Logic/Protools) both in the studio and live on stage (practically earn my living, that is), I feel I have to shout something aloud. Pardon me for being such a pain in the background area, but I just need my gear to be 100% reliable, just like my car I'm using to transport my gear around.

Cheers,

Petri

delay bug

19 Jan 2009, 11:19

I've recently spoken with Roland US support about this issue, which alters the sounds of some MIDI clock synch'd Patches to the point that they just sound terrible! Roland US support told me that my sequencer (Cubase 4) may be to blame, as it's throwing out some continuously varying MIDI synch signal related to Tape Transport (I beleive)? Am I wasting my time reading endless Cubase Forums looking for a solution? Is it mt GT that has an issue? Do you experience this issue wth just one particular sequencer/host, or all of them? Thanks for any help (in advance) as I too have just stopped using the V-Synth on recording projects until I can get it resolved. This is not my profession (as you've probably guessed - and I appologize for sounding vague) but it's just as frustrating when the little time I get in the studio, is riddled with these issues which destroy creative flow.

Re: V-Synth GT 2.0: Dan From Roland

19 Jan 2009, 11:28

Thanks for the update!

Mark

Don't worry...

19 Jan 2009, 12:14

I don't believe in blaming sequencer software when it comes to delay bugs. That's usually lazy (or just nonchalant) people talking.

I've used Ableton Live 7.0.10, Logic Pro 8.0.2 and a version of Digital Performer I can't recall. Either they all are faulty or there's something wrong with V-Synth's delay interpretation.

It's very hard to believe pretty much every host or hardware clocking thingy is faulty and GT's the only one doing it right.

I just tried GT with a MIDI interface, external sync to MIDI in and that functioned perfectly with all aforementioned host applications. It's unfortunately USB midi sync that's causing problems. However, being able to sync via MIDI is unfortunately out of question in most of the cases: in live situation you'd need external interfaces etc. And why use external boxes when all you need is one long USB cable)

I also tested an MPC-4000, MPC-60mkII, Roland MC-50mkII and GT's delay sync/midi sync worked flawlessly on those as well. I've also got a friend's TR-909, but didn't do any testing on that one.