VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
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VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
After talking about it with GuyaGuy, we agreed that there was enough interest in the possibility of a DCO-themed competition to go ahead with that, so here we go. The aim is to make good use of synthesizers with digitally-controlled analog oscillators - they get a bad rap, but a lot of them are really quite capable. The rules:
1. One synthesizer, DCOs only
It's permissible to use something with DCOs as one of multiple sound sources (i.e. the DSI Tempest,) so long as the digital/sampled sources aren't used. (A noise generator that isn't technically part of the oscillator is also permissible, because how else are we supposed to do drums?)
2. Two effects
You may use up to two specific effects. These can be onboard effects like the chorus on Roland's Junos and JXes, or separate units; your call.
3. 3/2014
The contest will run for the month of March; entries are due in before midnight, April 1st, CST. I'll set up a Soundcloud account for the contest a little later.
Any questions?
1. One synthesizer, DCOs only
It's permissible to use something with DCOs as one of multiple sound sources (i.e. the DSI Tempest,) so long as the digital/sampled sources aren't used. (A noise generator that isn't technically part of the oscillator is also permissible, because how else are we supposed to do drums?)
2. Two effects
You may use up to two specific effects. These can be onboard effects like the chorus on Roland's Junos and JXes, or separate units; your call.
3. 3/2014
The contest will run for the month of March; entries are due in before midnight, April 1st, CST. I'll set up a Soundcloud account for the contest a little later.
Any questions?
Last edited by commodorejohn on Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Jabberwalky
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Sounds good. I'm in with a Poly61.
- ninja6485
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I could be up for an entry. These competitions are getting less and less creative anymore though. I mean how many variations on the 1 synth competition are we going to have?
This looks like a psychotropic reaction. No wonder it's so popular...
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I dunno, as long as there keeps being interest in 'em? Submit the winning entry and you can pick the next theme ;D
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- Black Tomorrow
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Ah, finally something I'm equipped to participate in (Poly-800). Oddly enough, on a synth I acquired accidentally and don't like much. But that should just make it more challenging.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Multitrack allowed ?
If yes, I'll participate with my MophoX4.
If yes, I'll participate with my MophoX4.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Though i'll likely use the juno, What about using an evolver for this comp? Is it ok to use only the DCO oscillators, and the digital distortion/delay?
Do they then count as the 2 effects?
Do they then count as the 2 effects?
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Definitely. We've allowed it in every contest thus far, don't see why we'd stop now.Push-Pull wrote:Multitrack allowed ?
Yeah, an Evolver with just DCO patches is perfectly fine. The distortion and delay would count as two effects if you used both of them.monolith wrote:Though i'll likely use the juno, What about using an evolver for this comp? Is it ok to use only the DCO oscillators, and the digital distortion/delay?
Do they then count as the 2 effects?
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I would have liked to join in a competition but will have to wait until there is one I'm eligible for entering.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I agree. This one is all fine and good, but we need to branch out into themes the next time around. There's a ton of talent on this board that might not give a s**t about these finnicky 80s synths.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I'll try and put something together for this one. I've got a busy month ahead of me though.
I'm all for this comp but I agree that the next theme should be something different. Either a use any 1 synth of your choice, or something entirely different such as finding some sort of musical theme that won't put too many creative restraints on participants.
I'm all for this comp but I agree that the next theme should be something different. Either a use any 1 synth of your choice, or something entirely different such as finding some sort of musical theme that won't put too many creative restraints on participants.
Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
Cool !!commodorejohn wrote:Definitely. We've allowed it in every contest thus far, don't see why we'd stop now.Push-Pull wrote:Multitrack allowed ?

I didn't know, it's my first VSE contest.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I'll be using a Matrix-6: two oscs per voice, insane mod matrix routing, that oberheim sound....it just doesn't seem fair.
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
It is seriously good stuff; I'm awfully tempted to use the Matrix-6 myself, but I can't escape the feeling that the JX-10 is better-suited to what I have in mind...
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- Stab Frenzy
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Re: VSE March Competition: DCO Synths!
I can't find any definitive info on whether the Analog Four is VCO or DCO, Elektron don't use either term. Seems DCO from the options it has available, but don't know for sure. I doubt you could do half the stuff it can do with VCOs, but who knows? Everything else I own is either digital or VCOs.