UPDATE: Plugins available again soon

Download links have been taken down temporarily while encountering consistent download problems with various free download sites. Donation/sales haven't been good enough to justify purchasing a proper web-host service. E-mail zip-file delivery was an option until many of the attachments were being returned undeliverable for unknown reasons. I speculate that anti-spam filters are bouncing them back. I will most likely move to ebay and/or paypal electronic delivery services. One drawback to this is the trial versions are yet undeliverable. Plugs should be available again soon when I get the details sorted out. Thank you for your patience. -g

String Concerto II VST plugin released

G-Storm Plugins announces the release of the String Concerto II VST plugin and standalone version. The String Concerto II is a recreation of the Logan String Melody II vintage stringer. The Logan was known for lush full orchestra, creamy triple-BBD ensemble, simple and honest organs, and cheesy accordion preset. The emulation is made possible by synthesis and effects DSP techniques, not samples.

BEFORE DONATING, FIRST DOWNLOAD THE TRIAL VERSION VST FOR FREE
ENSURE the plugin will perform to satisfaction on your system.
The trial version has an intermittent tone burst, and the GUI keyboard is disabled.

USER GUIDE 
The User Guide is included with Trial and Full-Version downloads and may contain answers to questions.  Be sure to read it first.

DONATE AND DOWNLOAD STRING CONCERTO II
String Concerto II VST and standalone downloads are here.  Recommended donation is $10 USD.  Click the Paypal button below for secure donation. Following checkout you will be directed to the download link.
Downloads are temporarily disabled.

String Concerto II Specifications Summary

Release is coming very soon.

String Concerto II SPECIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Keyboard 49 key response range, MIDI notes C2-C6
Polyphony Fully Polyphonic
Oscillators Simulated Phase-Locked Loop
Envelope Fully Polyphonic, start from zero same-note re-trigger only
Filters
No user controlled filters
BASS Section
Instrument Level controls
    •    Bass EDIT: (monophonic low-note priority)
    •    Cello
    •    Viola
    •    Violin
ATTACK Time control
SUSTAIN Time control
TREBLE Section
Instrument Level controls
    •    Cello
    •    Viola
    •    Violin
ATTACK Time control
SUSTAIN Time control
EFFECTS
Ensemble Mode Toggles
ACC. = Off mode
ORGAN. = moderate effect mode
ORCH. = full on mode
WIDE Stereo Widening for ORCH. mode only
Ensemble Simulated Triple Bucket Brigade Delay
PROGRAMS PER BANK 16 Programs
POWER Switch deactivates audio
INPUT MIDI Note Data In, OMNI mode channels 1-16,
MIDI RESPONSE Continuous Controller Messages
    •    CC#64 Pedal Hold Function
OUTPUTS Stereo L/R Audio Out ASIO

New plugin in development, Happy July 4th

Work has begun on a new vintage synth plugin. EDIT: It's now called the String Concerto II, and it will be a stringer emulation based on the Logan/Hohner String Melody II.

Once again, no samples will be used - but true synthesizer methods and Triple BBD behavior modelling. The original was a mono output unit, but I have already incorporated a toggle for switching to stereo output for a wild spatial movement not unlike the VSP-330 plugin.

First revision r2.05 VSP-330

WHAT'S NEW IN r2.05

• Added Response to Incoming Midi Continuous Controllers: 
• CC#7 Main Volume 
• CC#64 Pedal Hold Function 
• Fixed a bug in the background oscillator phase-synchronization routines that interfered w/ DAW audio. 
• Added CPU reduction feature when toggles for either HUMAN VOICE or STRINGS are completely deactivated. 
• Fixed a bug in the envelopes that caused same-note re-triggers to double in loudness.

Full Version is freeware. Go here for info and download link.

EDIT: If anyone is having trouble updating the VST using a host, try re-downloading the zip file again.  A problem on my part was the VSTid for 2.05 was incorrectly the same one used for version 2.0 which can lead to problems.  Sorry for any inconvenience.  Standalone version shouldn't be affected.

VSP-330r2 Voice Synth Plus Is Here!

G-Storm Plugins announces the release of VSP-330 version 2.0 Voice Synth Plus VST plugin and standalone version. The VSP-330 is a recreation of the rare and nearly extinct VP-330 string ensemble and human voice formant choirs. The emulation is made possible by synthesis and effects DSP techniques, not samples.   If you're ready for a plugin that brings you closer to the experience of a classic vintage dream synth, then wish no longer. And hear what you've been missing.

USER GUIDE 
The User Guide is included with Trial and Full-Version downloads and may contain answers to questions.  Be sure to read it first.

DOWNLOAD VSP-330r2 FREEWARE
VSP-330 VST and standalone downloads are here. 

AUDIO DEMO OF SOME PRESETS

WHY THERE IS NO AU/RTAS VERSION FOR MAC
I use a Mac as well as PC.  The plugin was authored in Outsim SynthMaker on a PC.  According to their FAQ, Outsim are Windows PC guys and do not plan to support AU/RTAS development in the near future.  EDIT: of all the feedback I have gotten, VST wrappers do not appear to work with this plugin.

VSP-330r2 Audio Demo

Audio Demo of the VSP-330r2 plugin.  No effects added.  Demonstrating some of the presets that will come with the VST.  Sounds range from classic VP-330 choirs and strings, to sounds that transcend the original instrument in unbelievable ways with a powerful new feature called 8' SHIFT.

VSP-330r2 Specification Summary

VSP-330 r2 SPECIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Keyboard 49 key response range, MIDI notes C2-C6
Polyphony Fully Polyphonic
Oscillators Simulated Phase-Locked Loop, background monitored
Envelope Fully Polyphonic, start from zero same-note re-trigger only
Filters
HUMAN VOICE (7) bandpass fixed frequency formant, various slopes.
STRINGS (1) lowpass, limited range between bright to dull.
STRINGS Section
STRINGS Toggles
    •    UPPER Strings 4'
    •    Lower Strings 4'
ENSEMBLE Toggle
ATTACK Time control
RELEASE Time control
TONE control
HUMAN VOICE Section
HUMAN VOICE Toggles
    •    UPPER FEMALE 4'
    •    UPPER MALE 8'
    •    LOWER MALE 4'
    •    LOWER MALE 8'
ENSEMBLE Toggle
ATTACK Time control
RELEASE Time control
MASTER VOLUME Control
TUNING Control (+/- 50 Cents)
PITCH SHIFT Section
    •    PITCH SHIFT Slider
    •    PITCH SET Control (1 Octave)
    •    8' SHIFT
EFFECTS
Vibrato (Human Voice) Sinewave controlled Variable-Delay
    •    DEPTH Control
    •    RATE Control
Ensemble Simulated Quadruple Bucket Brigade Delay
PROGRAMS PER BANK 16 Programs
POWER Switch deactivates audio
INPUT MIDI Note Data In, Mod Wheel CC#1 = Global Pitch Shift
OUTPUTS Stereo L/R Audio Out ASIO

VSP-330: Update

I'm working hard to redevelop the voicing architecture of the VSP-330.  In beta there were some phase-cancellations that I noticed frequently when playing octaves.  I didn't know what was going on, but a guardian angel suggested where to look so that I could define the problem.  Turns out, it's nothing that phase-locked loop oscillators can't handle like on the original instrument.  The desired result will sound much more in keeping to the original VP-330.

A little technical digression.  The Phase locked loop oscillator scheme will also result in being Fully Polyphonic.  But you may know the original was Paraphonic.  Paraphonic has a master oscillator divide-down circuitry where all keys are triggering a single shared envelope.  If no notes are being held while the retriggering happens the envelope resets.  To me this was an undesirable limitation of the VP-330 that resulted in sustaining notes getting robbed when the envelope gets retriggered.  A much more desirable result would be like the Logan String Melody II in this regard, which uses a separate Attack-Release envelope for each individual key resulting in Full Polyphony.  Why didn't Roland use the Full Polyphony design in the VP-330?  I am guessing because Logan and Hohner already had the patent by then....if anyone knows for sure I would love to know!

Flash forward back to today.  I've successfully modeled the phase-locked loop oscillators, and now face the daunting task of implementing them into the voicing architecture of my plugin: Upper/Lower and 8'/4' scheme.   If all goes well launch is set again for Tuesday.  Much to do until then! -g

VSP-330r2 On Hold

VSP-330r2 release is being delayed, perhaps a week or so.  Some important details I would like to address and hopefully incorporate into the design are being considered.  It would result both in improvement of sound and quite likely result in more efficient CPU as well.  Thank you for your patience! -g

First Look: VSP-330r2 Screen Shot

Click on the image to get a larger blow-up.  The VSP-330r2 is currently in beta testing.  The beta is going extremely well.  Users are reporting the GUI is working very well and the sound is fantastic.  Some tweaks are still being made.

VSP-330r2 Update

Given all the excitement and anticipation, and hopefully for you too, I've moved this project to the top of my priority list. The audio/functionality portion of development appears completed. It sounds fantastic, and still has a couple of tricks up the sleeve like the first version. Currently developing graphics for the new GUI. Beta testing should be right around the corner. Stay tuned!

VSP-330r2 Plugin VS Real VP-330 Test 2

I am developing a new plugin version for the VP-330. The sounds you hear are testing the PC plugin (off screen) against a real MKI VP-330. Both have all voices/strings/ensemble turned on for full effect. This is a work in progress, I'm thinking the UpperFemale4' still needs some work and could be closer. Everything else seems to be great with the sound. Especially those strings. Currently the plugin is using 40-50% CPU power on my PC running a much older AMD Athlon, windows 32 bit.

When the time comes and all goes well in beta testing, it is my hope this VST will be available at a very modest donation everyone can afford. The VP-330 being some kind of rare and mythological creature, my intention is to make the experience of the vintage choirs/strings available to more people and their use in music.

VSP-330 VST plugin Sound Test (Roland VP-330)

I'm re-developing r2.0 of the VSP-330 from the ground up. The VSP-330 VST plugin is based on the vintage Roland VP-330 choirs and strings. This time around my goal is to provide a faithful emulation replacing the instrument itself.

The difference that sets this emulation apart from all others out there: absolutely no samples are used in this plugin. I have taken great time and effort emulating the exact same synthesis and effects-processing architecture as the original vintage hardware.

The sounds you hear are testing the plugin against a real MKI VP-330. Which is the real one and which is the plugin? You might hear sustaining notes getting robbed....um yeah that would be the MKI (because it is paraphonic, the whole key range sharing a single envelope) - a problem not encountered on the polyphonic plugin.

The visuals are frequency spectral analysis and psycho-acoustic spatial imaging provided by Ozone 3. Sorry the spatial imaging is blurry and indistinct....cheap video camera.

VSP-330: Choirs + Strings + Ensemble

I just finished developing the ensemble effect, it is sounding spot-on to me. Now hear it with the strings and male choir. The first half is a phrase played without any external effects. For fun, the latter half adds a Lexicon MPX550 reverb called "gothic hall".