Blamsoft Viking Synth (AU) released today!

Halftone

@u0421793 said:

@AndyPlankton said:

@u0421793 said:
Does this synth work stand-alone? I’ve yet to see evidence of any audio units working anywhere on my iPad.

It needs an audio units host and you need to be on iOS 9 for audiounits

I’m always on the latest iOS on my iPad 2, and I’ve got iSem and voice rack, voice jam studio and Garageband, but there’s some incompatibility preventing iSem from working with garageband. Consequently, I’ve never seen what an AU looks like or how or where it shows up. Do you think it would it appear as an AU (however that appears) with AUM?

I'm not 100% positive, but I don't think AU units run on ipad 2 - so that might explain why it's not working for you in GB.

here's a apple forum link regarding that: https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/23222

u0421793

Ah thanks for the info. Well, that’s bloody ridiculous. When I bought it, it wasn’t “low-end”, it was the highest end iPad anyone could get.

I suppose I’ve got enough synths and apps to be getting on with in the meantime. Let’s hope they don’t all turn into AU only then, or I’ll have to give up music on the iPad.

RedSkyLullaby

@Seangarland said:

@PhilW said:

@MusicInclusive said:
So, Oh dear! Another AU only app. Can't use it with 99% of my other music apps in Audiobus or via IAA. Can't use it with Auria Pro. Can't use it. At least, not at the moment.

Could you run it in AUM and route the output from that into Audiobus then into Auria?

In fact you could run two in parallel with different patches for a mega synth?

Just thinking out loud.

I don't have AUM yet either, so I'm wondering about that? Can that set up work (Viking->AUM->AB->Cubasis/Auria Pro)? If so, I'll definitely need to get AUM, as I just purchased Viking Synth, and don't have MTS and I don't use GarageBand.

Viking>gb>(iaa)>Auria pro (?)

RedSkyLullaby

Any opinions on the actual sound. How does it differ from imini in sound

[Deleted User]

Open up the filter and try Blamsofts F16 filter

Daath7

I'm underwhelmed by this app! I guess I should have done more research! How Do you all feel about the sounds, I guess the price should have tipped me off!

anickt

@Duncanm said:
how do you save a patch? I can't find this in the docs, so sorry if it's there, but I just skipped past it accidentally.

I'm not seeing it either. Also, on NS-1 I saved a patch but now there's no way to save. It's disappeared. I've contacted the dev.

anickt

@anickt said:

@Duncanm said:
how do you save a patch? I can't find this in the docs, so sorry if it's there, but I just skipped past it accidentally.

I'm not seeing it either. Also, on NS-1 I saved a patch but now there's no way to save. It's disappeared. I've contacted the dev.

Figured this out. You can open NS-1 in standalone mode and save patches. You can't when in host. In Viking I see no way to save patches.

Lacm1993

@anickt said:

@anickt said:

@Duncanm said:
how do you save a patch? I can't find this in the docs, so sorry if it's there, but I just skipped past it accidentally.

I'm not seeing it either. Also, on NS-1 I saved a patch but now there's no way to save. It's disappeared. I've contacted the dev.

Figured this out. You can open NS-1 in standalone mode and save patches. You can't when in host. In Viking I see no way to save patches.

I can save a patch inside GarageBand (for both synths) AUM it's supposed to have AU presets as well (don't have it yet) can't do it from cubasis.

anickt

@Lacm1993 said:

@anickt said:

@anickt said:

@Duncanm said:
how do you save a patch? I can't find this in the docs, so sorry if it's there, but I just skipped past it accidentally.

I'm not seeing it either. Also, on NS-1 I saved a patch but now there's no way to save. It's disappeared. I've contacted the dev.

Figured this out. You can open NS-1 in standalone mode and save patches. You can't when in host. In Viking I see no way to save patches.

I can save a patch inside GarageBand (for both synths) AUM it's supposed to have AU presets as well (don't have it yet) can't do it from cubasis.

Neither allows saving in AUM. Also can't access patches at all in MIDISTEPs. However if you save the state in either app it saves the patch within the saved state.

Lacm1993

@anickt said:

@Lacm1993 said:

@anickt said:

@anickt said:

@Duncanm said:
how do you save a patch? I can't find this in the docs, so sorry if it's there, but I just skipped past it accidentally.

I'm not seeing it either. Also, on NS-1 I saved a patch but now there's no way to save. It's disappeared. I've contacted the dev.

Figured this out. You can open NS-1 in standalone mode and save patches. You can't when in host. In Viking I see no way to save patches.

I can save a patch inside GarageBand (for both synths) AUM it's supposed to have AU presets as well (don't have it yet) can't do it from cubasis.

Neither allows saving in AUM. Also can't access patches at all in MIDISTEPs. However if you save the state in either app it saves the patch within the saved state.

Well I can confirm that AU presets works for both in GarageBand, I'm able to save a preset and use it later. As I said I don't have AUM.

[Deleted User]

I think the NO saving part must be a bug, because why would we be able to get under the hood and be able to control all the bits if we couldn't save? Plus the excellent video @AndyE posted by synthanatomy goes into great lengths of tweaking...

If it was for no saving patches then we would see volume and pan and a few other controls...

Sound wise I like it, what escaped me is that it's only AU...wish it was a standalone too.

[Deleted User]

Viking Synth + F16 Filter in AUM = Bass Synth Monster

anickt

@Fruitbat1919 said:
Viking Synth + F16 Filter in AUM = Bass Synth Monster

I will be trying this ASAP!

janogarcia

To anyone still on the fence... Don't be put off by the UI! Viking sounds awesome.

I was at first a bit reluctant to try this out, but after listening to some demos I decided to give it a try... Now I'm a Blamsoft convert, have purchased already many of their FX AUs.

While Viking synth UI is not the most appealing in the iOS synth universe, its sound is 9+/10 (10/10 would go for a Diva iOS version), at least in my opinion. It is, to my ears, as good as iSEM or Stroke Machine, to name a few of the synths I use as a sound quality benchmark.

It comes also with an awesome collection of useful and carefully crafted presets, which do a great job showcasing what Viking is capable of, they also work great as a starting point for anyone to tweak to their liking.

I'm getting pretty Juno-60 like patches (I own the hardware version) combining Blamsoft's Viking synth + Zero Chorus AUs, especially when adding a bit of "Spacing" to the filter for a subtle, enhanced stereo effect.

There are also some of the built-in patches that I find to be reminiscent of the Jupiter-8, especially those synced ones, albeit monophonic.

[Deleted User]

@janogarcia said:
To anyone still on the fence... Don't be put off by the UI! Viking sounds awesome.

I was at first a bit reluctant to try this out, but after listening to some demos I decided to give it a try... Now I'm a Blamsoft convert, have purchased already many of their FX AUs.

While Viking synth UI is not the most appealing in the iOS synth universe, its sound is 9+/10 (10/10 would go for a Diva iOS version), at least in my opinion. It is, to my ears, as good as iSEM or Stroke Machine, to name a few of the synths I use as a sound quality benchmark.

It comes also with an awesome collection of useful and carefully crafted presets, which do a great job showcasing what Viking is capable of, they also work great as a starting point for anyone to tweak to their liking.

I'm getting pretty Juno-60 like patches (I own the hardware version) combining Blamsoft's Viking synth + Zero Chorus AUs, especially when adding a bit of "Spacing" to the filter for a subtle, enhanced stereo effect.

There are also some of the built-in patches that I find to be reminiscent of the Jupiter-8, especially those synced ones, albeit monophonic.

Agree totally. The Blamsoft AUs are really class sounding and used in AUM, the interface is usable too. Don't be put off, this is one hell of an app set, making one cool sounding instrument.

The only downside, is I've still been unable to get midiLFOs working with AUM.

anickt

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@janogarcia said:
To anyone still on the fence... Don't be put off by the UI! Viking sounds awesome.

I was at first a bit reluctant to try this out, but after listening to some demos I decided to give it a try... Now I'm a Blamsoft convert, have purchased already many of their FX AUs.

While Viking synth UI is not the most appealing in the iOS synth universe, its sound is 9+/10 (10/10 would go for a Diva iOS version), at least in my opinion. It is, to my ears, as good as iSEM or Stroke Machine, to name a few of the synths I use as a sound quality benchmark.

It comes also with an awesome collection of useful and carefully crafted presets, which do a great job showcasing what Viking is capable of, they also work great as a starting point for anyone to tweak to their liking.

I'm getting pretty Juno-60 like patches (I own the hardware version) combining Blamsoft's Viking synth + Zero Chorus AUs, especially when adding a bit of "Spacing" to the filter for a subtle, enhanced stereo effect.

There are also some of the built-in patches that I find to be reminiscent of the Jupiter-8, especially those synced ones, albeit monophonic.

Agree totally. The Blamsoft AUs are really class sounding and used in AUM, the interface is usable too. Don't be put off, this is one hell of an app set, making one cool sounding instrument.

The only downside, is I've still been unable to get midiLFOs working with AUM.

Start up AUM and midiLFOs. Load Viking Synth into AUM. In ML set ML Out as destination on Channel 1 and cc74. In AUM go to the menu and choose MIDI Control at the bottom right. On the next screen under MIDI sources check ML. Go back one screen and at the bottom choose Channel 1. At the bottom you should see Viking Synth and Parameters. Tap Parameters. You will see a list of all controllable parameters. Scroll to Cutoff. You can set the channel and cc manually but I just hit Learn and it mapped. I think that's everything. Just make sure routing and MIDI channels match up. It's not as complicated as it looks but you have to know where all this stuff is.

[Deleted User]

@anickt said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@janogarcia said:
To anyone still on the fence... Don't be put off by the UI! Viking sounds awesome.

I was at first a bit reluctant to try this out, but after listening to some demos I decided to give it a try... Now I'm a Blamsoft convert, have purchased already many of their FX AUs.

While Viking synth UI is not the most appealing in the iOS synth universe, its sound is 9+/10 (10/10 would go for a Diva iOS version), at least in my opinion. It is, to my ears, as good as iSEM or Stroke Machine, to name a few of the synths I use as a sound quality benchmark.

It comes also with an awesome collection of useful and carefully crafted presets, which do a great job showcasing what Viking is capable of, they also work great as a starting point for anyone to tweak to their liking.

I'm getting pretty Juno-60 like patches (I own the hardware version) combining Blamsoft's Viking synth + Zero Chorus AUs, especially when adding a bit of "Spacing" to the filter for a subtle, enhanced stereo effect.

There are also some of the built-in patches that I find to be reminiscent of the Jupiter-8, especially those synced ones, albeit monophonic.

Agree totally. The Blamsoft AUs are really class sounding and used in AUM, the interface is usable too. Don't be put off, this is one hell of an app set, making one cool sounding instrument.

The only downside, is I've still been unable to get midiLFOs working with AUM.

Start up AUM and midiLFOs. Load Viking Synth into AUM. In ML set ML Out as destination on Channel 1 and cc74. In AUM go to the menu and choose MIDI Control at the bottom right. On the next screen under MIDI sources check ML. Go back one screen and at the bottom choose Channel 1. At the bottom you should see Viking Synth and Parameters. Tap Parameters. You will see a list of all controllable parameters. Scroll to Cutoff. You can set the channel and cc manually but I just hit Learn and it mapped. I think that's everything. Just make sure routing and MIDI channels match up. It's not as complicated as it looks but you have to know where all this stuff is.

Thanks figured it now. I had not ticked the AUM destination midi source.

u0421793

It’d be useful if the manufacturers could state on the App store description that although it is possible to purchase this for an iPad 2, it’s not possible to actually use it with an iPad 2 and is therefore useless for an iPad 2 owner. On the App store it only says compatible with iPad, and I’m sure a lot of people won’t realise (because it doesn’t say so) that it’s not even stand-alone and therefore cannot work with just any iPad, only certain ones. Making this clear would alleviate possible low votes and bad reviews.

carol

@PhilW said:
I don't yet have AUM (hence the thinking out loud as I wasn't able test it) as I don't tend to play multiple apps live, I tend to play one at a time into a DAW to build up a track that way. But the idea to stack synths makes me think I may take another look. And even with the cost of that and Viking, it is way cheaper than buying a real Voyager!!

Aum is great for layering multiple synths. I've been running several isems, Thor and Animoog at the same time and playing them with the built in keyboard. Wicked!

PhilW

@carol said:

@PhilW said:
I don't yet have AUM (hence the thinking out loud as I wasn't able test it) as I don't tend to play multiple apps live, I tend to play one at a time into a DAW to build up a track that way. But the idea to stack synths makes me think I may take another look. And even with the cost of that and Viking, it is way cheaper than buying a real Voyager!!

Aum is great for layering multiple synths. I've been running several isems, Thor and Animoog at the same time and playing them with the built in keyboard. Wicked!

Thanks fir the feedback!

[Deleted User]

@u0421793 said:
It’d be useful if the manufacturers could state on the App store description that although it is possible to purchase this for an iPad 2, it’s not possible to actually use it with an iPad 2 and is therefore useless for an iPad 2 owner. On the App store it only says compatible with iPad, and I’m sure a lot of people won’t realise (because it doesn’t say so) that it’s not even stand-alone and therefore cannot work with just any iPad, only certain ones. Making this clear would alleviate possible low votes and bad reviews.

Agree. Way too many apps don't qualify properly which hardware and software they will work with.

Rich303

@johnfromberkeley said:
I instabought, because AUM makes AU's so immediately accessible.

However, I with Blamsoft would bundle all the effects. I've been holding off until now, but with AUM, I'd happily buy an effects bundle.

I got some good news for you and everyone else. Andrew from Blamsoft decided to make an effects bundle.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app-bundle/id1087131398

johnfromberkeley

https://twitter.com/originalDJB/status/704740677146451968

cl516

Does this synth saturate with levels like the new DRC, or does this synth sound more like the older iOS ones where most volumes sound the same?

Audiojunkie

Now can we get iPhone versions?!?

srcer

@Audiojunkie said:
Now can we get iPhone versions?!?

+1

drelbs23

@srcer said:

@Audiojunkie said:
Now can we get iPhone versions?!?

+1

+2

Tones4Christ

Monophonic only?

Crabman

I first thought AU preset system is poorly designed by apple but if i think about it...that's similar to desktop apps (can't open logic presets in cubase and vice versa) but usually the plugin devs deliver at least their own preset system then (like iSem).I hope Blamsoft will add something like this later.While i don't care about this in his FX (i bought the blamsoft fx bundle as well),Viking is just too complex.I don't want to start making own sounds now when i can't use them later in Cubasis or Auria...