Magesy

It is unusual for me to work on VA.
But when Burnie asked us Nova and me to do a VCS3 plugin I was interested.
This old EMS synthesizer is great with its modern matrix concept, its joystick and its possibility to do feedback patches.
Nova collected some docs and Scot Solida sent to Nova his recordings.
I used them to research the way to do a close oscillator simulation.
I did a new filter based on the KX filter code.
Nova built a modern skin.
We did not built another SE clone of this synthesizer
but added some great features on the original concept.

01/06/2009 (V 2.00)
One of the new features of the 2.0 version is the polyphony with a total respect of the original feeling of this synthesizer.
A new KXMOD system is implemented to create fat vintage leads or nice polyphonic instruments.
A CV and gate sequencer has been added to create real vintage sequences.

20/02/2010 (V 2.5)
This new version was designed for live sessions.
The full Midi learn was added. The stability improved and tested in all major hosts.
Now, they are 3 versions:
KX-SYNTH-X16-V25, main polyphonic version, zip file or setup.exe are available.
KX-SYNTH-X16-M, monophonic version which replaces the old 1.04.
KX-SYNTH-X16-FX, VSTe version for use the audio inputs.

03/07/2010 (V 3.0)
The KX77FREE oscillators replace the native SE oscillators (tweaked*).
The result is -40% of CPU use won (-33% up to -50%).
The waveforms have been modeled by using additive synthesis (Wavetracer v2.0).
This technology produces waveforms like the original analog waveforms, the timbre and the shape can be identical or very close.
Now, the Kx-Synth-x16 oscillators are 100% compatible with the Kx-Modulad waveforms. These waveforms are available on http://kx77free.free.fr.
The file is "x16-Add-Waveforms.zip".
*with a lot of modules...

Common features with the VCS3
Three variable shape oscillators.
16*16 pin matrix with feedback connections.
LP filter, 18 db per octave with self oscillating.
Noise generator with EQ.
Ring modulation.
Two external inputs (only available with the FX version).
XY joystick.

Added features
Possibility to change the waveforms.
Polyphony up to 6 voices.
Total control of the polyphony features with the extended KXMOD system.
Each voice can be controlled with RELATIVE parameters (KXMOD).
Analog sequencer (CV & gate) with a memory of 256 CV and 256 gates, files saved on disk, 2 accent lines, random clock, keyboard input to transpose or to reccord the CV...
Mini knobs to adjust each matrix modulation, 0 to 1.
Modern skin with notepad and variable color background.
Html help file.
The original ASR (trapezoid) is extended to 2 ADSR with Attack Reset mode, Host and internal sequencer synchronization.
Delay fx with host synchronization and lfo modulation. It replaces the original spring reverb.
LFO, Sample & Hold and third ADSR envelope added (monophonic modulations), they can replace the external inputs (In1, In2).
Keyboard scalers.
X Y matrix Midi controllers.
Full Midi Learn.
Velocity to envelope segments, cut off and volume.
Midi in splitter.
Omni Midi output to control external monophonic instruments
and build polyphonic ensemble, each instrument is one voice...
Sequencer Midi ouput.
128 KX's presets:
35 polyphonic instruments
20 unison presets
36 monophonic presets (v 1.04)
23 sequencer demos
14 tutorial and initialization presets

About the VCS3
The creator of the original VCS3 (1969) and Electronic Music Studios(London) is Peter Zinovieff.

http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMS_VCS_3

http://rapidshare.com/files/408179354/KX-SYNTH-X16.zip.html