This tutorial on the new SY Chip engine is insane

CCMP · 2024-05-29T10:45:21.826Z

For people in the know on Chip Tune synths, is the Rytm/SY Chip now pretty much fully featured?
Or does it have limitations? Is being analog an ‘issue’?

How is it compared to the Syntakt?
How is it compared to a dedicated Chip synth like MegaFM?

darenager · 2024-05-29T11:40:29.278Z

In terms of as far as C64 type sounds, I think it sounds and behaves very similar, not surprising considering @ThomasJ made it.

It is not really too much like the MegaFM though some of the play style fx are common to FM sound chips (fast arps/broken chord, sweep and vibrato) but I think tone wise the Syntakt digital engines are more suited to emulation of FM chips. (Or Digitone of course)

StepanDolezal · 2024-05-29T12:15:15.113Z

Wow, I wondered what type of Model:Something they could do in the future and Model:Sid is definitely one of the best ideas.

RustyRoses · 2024-05-29T14:37:03.792Z

As a huge retro games fan, the Sy Chip machine was one of the things that won me over the Rytm MkII over the Syntakt.

Only had it for a few days, but I think I’ve spent more time in Sy Chip than any other machine…

darenager · 2024-05-29T14:58:42.618Z

Well it would also be a nice homage to the Sidstation 25th Anniversary But I guess it is not realistic as the Models are entirely digital, and it would probably not be cost effective to have analog circuits in that platform.

CCMP · 2024-05-29T17:03:38.660Z

I’ve been listening to chiptune playlists on Spotify on the back of this thread.

It’s making me want to have a go…

ThomasJ · 2024-05-29T17:22:09.853Z

CCMP:

For people in the know on Chip Tune synths, is the Rytm/SY Chip now pretty much fully featured?
Or does it have limitations?

The definition on what is “chiptune” is not really standardised, but to me it is about the limitations of C64/SID/ZX Spectrum/POKEY etc. And the SID being the crown jewel of them all. Who needs more than 3 voices anyway?

SY CHIP is by no means a complete simulation of a SID - or the 6510 assembler programs in a C64 controlling it - but it can do a lot of things that is typical for many of those songs. Also, for being a one-page 8-encoder synth engine it is quite capable with the limitations provided.

CCMP:

Is being analog an ‘issue’?

Jeanne:

Just the note that the SID chip is digitally controlled analog, even the filter

The oscillators in the SID are actually digital, while the filter is analog. Something I think is fun with SY CHIP is that it is utilising the analog voices of the Rytm to create some of the sounds, which gives it a nice edge to the competition.

CCMP:

How is it compared to the Syntakt?

There are things you can only do on SY CHIP and vice versa with SY BITS. Main diff is that BITS is entirely digital while most of the waveforms in CHIP are analog. And then there is some wave tables as well as the fixed-rate/tempolocked arpeggio. But BITS can on the other hand smoothly morph between its waveforms. So depends on what you want to do.

CCMP:

How is it compared to a dedicated Chip synth like MegaFM?

I don’t really consider the MegaFM to be a “chip synth” but as mentioned, the definitions are not set in stone. It does have sound chips though

Jeanne · 2024-05-29T17:25:11.468Z

ThomasJ:

The oscillators in the SID are actually digital, while the filter is analog. Something I think is fun with SY CHIP is that it is utilising the analog voices of the Rytm to create some of the sounds, which gives it a nice edge to the competition.

Damnit, thanks! Sometimes it’s really hard to get straight facts, even when looking at multiple sources

djadonis206 · 2024-05-29T19:32:35.176Z

So can you play a chord with the sy chip if the additional note things are set accordingly?

ThomasJ · 2024-05-29T20:27:33.046Z

SY CHIP is monophonic. But by setting the offsets of the arp to chord notes and letting it run fast, it will create a ”pseudo chord” which is one of the key features of tracker/chiptune music. I explain it in detail in the linked video at the top.

djadonis206 · 2024-05-29T20:58:31.478Z

I watched the video and that’s what prompted me to ask the question. Thank you!

RustyRoses · 2024-05-30T07:17:22.520Z

Out of interest - why are the machines limited to 1 page, when Digitone has a 2nd synth page?

Is it just a concept choice that all parameters must be available to adjust at the same time?

Also, how did you choose these 8? What was left on the cutting room floor?

ThomasJ · 2024-05-30T15:08:10.159Z

Analog Rytm was designed with one parameter page on the machines and we wanted to keep that to have it consistent. The parameters for SY CHIP were carefully selected. Three of them are common for all machines (TUN, DEC, LEV), leaving five. It was important to be able to do four-note chords, thereby taking three more. Speed of an arp is good to have, so that took another (but we could fit three different ranges within that parameter). Lastly, one for the waveforms. And with both standard waves as well as pulse width and some selected waveform tables on the same knob, that also worked out nice. There, eight knobs used

pidgeo · 2024-05-30T15:10:00.340Z

nice nice

RustyRoses · 2024-05-30T20:34:46.284Z

Fantastic. As a product designer, the design choices that go into the products love are fascinating. Thank you.

ThomasJ · 2024-06-07T11:29:49.231Z

Got some messages from people wanting a tutorial on how to design drum sounds, and since I recently made another SY CHIP-based video (this one, three voices of SY CHIP and one hihat track) I thought I could share how the kick and snare are made on it.

First the video:

The kick sound is using the .TRI waveform to get a short noise snap followed by a triangle wave. It is played at 50Hz single shot with a custom ramp down in pitch. Trig note should be C3. I also use a tiny bit of overdrive on it.

SyChipKick1024×768 210 KB

The snare sound is using the TBL1 waveform which has a short noise snap followed by two slices of square wave and then noise. Also this one has a single shot 50Hz rate with a custom pitch curve.

SyChipSnare1024×768 215 KB

RustyRoses · 2024-06-07T13:07:13.810Z

Do you think there is any chance of a synth engine only Soundpack that utilises Sy Chip, Raw and Dual VCO? Something Chiptune / Synthwave inspired?

I’ve not bought any in the past, but I’d happily drop a tenner on a pack like that from you.

ThomasJ · 2024-06-07T13:44:12.424Z

There is definitely a chance, I just don’t dare to promise anything

Peter118 · 2024-06-07T14:10:27.450Z

That would be great! Please do.

RustyRoses · 2024-06-09T08:37:03.247Z

Is there somewhere we can petition?