Quilcom Multiplier 2

[Spogg]

Hi all

Here is my Quilcom Multiplier 2.

This effects unit is for experimentation with multiple chorus, chromatic pitch shift and filters to achieve a wide range of effects.

There are 4 identical modules. Each has a multimode static input filter, a chromatic pitch shifter and a delay stage whereby the left and right stereo channels can have their delay and slow modulation set independantly. There is also the option to set Xfeedback (cross channel) and regular feedback.

The output module can also supply regular overall feedback and the stereo field width can be adjusted, as can the wet/dry balance.

As I always do, I've provided a few demo presets to hopefully show some hints at what can be achieved. Plus, as you will expect by now, it's decked out in orange.

The core modules that do the tricky stuff are all by others to whom I am very grateful.

Any feedback is useful and will be appreciated.

Cheers

Spogg

[BobF]

Hello Spogg,
Well I just downloaded your Multiplier 2 and put it on my computer, opened Fl Studio, loaded it, added some audio, and picked a preset. Woooo, it was using 98% of my processor. Ok, it's NOT your module per say, I think I need to save for a new computer rather than Flowstone standalone. My computer is only a old Pentium 4. I thought it was pretty fast though at 3.00 gigs and 4 gigs of ram. Oh well, win some loose some.
Later then, BobF.....

[Spogg]

Hello Spogg,
Well I just downloaded your Multiplier 2 and put it on my computer, opened Fl Studio, loaded it, added some audio, and picked a preset. Woooo, it was using 98% of my processor. Ok, it's NOT your module per say, I think I need to save for a new computer rather than Flowstone standalone. My computer is only a old Pentium 4. I thought it was pretty fast though at 3.00 gigs and 4 gigs of ram. Oh well, win some loose some.
Later then, BobF.....

Hi Bob

Many thanks for trying this out at least!

I'm puzzled by your high CPU use. I have a Core i7 and in Flowstone I get 7.9% on the CPU meter. In Reaper 5 the VST version registers 1.2% with all features turned on (in Reaper's CPU meter). The Windows Task manager indicates around 2% CPU, mostly on the first core (since the module is Mono and Mono 4 in some parts) and that's with Firefox open too. So I did think the Multiplier 2 would be usable for most folk out there.

Some of my synths that you have commented on favourably use a similar amount of CPU, or more with many notes pressed, so I'm really unsure why this particular effects module is so demanding on your Pentium 4. Maybe you could turn on HyperThreading if it's possible on yours? See

https://communities.intel.com/message/79261

My BIG problem while putting this together was being completely unable to use selectors to kill the CPU for unused processing modules (the 4 channels). The audio would just lock out when exported as a VST even though it would work in FS by using the Clear Audio Prim when toggling a channel on/off. I've encountered this before but in a synth it was easily worked around by putting the selectors in the Poly part before the Poly to Mono combiners. This wasn't possible in an all-mono effects chain even though I did experiment trying to make it Poly!

If you want to try some of the possibilities of the Multiplier 2 you could disconnect the output from 3 of the 4 modules in the schematic. When disconnected they don't use CPU which is what I tried to do using selectors.
I wanted to use more than 4 of these processors but without the possibility to restrict CPU usage I settled on 4 since this is the minimum to achieve the 'minor' and 'major presets. If you sing into these the effect is very nice I think and I auditioned it with some solo vocal samples.

I'd be interested to know what CPU usage you get in my Quilcom Adder 1.08 (the optimised version) since this is the heaviest CPU user I've made to date.

Anyways, thanks for the feedback Bob and I do think you deserve a new PC

Cheers

Spogg