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[posted: 9-10-2007 ]
The "HV-Formant" is the worlds first Heptaverton Surround® VSTi softsynth and is available as a standalone version or VSTi plugin version for Microsoft based computers. The new 2019 version 1.2 is released as donationware.
Feature list
  • Stereo and HV-Surround play mode.
  • 100% modular design (no predefined or internal connections between modules) upto effect section.
  • Flexible Monophonic, Polyphonic and Unison voice selection.
  • Unique 6 oscilator concept with dynamic wave mixing, splitting and morphing.
  • Open filter architecture with multiple standard and exotic filter algorithms.
  • Multi curve envelopes with advanced velocity or modulation responce.
  • Easy internal or external colour coded controller assignment, saved with each patch.
  • key latch function.
  • Stereo or HV-surround pan, chorus and delay effects.
  • 64 cell polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator.
  • Online Manual, Forum and patch exchange
Use "http://www.ftec-audio.com/hv-formant/" if you want to place a link to this site on your own site hv-formant link

The initial design goal of the synt was to function as a tool in the development of the "Heptaverton Surround® format", that I am developing since 2004.

The synth is based on a DIY modular subtracktive synthesiser from the late seventies called the Formant. The Synth is developed by C. Chapman and the DIY project was published in the Electronic magazine Elektor of 1977/78.


You Need Self Control: Alexander Robotnick VS Ludus Pinsky using a original Formant

I have build this synth (not the one in the picture) in the late seventies and, to my regret, took it a part in the eighties. But since this synth was such an inspiration I decide to use it as a base to build the "HV-Formant".

The "HV-Formant" is a so called "Modular subtractive Synthesizer". Subtractive means that you build sound based on primary wave forms (sinus, triagle, sawtooth and square) and remove harmoniscs (higher frequencies in the wave) by putting them through filters. Modular means that the synth contains a number of logical modules that you can connect to each other in any way you like to create (synthesize) a sound. The synth also includes a flexible polyphonic sequencer / arpeggiator to create sequences, trance-gates and arpeggios or complex modulations. This is not all, next to the normal stereo mode you can experiment with the 6 channel Heptaverton Surround® mode.

Feature list

  • Stereo and HV-Surround play mode (Surround playmode only in plugin version with suitable host program and audio harware).
  • 100% modular design (no predefined or internal connections between modules) upto effect section.
  • Flexible Monophonic, Polyphonic and Unison voice selection.
  • Unique 6 oscilator concept with dynamic wave mixing and splitting.
  • Open filter architecture with multiple standard and exotic filter algorithms.
  • Multi curve envelopes with advanced velocity or modulation responce.
  • Advanced open modulation architecture.
  • Easy internal or external colour coded controller assignment, saved with each patch.
  • Monophonic and polyphonic portamento.
  • key hold memory with key add and remove function.
  • Stereo or HV-surround pan, chorus and delay effects.
  • 64 cell polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator.
    • 6 Independant pitch-trigger, gate and modulation strips.
    • Advanced syncing capability's.
    • Frequency, pulswide and glide modulation.
    • Sequencer data stored with each patch.
  • Open architecture for flexible future expansions.
  • Online manual with small course on subtracktive synthesis.
  • Online user forum.
  • Online user patch exchange.

Module list

  • 3 advanced oscilators. (VCO1,VCO2,VCO3)
  • 2 Tracking filters with multiple filter algorithms e.g. Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Peak and Notch. (VCF1, VCF2)
  • 1 Resonant filter module with 3 filter channels. (RFM)
  • 3 Envelope modules with multiple curve selection 2xADSR, 1xDAR (delayed Attack, Release). (ENV1, ENV2, ENV3)
  • 2 Low frequencie oscilators with a selection of 5 waves each. (LFO1)
  • 1 Amplifier module. (VCA)
  • 2 Mixer modules to combine modulation or sound signals(MIX1, MIX2)
  • 1 Sample and Hold module (S/H)
  • 1 Experimenal "Heptaverton Surround Panner" module to create realtime 3D moving sounds. (HV PANNER)
  • 1 Experimental Heptaverton mixer module for positioning sounds in a surround enviroment. this module also includes the chorus effect section and main volume setting (CHORUS, HV-MIXER)
  • 1 Advanced, 6 channel, 64 note sequencer, arpeggiator, trance gate, that can also be used for special low frequencie modulation. (SEQUENCER)
  • 1 main module for global settings like mono,poly,unison play mode, midi controller assignments, note memory and global control parameters (VOICES, MEMORY, MIDI, CONTROLLERS)

The terms VCO,VCF etc come from the analog era where synths were build with electronics. Since this synth is a remake of the "Formant" from the late seventies i decided to keep up whith these names.

Requirements

  • Processor: Pentium/AMD with SSE support
  • Processor speed: 2000+ MHz
  • RAM: 1 Gb RAM
  • 32bit Operating system: Windows XP or higher
  • 64bit Operating system: Windows 7 or higher (for standalanone .exe version)
  • 32bit Host application: Any VST 2.0 compatible host software (Plugin version)
  • 64bit Host application: Plugin version needs to be wraped
  • Other Components: PC equipped according to the specifications of the host software
  • Requirements are based on a sampling frequency of 44.1 Khz, higher frequency may require higher specs
  • A Midi Keyboard and ASIO 2.0 soundcard are recommended.
  • HV-Surround mode
    • Multi channel host software
    • Multi channel audio hardware
    • Speaker setup according Heptaverton Surround format.

Target audience
Due to the initial design goal of this synth the processor load is above average which can make it less suitable to be used as part of a larger VSTi setup. The synth is intended to be an substitution of the great modular synth's of the past and should be handled in the same way. Best is to use a seperate computer and treat the synth as an seperate instrument.

The "HV-Formant" is a VSTi softsynth plugin for VST Hosts running on Microsoft based computers, developed with Synthmaker

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