#1161

Why does everyone seem to be so concerned about the delay? Is it general curiosity or something else?

3 Likes
#1162

I could jokingly call it “delay elitism” or “analogue purism” but that might ruffle some feathers the wrong way, so let’s just say that it seems to be people who are very very concerned by the fact that if it’s a PT2399 some people consider that “digital” even though from a certain perspective it’s not significantly different from a BBD (which was also quantized, if not using numbers in a literal sense to do the quantization). At least, that’s what I’ve gathered from the discussion so far, but I’m definitely on the outside of it, as neither the Strega nor whether a delay is analogue or digital under the hood interest me.

6 Likes
#1163

I’m personally curious about this because I love to know about technicall details.

And also as I said before it is a downside to me if it is this specific chip, because it is around for 20 years and putting it to a new machine is not fun. Personal preference, if you wish.

I do not care about analog vs digital, every FX adds its own signature to the sound.

#1164

" The PT2399 is a CMOS echo/delay processor developed by Princeton Technology Corp. This digital chip includes an ADC (Analog to Digital converter), 44Kb of RAM to store the samples and a DAC (Digital to Analog converter). Although this chip was created as a simple solution to add delay/reverb/echo to karaokes and set-up entertainment systems, it became very popular in the guitar pedal community due to its ability to emulate BBD-based delay circuits, good price, through-hole package, 5V power supply and tolerance to modifications."

https://www.electrosmash.com/pt2399-analysis

7 Likes
#1165

I will say the make noise official demo did it a lot more justice than yesterday’s somewhat awkward introduction. Strega + 0-ctrl seems pretty powerful, I wouldn’t want to use it alone though personally.

4 Likes
#1166

I think simply because PT2399 is pretty commonly used in a lot of gear and has a characteristic sound. And a lot of people seem to be thinking “if it has that delay chip, I can substitute this other piece of gear with the same chip.”

To some extent that’s true… and to probably a larger extent that’s flawed thinking, since it depends a lot on the supporting circuitry, modulation possibilities and so on, and of course the rest of the synth that isn’t the delay :slight_smile:

9 Likes
#1167

I’m unfortunately not hearing anything super new and exciting here. I found the demo to sound almost identical to the Lyra delay module i have. Which is great because i love that sound, but definitely not quite the “previously unattainable sound” that alessandro was harping about yesterday :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#1168

Strega official video feels:

  • Like they’ve completed the Make Noise Aalto. (Ahem, or was it easel?)
  • Like a nice part of the appeal vs Lyra-8 is the bigger focus on playing and touching the delay. Together with the huge workflow difference of compatibility with external sequence and envelopes, I’m guessing the ‘Strega or Lyra’ choice won’t feel that confusing to people.
  • Like the soul of Strega is a huge nod to the appeal of the likes of ciat-lombarde and Soma. But with the twist of an intense focus on making the workflow accessible and flexible.
5 Likes
#1169

Lyra’s response to pitch CV is…idiosyncratic. Strega looks more conventionally responsive to CV than Lyra is. Looks like there is definite overlap between the two, but Strega seems much more focused on playing nicely with exterior CV sources (and destinations).

2 Likes
#1170

At a glance it seems like Strega would be easier to tame then the Lyra. And it interfaces with modular well. While Lyra may be deeper functionally and higher quality build.

#1171

With this product, I think it’s more about how you get there. That’s what Cortini was talking about.

2 Likes
#1172

I feel like, for a use case where you want hardware to explore/create on but don’t have the space, the funds, or whatever for a more expansive collection of gear–having the 3 MN 0-coast format boxes would give you a lot of room to move in a very “Tiny Studio Corner” package. I don’t need this, but I love the idea of it.

4 Likes
#1173

I love the portability and relative affordability of this trio of little crazy boxes… I suppose three calls for an eventual fourth…

That would make for a fantastic suitcase full of flying saucers!

5 Likes
#1174

Is it me or is the intro video very much in style of Vlad from Soma

1 Like
#1175

i’m not familiar with that. i produced the video in the same general style i use for all initial launch videos but added some scenic shots from the mountains of western NC, and some special effects courtesy of my amazing coworker Lewis (who also creates most of the animations that play at the top of our videos).

25 Likes
#1176

Not sure the strega is for me, but that sound at 2 min in the make noise video is lovely.

1 Like
#1177

Having wandered up and down those mountains a few time those shots were especially resonant for me, and the cabins in the woods… I’m sure I’ve run into a few of them (and the Light Center if you know it) or seen them from afar and wondered what mysteries lie within.

Sorry - drifting off topic, though the visuals on the video were also very much to my taste, as is the Strega too, karaoke delay in particular, having a few devices with a PT chip in them already - assuming that’ s what it is.

1 Like
#1178

I’m surprised by how much the comparison to Lyra has gained traction here. Granted I’ve never owned one, but the most standout aspect of Lyra to me is the way that chaos and uncertainty is built into every aspect of it starting with the foundational elements. With Lyra you MUST cede some control of the device to this chaos as a way of coming to terms with the machine. Chaos reigns. With Strega there’s an instability/uncertainty parameter that sounds really cool, but it’s one parameter, and hardly along the lines of Lyra’s radical approach to things.

5 Likes
#1179

Walker we need your help! Isn’t it clear we’re in the midst of a very important debate about whether or not the Strega uses a PT2399?!

:slight_smile: kidding

Great release and nice video as always.

4 Likes
#1180

After watching the Strega videos yesterday and today, here’s what I’ve been able to tease out in terms of functions. Some guesses, so feel free to correct.

Oscillator - triangle and (modulated?) pulse outputs. Tonic controls pitch. Fine tune control. 1v/oct input. Triangle output possibly normalled to waveshaper/wavefolder circuit. Pulse output normalled to delay time cv input with attenuator.

Fluctuating random voltage - normalled to vca input with an attenuator. normalled to tonic input with an attenuator. Also separate output

Waveshaper/wavefolder circuit - Tones control adjusts degree of waveshaping/wavefolding. Normalled to vca. CV input with attenuverter.

VCA - Activation control opens the (character?) vca. CV control input with attenuverter in addition to normalled random fluctuating voltage input with attenuator.

External input stage - Adjustable gain/overdrive with strength knob. Normalled to filter/delay feedback circuit with attenuator. Separate output after gain/overdrive stage.

Delay Time - (PT2399 3-tap?) delay time. Fine tune control. Receives normalled audio rate (modulated?) pulse wave through attenuator. CV input with attenuverter. 2nd input.

Delay Low pass filter - filter is in the delay circuit feedback loop. Cutoff controlled by filter knob. Output of function generator normal also controls cutoff.

Delay Decay - feedback control with attenuverter input.

Delay Absorb - possibly a tone control for the delay output.

Function generator - Cycling function generator with adjustable time and wave shape controls. External clocking input. Output normalled to delay filter loop cutoff with attenuator, plus separate output.

Blend - wet/dry control between shaped osc and delay. CV input.

Result - mono modular level and headphone outputs with level attenuator.

Touch plates - allows gestural patching between circuits.

7 Likes