I don't know how we get his attention, but AnotherScott is an absolute gem on synthesis types, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Here's hoping he's got time, and sees this. Great writer, too.

I'm still learning from something he wrote about VA vs the samples approach of AWM2.

[quotePost id=116684]I don't know how we get his attention, but AnotherScott is an absolute gem on synthesis types, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Here's hoping he's got time, and sees this. Great writer, too.[/quotePost]

We need a tag feature with notifications 🙂

@AnotherScott

I'm still learning from something he wrote about VA vs the samples approach of AWM2.

Hey @Andrew, do you have a link for this? I am interested!

VL's focus is modeling based on physical properties of the instruments it covered - plucked, bowed, wind, etc. And combining elements of each "real" instrument creates a frankenstein hybrid.

AN's focus is in modeling analog synthesizers. So AN is emulation/modeling of synthesized sound and VL is going after so-called "acoustic" instruments.

VL has been said to be difficult to program because the parameters are not traditional. There's a podcast (behind the synth) where VL is discussed mentioning the difficulty with coming up with settings that "behave".

Thanks Jason!

VL's focus is modeling based on physical properties of the instruments it covered - plucked, bowed, wind, etc. And combining elements of each "real" instrument creates a frankenstein hybrid.

That's clear!

AN's focus is in modeling analog synthesizers.

Clear as well! So the word "Physical Modeling" in this model is the modeling of the Cicuits of the Analog Synthesizers (Like VCM).
Sometimes I hear "Virtual Analog", I guess it refers to AN (Analog) and not VL (Acoustics)?

Now I understand that both are Physical Modeling, now thinking about it, Electrical/Circuits and Acoustics are both physical behaviours.

So AN is emulation/modeling of synthesized sound and VL

I lost you when you said "and VL". How "Analog" can emulate "Acoustics"?

Something got truncated. I edited the post.

Here's the discussion (behind the synth) alluded to earlier which covers VL:

https://yamahasynth.com/learn/behind-the-synth/vl1-retrospective-with-manny-fernandez-behind-the-synth

Behind the synth ("BTS" ) is an incredibly rich resource. Both current and retrospective looks at Yamaha gear with the people who were "in the room" involved with the creation process. Sometimes other topics. There's a lot of "between the cracks" kind of information discussed.

When covering Yamaha products it's not just pushing gear -- you really do hear the stories and background of the development process at some level.

Something got truncated. I edited the post.

Thanks Jason for the edits, now it is clear and it confirmed my understading.

And Thanks for sharing some resources and to others as well for participation, I will indeed listen to the discussion!

Acoustics Emulation (i.e. VL) is a technology that interests me a lot, it is sad to see that it was "Groundbreaking" and "It blew minds" and now we are not seeing it in the latest synths (I think only the Kronos/Nautilus kept 1 Physical Model, STR-1: Plucked Strings).

Here is my opinion (even before listening to what has been said), nothing can beat Sample Based Synthesis in emulating Real Acoustic Instruments, but here are some of the issues I face (and please keep in mind that I am an amateur):
- You need tons of samples to fully emulate how an instrument is played; size can easily go up high and fill up your sample memory.
- You need advanced programming that is not available onboard today's keyboards (a lot of conditions).
- The intruments are sometimes very realistic that, as a non player of that instrument in real life, I don't know how to play it on the keyboard. I am facing such difficulties on the PSR using S.Art. I know this sounds more like an advantage, but I will explain next what is the drawback.

On the other hand, you will sometimes need to emulate an acoustic instrument, but with some tweaks to meet your taste or style of play, and in this case a Model like VL can do the job perfectly. Samples + Effects is not an option here. In VL you can easily tweak the Physical Characteriscs such as Bow Speed, Breath Pressure, etc., that again you need tons of sample to emulate otherwise.
Also how cool is to make your Acoustic Sound electronic/synthy- (one type of tweaks I am talking about)? I guess VL offer better options than Samples in this case...

Finally editing, editing VL parameters sounds much easier than changing Samples or Audio Editing them...

I hope to see such a Tone Generator again in the next updates...