LinuxMusicians

Hi all:

I've started porting the rakarrack effects to the lv2 plugin format. I've only done the first 4 so far (eq, compressor, distortion, echo), but haven't had a ton of time for testing beyond loading each one and tweaking a few parameters. They work, but if you'd like to help please test and leave feedback. I'm considering this an alpha stage.

The porting takes quite some time for each effect for several reasons. One is because they aren't quite standardized so I must analyze the code to make sure parameters stay in bounds, certain functions happen that aren't actually part of the effect module etc. Also rakarrack has fairly extensive use of global variables that I have to remove to make it stable. I'm trying to make any changes such that they could be merged upstream (this was one of the first goals of this work) but the changes have been fairly extensive and would require refactoring of many modules in rakarrack that I have no intention of touching. If someone were willing to address this then we could merge my changes. If no one really expresses interest I will just complete the fork and make a new project for it. Currently I'm trying to keep the interface exactly the same as rakarrack's so that you can easily rebuild any preset from rakarrack in an lv2 host like carla.

Anyway, I'm just trying to say, if you'd like to help or even just start using it, or follow my progress feel free, but it will be slow going. There are a few effects that I won't do (most of the *tron effects because I don't want the overhead of loading files). Feel free to make requests so I can prioritize one effect or another.

Find the project at:
https://sourceforge.net/u/ssj71/rakarra ... ster/tree/

To install download a snapshot or clone and follow the instructions in the README.
Have a great weekend.

cool! I think I remember reading that a lot of rakarrack's effects were ports of zynaddsubfx's, some of which have been ported to lv2 already... just want to make sure you're aware of that if you weren't already

tatch wrote:cool! I think I remember reading that a lot of rakarrack's effects were ports of zynaddsubfx's, some of which have been ported to lv2 already... just want to make sure you're aware of that if you weren't already

I am aware of some of those plugins, but IIRC they weren't all done. And I can't really find a project page for it either so I don't know it they're actively maintained. More importantly though Rakarrack tweaked most of them to tune them specially for guitar effects, so I'll chug on. Plus they added some 30+ more effects over what zyn has.

Anyhow, I committed the chorus/flanger effect tonight (they are actually the exact same, so I included the presets from both in just the chorus). Hopefully someone will find them useful. Next up: Analog Phaser.

Analog phaser done. Anyone interested in requesting any of them to be next?

Harmonizer and Exciter would be cool.

And then the Echotron, lots of potential there.
Cheers

tramp wrote:Harmonizer and Exciter would be cool.

definatly both those plugins. Been looking for a harmoniser LV2 and its always nice to have a choice of exciters

glowrak guy wrote:And then the Echotron, lots of potential there.
Cheers

I agree the echotron is a cool effect, but it requires you read in a file. This is completely possible with lv2, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to implement it or not. Its good to know that someone is interested in that one though. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider it. I'll think about it.

tramp wrote:Harmonizer and Exciter would be cool.

This is why I want community input! I didn't really think much of those. I'll be sure to mark them as todo. Thanks.
BTW in the meantime, one option for a harmonizer is my infamous ewham. Its best for vocals, but will work on single note guitar quite well. Its quite light too for a pitchshifter.

**EDIT**
Oh boy, harmonizer is quite a bit more complex due to the midi control option. This one will take some research. Maybe I'll do exciter first.

The Harmonic Enhancer is interesting as well.
For the harmonizer, I would prefer it without internal midi support, as my host do it for the plugs, but didn't support plugs with midi ports.

Great initiative !
I love using the rakarrack effects on synths to add sparkle and dirt or whatever voodoo make things sound magically full and lively.
But it has often been problematic in the workflow. Having them as LV2 opens a new world of possibilities
Also the modules presets are usually great, it would be nice to find a way to keep them.

tramp wrote: I would prefer it without internal midi support

Any opposed? Its a bit easier for me. You do actually lose a bit of funcitonality since you can define whatever chord you want to with a midi keyboard instead of being limited to the built in settings. Perhaps I'll make 2 separate versions. Then everyone wins. I can probably spit out the non-midi version in the next few days.

DoosC wrote:Also the modules presets are usually great, it would be nice to find a way to keep them.

I'm porting the presets of each module as lv2 presets. Try out the first 6 effects I've done

ssj71 wrote:I'm porting the presets of each module as lv2 presets. Try out the first 6 effects I've done

Brilliant!
I'll try them when I get them through the KXStudio's repos. I am THAT lazy

DoosC wrote:I'll try them when I get them through the KXStudio's repos.

I understand that, though I could use help in testing these. And I'd be happy to help you get them running. It should be as easy as cmake; make; sudo make install. I'm still trying to contact the rakarrack team to see if they are interested in merging these or if I should fully fork the project for plugins. I imagine nobody will probably package them until the project gets a more permanent home.
If not, just your feedback and discussion as I try to port them is helpful too. Thanks.

Harmonizer is now done without midi control. That one was a beast. Anybody particularly fond of the midi feature and want it? Otherwise I'll start the exciter.

EDIT* Exciter now done. That one was the easiest yet! What do you guys want next?

Well,,,uhm...how about whole Rakarrack as a lv2 plugin