DSP Robotics Support

Hello, I am new to FlowStone and have read the basic tutorials but how do I get started with other projects.I personally can not afford the $500 + to take the offered classes,but I really want to learn how to use this program.I have downloaded a copy of users,component guides but the do not show me how to use the components.I entered FlowStone schematics online and a bunch of pictures show up that make no sense.

Hi there and welcome,

Yes, you are right. Since there are so many modules + ruby involved, there is a quite significant learning curve for amateurs. For instance, I use Flowstone for almost 3 years, and in many means, I'm am still an amateur...
It all depended on what you are trying to achieve then. Most important thing is to start working on something to accumulate solid experience. Without pointing at least one desired final target (for instance, a synth or an effect you've been always dreaming on), It would be difficult to face Flowstone's challenges. But then, the forum would be here to help you with any specific issue

Good luck!

I guess that everyone will have a different approach to learning so I can only offer the path I took myself. And I have to say that after a year I've still got loads to learn but that's one of the many appeals of such a deep application.

First off I did what you did and read the manuals supplied. There is SO much information that there was no way I was going to remember it all but, once seen, a bell may ring when you want a solution, then you can go back and check the references.

Secondly I spent ages fooling around with the stock Example Synth. I wanted to understand everything I needed to know about it and modified and experimented accordingly. This meant frequent trips back to the component and user references.

The third stage for me was then to create my own synth using the insights and experience gained. This was a real heavy duty learning phase filled with problems of my own making and lack of expertise but also great fun and when finished gave me a really great thrill of satisfaction. I'd made my own synth without ever touching a soldering iron or drill!

By now I was, and still am, totally addicted to Flowstone, to trying out new ideas and overcoming issues as they arise.

That's where this forum really comes into its own. I've had so much help here, freely and kindly offered by whoever can help. The forum is not really for learning the basics, unless you are deeply stuck and the manuals don't seem to help you. But once you basically know your way around the application, there will always be help at hand.

Have fun!

Cheers

Spogg

After so many years, I still have the user guide right beside me and have to look at it intensively when programming in Ruby. That's just normal. You can't remember everything (unless your brain misses the filter that is normally built-in to prevent a psychological meltdown).

What I recommend is to not think you could start building a synth, just because you have Flowstone. The first thing to do is actually getting comfortable with the concept. Forget about Ruby, forget about synths, start by recreating mathematical formulas. If you can easily lay out y = ((3x - 2) * 4) % 5 with all those green prims and links, you've already made the first step into it.

If you are used to the concept, and how to combine prims to create something new, then you can start to have a look at the stream parts (white, blue). Use one of the modules in the toolbox, or load an example from the admin area. Just make sure to select easier ones at first.

Try to make changes to the schematic and see what happens. One change at a time. This will make you understand the logic behind the module.

And lastly, ask the community. I can be rough at times, but very rarely. It happens when I realize that the asking person didn't make any efforts to understand FS, its concept, or the actual issue, prior to asking. People, that aren't interested in learning FS, but in getting ready-made solutions they can put together. I dislike that. But most of the time I'm a cute little panda, there to help if I can. And the majority of the active com is so too.

Thank you all for taking the time to read,reply and help me .Ultimately I would like to design VST plug ins and Amplifiers. I have a few ideas for the type I would like to design but not sure how to proceed .First a distortion unit should be a square wave so I guess turning a sine wave to a square wave in FlowStone would be my first question but I'll figure it out .I am awful at math (believe it or not there is a math disability) and I have it ,so a steep learning curve lays before me.I would like to know where to find information for that purpose,I found a free course for RUBY but it's a lot to learn.

Here is a start mate.
I turned a .wav into a pulse->


Hit load file to load a .wav and it will turn whatever audio into a pulse.

I like squares, there is a major standard- PCM, pulse code modulation,
so they really have application in DSP

I just posted this in my Synthmaker Greatest Hits topic. It might help a bit:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3zf6rjw3ojy54 ... I.zip?dl=0

Cheers

Spogg