Composed and produced for the KVR One Synth Challenge 159, Surge XT.

26 instances of Surge, with all effects in the Surge patches. 

Cakewalk DAW processing:
- Gain on buses, for mixing.
- EQ on final bus: High pass, low pass, small bump at 3kHz.
No compression, etc.

**Surge Storm** is an exploration of sound design in physical instruments and sounds. These are all my own patches, some of which are included in Surge. Most of the physical instruments here mimic generation and body resonances researched from real instruments, driven by controllers for mechanical setup and playing actions. This gives me a dynamic instrument that responds in a variety of articulations and styles, without needing samples.

Here, I've used a few time signatures. It has a wide dynamic range and frequency coverage, so you'll get the most from ideal listening conditions. Unfortunately, the thunder sound has lost a lot of its character here in the lo-fi Soundcloud playback. The download will give you the best experience.

Comments and crits appreciated.

Surge patches:

Tuned
- Pianos
- Tongue drum
- Soprano soloist
- Violin soloist [http://johnvalentine.co.uk/?art=surge_violin]
- Violin string section
- Cello strings
- Rimba strings
- Bass strings
- Bass guitar
- Synth brass
- Sequenced bass x 2
- Power buzz
- Pad (distortion + sweeping EQs)

Percussion
- Snare clap
- Cymbal / Gong (change via macros)
- Taiko
- Sticks
- Hat

Other
- Sea
- Breathy Huh
- Thunder x 2
- The Booj

Cover art (c) John Valentine.

Surge Storm

j5v - Surge Storm

This is a set of three patches for Surge XT, arranged into a firework display:
1. Firework launch
2. Firework bang and fizzle
3. Screamers

Surge XT - Fireworks 2

An collection of experiments, with influences from Jean Michel Jarre's earlier works.

Made mostly using Surge Synth 1.8, some Surge XT, and Cakewalk.

If I need the space on this platform, this track will likely disappear.

2022 - 07 Jam Jar 1b - Surge Synth

Now that I have some useful instrument patches, this brings a few of them together.

[1] Surge Synth https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/

Zarathustra v1 - Surge Synth

Using Pipe Organ 2021 in Surge, with variations to create organ stops.

If you want a different sound, with bigger trumpet pedals, more variations, and recorded from the organist's position, in a different setting, try https://soundcloud.com/user-128602629/widor-toccata-in-f-v7-surge-xt/s-3CuO0yBCqHz

Links:
[1] Surge Synth https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/
[2] Basis MIDI source https://www.midiworld.com/midis/other/c3/widor_to.mid
[3] My 'Pipe Organ 2021' patch (available in Surge XT 1.0) http://johnvalentine.co.uk/index.php?art=surge_pipe_organ

Widor - Toccata In F V16 - Surge XT

Sound Noodle 001: "Grand Piano 2023", a balanced version of "Grand Piano 2022 (Clean)" included with Surge XT, with "AirWindows > Galactic" in the FX section of Surge XT.

I also have a version of this that uses Piano V3 + Valhalla Supermassive.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 001 - Ambient Surge Grand Piano

This uses Surge XT for all sounds, except Saraa (Fairlight) and the bongos and toms(bundled with Cakewalk).

Originally composed by Jan Hammer for the Miami Vice soundtrack. This Noodle is a segment of less than 30 seconds, as fair use. Full-length track: https://youtu.be/lcjlnsQ9GTM

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 002 - Crockett's Theme textures (26s)

A grand piano, made in Surge XT, a hybrid synthesizer plugin.
This is a short snippet from Hungarian Rhapsody No.2.

The macro controls are: Brightness, Dynamics, Hammer, Soundboard, Ring decay length, Compression, Body, and Reverb.

Noodle 003 - Grand Piano 2023 - Surge patch demo

An initial exploration of non-12-EDO scale. I found intervals that sounded simple (they're close to harmonic ratios), and found an overlap between an upward chord and a downward chord from the octave above.

Sounds are all from Surge XT. The flute is a resonating instrument that can be overblown or persuaded into other timbres.

Noodle 004 - 31-EDO ambient flute

A demo of my WIP Handbells patch for Surge XT. Version 2
Download the WAV for better audio.

This piece is a deliberately and clumsily over-harmonized version of my test piece, just to get a group-playing effect quickly.

The patch has performance macros:
- Fundamental: changes the emphasis from initial partials to the resonating main modes.
- Resonance: gives a strong resonance to the bells.
- Damping: changes the generation of partials and damps them quickly.
- Choir width: positions bells/players randomly but consistently, in a horseshoe formation.
- Dual strike: similar effect to players doubling up, or non-clean playing.
- Decay: changes the ring-out of bells.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 005 - Handbells - Surge XT

An effect, generated in Surge XT formula macros. This one generates MTMF tones for a phone/cell number.

Noodle 006 - DTMF dialler in Surge XT tech demo

Uses Surge XT for all sounds, except a couple of drumkit items.

This is a montage of a few parts of the full track, at https://youtu.be/abijI0TZPBw
Based on the original by Philip Oakley and Giorgio Moroder.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 007 - Electric Dreams textures - v3

This is a Surge XT patch, played for 1 minute.
CW: sound of low-flying military aircraft.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 008 - Low-passing jet airplane (foley/effect)

This is a Surge XT patch.
CW: sound of low-flying military aircraft.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 009 - Low-passing jet airplane 2 (foley/effect)

This is a synthesized (not sampled) orchestral production, using Surge Xt.

Sounds are based on a physical resonance model for wind instruments. This uses bassoon, cor anglais, and various brass instruments. The strings are my existing patches.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

An extract from New World Symphony 2nd mvt., Dvorak.

Noodle 010 - Orchestral instruments - New World Symphony (v2)

This uses Surge XT for 90% of the sounds, with help from Arturia Piano V and CMI Saraah. I used this to help develop hard-blown orchestral brass sounds in Surge XT. It also includes some of the patches I'll be releasing (free) soon.

Originally composed by Mike Oldfield for The Songs of Distant Earth soundtrack. This Noodle is a segment of around 30 seconds, as fair use. 

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 011 - Lament for Atlantis - sound texture - with Surge XT

This uses variants of my brass and orchestral bass drum patches for Surge XT. They're synthesized rather than sampled. The snare drum is from Cakewalk's included drumkit plugin, and is sampled.

I recreated this from an original track, Advancing Menace, by John Richardson, popularised as the TV theme for BBC's Mastermind. My version has a 16-bar introduction; here it's 8 bars to keep it short.

To improve this, I'd make more of the transitions legato.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 012 - Advancing Menace - texture - with Surge XT

A flute instrument, based on physical modelling (noisy sources, resonators). This demo includes some articulations you might expect from a flute.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 013 - Flute - Surge XT

A sound design exercise, to recreate and analog and digital sounds of a well-known 80s track, using Surge XT. 

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 015 - Axel F - sound texture - Surge XT

Composed in a few minutes using my Surge XT patches (some new for Surge XT 1.3).
- Sweeping Distorted Pad
- Space comms / Mission control space
- Laser Harp
- Cymbal Tap
- Grand Piano

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 016 - Epic space tension

This uses Surge XT for 90% of the sounds, with help from Piano V (Arturia) and Micah's Choir (Pianobook).

Originally composed by Mike Oldfield. Recreated, arranged, designed, and mixed by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 30 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Longer segment: https://youtu.be/OCoyq6E1g-8

Noodle 017 - Sentinel (Tubular Bells)

A demo of my Rhodes-alike electric piano, created in Surge XT. This is synthesis, not samples.

This is based on a MIDI of "I'm not in Love".

Originally composed by 10cc. Recreated, arranged, designed, and mixed by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 30 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 018 - Surge Valen Tines (Rhodes EPiano)

A demo of my Rhodes-alike electric piano, created in Surge XT. This is synthesis, not samples.

This is based on a MIDI of "I'm not in Love".

Originally composed by 10cc. Recreated, arranged, designed, and mixed by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 40 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 018.1 - Surge Valen Tines (Rhodes EPiano)

A saxophone solo, using a Surge XT patch, and continuous controllers.

Other Surge instruments here:
- Valen Tines Rhodes Piano (mellow)
- Acoustic Rhythm Guitar

This is based on a MIDI of "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel.

Sound design and mixing by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 30 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 019 - Saxophone

A violin solo, using a Surge XT patch, and continuous controllers.

Other Surge instruments here:
- Cello

Sound design and mixing by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 30 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 020 - [old demo] Solo Violin (Meditation)

A violin cello, using a Surge XT patch, and continuous controllers.

All other instruments are my Surge XT patches.

Sound design and mixing by me.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 021 - Solo Cello (Jam Jar, WIP) - Surge XT

A cover of OMD's All That Glitters.

Created in Surge XT, as a demo of my patch like the Korg M1 "Symphonic Strings"

This is synthesis, not samples. Drums: Cakewalk.

There's no MIDI on the web of this piece, so these are my notes/score.

Sound design, arrangement, articulations, and mix by me. This Noodle is a segment of around 50 seconds, as fair use.

Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 023 - All that Glitters - Surge XT - sound texture

The beginnings of an experiment to use my expressive synthesized strings, using my Surge XT patches for all instruments.

Because this is a work-in-progress, this track might not be here for long, and I've likely improved on it already ;)

I used a public MIDI file, but I'll be rearranging it, because this seems squashed into four soloist parts. It would benefit from a more thorough voicing.

Sound design, arrangement, articulations (not much), and mix by me. Sound Noodles are snippets of experimental sound design or techniques.

Noodle 025 - Albinoni Adagio D Minor - Surge XT - v2 WIP temporary

Played gently for a close-mic intinate feel, with 'open string' macro on, and without any reverb.

This is a WIP violin patch I'm working on. I stripped it back to basics and I'm building it back up. So far the instrument has a pre-resonant state that you can hear here, and some tweaks to body resonances that give it character. I'll work more on that soon.

Normalized (louder) here to -12dB. It's quiet.

Sound noodle 029 - Surge XT - Violin WIP - open strings test

Another demo of my WIP violin patch. i've redesigned the body, and given more attention to the pre-resonance and strings.

I've cut it short, at the bit I haven't arranged and mixed yet.

Noodle 030b - Surge Violin - BSG Roslin and Adama 2

Noodle 032 Cavatina - Surge XT Violin and Nylon Guitar

2025-07 Piano practice is cancelled today

Made with Surge XT with a bit of support from BBC Orchestra (free).
It's a bit livelier.

Surge Storm - 2025-07 revision

Made with my upcoming Surge XT patch, "Violin section", this is a short excerpt of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2.

I'm experimenting with section strings, focusing on a section violin first. In a production setup, you'd feed the same sequence to many instances of Surge XT with the patch loaded, the only difference between those instances is a controller that sets the 'unique instance' of the instrument. The rest is randomized and improvised in Surge.

Initial results are great, with a good return of investment in sections of 6 to 12. It has the characteristic lushness of a string section, while keeping the tight control of the earlier solo violin variant. You can use the controllers while playing, to control bow speed, bow force, play close to the bridge, call out open strings, express manual or automated vibrato, and bite into the strings when you need. It also plays inharmonic whispers if you play it quietly, to achieve that feeling of music emerging from breathing.

By default, it comes with tuning as perfect fifths so the open strings work intuitively, and you can switch that to ET2-12, or load up just intonation, or whatever suits your music.

For section controls, there's a slider to change the variation of players in the section, and if you roll your sleeves up, you can change the distribution of players on the sound stage.

Best of all, it's all open for you to edit in the synth, so you can tweak the tuning, air and body resonances, string properties, section controls, and more.

Noodle 040 - Surge XT section violin demo

A patch I designed for Surge XT that has low-end growl and high-end poise, and you can use it for classical renditions, accompaniment, or incidental lines. It includes stretch tuning and sympathetic resonance.

Noodle 041 - Surge XT Grand Piano B

A patch I designed for OB-Xf, "BR Jumpy".

The famous brass riff. I couldn't resist! I've tuned it to have the same drift and oscillator variation, and there are other tweaks to make it leap out. For best results, give some EQ lift around 6 kHz and below 140 Hz (or amplify and do the inverse EQ, depending where in the frequency range you want to preserve phase).

Noodle 042 OB-Xf Jump

UPDATED at https://soundcloud.com/user-128602629/2025-11-psb-jealousy-demo-5-temporary

My cover of non-singing parts of Jealousy (Per Shop Boys, 1982/1990), intended as a synth demo.

This is a temporary upload and likely will be replaced soon.
Feel free to add likes, etc. They might disappear when this track does, but it shows me what you like.

All sounds are from Surge XT or OB-Xf, except for piano, and the toms at 03:33 - 03:36.

2025-11 PSB Jealousy - demo 4 TEMPORARY

My cover of non-singing parts of Jealousy (Per Shop Boys, 1982/1990), intended as a synth demo.

This is a temporary upload and likely will be replaced soon.
This version works on violin design, incidental score, percussion highs, and mixing.

Feel free to add likes, etc. They might disappear when this track does, but it shows me what you like.

All sounds are from Surge XT or OB-Xf, except for piano, and the toms at 03:33 - 03:36.

2025-11 PSB Jealousy - demo 5 TEMPORARY

I'm a sound designer and music noodler.
Spamming follow-generator accounts will be blocked.

j5v

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