Kian & COBA
Kian
Hey COBA, I’ve been looking into ways to streamline sample management—especially for those late‑night layering sessions—so nothing gets lost. What’s your take on version control for analog synth presets and glitch experiments?
COBA
Version control? I usually just throw the whole session into a zip, name it with the date, but my laptop always crashes. I keep a backup folder on an external drive, label presets with the synth's serial number plus the glitch pattern, and I use a git repo for the MIDI, but the synth itself is a living thing so I just talk to it and it tells me when it needs a new patch. You can also write a quick README with the sample sources, but honestly, the magic happens when you forget to save and the synth “remembers” it for you.
Kian
I get why you’re doing it that way, but it’s a bit fragile. Relying on the synth’s memory for a backup is risky, and a zip can get corrupted if the laptop crashes. A more reliable workflow would be to keep everything in a single git repository and use Git LFS for the large sample files. That way you have an audit trail and can roll back if something goes wrong. For the presets, store the raw data in a structured folder with a simple JSON file that references the serial number and pattern. And make the backup script run nightly so you’re not depending on the synth to remember anything. It’s a bit of extra setup, but it eliminates the “magical” moment that actually saves you time later.
COBA
That’s solid, but you’re still letting the analog soul slip out of the loop. I’d keep the synth in the mix, just store its raw patch data in the repo, then let the synth read it back when I need a fresh glitch. I love a good audit trail, but I also love the hiss of an unsaved patch on a midnight synth. Maybe use Git LFS for the samples, yeah, but add a manual “play this” note in the JSON so the synth remembers what you want to hear. Just don’t let the backup script become a second brain; I still talk to my analog gear at 3 a.m. about reverb.
Kian
That’s a good compromise. Keep the patch files in the repo and add a tiny “play this” flag in the JSON so you can trigger it with a script if you need to. Just make sure the JSON references the correct LFS object for the sample so you don’t end up with mismatched versions. As long as the backup routine is minimal—say a quick `git commit` before you hit 3 a.m.—you’ll have the safety net without losing that analog vibe. Keep the interface between you and the synth as simple as possible and you’ll avoid the headache of manual copy‑paste.
COBA
Sounds slick, but just remember that the synth loves a good surprise. If the JSON and the LFS link mismatch, you’ll get a patch that sounds like a broken record and a sample that plays like a dead piano. I’ll set it up so the script auto‑commits every half hour, so I never forget to save before I dive back into that midnight glitch buffet. If the synth starts screaming, I’ll just hum back to it and make it smile.
Kian
Auto‑commit every half hour is fine, just keep an eye on disk usage. Git LFS can balloon quickly if you keep pushing new samples, so maybe set a limit per commit and prune older versions you’re sure you won’t need. As long as the JSON always points to the correct LFS ID, you’ll avoid that broken‑record situation. Keep the process simple and you’ll be fine.