Granular Synthesis

[X-Trade]

Does anyone have any recommendations on granular synthesis? any software instruments that are particularly good?

Note I'm after actual instrument-like implementations, not standalone applications or sound manglers. For example the grain-table synth in Reason is good, but I don't use Reason.

I don't actually 'get' granular synthesis, so it is something which intrigues me. It is also interesting because, along with additive, it isn't a synthesis technique that I see implemented very often: these are two systems that aren't implemented in the Radias 'multi-modelling' all-powerful synthesis technology. They aren't even in the OASYS.

[BasariStudios]

Granular Synthezis is based on Audio Samples, almost similar to Sampling but
not the same, in this case the Audio is split in smaller peaces and then processed
in an Analogish way, very different then Sampling, it achieves more of a Cloudy,
SoundScapy sounds then just clear single notes. I use it a lot in my productions
especially for SoundScapes and Pads. For that the most i use is Absynth and also
few of the Ensembles in Reaktor...also known as Grain method.

[mikkimc2010]

Hi Guys

Try this link for a detailed description of Granular synthesis, may help?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granular_synthesis

Mike

[Daz]

NI Absynth & Spectrasonics Omnisphere are both great synths that support granular synthesis. A movie is a lot still pictures played in quick succession and granular synthesis is lots of brief chunks of audio played in quick succession. Changing which chunks of audio are being played, how long each chunk is, and how quickly each is played for etc. etc. gives some very interesting results ranging from some very clean re-pitching or tempo changing effect to really wild new abtract sounds.

My 2c,

Daz.

[paugui]

Why not trying a Nord Modular?

You can achieve that with one (there are some granular patches available on the electro-music.com site).

And of course... you can achieve much much more with one.
Probably the best synth I've tried (I have the original keyboard expanded and the G2X and they are both amazing...)

[X-Trade]

Why not trying a Nord Modular?

You can achieve that with one (there are some granular patches available on the electro-music.com site).

And of course... you can achieve much much more with one.
Probably the best synth I've tried (I have the original keyboard expanded and the G2X and they are both amazing...)

Yes, I would like to, but that requires actually getting one - quite difficult to come by even on ebay, and then not particularly cheap.


I've just built my own hardware synthesizer platform and might experiment with 'grain table' synthesis there - as our guitarist is a long time reason user and we sometimes have to emulate sounds like that.

I do have reaktor but haven't been able to fathom the grain modules yet.

[paugui]

I am not sure about their current prices, but after I get an Alesis Andromeda, I will likely start hunting two G2 Engines just to use them as sequencers and effects processors, cause I really love my G2X for that, but he is also really useful for almost anything

An amazing synth really...

[X-Trade]

I've been playing with reaktor a lot more since I got the 5.5 beta update. It is so much more fun and easier to work with!

So I've been exploring the granular modules a bit, particularly the grain cloud delay, which I really like! I explored granular synthesis a bit when I was playing with my final year project at uni, but didn't implement it in the project.

Anyway, I guess with Reaktor it is pretty similar to a Nord Modular - I always wanted one, but equally I could hook up a couple servers or a stack of laptops and run some nice ensembles over MIDI. May even use it as the basis for my project's software now I've finished uni!

The main problem I have with it (and other plugin environments) is I can't see a way to change between ensembles or plugins through patch changes or just a single interface quickly. Ideally I want something like a KORG workstation combi, but that loads VSTs and their presets into each timbre. I know KORE does this but its not on my shopping list... I'm surprised there isn't something in the free domain that does this already actually.

[CharlesFerraro]

It is also interesting because, along with additive, it isn't a synthesis technique that I see implemented very often: these are two systems that aren't implemented in the Radias 'multi-modelling' all-powerful synthesis technology. They aren't even in the OASYS.

I can't speak for the Oasis but the Radias utilizes both techniques. When Cross Modulation is in effect in oscillator one it is essentially a form of additive synthesis (FM).
It also utilizes a Grainshifter as an insert effect.

[X-Trade]

It is also interesting because, along with additive, it isn't a synthesis technique that I see implemented very often: these are two systems that aren't implemented in the Radias 'multi-modelling' all-powerful synthesis technology. They aren't even in the OASYS.

I can't speak for the Oasis but the Radias utilizes both techniques. When Cross Modulation is in effect in oscillator one it is essentially a form of additive synthesis (FM).
It also utilizes a Grainshifter as an insert effect.

I'm sorry, but FM is not additive synthesis. at all. Additive synthesis is more like a Hammond organ. Or more appropriately the Kawai K5 and K5000. Personally I think it is a very powerful technique and very under used. it involves mixing one or more waves together, usually at different pitches, to produce the final sound. Technically, yes, you can achieve three partial additive synthesis with OSC1, OSC2, and the sub-oscillator, but it is not very interesting nor practical.

FM is where one oscillator's frequency - or in the case of cross modulation I think it is the oscillator's phase - is modulated by another oscillator's output, normally at audio rate and at a harmonic or subharmonic of the other.

Granular synthesis, again. Yes there is the grain shifter, but it is not very modulatable, not even very flexibly really! I do like it but it is very rhythm orientated. I will agree that it is in the Radias, but it is more of a granular processing rather than being the source material. Hence why I'm interested in Reaktor and Malstrom - playing back samples in a granular fashion. Ableton also does this but again not in a very modulatable or flexible way.

[pillbug]

Malstrom is great for granular synthesis of its available waveforms but you can't add or process your own (i.e. external) samples with it.

[CharlesFerraro]

I'm sorry, but FM is not additive synthesis ... it involves mixing one or more waves together, usually at different pitches, to produce the final sound. Technically, yes, you can achieve three partial additive synthesis with OSC1, OSC2, and the sub-oscillator, but it is not very interesting nor practical.

Ah I see, I was mistaken then. Not sure why I thought FM was a form of additive.
As far as the Radias performing additive synthesis as you described, you neglected the other three timbres. Certainly you could make something worthwhile by utilizing the entire engine. You could even use a drum rack loaded with synth sounds to achieve more waveforms sounding and morphing at once by having multiple parts of the rack trigger at the same time.

..I will agree that it is in the Radias, but it is more of a granular processing rather than being the source material. Hence why I'm interested in Reaktor and Malstrom - playing back samples in a granular fashion...

If you're looking for a way to manipulate the granulated sample in the same way you would an oscillator well... I don't even need to say it. Use the internal bus.

[pillbug]

Hey I know it's been awhile but I just found this site with a free granular VST:

http://makingwaves4free.blogspot.com/

Thought I would pass it along...

[X-Trade]

If you're looking for a way to manipulate the granulated sample in the same way you would an oscillator well... I don't even need to say it. Use the internal bus.

Well, yeah, I had thought about that.
But I think the problem is the granular effect in the Radias is great for breaking up rhythms etc, and I've used it a lot. But it lacks envelopes, or the finesse to produce those 'bouncing ball' effects and such. It locks to tempo only. You can't take a short snippet and make it loop-repeat faster and faster, or slower and slower. Or detune the grains, etc. It is clearly designed for rhythm and not much else...

I'm working on that in Reaktor now, having been spending a lot of time with it recently.

Hey I know it's been awhile but I just found this site with a free granular VST:

http://makingwaves4free.blogspot.com/

Thought I would pass it along...

That looks quite cool. I will have to find the time to check it out!

[CharlesFerraro]

I just started getting into this synth/sampler VST called Alchemy by Camel Audio. Theres a month free trial (non-contiguous!). Seems to have some pretty nice granular options.

http://www.camelaudio.com/tutorials.php?tID=14#

And it does additive!