By the Numbers

Here is a new track I made, featuring more use of my harmonic ratio arpeggiator.  I was also using my Pitch Bend Tuner to tune my hardware synths to the microtonal pitches the arpeggiator was generating.  An interesting aspect of making tracks with the ratio arpeggiator is that there are no longer any “notes” in the traditional sense.  They are notes just the same, but I’ve gotten to the point where I stop thinking about normal note names, and have started to get a sense of how different numbers will sound.  For instance, higher numbers are generally more dissonant, and numbers with common divisors (or factors, or whatever you call it–i’m not a mathematician) generally sound good together.  An interesting new world!

A diagram from Harry Partch's book, "Genesis of a Music" showing different ratios' correspondence to notes in an equal temperament scale

A diagram from Harry Partch's book, "Genesis of a Music" showing different ratios' correspondence to notes in an equal temperament scale

Here is the track:

Solar Flare MP3 Audio

I quite like how this track turned out–I will probably be including a longer, more structured version of this in an upcoming release.

Let me know if you like it, and enjoy!

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Golden Master, April 25th 2010 | Posted in microtonal, reaktor, software, tracks, tuning

Launchpad in Numerology!

The most recent release of five12 Numerology included full support for the Novation Launchpad.  It’s amazing!  Here is a demo of myself using it to sequence a track.  This track is a little bit long, but I am sequencing all the patterns and mixing everything live, so it takes a while, and I mess around with some of the different features of the launchpad support just to show some things.

 

There are a lot of different features hidden away in the launchpad support, and I didn’t get to all of them.  But I hit on the main ones.   You can completely sequence and arrange a track all from the launchpad without even touching numerology, after setting up your numerology patch!  

 

 

For this track, I was using Reaktor for some sampling and effects, and my waldorf microwave and roland mks-70 for synthesis.  Everything was sequenced and mixed in real time, no edits or overdubs.

 

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Golden Master, April 7th 2010 | Posted in Audio And Synthesis, reaktor, software, tracks

Golden REAKTOR VOSIM!!

Well, for all you poor bastards who don’t own a G2 modular, and can’t use the VOSIM patch I made for mine, I have put together a VOSIM patch in Reaktor.  Actually, part of the reason I made it was just to implement some features I couldn’t get in the G2, and because I thought it might sound different in reaktor.

part of the GUI for the vosim synth

part of the GUI for the vosim synth

 

It does sound different, and, actually, I think it sounds better in Reaktor!  Part of the reason (geek speak here) is that the ramp oscillator in Reaktor allows more precision for syncing the waveforms and there are less jitter artifacts.  Also, reaktor just sounds good :).  I was also able to mess around with a couple tricks that are easier in reaktor than on the nord.

 

another snap of the GUI

another snap of the GUI

The architecture of this synth:  It is a 3 OP VOSIM/FM hybrid.  The 3 oscillators can frequency modulate each other, and are all fed into the same VOSIM “burst envelope” which creates the fundamental frequency, and the 3 operator/oscillators are what create the formants.

I found that using a little frequency modulation can add a lot of texture to the vocal sound, or just help in creating a lot of crazy textures.

I’ve also included a fairly comprehensive modulation section.  There are only a few presets, but there is really a lot of possibilities in this synth, so enjoy!

I made a simple track to show some sounds from this Reaktor patch.  It was just a fun quick demo, but there’s some good textures in there, anyhow.  The pad/abstraction sounds are from the VOSIM synth.  The “techno” sounding synth and the drums are from the nord g2 modular.  

unsavory Associations Mp3 audio

and here is the reaktor patch:

golden vosim reaktor patch

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Golden Master, March 17th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Audio And Synthesis, microtonal, reaktor, software

Reaktor Modular Sequencing: Part 3

I did a little more work on the modular sequencer for Reaktor this week.  I added some useful new modules, some randomization modules, and so on.  I also built a sort of clone of the “Mono note” module from five12’s program, Numerology, but with a few of my own twists.  

Edit:  If you’re going to give these a try, please take a look at the included .ens file first!  Most of the modules for the software are in the .rar file but the “brains” for getting the clock and everything working are in the .ens file, and you need to start from there.  thanks :).

 

The Velocity Combo Seq. Has pitch, gate, and velocity all in the same module.

The Velocity Combo Seq. Has pitch, gate, and velocity all in the same module.

I am also changing the way I’m distributing the sequencer.  I am including a main .ens file that has the master clock and so on, and just a few modules to get you started.  I am now also including a .rar file that you can extract to your macros folder in your library, and you can pull in modules from there as you need them.

New modules now include:

A random trigger module (like in the g2 system) which sends out a random value when it receives a trigger input.  This is good to send into the “scale quantize” module to make randomized harmonies and melodies.

A probability module that only lets a certain percentage of incoming events through to the output.

The new “Combo Velocity Sequencer” as pictured above, which has a pitch, gate, and velocity sequence all in the same module so you can get them all at once if you want.

there is also a “combo sequencer” that has gate and pitch, without the velocity sequencer.

As mentioned before, look in the comments inside the ensemble to see information about the stuff.  Also, i’ll mention again: if anyone is interested in making some of their own modules, or helping me bug shoot this stuff, any interest is greatly appreciated :).  This is a complex project and, honestly, I prefer making music to patching.  But this is fun too :).

Here’s the ensemble file for the third beta:

Golden Sequencer Beta 3

And here is the archive of all the modules:

Goldseq.rar

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Golden Master, February 26th 2010 | Posted in reaktor, software

Reaktor Modular Sequencing, Pt. 2

Well, looks like my weekend project has been working on my modular sequencing application for Reaktor.  I’ve detailed what this is all about in my previous blog.  I’ve updated the sequencer and added some detailed comments on all the GUI elements to help people get up to speed with using it.

some sequencer objects, including a scale quantizer with probabilities!some sequencer objects, including a scale quantizer with probabilities!

I’ve included a handful of useful modules.  These modules are meant to be added and removed at your convenience to suit whatever purpose.  Ideally, you could create multiple instruments holding these sequencer modules, and have them sent to various different devices, and store the different instruments in different Reaktor panelsets.

I’ve created a quick demo track to show some of the things the current sequencer modules can do, and this is only a small fraction of the possibilities.  This track is Reaktor sending midi to my G2 modular on two different midi channels.

“reaktor sequencer chaos” mp3 audio

All modules have their own independent pattern lengths and step speeds. Included modules are a 6 channel drum sequencer, 3 kinds of gate sequencers, a “control” sequencer, a numeric sequencer, an LFO module for triggering sequences, a tempo modulation LFO, and a scale quantizer for making melodies with.

the drum sequencerthe drum sequencer

I plan on making more modules:  Some random trigger modules, ratio sequencers, and so on, as well as MIDI automation stuff for sending CC messages, program changes, and also a snapshot sequencer for automatically changing the reaktor snapshots while the sequence is running.

anyway, let me know what you think, and I am especially interested in other people trying their hand at making some of their own sequencer modules too :).

Here is a link to the reaktor ensemble:

Reaktor Modular Sequencer Beta 2

3 Comments

Golden Master, February 21st 2010 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Nord G2 Modular, reaktor, software, tracks

Modular Sequencing: Structures and Sounds

Over the past year I have been using and loving five12’s modular sequencing application, Numerology.  Numerology introduced me to the idea of modular sequencing.  I even posted a full review of the program here:

 

Numerology Review

 

These days, modular synthesis seems damned popular.  There’s an incredible amount of analog synthesis modules available from different companies and everyone and their mother (every rich guy and his mother, at least) seems like they have acquired or are on the road to getting a modular synth.  Well, that’s great, and sure, i’d get one if I could afford it.  To me, though, modular *sequencing* is a lot more interesting than modular *synthesis* right now.

 

 

Modular Sequencing in the nord g2

Modular Sequencing in the nord g2

 With modular synthesis, you design signal paths to create sounds.  But with modular sequencing, you can design sequencer networks to create musical structures!  If you have interesting control data, you can create better sounds.  And if you have interesting structures, you can make sounds  more interesting by creating a compelling musical context for them to exist in.  With a good sequencer, you can send complex control data to even the most boring synth module to make it come alive.

 

There are a few options i know of for doing this kind of sequencing.  Numerology is one of my favorites, but there are other platforms too.  I have been doing a lot of sequencing on my g2 modular, which has excellent sequencing modules that are fast and intuitive to use.  This track, for instance, was completely sequenced from my G2:

 

Archytas’ Alaap Mp3 audio

 

And in case you were interested, this track actually features one of those greek scales I was discussing in my previous blog.  It’s Archytas’ Enharmonic Scale.

 

The g2 costs over $1000, though.  And it’s discontinued.  And Five12’s Numerology only runs on OSX!  What’s a PC user without a g2 system to do?  Well, I’ve been so intrigued by the possibilities that this type of sequencing offers, that I decided to make my own modular sequencing system in Reaktor that is inspired by my experiences with the g2 and Numerology.  So hopefully, i’ll be creating another option for interested parties.  The thing about modular sequencing is that the whole is much more than the sum of its parts.  You can use a few very simple sequencing modules, if you find a clever way to control them, to create very nice evolving sequences.

 

 

snapshot of the beta version of my reaktor sequencer

snapshot of the beta version of my reaktor sequencer

This sequencing system is very much in Beta.  Actually, I just started on it this week.  But hopefully there is going to be more modules soon.  And as soon as I have something more comprehensive going on, I might write up some simple documentation.  So, for now, this ensemble is not for the reaktor n00bs out there.  But feel free to give it a go!  Just have it send midi to somewhere.  Look inside the structure and see where the control data is coming from.  have fun!

 

Here is a very simple demo track I made with this sequencer.  I am only using the “gate seq” and the “control seq” to send a monophonic sequence to my tx81z.  Just an experiment, but I think there is a lot of potential!

 

Reaktor Sequencing Demo

 

Here’s another demo, also, just straight midi being sent to my tx81z:

Reaktor Sequencing Demo 2

 

 And finally, here is the reaktor ensemble:

 

Reaktor Modular Sequencing ensemble (beta)

 

1 Comment

Golden Master, February 20th 2010 | Posted in Theory, Ideas, microtonal, reaktor, software, tracks

Harmonic Ratio Arpeggiator

I’ve gone on another microtonal trip lately, and have been working with ratios again.  The thing about composing music with frequency ratios is that it places you in a brave new world where each interval is made up of TWO numbers instead of one (as in the traditional system, a fourth, third, fifth, etc).  There are also all kinds of undiscovered tones and frequencies and relationships.  There has to be a way to explore all this!

 

picture of the GUI for the reaktor arpeggiator

picture of the GUI for the reaktor arpeggiator

 

For those of you that aren’t hopeless music nerds like myself, a frequency ratio is just a relationship between frequencies.  It is also the language of a tuning system called “just intonation.”  A basic example:  In the key of A, with the root frequency being 440 hertz, the A in the next higher octave is related to the original note a440 by a frequency ratio of 2/1, and is 880 hz.  A major third is the ratio 5/4, or 550 hertz.  Instead of the normal 12 steps per octave of Equal temperament, there is an infinite gradation of frequencies that you can manipulate to your heart’s content.  

 

With all that freedom comes massive confusion.  I have been trying to come up with some systems for composing with these numbers.  The first most obvious idea would be to just make a fixed scale, choose a few notes, and play with that.  That is fun!  But, it doesn’t take advantage of all the flexibility that working with just intonation truly gives you.  Instead of just choosing 7 or 12 or 10 notes, you can start with a set of 5 notes, and make them mutate and evolve into an infinity of other frequencies, but all logically related by numerical relationships!

 

This is my first system for making melodies and chords in just intonation: a harmonic arpeggiator.  There are two different tables containing numbers for the numerator and denominator, and these tables can be moved through independently, at different speeds.  Midi input triggers notes, but only the time and octave of the input notes is taken, and the rest is controlled by the ratio sequencers.

 

I have implemented this system in both my Nord g2 modular and in Reaktor, so I can make them work together.  

 

Here is a simple melodic sort of track I did with the g2 patch:

Mp3 Audio of “Hydrogen”

 

Here is the Reaktor patch:

Reaktor Harmonic Arpeggiator

 

Here are a couple g2 patches:

G2 Harmonic Arpeggiator with Karpluss Synthesis

 

I will be coming up with more stuff soon!  I want to make some programs that allow you to dynamically change the scale as you play.  Not sure how easy that will be to do in the g2, but I’ll definitely be able to do it in reaktor.

 

10 Comments

Golden Master, February 8th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Audio And Synthesis, Nord G2 Modular, microtonal, reaktor, software, tracks

Reaktor: Golden Loop Sampler

As promised, here is another Reaktor ensemble.  I have been needing a good tool for working with drum loops, and didn’t really have anything that fit into my setup right.  So I just made a sample chopper.  There are some good slicers in the library, but, as usual, I wanted something that fit my needs.  

 

This slicer cuts your loop into equal divisions and then plays back those divisions with midi notes.  Each slice can be randomized in pitch, playback speed, and sample offset, and the probability of randomization can be set, too.  That’s pretty much it!

 

 Sampler GUI

 

Here are some quick MP3 demos I did of the slicer:

demo 1

demo 2

 

Here is the Ensemble:

Golden Slicer

1 Comment

Golden Master, January 24th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in reaktor, software

Golden Reaktor Grain Sampler!

I haven’t really posted any reaktor patches on this blog.  I have quite a few Reaktor patches that I’ve made that i’m pretty proud of, however!  So, I’m going to try and start parting them out and bringing them here for people.  I try to comment them so they make sense, but you know–these patches were designed for my idiosyncratic way of working.

 

Snapshot of the GUI of the sampler.

Snapshot of the GUI of the sampler.

The GoldenCloudSampler .ens file is here.

This sampler was designed to work with my way of thinking about granulation and sampling.  There is a comprehensive modulation section where you can use clock-synced sequencers as well as LFO’s and envelopes to control the grain, filter, pitch, and volume parameters.  The start time in the sample, and speed of the traversal through the sample, are also randomizable upon midi note input.

There is also a sequencer which lets you flip through the various samples loaded into the sample map, synced to tempo.  I like to use groups of similar-sounding samples, and flip through them, to add a constantly evolving feel.  

Enough of that technical mumbo jumbo!   here are a couple tracks that i’ve written, using this sampler.

“Sun Choke” Mp3 audio.  This track’s sound is all from reaktor, and everything but the drums is from this sampler patch.

“whiteFish” Mp3 audio.  This track’s sampling work is a blend of samples from a shakuhachi, and a persian santur.  Other sounds were added from my synthesizers as well.  The String-like granulated sound that comes in after the introduction, and gets loudest about halfway through the track, is from this sampler.  The flute sounds were produced by another sampler instrument I made, which i’ll post up here soon as well.

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Golden Master, January 19th 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Audio And Synthesis, reaktor, software, tracks

Granular Synthesis on the G2

More g2 stuff!  One of the things I was excited about getting this Nord Modular for was doing granular synthesis with it.  I’ve loved playing with granular synthesis in Reaktor and Audiomulch, and with various VST plugins.  Doing granular synthesis was somewhat limited in the Nord Micro Modular I had before getting this G2 because of the limited polyphony.  But the G2 is much more powerful, and it handles granular synthesis/processing easily!

granpatch

A simple patch for FM granular synthesis in the g2!

This patch only uses 17% of the DSP power in one patch on the g2.  So this is really just a starting point, I have a lot of options!  Using all the control data on a keyboard to modulate granular synthesis parameters is a lot of fun–here, I have the aftertouch modulating the grain length, velocity modulating the FM index, and the mod wheel adjusting the frequency of the grains.

Here is an audio sample.  This is really just a demo track, of me having a lot of fun getting sounds from this patch by playing it on the keyboard.

MP3 audio of Granular Synthesis on the G2

and here is the patch file:

g2 granular patch

1 Comment

Golden Master, December 20th 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Audio And Synthesis, Nord G2 Modular, software
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