Echoes: Notes & Signals by James StoneEchos

Music Session Journal 10.2.24

6 min read

Date: 10.2.24

Duration:

  • Start Time: 15.30
  • End Time: 17.04

Focus:

  • Main Activity: (e.g., Looping, Synth Exploration, Composing)

Loopy ambient signal chain experimentation

  • Tools Used: (e.g., iPad, Loopy Pro, Specific Synths or Plugins) iPad, loopy pro, geoshred play, jams to a drip ii, Blackhole, Dubstation

Observations:

  • What Worked Well:
  • Got the reverb and delay sounding good
  • Challenges or Issues:
  • Spaceship does not work well in this serial style flow because it is not an fix.

Creative Insights:

  • Interesting Discoveries:
  • got4. Made an interesting session partner.
  • Ideas for Next Session:
  • Try some of the suggested plugins, fluss, bleasse granulated,

note

below are some additional details added by ChatGPT, prescriptive.

If you’re looking for granular effects plugins to use with your mobile setup, there are several options available that cater to various needs and budgets:

  1. BLEASS Granulizer: This is an AUv3 granular effects processor that’s user-friendly and offers a 3D visualizer for parameter changes. It’s available for iOS at a price of $7.99 USD oai_citation:1,BLEASS Granulizer, A Granular Texture Effect Processor For iOS (AUv3).

  2. SpaceCraft Granular Synth: Although it’s not an effect but a synthesizer, it offers granular manipulation of samples and is known for its creative flow and ease of use. The pricing details can be checked on the Tracktion website oai_citation:2,SpaceCraft | Tracktion.

  3. Portal by Output: Not a traditional granular synthesizer, Portal acts as a granular effect processor with an array of functions controlled by two macros, and it includes 7 built-in effects modules. It’s known for its sleek UI and powerful presets, although it is on the expensive side oai_citation:3,6 Best Granular Synths Of All Time (Paid and Free Options).

  4. The Mangle by Sound Guru: This plugin offers a multi-timbral granular approach with a user-friendly interface and is priced at $27. It features tempo-synced grain functions and allows for complex variations with its sequencers oai_citation:4,6 Best Granular Synths Of All Time (Paid and Free Options).

  5. Palindrome by Glitchmachines: With a focus on more aggressive sounds, Palindrome includes 4 granular samplers and a unique morph plotting system, along with a 1.4GB sample library and over 70 presets oai_citation:5,6 Best Granular Synths Of All Time (Paid and Free Options).

  6. PolyGAS by Stone Voices: This is a free granular synth that includes a suite of built-in effects and offers a lot of versatility with its 32-part polyphony oai_citation:6,6 Best Granular Synths Of All Time (Paid and Free Options).

  7. Ribs by Hvoya Audio: Another free option, Ribs is a granular FX/synth that provides detailed control over its granular engine for unique sound warping features oai_citation:7,6 Best Granular Synths Of All Time (Paid and Free Options).

Each of these options has unique features and strengths, so the best one for you would depend on your specific needs, the sounds you’re aiming to create, and your budget. It’s always a good idea to try out demos where available to see which plugin fits best with your workflow.

Fluss is a granular synthesizer and effect processor for iOS, developed by Bram Bos and the Berlin-based musician Hainbach. It’s designed for hands-on exploration of granular synthesis, with a playful touch UI that invites live performance and experimentation. The app has a three-voice grain engine, a filter inspired by the Oberheim Xpander, and features a unique shimmer feedback effect that feeds processed audio back into the grain engine for creating endless loops of pitch-shifted sounds.

Fluss is optimized for live performance with kinetic sliders and XY pads that can be flicked and thrown around, providing a physical modeling aspect to the controls as an alternative to traditional LFOs and modulation. The app supports importing WAV files, recording audio, and live processing sound, and has been tested as an instrument in live performances by Hainbach.

The app is available on the App Store for $13.99 USD and is recommended for devices like the iPad Air 2 or higher, although it requires iOS 12 or later oai_citation:1, ‎Fluss - Granular Playground on the App Store oai_citation:2,Fluss, Bram Bos and Hainbach’s hands-on granular performance app for iOS oai_citation:3,New For IOS: Bram Bos Release Fluss - Granular Playground - The Beat Community.

For those interested in granular synthesis and looking for a tactile, performance-oriented application, Fluss appears to be a valuable tool to consider for your iOS music production toolkit.

For your interest in granular effect apps, here are some more options:

  1. SpaceFields: Developed by Igor Vasiliev, SpaceFields is a loop-based space ambient machine effect designed for iOS. It’s an AUv3 plugin that allows you to create slowly changing rhythmic sound structures in a deep reverb space from any external signal. The core of SpaceFields is a loop recorder with two loops, one for recording and the other for playback, with smooth transitions between them. It features three separate outputs that can play back the recorded loop with different pitches, each with its own effects and automation generators, including LFOs and randomizers. The mix of these outputs is then processed by a convolution reverb, capable of creating long, spacey, ambient timbres oai_citation:1,SpaceFields, a looping space ambient machine for iOS AUv3 oai_citation:2,Igor Vasiliev releases SpaceFields - Space Ambient Machine app for iOS.

  2. FRMS - Granular Synthesizer: Another interesting option is FRMS (pronounced “frames”). This app combines granular synthesis with subtractive and FM synthesis, allowing for a wide range of sound manipulation and experimentation. It’s known for its flexibility in sound design, capable of creating everything from lush landscapes to more aggressive, textural sounds.

  3. Magma - Granular Effects Processor: Magma is a granular effects processor that manipulates sound in unique and interesting ways. It’s designed for live performance and interactive sound design, providing a tactile and immersive experience. Magma allows for real-time manipulation of audio, making it a great tool for on-the-fly sound sculpting.

Each of these apps offers a unique approach to granular synthesis and sound processing, providing you with a range of tools for your ambient and experimental music projects. These apps are generally well-suited for iOS devices, and they offer a variety of creative possibilities for sound design and musical exploration.

Mood/Reflection:

  • How I Felt Before: tired, overwhelmed
  • How I Felt After: less tired, ok

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