Welcome to a new world of sound synthesis! |
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Concept | crusher-X is
a shareware program whose powerful vapor synthesis
algorithm enables you to synthesize very complex and cool waves. crusher-X
does distill and transform sounds quite radically. Based on traditional
granular synthesis, crusher-X can be used as a synthesizer or as a versatile
effects unit. You can create sounds with the internal oscillators or samplers
as well as real-time stereo input sound (e.g. a microphone). Internal feedback
loops allows self-oscillation within crusher-X! Multichannel
ASIO Outputs allows extreme impressive sound installations and multichannel
compositions up to 10 independent channels.
An overall multidimensional morphing system morphs the sound between each parameter changing (e.g. on Loading, on Undo/Redo, on MIDI-Event, on turning a pocket dial knob etc.). This creates clouds of sweeping, shifting and graining sounds. The morph time can be ranged from 1ms up to 1 hour! Try it � and hear the result! It�s more than sound, it�s more than music, it�s really fun! Beside the interface you can optional control the crusher by using MIDI (unlimited amount of Key-Groups and Controllers with Map-functions) or/and a joystick. If you have a force feedback device you can feel the parameters changing. The ASIO Interface allows using of professional low latency multichannel soundcards and hardware. |
Algorithm | The crusher-X
algorithm (we call it vapor synthesis) is based on the traditional granular
synthesis algorithm invented in the early 1950s. In granular synthesis,
short (e.g. 50 milliseconds) sound fragments, "the grains," come from a
fixed file buffer. The starting time, length and silence between the grains
can be modulated. More than one grain at a time is possible, so you can
create complex sounds "clouds" from a single sound file.
Special is the floating sound buffer which allows real-time input and output. In this floating buffer the grains are created. You can apply many unusual parameters to the grains such as pitch, filter, pan, reverse, and limit - all with a simple, flexible interface. All parameters can be modulated by internal oscillator sources, whose configuration can be saved as crusher-sheets. A feedback loop inside the algorithm enables very complex and non-linear sound processing. Also, a multiple Undo/Redo function permits nondestructive work and encourages experimentation with crusher-X. |
How it works? | On the left side
of the interface you see the input sections: Samplers
and DCOs. The output of this sections
is mixed together with the live-input of your soundcard in the mixer
(
on the right side). The sum of these signals is now routed to the vapor
effect engine (middle). This effect produces the grains. Each generator
generate serials of grains. The parameters of the grains are controled
by the vapor modulations.
The output of the generators are added together and feeded via the limiter, the stereo booster and the feedback fader to the stereo outputs. Each generator itself is also feeded to the direct outputs of your multichannel sound hardware. If you are using more than 8 generators the 1th and 9th generator is added together, the 2th and 10th and so on. By pressing the Record Button you can record all outputs to a single multichannel wav file. You can export the multichannel wav file to single mono files. Nearly each Fader and Knob can be controled via MIDI or Joystick. |
Interface | The interface is divided
between a main panel which gives you direct access to the most parameters
(with a mouse or hot keys) and floating windows
that show the status of the crusher. A special 3D
cloud visualization offers a quick overview of all significant parameters.
A Loadlist lets you switch between crusher-sheets by pressing a single key. A real-time mixer allows smooth fades and morphing between the different crusher-sheets. |
Newbie Mode | May be you'll find the crusher a kind of confusing because of all the faders and knobs. But now there is an special Newbie Mode Knob. Pressing it reduces the crusher to its basically functions! |
DSP System | The native DSP
backbone of crusher-X is a special Delphi component system, bsDXStuff,
which builds the audio structure and algorithm of this and some other applications.
The DSP system meshes with the ASIO, VST or Direct-X interface which connects
the crusher-X algorithm to the soundcard buffers.
The DSP component system has a streaming and a messaging layer. The streaming layer permits multiple Undo/Redo and regulates the Save/Load functionality. The messaging layer enables easy connections between the components (e.g. between the fader and volume components or the midi and joystick components). If you are interested in licensing this system please contact us. |