Hardware DIY prototype of SoundScaper

Can you imagine that before app was developed there was created DIY device that became prototype of app? Usually it's the opposite. But for SoundScaper it's so.

Here is circuit bending DIY sound box created from five chips from electronic toys :) and several additional ICs in filters and triggers which inspired the creation of SoundScaper app.

click on image to enlarge

Would like to know what is "Circuit bending"?

Know more about circuit bending (Wikipedia)

Interested in circuit bending? Here are some great guides to get you started:

Circuit Bending For Beginners

Simple Ways to Circuit Bend a Toy

CircuitBending Tips

Reed Ghazala - Art Of Circuit Bending

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SoundScaper - An experimental sound mini lab

SoundScaper is an experimental sound mini lab for creating unusual soundscapes, atmospheric textures, drones, glitches and noises based on circuit bending principles.

>>> Get this app on App Store

With this application you can easily experiment with creating new and unusual sounds from ordinary samples. For sound designers and those interested in creating ambient or experimental electronic music, with filtering and mixing of up to three oscillators, you can create excellent soundscapes, textures and drones for your music or for movie soundtrack or entertainment apps and games. With complete MIDI control this application is very comfortable and powerful instrument to use for real-time sound creation and live improvisation.

The oscillators, based on simulating schematics of actual 8 bit lofi sound playback chips, have circuit bending like controls that are ideal for making glitches, noises, crackles and granular sounds. Combined with the filtering and spatial mixing options, you can expand these sounds to deep and atmospheric textures. Finally you can add motion and continuous changes to your sounds via low frequency oscillators which can control the filter and mixer parameters.

click on image to enlarge

The "Morphing scene" option gives you ability of smooth switching between scenes, applying multifunctional filters and changing oscillators parameters during morphing process. Using these features you can add a new dimension to the existing scenes varying them in the real time.

[ Complete description of SoundScaper 1.9 in one PDF file ]

[ The most comprehensive SoundScaper tutorial (video) ]

What's inside:

• Three sample-based oscillators with control based on circuit bending principles.
• Three Low / High / Band - pass filters and two range delay for each oscillator.
• Spatial mixer / reverb with side and distance for each sound source.
• Three low frequency oscillators for automation mixer and filters.
• Possibility of generating parameters for each oscillator randomly.
• Scenes for storing all parameters of oscillators, filters and mixer.
• Morphing with smooth changes scenes with additional effects in real-time.
• Built-in library of natural samples grouped by categories.
• Set of ready-to-use presets for oscillators.

Additional features:

• Advanced control panel for all faders and rotary knobs.
• Individual equalizer and reverb options for each sound source in the spatial mixer.
• Complete MIDI control for all faders, knobs and most other elements.
• Uploading samples through Dropbox, Web access, clipboard and from other apps.
• Different color schemes available for the user interface.
• Detailed application description (also in signle PDF).
• Supports Audiobus with "State Saving" feature.
• Inter-App audio compatible.

Requirements:

Fourth generation of iPad and higher is recommended (especially with Inter-app audio and Audiobus).

Demo of oscillator presets and creating new sounds:

Demo of filters, morphing scene and feedback effect:

More videos:

• SoundScaper tutorial (video)
• SoundScaper 1.0 for iPad overview
• SoundScaper 1.2 with Korg nanoKontrol
• SoundScaper live demo
• SoundScaper and SynthScaper live
• haQ attaQ 45 - "Planet Earp" SoundScaper & Figure
• Tim Webb - Let's Play with SoundScaper
• SoundScaper Experimental Sound Lab Tutorial for iPad

Reviews:

• SoundScaper in the Top iOS music apps of 2015
• SoundScaper review - Igor Vasiliev brings us sonic madness in an iOS music app
• SoundScaper app review - Crazy circuit bending mayhem from Igor Vasiliev

Interesting info:

• What is "circuit bending"? Know more!

Audio demo tracks:

[ Download this application from Apple App Store ]

SoundScaper demo tracks

These tracks were created in SoundScaper for iPad application.

SoundScaper 1.0 has been submitted for review

SoundScaper is an experimental sound mini lab for creating unusual soundscapes, atmospheric textures, drones, glitches and noises based on circuit bending ideas.

With this application you can easy experimented with creation new and unusual sounds from ordinary samples. For sound designers and those interested in creating ambient or experimental electronic music, with filtering and mixing of up to three oscillators, you can create excellent soundscapes, textures and drones for your music or for movie soundtrack or entertainment apps and games.

The oscillators, based on simulating schematics of actual 8 bit lofi sound playback chips, have circuit bending like controls that are ideal for making glitches, noises, crackles and granular sounds. Combined with the filtering and spatial mixing options, you can expand these sounds to deep and atmospheric textures. Finally you can add motion and continuous changes to your sounds via low frequency oscillators which can control the filter and mixer parameters.

Happy new year!

This year there have been many significant improvements in my applications.

The Audio Mastering and Master Record apps have been completely updated with many new features, new user interfaces and сompletely redesigned audio processing algorithms.

Also this year were released new application AltiSpace - Convolution Reverb which entered the list -

Top 10 iOS music apps of 2014 - the Music App Blog selection

But next year you will find that something completely new!

And of course in the New Year holidays all application sales.

Number Stations

Shortwave impressions from unusual broadcasts of number stations.



Tracks:

1. 507 Intro
2. Papa November / The Buzzer
3. Oblique
4. English Man
5. Messages

What's "Number Stations"?

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

Recording details:

These tracks were recorded and mixed live without using DAW. There were used several hardware synths, sequencers, processing devices and sound processing applications on Apple iPad. The recording was made on reel to reel 2-track tape recorder. Then it was digitized and final processed on iPad with external audio interface.

Record workflow:

Synths - Effects - Mix console - Reel2reel - Audio interface - iPad - Share

Synth gears:

Roland Juno 60, Yamaha DX 21, Alesis Micron, Moog Slim Phatty, Clavia Nord Lead 3, Korg MicroX, Polivoks

Sequencers and samplers:

Doepfer Dark Time, Korg Electribe EMX (as sequencer), Roland SP 555, Tascam Portastudio 424 MK III for pre-recorded tracks

Processing devices:

Akai MFC 42 Analog Filter Module, TC Electronic M350, Lexicon Vortex, Eventide Harmonizer H949, Roland SDE 2000, Klark Teknik DN 36, Urei 535, AKG ADR 68k

iPad applications:

Master FX, AltiSpace, Audio Mastering

Mixing console and recorder:

Allen&Heath GS3V, Sony Tapecorder TC-510-2, 2 track 1/4" tape recorder

Some interesting chains:

Pre-recorded 4 tracks of shortwave radio noise on Tascam Portastudio proceed on Akai MFC 42 (through mix console) and then slightly processed on TC Electronic M350.

Wide background sounds were created on Korg MicroX (custom preset without internal effects) with iPad app Master FX.

Sound from modified Polivoks with its own internal sequencer proceed on Roland SDE 2000 delay, next Urei 535 EQ divide on two channel like comb filter, next Klark Teknik DN 36, in result - bright and surround sound.

AKG ADR 68k was used as master reverb and iPad app AltiSpace was used in some cases for Roland Juno 60 and Clavia Nord Lead.

Recorded track from reel to reel Sony TC-510-2 digitized on Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 connected to iPad and final processed in Audio Mastering app on iPad.

More about used iPad applications:

http://audio-mastering-ipad.com

Innerspace Welcome

Innerspace Welcome - an industrial ambient project of Igor Vasiliev and Alexander Zolotov (NightRadio).

00:00 Part 1.1 Immersion (overture)
05:05 Part 1.2 Mystical depth of mind
07:50 Part 1.3 Escaping reality

13:30 Part 2.1 Depression
18:28 Part 2.2 Stairway to heaven
22:15 Part 2.3 Infinity breath

25:38 Part 3.1 Crosscurrent
29:55 Part 3.2 Twilight
33:22 Part 3.3 Forgotten memories

36:43 Part 4.1 Transition
40:08 Part 4.2 Simple forms
43:06 Part 4.3 Final




This composition was recorded at live with using different sound gears and iPad apps:

For sound textures - Virtual ANS:
http://warmplace.ru/soft/ans/
App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/virtual-ans/id711384847?l=ru&ls=1&mt=8

Real time effect processor - Master FX:
http://audio-mastering-studio.blogspot.com/2013/11/master-fx-for-ipad.html
App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/master-fx/id688753840

Recording - Master Record:
http://audio-mastering-studio.blogspot.com/2013/07/master-record-for-ipad.html
App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/master-record/id662532945

Post processing and finalizing - Audio Mastering:
http://audio-mastering-studio.blogspot.com/2013/05/about.html
App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/audio-mastering/id640515541

Electricity in the Fish Life (video)

Conceptual composition inspired by old time radio broadcast. Composed and performed together with Alexander Zolotov. iPad, DIY sound devices and many other stuff. Interesting details here:

http://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com/2013/10/electricity-in-fish-life.html

Final track

Final track. iPad and many other things were used at recording. More about gears here:

Recording of new track





This track composed and recorded together with Alexander Zolotov (aka NightRadio), author of Virtual ANS application for iPad which also was used in this track.

Recording of new track

What can be used for new ideas? Everything that can imagine! I try to use lots of different instruments and devices. Let's see what will be in final.

Synths: Moog Etherwave Theremin, Roland Juno-60, Clavia Nord Lead, Moog Slim Phatty, Alesis Micron.
Samplers: Roland SP-555, Korg Electribe ESX.
Sequencer: Doepfer Dark Time.
iPad: Synth: Virtual ANS, Processing: Master FX, Finalize: Audio Mastering. Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.
Console: Allen&Heath GS3V, Multitrack recorder: Otari Radar 24.

Click on image to enlarge

[ More about Master FX for iPad ]

[ More about Audio Mastering for iPad ]

[ More about Virtual ANS ]