Free X-Stream spectral synth can ‘turn any samples into smooth evolving soundscapes and textures’
If you like to experiment with new sound design ideas, you’re going to love this freebie from Steinberg. Not just for ambient music!
Said to ‘turn any samples into smooth evolving soundscapes and textures,’ this works by stretching, looping and otherwise manipulating your audio using its spectral algorithms and effects. In fact, although playback is monophonic, you can actually feed X-Stream complete tracks if you wish, then get busy twisting them out of shape.
Also, pitch-shifted copies of your sample can be stacked up to create chords that can be played from just one note. You can modulate two parameters simultaneously on two different axes with the X-LFO, and it promises to be easy to create custom envelope shapes.
“With X-Stream, you can unfold the full spectrum of possible sounds from your sample collection,” says Senior Marketing Manager Florian Haack. “Hit play and your sample transforms into something new and beautiful, with different tones, colours and textures. It also works perfectly as a drone machine for ambient music, making it a creative tool for imaginative composers and sound designers in all genres. And all of that comes for free.”
X-Stream Audio Demo:
Although there’s a heavy emphasis on what X-Stream can do to your own samples, it also comes with more than 100 presets to get you started. It is important to note that the instrument is not a standalone plugin. The instrument runs inside either Steinberg’s HALion 7.1 workstation or the free HALion Sonic 7.1, both of which have just been updated. HALion 7.1 is available at a 50% discount until the end of July.
Whichever route you choose to take, X-Stream runs on Window and macOS and can be downloaded for free from the Steinberg website.
45 years after synthesist Brian Eno defined ‘ambient music’ with his release, Ambient 1 – Music For Airports, Sonicware has introduced a new synth, the LIVEN Ambient Ø, designed specifically for creating immersive ambient soundscapes.
The Sonicware LIVEN Ambient Ø is described as a ‘soundscape synthesizer’ and ‘immersive ambient generator’.
It offers 4 layers of tone and texture: Drone, Pad, Atmos, and Noise; and effects tailored to ambient music, including 9 types of reverb and 6 additional types of effects.
Other interesting features include MIDI IN/Out and audio in, which can be used to add stereo user samples.
Key Features:
4 layers of tone and texture: Drone, Pad, Atmos, and Noise.
Blendwave Modulation Synthesis – Newly developed synth-engine with 6 structures, designed to create undulating and fluctuating tones.
Noise and Space – The Noise layer processes 8-second stereo sampling loops with noise blending and pitch modulation.
Extensive Effects Section – 9 types of lush Reverb with shimmer, plus 6 types of effects including Tape Delay and Master Chorus.
Sequencer for Each Layer – Records performances, notes probabilities, and evolving tonal changes.
Audio Demo:
Using the Sonicware LIVEN Ambient Ø to create an ambient soundscape:
The LIVEN Ambient Ø is available to pre-order for $239.
Synthesist Jan Juno shared this extended tweak-a-thon of the still-to-be-officially released Moog Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth is an all-in-one synthesizer and sequencer, in Moog’s Mother-32 style standalone/Eurorack synth format.
Moog says that they will be officially introducing the Labyrinth on July 11th:
“We are excited to announce that Labyrinth will be bringing its fresh take on the classic West Coast sound to the world on July 11th. We can’t wait to show you what our newest creation is capable of, which is why we’ve collaborated with incredible artists and creators to create product demos and showcases.”
In the meantime, though, Juno’s unofficial demo offers a more musical exploration of the Labyrinth’s capabilities than previous videos that we’ve seen. The video starts off exploring more ambient textures, and the sound design options of the Labyrinth’s synth voice. The second half explores more of the sequencer’s capabilities, going from simple sequencing to automatically evolving sequencer to more of a techno vibe. Juno even tries out the polymetric capability of the Labyrinth’s dual sequencer channels.
Does this video do a better job of exploring the creative possibilities of the Moog Labyrinth?
Watch the video, and share your thoughts in the comments!
