Developer Arman Bohn has introduced a new desktop synth, the Prismatic Spray, that implements bytebeat synthesis in hardware.
Bytebeat synthesis is an approach to synthesis that focuses on synthesizing audio using minimal code, as little as a single line of C. Prismatic Spray offers 40 bytebeat equation starting points, with knobby control of variables.
Arman Bohn calls Prismatic Spray “a deeply explorable bytebeat synth that implements many novel features.” It offers a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation.
Features:
A Full User’s Manual – Prismatic Spray comes with a multi-page instruction manual to guide you in your explorations. The manual is written “in the tongue of old” and should be incomprehensible to anyone not familiar with first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
Chromatic Tuning – Prismatic Spray is tuned to a western 12 tone chromatic scale. You can play it like any other synth. Prismatic Spray is adjustable through about 6 octaves from the dark blue knob on the front panel. The full range of MIDI notes is available when using MIDI via USB or TRS-A.
Looping – Prismatic Spray can be set to loop over any region of a bytebeat equation. The start and end points are adjustable after the loop has been set. At the tightest settings, Prismatic Spray becomes almost granular sounding.
Visualizations – Prismatic Spray can display a visual representation of the current bytebeat audio output in real time on the 1.5″ color display. Alterations to the bytebeat equation using the knobs will effect the patterns and colors of the visualization.
Analog Filter – Prismatic Spray has an analog filter to roll out as much high end as you’d like.
40 Bytebeat equations – Prismatic Spray has 40 bytebeat equations to explore. Each equation has three variable to adjust (along with pitch, time skip and a kind of ‘time stretch-ish’ effect).
Over 30 preset slots
A Case – Prismatic Spray comes fully enclosed in a 3D printed case (available in various colors). The glowing innards of the Prismatic Spray are clearly visible (mostly with the clear case) while the unit is in operation.
Developer Giorgio Sancristoforo has introduced Compusynth, a new software synth for Mac that combines a ‘West Coast’ style modular synthesizer with a sequencer inspired by one of the first microcomputers in history, the Altair880.
Compusynth features a ‘peculiar 128 bit sequencer’, oscillators, filters, efxs and processors with flexible routing and 1596 patch points.
“Compusynth can make weird experimental sounds as well as traditional fat synth sequences that will serve any music genre with its warm and deep tone,” notes Sancristoforo. “Compusynth has everything I ever dreamt about west coast modulars: enough resources to create tons of sounds with the addition of a large memory sequencer and a fantastic tape echo.”
Official audio and video demos are still to come at the developer’s website, but they shared a sneak preview via Facebook:
Compusynth is available now for Mac for €19.50. A demo is available as a free download. A Windows version release is planned for Jan 2023.
Native Instruments is getting into the spirit of the season by offering you a free plugin. Download it now and it could grow on you.
This year, it is a free ‘acoustic-electric’ hybrid instrument known as Hydra that you can download. Running inside the free Kontakt 7 Player, this comes with 156 “inspired by nature” presets and plenty of sound-sculpting options, including eight effects, randomisation features and a mod wheel-powered performance mode that enables you to generate a chord progression from a single keypress, and Multiple tuning systems are supported.
As a further bonus, both new and existing Native Instruments customers can get a £22/€25 discount e-voucher that can be spent on instruments, effects and expansions at the NI online shop.
Additionally, you can also save 50% on a selection of iZotope products via the iZotope website. Among the plugins on offer are Nectar 3 Plus, VocalSynth 2 and the full range of Elements products, including the Elements Suite.
Finally, you also have the chance to win a prize bundle from NI and its Soundwide siblings iZotope and Plugin Alliance. If you want to get involved, all you have to do is you need to download Hypha, use it to create a new track and then upload it to the competition page at Metapop. NI will select three winning tracks, and if yours is one of them, you’ll take home a prize.
Find out more and download Hypha for PC and Mac on the Native Instruments website. Hypha is free until 16 January.
