AudioThing introduces Lines, ‘Creative Mangler’ From All Kinds of Signals


AudioThing has announced another collaboration with synthesis Hainbach, Lines – an effect plugin that they say can be used as a “creative mangler” of all kinds of signals, ranging from lo-fi telephone sounds, lush phasing, warm distortions, crushing feedback, ring modulation, and frequency shifting.

Without any input, it can be an experimental synthesizer based on feedback, allowing for a wide range of rhythms, pulses, and organic soundscapes.


Lines has a rare real-life inspiration, the Axel Line Simulator, made in the 1970s in Jamaica, New York by long gone Axel Electronics. The Axel was never intended as a piece of music equipment. It was used to simulate signal loss over telephone and data lines. It mimics the “worst case” for message transmission, using a plethora of unique analog effects: jitter, noise, intermittent pulses, frequency shift, distortion, bandpass filters for various bandwidths and even playable buttons for phase, amplitude and dropouts.

AudioThing Lines Audio Demo:

Lines is available for MAC, PC, and LINUX (VST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, 64-bit only) with an intro price of $39 (normally $69). It is also available for $12.99 as AUv3 and Standalone on the App Store.

 

n-Track Studio 10 Now Available, Here’s What’s New


n-Track Software has introduced n-Track Studio 10 , a major update to the cross-platform DAW.

n-Track Studio 10 adds a variety of new features and improvements, including new samplers, effects, workflow enhancements, custom sound import and more.

New in n-Track Studio 10:

  • Shape your sound with melodic, drum, multilayer and slicer samplers.
  • Seamless Sound Integration – You can now import or record sounds directly into the step sequencer, piano roll, drums, or screen keyboard.
  • FX and Instrument Chains – save and recall presets for groups of instruments and effects.
  • New Song Browser – The new Song Browser in n-Track Studio 10 streamlines the process of reloading previously saved songs.
  • New Effects:
  • Shimmer reverb for creating “breathtaking, otherworldly reverberations”.
  • Diffuser allows you to disperse and diffuse sound, creating immersive soundscapes that envelop your audience.
  • A wide selection of new sound packs.

 

n-Track Studio 10 is available now for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, priced starting at $69.

 

Hexinverter Mindphaser & VCNO Available Once Again


Earlier this year, we reported that Montréal-based synth maker Hexinverter Électronique was shutting down, because of global supply chain issues, but that some of their modules would live on via a partnership with Erica Synths.

Now Erica Synths has released two updated takes on Hexinverter designs.


Mindphaser is a complex dual oscillator in Eurorack modular synthesizer format. Its dual oscillator architecture builds on and advances principles developed decades ago, by pioneers of electronic music synthesis.

Mindphaser generates sounds through its dual VCO cores: the Carrier and Modulator, and in addition to these cores, a palette of intermodulation capability is offered through the Modulation Bus (ModBus) and a separate, supplementary through-zero phase modulation (TZ-PM) bus. The sound is further sculpted by a final set of tools contained in the Waveshaper, before reaching the final output.

The module has been redesigned by Erica Synths, in collaboration with Hexinverter. The analogue signal path is 100% identical to the original version.

VCNO is a noise oscillator, capable of producing full spectrum white noise and various random signals. VCNO can be used like a VCO – you can modulate the pitch over CV and use its multiple outputs simultaneously, each with a distinct sonic character. As well, you can patch it into a VCA or use it to modulate and trigger other elements in your modular system.

Features:

  • NOISE is the main LFSR output. With the pitch knob turned fully clockwise this will output pure white noise. As you turn the pitch down, the noise evolves into crunchy noise, reminiscent of vintage video game sounds
  • GATE is a DC-coupled output. This is perfect for supplying random triggers in your system
  • SCREECH features a dark, howling overtone to the main NOISE output
  • SIZZLE features a related control, which takes the output from pure white noise when turned fully clockwise to a vinyl-like crackle when turned anti-clockwise
  • TEAR sounds like the noise generator is broken and tearing itself apart
  • All outputs work simultaneously and are simultaneously affected by the pitch knob or CV
  • The frequency of VCNO can be modulated via CV – just patch any CV signal into this jack
  • A clock signal input bypasses the internal frequency generator. You can apply a clock from a trigger sequencer to create a pseudorandom drum trigger pattern synced to the rest of your drums.

Both modules are available now, with Mindphaser priced at € 460 and VCNO priced at € 165.