Destiny features 11 Layers each of which contains a Singularity Synth which is also included as a 2nd Synth. The Layers can either be stacked into a Multi Layer Synth or used as a Multi-Timbral Sound Module. Each Synth has 2 Envelopes, 2 LFOs, a Sequencer which are assigned to Destinations via a Modulation Matrix.
Also included is Singularity which is made from a single Layer of Destiny. It still has 11 Layers but these are solely used for creating a great sounding Unison. Both Synths are preset compatible, although Singularity will convert Layer 1 to Unison Layers.
Singularity Lite is a fully fledged single oscillator Synthesizer which uses Raw Waveforms as the Oscillator. It has 2 Envelopes, 2 tempo clocked LFOs and a Sequencer which are all assigned through an extensive Modulation Matrix. Although Singularity is a single layer of Destiny, it still uses the 11 Layers as a Unison mode and so is good for Supersaw type sounds. All Presets can also be loaded into Destiny and vice versa.
There is also a version of Singularity that is included with Destiny, the only difference is that Singularity Lite uses a reduced number of Waveforms. Best of all, it’s free!
Augment began with the idea that it would be interesting to use Sequencers to manipulate Additive Partials in a rhythmic way, but it soon became apparent that it would be a much more interesting instrument using other waveforms as a huge 11 Layer Synthesizer. As a result Augment retains the additive mode but also uses 200 Waveforms which can be freely selected for each layer. The Waveforms are along the lines of PCM Synths of the past which have an Attack Section and a looped constant tone which works well as it allows the sounds to be more focused on Synthesis rather than sampling. The Attack Section can be disabled per Layer so they become pure tones.
As far as the Sequencing side of Augment goes, the intention was to have sounds which have highly rhythmic components which are locked to tempo. The idea that you have a Pad which will come alive with rhythmic complexity when played alongside other Rhythmic sounds was at the forefront of the design. The Sequence destination are Filter, Volume, Drive and Pan. All sequencers are monophonic with the exception of the Volume Sequencers which are Polyphonic.
Movement has been updated to v1.4 and is available to download from the usual place. It fixes an error where bank 4 was pointing to the wrong Samples. It won’t affect existing projects, but just in case the original is in the ‘Old Version’ folder should it be needed.
Movement expands on Motion by adding a further 16 Motion Sequencers which takes it into new territory. It is also capable of much simpler sounds with ease using the simple Randomizer which adds a lot more scope for it’s sonic potential. There was an attempt at simplifying the powerful yet complex interface of Motion by keeping most parameters but that could be edited using a single Panel.
Movement uses 4 identical Synthesizers to create sound, each Synth has an Attack/Release Envelope, a Filter with the choice of 38 Filter Types, a single LFO with the choice of 6 Destinations and 31 LFO Shapes.
There are a total of 24 Motion Sequencers which include a Vector crossfade between the 4 Synths volumes, Pan, Tune, Filter Cutoff & Resonance, Synth Volumes, Start Offset, Bit Reduction, Samplerate Reduction, LFO Frequency and LFO Amount. The XY Pads can be recorded in realtime over 128 steps and have the ability to change the Amount and Frequency of playback. As well as the ability to Record the Motion Sequencers there is also an internal database of 200 prerecorded Sequences which are used by the Randomizers.
Like most other HGS Creations, Movement makes great use of optimized Global Randomizers with a choice of complexity as well as many Local Randomizers. The FX Section includes Chorus/Flanger/Phaser, a Reverb with 50 Impulse Responses, a Stereo Delay, an EQ, a Limiter, and a Microtuner with 300 Microtonal Presets.
Fragments is an attempt at exploring Granular style synthesis within the Kontakt system. It uses Long Evolving Waveforms and the sound is generated by playing Looped Sections from these WAVs. The Loop Position and Length can be Sequenced in real-time via the Dedicated Loop sequencers which can create both Glitchy and interesting Pads.
It has a Dual Synth Architecture with both synths sharing the same features. As well as the 2 Loop Start and Length Sequencers, there are also another 6 Per Synth which control Cutoff, Volume, Pan, Drive, Reverb Send and Delay Send. The Sequencers use tempo based divisions making them great for tempo Synched Patterns, have a maximum of 128 steps and 11 choices of tempo division.
There are also 2 XY Pads which represent the currently visible Sequencers and will animate to show their current state when the Sequencers are in play Mode. They can also be used to record the Sequencers in real-time. When a sequencer not in Play Mode the XY controls the static value used for the destination amount.
Fragments was designed to be intuitive and easy to use with all parameters + 4 Sequencers visible. As with other HGS creations full use of local and Global Randomizers are available to instantly create unique and varied presets.There is also an internal presets system in place with a built in Browser.
Both of these instruments get a great review, many thanks to Stefan for putting so much time into a very detailed look at both of these instruments.
The review is in German and here is a google translated English version although it does not display the videos correctly and so I recommend also visiting the German version as he has made some unique videos to accompany the review!
Whilst working on AirWaves which is more atmospheric than musical, it occurred that a traditionally musical synthesizer using the sine wave de-modulator signals would be interesting, and so AirTones was born.
The sounds use various tones and signals found on the radio to create the oscillators. They are lofi and come with whatever sound and noise is present to add a unique character to the tones.
It come with 100 samples which can be selected by either of the synthesizers two oscillators. The Synth is a dual synthesizer with 2 Filters, 3 LFOs, 3 Envelopes as well as a comprehensive FX Section. Also included is an Advanced Arpeggiator/Sequencer with 12 sequencers for various parameters, as well as many modes including standard Arps, chords and modulation only modes. There is also a Scale Remapper which can transform the pitch sequencer in real-time to any of the large types of Scales included.
This is a great companion Instrument for AirWaves which creates complex Atmospherics, but isn’t a particularly tuneful instrument and so AirTones provides exactly that purpose. Here is a video demonstrating some of the presets in action:
AirTones costs $39.99 but is available for the introductory price of just $19.99 until August.
AirWaves is a unique Synthesizer which uses 24 XY Motion Sequencers to build collages using Shortwave Radio signals as its Sound Source. Shortwave Radio is an Alien World that has fascinated me since childhood and I’ve been wanting to explore making an instrument such as this for a long time. The Motion Sequencers ensure that you will always get something new using the many Randomizers, and presets can have an organically complex lifespan. Each Sequencer can be recorded manually by pressing Record, playing a note and moving the corresponding XY controller. Once the sequence is recorded it will be played back immediately. Alternatively there is a large database of prerecorded Sequences included which are used by the Randomizers.
The intention for the Scripted Instrument was to take some of the ideas used in Motion, adding 4 more Motion Sequencers and attempt to create a Synth that is visually less complex. As a result all of the sound generation is available on a single Panel, and there is only one other Panel which is dedicated to the FX and Preset Browser. The only XY controllers which cannot be recorded are those assigned to the Envelope Attack/Release which is a bit pointless as they cannot be manipulated in real-time by Kontakt.
The samples themselves are taken from many hours of recorded material, attempting to bring out the most interesting loops and to hopefully create a diverse collection of Sounds. The Radios are essentially used as synthesizers to create unique designed loops which are only possible using a radio. There are quite a few number stations captured too, although for the most part these days they tend to be either Morse or Electronic broadcasts as opposed to actual numbers although a few of these were captured. The samples are provided as WAVs as opposed to .ncw so that they can easily be used outside of Kontakt for those that wish to do so.
Features
508 Wavs recorded using shortwave radio and carefully looped
The Wavs are provided in their native format so they can be used easily outside of Kontakt
4 Synthesizers with an XY Pad to mix between them
Each Synth has a Filter, AR Envelope, LFO and plays a single Waveform
28 XY Motion Sequencers which can be manually recorded or use Sequences from the built in database.
Comprehensive FX Section with Reverb, Delay, EQ and Phaser/Chorus/Flanger.
In built Preset System for Browsing/Saving and Loading Presets
200 Presets Included.
Microtuner with a huge selection of Scales
7 Global Randomizers with different Algorithms and many local Randomizers.
This video shows some of the Presets:
AirWaves costs $59.99 but is available for the introductory price of just $24.99
Motion is an advanced Vector Synthesizer designed to create Evolving landscapes and Atmospheres with little effort due to a series of 8 tuned Global randomizers which generate unique and playable sounds most of the time. It is most useful for signature Ambience in a track and most definitely has a distinctive sound of it’s own. It uses short and single cycle waveforms to create sound and in this sense is a true synthesizer, like any other Subtractive synth sounds are generated by the User interface rather than relying on sampled presets. There are 504 Waveforms/Sounds over 4 Banks which use just 55mb of RAM. Some are drum/percussive one-shots which are very interesting in the Arpeggiator when Wave sequencing.
The Group buy aims to add content to the Motion Package through extra scripted instruments and waveforms as more people take part. It costs just $24.99 with instant access to Motion. Motion is normally priced at $59.99.
Destiny features 11 Layers each of which contains a Singularity Synth which is also included as a 2nd Synth. The Layers can either be stacked into a Multi Layer Synth or used as a Multi-Timbral Sound Module. Each Synth has 2 Envelopes, 2 LFOs, a Sequencer which are assigned to Destinations via a Modulation Matrix.
Motion