AudioMulch
Encyclopedia
AudioMulch is modular
audio
software for making music and processing sound. The software can synthesize sound and process
live and pre-recorded sound in real-time
.
AudioMulch has a patcher
-style graphical user interface
, in which modules called contraptions can be connected together to route audio and process sounds. Included are modules used in electronic dance music such as a bassline-style synthesizer
and a drum machine
, effects like ring modulation
, flanging
, reverb and delays
, and other modules such as a delay-line granulator
and stereo
spatializer
. As well as these internal contraptions, AudioMulch supports VST
and VSTi plugins.
. OverSYTE was used by Bencina to process sound in his real-time performances with vocalists and instrumental musicians. AudioMulch grew out of the limitations of OverSYTE, which could process only one sound at a time. In contrast, AudioMulch can process multiple sounds sources at once.
AudioMulch 1.0 was developed for Microsoft Windows in the C++ programming language, using the Borland C++ Builder development environment.
The discography on the AudioMulch website has a list of other artists that have used AudioMulch in commercial releases.
Modularity
Modularity is a general systems concept, typically defined as a continuum describing the degree to which a system’s components may be separated and recombined. It refers to both the tightness of coupling between components, and the degree to which the “rules” of the system architecture enable the...
audio
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
software for making music and processing sound. The software can synthesize sound and process
Audio signal processing
Audio signal processing, sometimes referred to as audio processing, is the intentional alteration of auditory signals, or sound. As audio signals may be electronically represented in either digital or analog format, signal processing may occur in either domain...
live and pre-recorded sound in real-time
Real-time computing
In computer science, real-time computing , or reactive computing, is the study of hardware and software systems that are subject to a "real-time constraint"— e.g. operational deadlines from event to system response. Real-time programs must guarantee response within strict time constraints...
.
AudioMulch has a patcher
Patch panel
A patch panel or patch bay is a panel, typically rackmounted, that houses cable connections. One typically shorter patch cable will plug into the front side, whereas the back holds the connection of a much longer and more permanent cable...
-style graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
, in which modules called contraptions can be connected together to route audio and process sounds. Included are modules used in electronic dance music such as a bassline-style synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
and a drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, effects like ring modulation
Ring modulation
Ring modulation is a signal-processing effect in electronics, an implementation of amplitude modulation or frequency mixing, performed by multiplying two signals, where one is typically a sine-wave or another simple waveform. It is referred to as "ring" modulation because the analog circuit of...
, flanging
Flanging
Flanging is an audio effect produced by mixing two identical signals together, with one signal delayed by a small and gradually changing period, usually smaller than 20 milliseconds. This produces a swept comb filter effect: peaks and notches are produced in the resultant frequency spectrum,...
, reverb and delays
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
, and other modules such as a delay-line granulator
Granular synthesis
Granular synthesis is a basic sound synthesis method that operates on the microsound time scale.It is based on the same principle as sampling. However, the samples are not played back conventionally, but are instead split into small pieces of around 1 to 50ms. These small pieces are called grains...
and stereo
STEREO
STEREO is a solar observation mission. Two nearly identical spacecraft were launched into orbits that cause them to respectively pull farther ahead of and fall gradually behind the Earth...
spatializer
Spatial music
Spatial music, music in space, or space music uses the localization of sounds in physical space as a compositional element in music, in sound art, and in sound editing for audio recordings, film, and video...
. As well as these internal contraptions, AudioMulch supports VST
Virtual Studio Technology
Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
and VSTi plugins.
Origins of AudioMulch
AudioMulch grew out of musician Ross Bencina's performance practice in the mid 1990s. At this time, live, computer-based sound processing systems were often expensive and restricted to use within research institutions. By 1995 however, the processing capabilities of the personal computer were sufficient that Bencina was able to create OverSYTE, a real-time performance granulatorGranular synthesis
Granular synthesis is a basic sound synthesis method that operates on the microsound time scale.It is based on the same principle as sampling. However, the samples are not played back conventionally, but are instead split into small pieces of around 1 to 50ms. These small pieces are called grains...
. OverSYTE was used by Bencina to process sound in his real-time performances with vocalists and instrumental musicians. AudioMulch grew out of the limitations of OverSYTE, which could process only one sound at a time. In contrast, AudioMulch can process multiple sounds sources at once.
Development of AudioMulch
AudioMulch has been in development since 1997. The first release made available for download on the Internet was Beta version 0.7b1, in March 1998. There were 36 Beta releases prior to Version 1.0 of the software, which was released in February 2006.AudioMulch 1.0 was developed for Microsoft Windows in the C++ programming language, using the Borland C++ Builder development environment.
Version 2.0
AudioMulch 2.0 was released June 5th, 2009. According to the website, this version is available for both Windows and Macintosh computers.Version 2.1
To be released in June 2010, Version 2.1 promises to bring support for non-4/4 time signatures, dynamic processing contraptions, and an alternative light grey colour scheme.AudioMulch 1.0 features
- An interactive user-interface with three main panes:
- a patcher for routing audio between contraptions
- a pane containing control panels for each contraption
- an automation time line supporting automation of contraption parameters
- Support for real-time sound-processing and performance.
- 24 channels of real-time input/output.
- Multi-channel recording and playback of multiple sound files.
- Contraptions including signal generators, effects, filter and mixers.
- Input sound can be taken from sound files or real-time audio input.
- Output is heard in real-time and can be simultaneously recorded to a sound file.
- Any processing parameter in AudioMulch can be controlled by MIDI. This includes the use of external hardware such as knob boxes, gaming controllers, virtual reality gloves and custom control devices.
AudioMulch 2.0 features
- A new Patcher with advanced drag-and-drop patching and MIDI routing
- MIDI and automation control for Clock transport (tempo, stop, start) and Metasurface interpolation.
- Enhanced Drums contraption with 8 channels and a new pattern editor supporting arbitrary length high-resolution patterns
- Expanded multichannel audio I/O capability to support up to 256 channels in each direction and improved compatibility with consumer multichannel audio interfaces using DirectSound and Windows Multimedia drivers.
Future
As outlined in AudioMulch's road map, future versions should bring new sound mangling, filtering and resonating contraptions, an overhauled undo system, 3rd party host integration and performance modulation, as well as further enhancements to existing sound and keyboard controls.Musicians that use or have used AudioMulch
- Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
- Girl TalkGirl Talk (musician)Gregg Michael Gillis , better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American musician specializing in mashups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on 333 and 12 Apostles....
- Four Tet
- Plink
- LacklusterLacklusterLackluster is the main stage name of Esa Juhani Ruoho , who has also recorded as Esa Ruoho, Can'o'Lard, Kökö and the Köks and XLLV. Lackluster is formerly known as the chiptune musician, Distance, part of the demoscene groups Orange, Monotonik, Calodox, The Digital Artists, The Planet of Leather...
- The Village Orchestra
- Erdem HelvaciogluErdem HelvaciogluErdem Helvacioglu is an electronic musician from Turkey. He has collaborated with artists Mick Karn, Kevin Moore, John Wilson, Kazuya Ishigami, and Saadet Turkoz. In addition to his work as an electronic musician, Erdem also composes music for theatre, film and multimedia productions, and produces...
- ShitmatShitmatShitmat is the performing name of Henry Collins, aka Henry Collinz, a breakcore artist from Brighton, England.-Biography:His music, sometimes referred to as "Mashcore", is known for the humorous use of samples atypical of "serious" electronic artists and deliberate use of clichés...
- DJ cannon
- Samuel Jobber
- PimmonPimmonPimmon is the recording name of Australian musician Paul Gough. He has released records on labels such as Fat Cat Records, Fällt, Tigerbeat6, Staalplaat and Staubgold, and collaborated with Keith Rowe and Oren Ambarchi, among others....
The discography on the AudioMulch website has a list of other artists that have used AudioMulch in commercial releases.