"It's All About Control..."
We've just released our new 100 tap delay MegaDelayMass (MDM) to the world, and I wanted to point out something that I think is kind of extraordinary.
If you go to the MegaDelayMass product page
http://intdevices.com/proaudio/product/show/17/
and play the first few audio examples (there's a "dry" drum loop an "executive summary" of the thing I'm about to discuss and a longer version of the same audio). - as an aside, seriously, I believe that ALL of the audio examples we put up are compelling, but the first few on the MDM page are a special case for me because the examples in question are literally, no joke, exactly ONE drum loop going thru ONE instance of MegaDelayMass controlling ONLY the delay line duration w/ a Korg Nano USB keyboard via a simple MAX/MSP patch I made Tuesday evening.
Everything in that example was done in real-time, direct to Peak Pro on my MacBook - all of the things that sound like bass are a result of the ONE MegaDelayMass resonating the drum loop going through it, while I went between perhaps six different patches I created (all of which are part of the 16 built in patches that we ship with the plug-in).
Let me make it doubly clear: There is no synthesiszer involved in that example. There is a drum loop exciting a 100 tap delay, and I am controlling the delay line length. That is all there is going on there.
Maybe I'm over excited, but I think this result is rather extraordinary.
I've been messing around with digital delays and feedback since I was on an Unschooled Records tour as kataStatik (with Doofgoblin and Plat) back in 2005.
- See an example of the old school version of what I'm talking about @ 3'20" into this video demonstration of my wearable interface "the manDrum" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-7gfe27RJI
I'd remembered how cool regenerative feedback on analog delays was, (bc it get's COMPLETELY out of control - kind of like it does on the Marshall Time Modulator) but in digital gear I think it sometimes get's a little "mushy" (in the sense that digi gear tends to be constrained - sometimes unable to get "batsh*t crazy" like analog can). What's fascinating to me about this is that a very short delay time with a lot of "feedback" is pretty much the same as a 100 tap delay - the more taps you add, the perceptually shorter the delay time seems to become. This is interesting (to me) because you get the benefits of the crazy resonation you can get with a short delay time and a lot of feedback, but with much much more control. Anyway, please take a listen and a look and let me know what you think.
Lastly, I will give anyone interested, free of charge, the little max/msp patch I wrote to control the MDM to do with what they will. It's not very pretty, but as you'll hear in that real-time audio example, it's pretty devastatingly effective. I'll make the patch so that it will work with the free Max/Msp 5 runtime, and give you as much control as possible. (meaning I'll try to allow you to choose which params you "play", the boundaries for the mapping etc) If you want a copy of said patch, you can find it here
If you want to chat, send an email to proaudio@intdevices.com and let me know what you're thinking.
Thanks,
I look forward to your comments
chris mandra
Posted June 24th, 2009
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6 Comments
EdmundJune 30th, 2009
Thank you for the positive feedback. Although it may not be instantly obvious we have been doing this for a long while now. We have a few DAW's and plugins under our belt since we started doing this around 1990. We got pulled out of pro audio stuff for a while but are back. We are aware of the some of the wrapper issues and will issue updates as soon as we finish testing. We wanted to get some of the stuff and get feedback from users.
I'll make sure we have a bug reporting link set up, but for now please submit problems via the support link with as much info about setup (platform/OS, host application, issue) as you can.
Loopy CJune 30th, 2009
I should add, I am finding your plug-ins instantly unique even though my collection is in the thousands...something immediately 'musical' and different about the accumulative processing, new to my ears even though like your self I have a long background in the use/abuse of regenerative and spectral 'old school' techniques :)
You are definitely onto something (based on the three offerings thus far) that should easily set you apart in the plug-in world with even the briefest audio audition ;-)
Loopy CJune 30th, 2009
FYI, though I will probably pick up the desired VST versions in anticipation of the AU, on my PPC Powerbook running 10.4.11 and FXpansion's VST to AU wrapper they do not work (interface/GUI is non-responsive). I tried Kore 2 (Software Edition) and it mostly worked but no access to presets?
Anyway, again FYI as your planned AU support is what I was mainly looking for before purchase, THOUGH now you that you have three products any plans for a 'bundle' with discount? :)
EdmundJune 30th, 2009
We plan to release all plug-ins in more formats, including AU. For now there are VST to AU wrappers available.
But your point is valid.
arkJune 30th, 2009
I see no mention of AudioUnit version, and since most OS X users are basically AU users it would make sense for you to release also an AU version, isn't it?
Kerry GallowayJune 25th, 2009
Holy crap! Pretty effective demo.
The pitched effects are tight with a pleasing low end - and while they're expectedly metallic, they're more musically, and less unpleasantly so, than one would expect. Nice work!