Spookomatic

Spookomatic is one of a kind instrument for generating eerie ambiances, melancholic pads and ghastly atmospheres. It is using multiple layers of melodic sounds, background ambiances and sequenced environment noises, all being dynamically transformed by an array of step sequenced modulators, to create an organic, rich, living soundscapes. As the name suggests, the instrument is focused on chilly, mysterious and creepy tones, while not being deadly serious. Like a generic horror flick, it's a bit scary and a little silly, but unlike such kind of a movie, it can be quite unpredictable.
Spookomatic is self-configuring sound machine, it automatically creates random patches, which can be tweaked afterwards. Just press the shuffle button and hear what you can find, it's a sort of a ghost in the machine.

Here's a how it sounds, in a compilation of different patches:

And here's a brief guide to user interface:

There are eleven step sequencers per layer, modulating parameters, like pan, tune, filters cutoff and send effect levels. What is uncommon about the sequencers, is that the sequence can be interpolated, that is, the parameter values can change gradually in between sequence steps, according to different curves. Each sequencer can run at different speed and different cycle, creating quite non-repetitive, yet tempo synchronized textures.

Here's how modulation sequencers work:

Spookomatic in cold numbers:

• 21 melodic sound sources, created with acoustic instruments (guitars, reed organ, voice, non-musical objects), vintage analog synthesizer and digital synthesis,
• 30 types of background noise from field recordings, or digital sound manipulation,
• 192 noise fragments to create sequenced ambiance,
• up to 10 sound layers,
• up to 110 modulation sequencers,
• 4 instrument configurations,
• 144 selected presets,
• 999999999 possible patches.

The instrument requires full version of NI Kontakt sampler, version 5.5.2, or newer to run. Depending on patch, it may be rather CPU intensive (there's a lot going on under the hood).

It's available at Loot Audio.

This instrument is new take on the idea, I was exploring with older, free instrument, Scape-o-matic. It has similar character and engine, though Spookomatic takes it to a new level.

Chop Shop

This sound machine took a long while to build, mainly because there was always something else in the way. Possibly it is the most confusing one, which might be the reason I have been putting it aside for so many times.
I have been using this tool to automate sample chopping and slice sequencing for experimental/glitch/collage kind of music. There is a sequencer, which aside from playing sample slices, can be programmed, to change its parameters at certain points of the sequence. For example, it can be set to increase sample playback offset every second sequence step and/or set different filter cutoff every 6th sequence step. At higher level it can remember several sequence parameters and play those in defined order to create complicated structures. As many of instruments I created, it takes advantage of seed based pseudo-random number generator, so any event can be set to random, derived and re-played from initial seed number. This way you an completely change the output of a complicated structure, simply by changing the seed.
In the following video, I play around loading different presets and changing general parameters. Offset, seed and sample knobs in effect panel modify those values throughout any program sequence, playing with them on presets is an easy way to start having fun with Chop Shop.

The machine is designed to use sound fragments (parts of a more or less finished tracks) and re-organize them, in a way unrelated to original tempo. In other words, it doesn't use multisamples and it's not suitable to chop 'beats'. It is however synchronized to host's tempo. I included a set of somewhat random samples. Custom samples can be used, but you will need to rename and replace the sample files.

To play with Chop Shop, you will need full version of NI Kontakt sampler 5.5.2 or newer. The instrument is free to use, you can get it HERE, it's 62MB file. It comes with fairly confusing manual in PDF file. If you don't get it, read the manual (I can't guarantee it will help though). Have fun.

A note on presets: This instrument is using its own preset system, presets should be in /presets/ folder. Each preset is being saved in two separate files, it should be possible to trade/exchange/copy presets files between different instrument copies.

And here's small intro to programming the critter...

The Device

The Device is yet another instrument in series of automatic noise sequencer toys for Kontakt, that I have been tinkering with. I consider it more or less a failed experiment, I'm not sure, if it grew too complicated or I just have lost the drive for it. I was planning to just bury it deep down a hard drive, but after a little hesitation, I decided to share it for free, as it is. This machine is in 'almost finished' state, meaning that it is basically fully working, but it lacks documentation and deeper testing, both of which likely won't happen anytime soon.

This space age instrument can play back a 10 layer set of sound sequences, along with sequenced modulators program. Sequences can be picked randomly, picked by an id number or programmed by hand, although the last option is somewhat tedious task. The instrument is using two main sample sets. 'Space circuits' set is analog electronic, created with an old Sequential Circuits synthesizer. 'Alien waveforms' set is mainly made of acoustic recordings, stretched and re-shaped digitally. Together there are 160 wav samples, 44,1 Mhz/ 16 bit. And here's a 'glimpse through' the device's interface and possibilities.

If you would like to explore this machine, you can download it HERE, 12MB rar archive. Note that you need full version of Native Instruments Kontakt sampler, version 4.24 or newer to make it work.

There is no manual and I'm currently not planning to write one, however I can offer some tips:

• Use 'info pane' feature, all controls should have some explanation there.
• There are three patches which are different in maximum step sequencer size, basic version has 48 steps, other patches offer 64 and 96 steps sequences.
• When automatic modulation is off, you can set layer properties (tune, filter cutoff and such) by hand, using display panel.
• Memory will only store automatically generated programs.
• You can also save spatial effects configuration and current kit in memory, using optional save switch.
• Modulators can be bypassed completely in automation panel, volume modulator is bypassed by default.
• Pitch table in setup panel is obsolete, basically it has no function anymore.
• Structure knob overwrites settings in setup panel, manual edits to those settings will be saved as current structure knob settings.
• Yes, it is fairly confusing device.
• To use custom samples simply drag samples into existing groups, the machine assumes samples are assigned starting from note 0, after changing group contents update 'sample count' setting for given layer/group in sequencer monitor. You can use auto 'detect' button.
• Change group names to re-name layers.
• Locking a layer will prevent the machine from automatically writing layer sequences, but they can still be edited manually.
• MIDI keys functions can be edited freely.
• This instrument is largely similar to Cracklebot and Haunted Jukebox, which actually have manuals. Sonocipher is basically The Device with different sample-set and GUI.

Radiostatic Percussion

Radiostatic Percussion is experimental electronic percussion sample set I have created from radio static noise and interferences. I hooked up an old Japanese radio receiver from late 70's to self oscillating Moog low pass filter and I've been dialing through waves of white noise, strange buzz broadcasts and radio interferences. Then I have sliced these recordings and digitally re-shaped the volume envelope to make them resemble percussion sounds.
The result is quite unique set of warm, noisy, lo-fi, analog electronic percussion hits and effects. When sequenced into a drum pattern, it sounds like this:

http://www.fairlyconfusing.net/docs/radiostatic.mp3

Selected sample set from this experiment is available for free right here. There are 50 one shot samples in wav container, 44 kHz, 16 bit, 1,5 MB zipped. If you like it, the full set of 166 samples is available from Sampleism at a price.

ZX Transmissions

ZX Spectrum was the first computer I had. It used to store data as analog audio, that would be recorded to tape, which could sound interesting at times. Recently I've been discussing possibility of using such data audio files in noise/glitch music. In the end, I created an audio data transmission, that could be used for such purposes. It sounds like this:
 
http://www.fairlyconfusing.net/docs/zx-transmission.mp3

It is free to grab and use in your music, right here, 48kHz, 16 bit, mono WAV file. Take it, if you like.

If you'd like to make such noises yourself, it's really quite simple. Here's the procedure I used. First I created some data, I used Photoshop to make a picture, I made it 256x192 pixels, which is ZX Spectrum native resolution, filled it with geometrical figures in different shades of gray. Converting the picture to bitmap made gray areas fill with repeating patterns (which make more interesting sounds than just random noise). Then I saved the picture to BMP format, but anything without compression would do. Actually you can use any data file, just (for this example) make it no longer than 6KB (bigger files will crash emulated computer when loaded, where I intend to load it).
I have a Spectrum in a dusty box, but it is way easier to use an emulator. I chose ZX Spin, as it lets you load any data file right into emulated memory and it saves WAV files out of the box. The home page seems to be down, but you can find the program here. Spectrum ROM have been allowed for free distribution, so you can use an emulator, even if you don't own the actual machine.
I decided to use video memory region, so I could see how picture loading works. First I wrote a command to save the region. To skip the trouble of learning how, you can use Z80 snapshot included in the download, just load the file into the emulator. You should see a message, "Start tape, then press any key". Now load the data, using menu "file/load binary file". Pick saved picture file and enter 16384 as the address. Now the screen should be filled with scrambled picture from input file. Pick menu "recording/audio/start recording", enter file name to save to and press any key to start the transmission. You should see moving stripes and hear transmission noises. When done pick "stop recording". This will create fun, modem like noise transmission. Try to pitch it down for some extra flavor. Have fun.

Electric Noisebow

Electric Noisebow is imaginary virtual instrument for Kontakt sampler. It can generate drone sounds, noise soundscapes, ambient atmospheres or unfolding distortions. It is based on two sample sets I made by playing modified Reno electric guitar with an E-Bow. The clean set is built of sustained tone samples. The dirty set contains distorted sounds, I've got by putting the E-Bow very close to the vibrating string, so the string would start to collide with E-Bow housing. I edited all samples by hand to get more or less seamless loops, which are rather lengthy. Especially noise loops which span for 20-30 seconds. The instrument has double convolution reverb unit, which can be used to sweep between reverb and sound types. There is note doubler and round robin mechanism synchronized with transport position, so used in a project, the instrument should render repeatable results.
Here's example track created with one instance of the instrument in a single take:
http://www.fairlyconfusing.net/audio/electric_noisebow.mp3

And here's a small walk-through video:

The instrument is available at Loot Audio. Note, that it requires full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 4.2 or newer to work. There are 36 WAV samples, 88,2 kHz, 24 bit and the whole instrument takes about 220MB or drive space.

Cracklebot unchained

I bundled special version of Cracklebot noise machine with Haunted Jukebox. I nicknamed it "Cracklebot unchained", the only difference from regular versions is, that "unchained" bots do include setup and configuration panels, so one can experiment with different generator engine settings.
I posted two "guided tour" videos, where I play with Cracklebot configuration. I used Youtube annotation system to comment on what is actually happening. See, if it looks like fun or not.

Haunted Jukebox instrument and Cracklebots unchained set, is available at Sampleism.

Cracklebot Red

I had a couple of new ideas while playing with Cracklebot noise machine that I posted yesterday. They spawned a modified version of the instrument, which I labeled Cracklebot Red. To find what a cracklebot is, please read previous post.

Changes in red edition:

• used 4 convolution units instead of 2, replaced the delays, this needs considerably powerful CPU,
• reverb mixdown knob now controls return of all 4 units, delay mix knob is replaced with dry signal level knob, so now you can listen to just wet output of all reverbs, which is what I was aiming for,
• there are now 12 layers/tracks per groove instead of 9,
• there are small adjustments in groove generation constraints, larger possible sequences, different possible sequence speeds, etc.

Download here. Free to get and making noise with.

The archive doesn't include the manual, so if you really want to read it, get the regular bot.

Further late night experiments, took me to yet another incarnation of the machine. I wanted to see, how would it sound like, when pushed to 8 convolution reverbs and 16 layers, with more relaxed groove generation setup and different, evolving modulator signal distribution. If you're into evolving weird ambiances and have lots of CPU cycles to spare, you may see, if you can get it working.

Cracklebot - vinyl noise machine

Cracklebot is automated drum machine based on vinyl noise samples. I sampled worn and dirty, empty grooves from my vinyl collection. Lead-ins, lead-outs, silent parts in between tracks, those have been chopped to 115 short slices or pops, crackles, scratches and noises. Cracklebot is sequencing them into tempo synchronized, noise grooves. The machine can create new, random patterns on a single click, so it's quite fun play with.

It looks and sounds like this:

This virtual machine requires full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 4.2 or newer. It's (Cracklebot, not Kontakt) free to download and use in your music. Right here - 4MB. Includes short confusing manual in funny English. Have fun.

Also check further mutations of the machine:
Unchained - with configurable sequence generators.
Red and Violet - for ambiance cracklescapes.