crusher-X Help |
| Welcome to a new world of sound synthesis!
C oncept | crusher-X is a shareware program whose powerful vapor synthesis algorithm enables you to synthesize very complex and cool waves. crusher-X does distill and transform sounds quite radically. Based on traditional granular synthesis, crusher-X can be used as a synthesizer or as a versatile effects unit. You can create sounds with the internal oscillators or external files as well as input real-time stereo soundfiles. Internal feedback loops allow self-oscillation within crusher-X! You can control the crusher by using a joystick. If you have a force feedback device you can feel the parameters changing.
Algorithm | The new crusher-X algorithm (we call it vapor synthesis) is based on the traditional granular synthesis algorithm invented in the early 1950s. In granular synthesis, short (e.g. 50 milliseconds) sound fragments, "the grains," come from a fixed file buffer. The starting time, length and silence between the grains can be modulated. More than one grain at a time is possible, so you can create complex sounds "clouds" from a single soundfile. The most significant difference between granular and our synthesis is the floating sound buffer which allows real-time input and output. In this floating buffer the grains are created. You can apply many unusual parameters to the grains such as pitch, filter, pan, reverse, and limit - all with a simple, flexible interface. All parameters can be modulated by internal oscillator sources, whose configuration can be saved as crusher-sheets. A feedback loop inside the algorithm enables very complex and non-linear sound processing. Also, a multiple Undo/Redo function permits nondestructive work and encourages experimentation with crusher-X.
Interface | The interface is divided between a main panel which gives you direct access to the most parameters (with a mouse or hot keys) and floating windows that show the status of the crusher. A special 3D cloud visualisation offers a quick overview of all significant parameters. A Loadlist lets you switch between crusher-sheets by pressing a single key. A real-time mixer allows smooth fades and morphing between the different crusher-sheets.
D SP System | The DSP backbone of crusher-X is a special DSP component system, bsDXStuff, which builds the structure and algorithm of the application. The DSP system meshes with the Direct-X interface which connects the crusher-X algorithm to the soundcard buffers. The DSP component system has a streaming and a messaging layer. The streaming layer permits multiple Undo/Redo and regulates the Save/Load functionality. The messaging layer enables easy connections between the components (e.g. between the fader and volume components). A midi interface can be easily connected to the messaging system so that full midi control of each parameter is possible (look for this feature in upcoming versions of crusher-X).