HITHER GATE MUSIC

Starting Point (varied inputs)

The starting point can be any soundfile. It doesn't matter if the end result is poor because the point is to explore what happens with different types of input soundfile. The processing sequence is a template, an exploratory tool. It is used not only to produce good end results, but also to learn what kind of inputs work well with the given sequence.

The input should be mono, nicely dovetailed, and reasonably short, such as up to about 12 seconds, because the RING-MOD-REPEAT process lengthens the sound considerably. The sequence can be realised one step at a time with a graphic interface or all at once with a batch file. A batch file is an MS-DOS mechanism that runs commands. It is a text file with a .bat extension. It contains a series of commands and explanatory comments introduced with the word rem. In the Sound Loom GUI, the processing sequence can be constructed as an Instrument.

I prefer to use a naming convention which indicates which processing function has been used. Thus, as a new sound grows, you can read the processing steps in the name itself.

Step 1: Copy

Make a copy of the input soundfile, giving it a single letter name.

It is presumed that the input is mono and begins and ends smoothly, i.e., without a click or being suddenly cut off. We only have to name the outfile. The default values for the copy procedure are used because no change to the format is being made, i.e., sampletype = 1, header = 0 and formatout = 0. The outfile name is specified. The .wav extension is added automatically.

The example sounds as supplied use asrcmix.wav as the input. This is our generic source file, made up of various instruments and a spoken text. Different processes will pick up on different features of this input.

Dialogue box:

Default parameters

New name is 'e.wav'

Command:

rem function infile outfile
copysfx asrcmix.wav e.wav

Step 2: Ring-Modulate

Apply ring-modulation

Ring-modulation pushes the sound outwards from the middle, up and down by a frequency band that you specify. The upper and lower 'sidebands' created usually add a metallic edge to the sound, but larger values can create a 'hollow' middle.

The spoken text in asrcmix.wav is what is most noticeably affected by this process.

The modulation_frequency used here is 1000, which is rather high. However, many CDP parameters are allowed to have 'unreasonable' values so that extremes can be explored. So far, I have not given the program a value that has been rejected! Very narrow values should also be explored.

Dialogue box:

Ring-modulate

Command:
rem function mode infile outfile params modify radical 5 e erm 1000

PLAY erm.mp3 (more edge)
New name: 'e ring-mod'

Step 3: Distort

Apply waveshape distortion, with repetitions

DISTORT REPEAT is very good at stirring up a soundfile. As one of the waveshape distortion routines, it operates on the irregularly long sections of soundfile that occur between 'zero-crossings'.

There are three parameters:

• multiplier – this is the 'repeat' parameter: i.e., how many times to repeat the groups of wavecycles (2 is the minimum allowed)
• cyclecnt – (optional) number of wavecycles in each repeated group; the Default is 1
• skipcycles – (optional) number of cycles to skip before beginning to process the sound (not used here)

The spoken text seems to disappear into the churning after running DISTORT REPEAT.

Dialogue box:

Distort with repetitions

Command:
rem function infile outfile multiplier [cyclecount]
distort repeat erm ermrpt 2 -c2

PLAY ermrpt.mp3 (churning)
New name: 'e ring-mod repeat'

Step 4: Transpose

Lower the churning sound to add depth and richness

At first I tried going down 24 semitones, but this made it too thick and muddy. Down 11 semitones seemed to be enough, but not too much, at least with asrcmix.wav as the input. Another soundfile as the source would probably respond to a different transposition. level.

Dialogue box:

Transposition down 11 semitones

And now showing the soundfile names at the end of the process:
Dialogue box:

Closing soundfile names of processing sequence

Command:
rem function mode infile outfile semitones
modify speed 2 ermrpt ermrptd11 -11

PLAY ermrptd11.mp3 (deeper and richer)
New name: 'e ring-mod repeat down 11 semitones'

Complete Sequence: Batch File rmrepeat.bat

Use rmrepdel.bat to remove the outputs

rem rmrepeat.bat - RING-MOD-REPEAT - batch file for Sound-Builder 
rem  Template 5 (as in CDP File Formats: filestxt.htm, but path  
rem    and file names have been changed
rem This batch file chains 3 functions to produce a churning 
rem   and deeply sonorous result
rem See rmrepdel.bat for deletions between uses

rem Sources supplied:
rem   asrcmix.wav (12.6 sec.) - basic complex source sound
rem   aklcdp.wav  (1.38 sec) - drum riff
rem   bashdt.wav  (1.5 sec) - strong metallic bash
rem   frogcdt.wav (1.8 sec) - chirpy frog ribbets
rem   hoggdt.wav  (3.7 sec) - rough hog grunt
rem   tomcdt.wav  (1.3 sec) - light, ringing drum
rem   touccdt.wav (3.0 sec) - richly timbral bird call
rem   whdtm.wav   (2.4 sec) - whirling tube

echo on

rem Step 1: COPY TO GENERIC NAME
copysfx asrcmix.wav e.wav

rem Step 2: MODIFY RADICAL:  Mode 5 is Ring Modulation, Mod Freq is 1000
modify radical 5  e  erm  1000
rem (the speech part of the source was most affected)

rem Step 3: DISTORT REPEAT: Parameters: Multiplier and Cyclecount
distort repeat  erm  ermrpt  2  -c2
rem (this doubles the lengths and roughs it up a lot!)

rem Step 4: MODIFY SPEED: lowered by 11 semitones
modify speed 2  ermrpt  ermrptd11  -11 
rem (nearly doubles the length again, deepening and smoothing)

echo off

Further fine-tuning of the result might typically include adding some reverb and directional movement (panning).

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SCREENSHOT UPDATES

(by Robert Fraser, March 2016)

The Soundshaper screenshots used in this tutorial are out of date in two respects:

• Output files are no longer named on Parameter Pages: instead, the output is saved to a temporary file and appears on the Main Page patchgrid in a new cell named after the process.
  If you want to save the output permanently, highlight the cell (if necessary) and click File/Save or CTRL+S to obtain a standard SAVE dialog:
  
  
  
  
  There is normally no need to do this until the end of the sequence.


• FFT conversion (PVOC Analysis / Resynthesis) now uses current settings and the FFT page is only used to set these, not to perform a conversion, as shown. As the tutorial examples use default values, there is nothing to set!
  Furthermore, Soundshaper does these conversions in the background, so you do not even have to select ANALYSE or SYNTH – just select the next process.

To run the RINGMOD-REPEAT chain of CDP processes in Soundshaper:

[After each step, you can play the result in the transport panel.]

• STEP 1 (COPYSFX): Open the tutorial folder. Drag and drop the source asrcmix.wav onto Soundshaper's Main Page.
  Program runs COPYSFX and outputs to cell A_0.


• STEP 2 (RING-MOD): Select Soundfiles/Pitch/RingMod.
  Parameter page: set parameter as in tutorial (ModFreq=1000).
  Click OK to run; output appears in cell A_1 ("RingMod").


• STEP 3 (DISTORT): Select Soundfiles/Distort/Repeat.
  Parameter page (Mode 1): set parameters as in tutorial (Repeat=2, Cycles=2, Skip=0).
  Click OK to run; output appears in cell A_2 ("CycRepeat").


• STEP 4 (TRANSPOSE): Select Soundfiles/Pitch/Speed.
  Parameter page: set parameter as in tutorial (Transposition -11 semitones).
  Click OK to run; output appears in cell A_3 ("Speed"):





• SAVE FILE (OPTIONAL): Save the result to a permanent file. Hit CTRL+S or File / Save(As) to obtain a standard SAVE dialog.
  Enter a file name, e.g. ringmodrpt.wav (or ermrptd11 if you prefer).


• SAVE PATCH (OPTIONAL): Uncheck "Include Sources", unless you want to save the copied source (~A_0.wav) with the patch.
  Click the patch SAVE button (central panel). Select a save name (e.g. ringmodrpt.ssp); click OK. Optionally enter a description; click OK.
  


• RUN PATCH (OPTIONAL): To run the patch with a different source (assuming the patchgrid has not been cleared), click on cell A_0, select a source (e.g. by drag+drop) and click the central RUN button, with the "Whole Patch" checkbox checked.


• RELOAD PATCH (OPTIONAL): If the patch is not on the grid, click the central LOAD button. Select the .ssp file (e.g. ringmodrpt.ssp). If you have not saved the source (~A_0.wav), the patch will still run with it, provided it still exists in the same location. Otherwise, you will be prompted to select a source. To run the patch with a different source, see RUN PATCH above.