WMD Fracture granular synthesis
Posted on: Monday 7th of May 2018
Initially inspired by classic drum machines, Fracture is much more than another percussion module or ‘sample player’ for expanding Eurorack modular system setups since it uses granular synthesis techniques to generate a wide palette of sounds. Granular synthesis is a technique that operates on the microsound time scale (specifically shorter than one tenth of a second and longer than 10 milliseconds, including the 20Hz to 20kHz audio frequency range and the infrasonic frequency range below 20 Hz); based on the same principal as sampling, samples are not conventionally played back, but split into smaller segments or grains (of around one to 50ms) that may be layered on top of each other, played at different speeds, phases, volume, and frequency (amongst other parameters).
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Proprietary micro-samples were specifically recorded for this purpose by WMD. Unlike WMD’s first Eurorack percussion synthesizer module, Chimera, which involves impulse-rich samples at its tonal centre, Fracture uses single-impulse samples such as claps, ping-pong balls, opening a beer can, and many more. Moreover, it then plays back a group of similar such samples in a pseudo-random order resulting in unique hits. DENSITY, DECAY, and TAIL settings all affect tone and how ‘tight’ the user’s virtual clappers are to playing together.
Fracture features a number of other outstanding sound-sculpting tools packed into its slender (8HP width) frame, including a stereo output (OUT L and OUT R); built-in H (Hall) and R (Room) REVERB; two trigger inputs for different sound types — TRIG triggers a burst of particles and TICK triggers a single particle (independently of the TRIG input); three types of filter; three types of envelope; and a free-running, voltage-controlled ‘applause’ capability. CV (Control Voltage) over all parameters is also available of course.
Shipping now, Fracture is available to purchase through WMD’s growing global network of authorised dealers with an MSRP of $269.00
www.wmdevices.com
