Diving into the hub of sonic exploration, one discovers an unconventional and supremely sophisticated tool — AHHRI 1.0, a MaxForLive wavetable synthesizer unlike any other. Crafted from the musical genius of Anri Kunitake, AHHRI challenges the ordinary, breaking away from the typical sound synthesis mold to present an unexpected adventure of auditory creativity.
What sets AHHRI apart from its contemporaries is its unique algorithm and user interface. Instead of using a single knob for deforming wavetables, as in most conventional wavetable synthesizers, AHHRI features three individual knobs — each with 128 positions. This configuration gives users access to a staggering 16,384 wavetables, each organically variant and unpredictably distinctive. This revolutionizes the user's ability to create bespoke sounds by offering an incredible breadth of individuality and textural variety.
The dual oscillators infused in AHHRI provide additional capabilities for sound design, lending a hand in the crafting of complex and evolving timbres. The synthesizer also includes a versatile filter that can adjust and tweak the high, band, and low-pass frequency aspects of the sound. Combined with an amp envelope, AHHRI offers an all-encompassing control over the sound production and fusion process.
Not to be overlooked is the polyphonic modulation armed with a four-source matrix. This innovative feature can create an extensive range of stunning effects, multiplying the endless sonic possibilities offered by the wavetables. With the 16,384 wavetables, complemented by the undulating rhythmic dynamism of the modulation matrix, AHHRI unearths a fertile ground for abstract sonic exploration.
Whether you are an established sound designer or a curious musician venturing into the realm of electronic music, AHHRI opens new horizons in the world of sound creation, delivering unexpected, fresh, and iconic sound textures that never fail to make an impression.
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey using AHHRI, one that promises an immersive and educational experience about the boundless capabilities of the MaxForLive platform for musical creation. Redefine your understanding and usage of wavetable synthesis with this invigorating tool and enrich your Ableton Live sessions.
AHHRI 1.0 is available for download on the MaxForLive website. Get your hands on this intriguing tool and start creating sounds that truly encapsulate your unique musical identity. More information can be found at https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10471/ahhri.
Additionally, Anri Kunitake has a collection of other inspiring M4L devices available at his website https://anrikunitake.gumroad.com/. Embark on an intriguing journey to the center of abstract wavetable synthesis with AHHRI 1.0 and discover a musical landscape you never knew existed. The door to novel sonic worlds is now wide open – step in and let your imagination run wild.
Example Usage
Imagine you've just loaded up AHHRI 1.0, a wavetable synthesizer that breaks the mold of traditional synthesis by offering a unique approach to wavetable manipulation. With its promise of 16384 organic variations, the potential for sound design is massive, even for a beginner. So, let's get your hands dirty and carve out your first sound with AHHRI in an Ableton Live session.
- Start by inserting AHHRI onto a MIDI track in Ableton Live. You'll notice the three main knobs for wavetable deformation. These knobs allow you to morph and blend through the vast landscape of sound possible within AHHRI.
- Play a simple MIDI note or chord to hear the default preset. It's a blank canvas for your sonic exploration.
- Begin by slowly turning the first knob to hear how the wavetable's character starts to change. Notice the organic variations as you sweep through the wavetables—it's not just a mathematical change in the waveform; it's a change in the sound's character and texture.
- Now, adjust the second and third knobs to explore further variations. You'll hear that every slight turn brings about a new and unique sonic quality.
- Find a combination of the wavetable positions you like and then move on to the Amp envelope section. Shape the sound's attack, decay, sustain, and release to fit the rhythm and mood of the music you're aiming to make.
- To add movement and further complexity, engage the four modulations. These can be assigned to various parameters within AHHRI, like the filter cutoff or wavetable knobs themselves. Map the first modulator to the filter cutoff to create a dynamic, evolving sound.
- Head over to the modulation matrix to set the depth and direction of your modulation routing. Maybe you want the sound to swell in over time or to have a parameter wobble in a rhythmic pattern.
- Play your MIDI controller or sequence again, and you'll hear your sound transformed into something more animated and complex, thanks to the modulation you've just set up.
- If you're feeling adventurous, layer another oscillator by activating OSC 2. Fine-tune its pitch to add harmonics or create a fuller sound. Blend it with the first oscillator to taste.
- Finally, record a sequence or play live with your newly created sound. Enjoy the rich, evolving timbres that make AHHRI such a unique instrument within the Max4Live universe.
Remember, experimentation is key with AHHRI – each slight adjustment can lead to a brand-new discovery in sound. And the beauty of it being a Max4Live device means it lives right within your Ableton Live session, ready to be automated, tweaked, and played to your heart's content.
Let's dive into the intricate world of abstract wavetable synthesis with AHHRI 1.0, an inventive MaxForLive instrument that stands out with its non-conventional approach to wavetable manipulation. I'll guide you through creating a complex and evolving pad sound that explores the depths of AHHRI's wavetable variations and modulation capabilities.
Begin by initializing the patch to get a clean slate. Next, set both oscillators to basic waveforms that differ slightly in harmonic content; perhaps a sawtooth wave for Oscillator 1 and a square wave for Oscillator 2. Adjust the tune of Oscillator 2 up by 7 semitones for that perfect fifth interval, giving us a harmonious foundation.
Now, tweak the three wavetable knobs on each oscillator to discover an unexplored timbral landscape. Move slowly between positions to hear how the sonic character morphs—listen for a sweet spot where the sound becomes particularly rich or intriguing.
To add movement, delve into the AHHRI's polyphonic modulation matrix. Assign LFO 1 to modulate the wavetable position of Oscillator 1 and LFO 2 to modulate the wavetable position of Oscillator 2. Set different rates and shapes for the LFOs to ensure they evolve independently, painting an ever-changing tonal picture.
Sequence long, sustained chords and let the sound breathe. While the sequence plays, experiment with the filter's cutoff frequency and resonance to sculpt the pad's body and texture. Try the high-pass filter to give it an airy, floating quality, or a low-pass filter for a warmer, more subdued feel. Assign another mod source like Envelope 2 to dynamically control the filter cutoff, adding a gentle sweep that corresponds to your chord progression.
For additional expressiveness, map the modulation wheel on your MIDI controller to various modulation destinations within the matrix. Route it to control filter resonance, oscillator detune, or modulation depth for real-time performance dynamics.
Lastly, add some spatial effects within Ableton Live. Utilize reverb and delay sends to place the evolving pad in a vast sonic expanse. The interplay between the AHHRI's complex wavetable variations and your creative effect processing will result in an enthralling soundscape that can be the heart of an electronic composition or ambient soundscape.
Remember, AHHRI 1.0 is all about exploration and experimentation. Every adjustment can lead to a novel sound, so take your time and enjoy the journey into abstract wavetable synthesis.
Further Thoughts
Embarking on the far reaches of sound design with AHHRI 1.0, the abstract wavetable synthesizer by Anri Kunitake, is an unparalleled journey into the sonic unknown. AHHRI is not your conventional wavetable synth; its unique architecture allows for exploration within a staggering array of 16384 wavetable variations, providing a veritable playground for the sound designer in search of distinctive textures and timbres.
Imagine you are creating the soundscape for a dystopian sci-fi film, and you need an atmospheric pad that sounds both organic and other-worldly. Begin by loading AHHRI 1.0 into your Ableton Live session. Here's how to orchestrate an evolving soundscape from the ethereal to the chaotic, exploiting the vastness of AHHRI's wavetable range:
- Initial Wave Sculpting: Begin with the first oscillator, twisting the three knobs dedicated to wavetable deformation until you encounter a texture that resonates with a complex, but harmonically rich character. With the ability to navigate through thousands of variations, listen for a setting that murmurs with a subtle, shifting life of its own.
- Subtlety with Oscillator Two: Introduce the second oscillator, tuned an octave below the first, and dial in a complimentary setting. This layer adds depth and warmth to the patch, enhancing the overall body of the sound with its more subdued movement.
- Dynamic Filtering: Use AHHRI's multimode filter to carve out the higher frequencies, setting it to a low-pass mode with a high resonance. This will lend a mystifying quality to the sound, as the resonance accentuates particular harmonics.
- Amplifier Envelope Shaping: Slowly ramp the attack and release times in the amp envelope to extend the ebb and flow of the soundscape, creating a breathing effect that moves like a slow tide.
- Complex Movements with Modulations: This is where AHHRI truly shines. Assign the four modulations sources to different destinations for dynamic modulation over time. For instance, consider routing one mod source to the wavetable positions of both oscillators with slight variations in the depth to create a constantly evolving sound. Another mod source could control the filter cutoff, introducing rhythmic pulsations or sweeps that morph organically over time.
- The Modulation Matrix: Deep dive into AHHRI's modulation matrix to implement velocity sensitivity on the filter cutoff, allowing for expressive play across your MIDI controller. Additionally, introduce an LFO to modulate the resonance, giving periodic bursts of harmonic emphasis.
- Final Touches: For spatialization, some post-processing with Ableton Live’s reverb and delay effects will place the evolving soundscape within a three-dimensional space, further enhancing the immersive quality unique to your patch on AHHRI.
The sheer volume of possibilities within AHHRI democratizes sound design, putting profound capabilities at your fingertips without the resolute predictability of typical wavetable synths. The pad you’ve crafted should now hold listeners in a trance, with its unending movement and flexing texture that can serve as the backbone or an eerie whisper within your listening space. AHHRI's flexibility caters to those willing to experiment and rewards the patient and curious sonic explorer. The result is a sound that is entirely your own, unusable by anyone else – the essence of what makes AHHRI an exceptional tool for abstract wavetable synthesis.