Dub, Deface, and Decimate: Exploring the Sound Manipulation Power of Desolation Echo 1.5

The dual digital delay lines can be operated independently with full stereo panning or linked together with up to 150% feedback. In BPM sync mode, the delay times are determined by a base metrical rate and a multiplier value, while the Time mode allows you to adjust the delay time in milliseconds seamlessly.

The wavefold transform grid at the center of the device allows you to mangle the signal pre- or post-delay, with the ability to easily experiment by drawing freely. The Base dial can be adjusted to rewrite all grid values to a straight line, or you can click the dice to randomize them within a specified range. Furthermore, the dedicated low pass filter helps tame the distortion and remove harsh higher frequencies.

Desolation Echo also offers additional modulation options, including Ring or Amplitude Modulation and a resonant multimode filter, for further sonic shaping. A sync-able LFO can be assigned to distortion amount, modulation amount, and filter cutoff, with dedicated Phase controls for more dynamic results. Additionally, there's an optional brick wall limiter to contain any unruly signals.

New features in version 1.5 include Tuplet delay time divisions, bipolar millisecond deviations, and a soft-clipping drive on the delay line for a warmer, more organic sound. The Skew control has been improved, output limiting enhanced, and more updates have been made.

Desolation Echo 1.5 is optimized for Ableton Push and provides detailed annotations in the Info View for easy reference. It requires Ableton Live Suite 10.1.x or higher running Max 8.1.x on Mac or PC. The device comes with 16 presets and a 2-page guide and is included in the Ultra Bundle and Max Audio Bundle.

Download Desolation Echo 1.5 [here](https://manifest.audio/allmax/desolation-echo) and unleash your creativity in sound manipulation. :internal_private_article_id: desolation-echo

The symmetrically built Desolation Echo 1.5, developed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred, offers the sound sculptor an arsenal of audio manipulation options. Its dual delay lines, wavefolding distortion, and multimode filtration brim with potential for creative exploration. Being a Max4Live device, it's a seamless add-on within Ableton's self-contained musical ecosystem. With an intuitive interface at the helm, it's a vessel ready for voyages into the undiscovered territories of electronic composition.

The dual digital delay lines, the workhorse of the device, deliver variable delay time syncable with your track's tempo, or independently adjusted in milliseconds. Individual stereo panning allows for the creation of complex and expansive soundscapes. The merger option, permitting feedback up to 150%, provides rooms for bolder experimentations.

Desolation Echo 1.5 introduces an innovative wavefold transform grid for sound mangling purposes. This tool, strategically set-center, allows distortion before or after delay, inviting you to interactively draw and redraw signal shapes. The integrated base dial and scatterproof randomization further fuel this sonic reshaping.

To round off the crunchiness of distortion, a dedicated low pass filter is included. This helps to eliminate potentially harsh higher frequencies, tailoring the sound to your desired texture.

Adding another layer of sound design depth, Desolation Echo 1.5 brings modulation options like Ring or Amplitude Modulation to the table. Pair this with the resonant multimode filter, and the sculpting possibilities increase exponentially. A synchronous LFO aptly assists here, assignable to the distortion amount, modulation amount, and filter cutoff, with dedicated Phase controls for more dynamic outcomes.

Unruly signals will be tamed by the brick wall limiter, a thoughtful addition to protect your final output.

The improvements in version 1.5 are also noteworthy. These include productivity-enhancing Tuplet delay time divisions and bipolar millisecond deviations. From a tonal perspective, the new soft-clipping drive on the delay line gives warmer and more organic output. Added operational improvements include better Skew control and enhanced output limiting.

Desolation Echo 1.5 caters to Ableton Push users with its optimized interface and detailed annotations in the Info View, equipping you with the essential know-how to get started quickly. To enjoy this device, ensure Ableton Live Suite 10.1.x or above is running Max 8.1.x on your Mac or PC.

The device comes packed with 16 ready-to-use presets and a concise guide. It's also included in the Ultra Bundle and Max Audio Bundle. Unleash a wave of creative possibilities with Desolation Echo 1.5, available for download [here](https://manifest.audio/allmax/desolation-echo). With it, prepare to dub, deface, and decimate sounds in ways you've only dreamt of.

Example Usage

In this usage example, we will explore how to use Desolation Echo 1.5 to create a dub-inspired sound effect.

  1. Open Ableton Live and create a new audio track.
  2. Drag and drop the Desolation Echo 1.5 device onto the track's device area.
  3. Play a drum loop or any audio clip on the track to work with.
  4. To create a dub delay effect, turn on the 'Link' button in the Delay section. This will link the two digital delay lines together.
  5. Adjust the 'Feedback' knob to increase the number of delay repeats. Experiment with different values to find the desired amount of feedback.
  6. Set the 'Delay Time' to a short value, such as 1/16th note or 1/8th note, to create a rhythmic delay effect. You can adjust this to your preference.
  7. Toggle the sync mode to 'Time' if you want to adjust the delay time in milliseconds manually. This allows more precise control over the delay effect.
  8. Use the wavefold transform grid to add distortion to the delayed sound. You can draw freely on the grid to create different distortion patterns. Experiment with different shapes and movements to achieve the desired effect.
  9. Adjust the 'Base' dial to control how much the distortion affects the delayed sound. A higher value will create a more distorted sound, while a lower value will retain more of the original sound.
  10. Use the low-pass filter to tame the higher frequencies of the distorted sound. Adjust the cutoff frequency to control the amount of high-end filtering.
  11. Experiment with the ring or amplitude modulation options to further shape the sound. These modulations can add interesting movement and texture to the delayed and distorted sound.
  12. Use the LFO to modulate parameters like distortion amount, modulation amount, and filter cutoff. Adjust the speed and phase of the LFO to create dynamic and evolving effects.
  13. Finally, listen to the overall effect and make any further adjustments to the parameters to fine-tune the sound. You can also explore the presets included with the device for instant inspiration.

Remember to experiment and explore different combinations of settings to create unique and exciting dub, deface, and decimate effects using Desolation Echo 1.5.

Usage Example:

In this example, we will use Desolation Echo 1.5 to create a dub-inspired delay effect that adds movement and texture to a vocal sample.

  1. Start by placing Desolation Echo 1.5 on a MIDI track in Ableton Live.
  2. Load a vocal sample onto the same track.
  3. Adjust the Base dial to create a straight line on the wavefold transform grid.
  4. Increase the distortion amount using the dedicated LFO modulation. Assign the LFO to control the distortion amount and adjust the Phase for more dynamic results.
  5. Enable the resonant multimode filter and adjust the cutoff frequency to subtly shape the sound.
  6. Toggle BPM sync mode and set the delay time to a musical division that suits your track. Experiment with different multipliers to create interesting rhythmic patterns.
  7. Increase the feedback amount to extend the delay tails and create lush dub-like textures.
  8. Enable the ring modulation for additional sonic depth. Experiment with different modulation amounts and adjust the cutoff frequency of the filter to find the desired balance.
  9. Use the brick wall limiter to keep the processed sound under control, ensuring it doesn't become too overpowering.
  10. Automate different parameters such as delay time, feedback, and filter cutoff to introduce movement and variation over time.
  11. Fine-tune the settings and experiment further to achieve the desired dub, defacing, and decimating effect on the vocal sample.

By exploring the various features and parameters of Desolation Echo 1.5, you can take your sound manipulation to new creative heights, adding unique textures and character to your audio productions.

Further Thoughts

In this example, we will explore how Desolation Echo 1.5 can be used to create a dub-inspired sound with unique decimation and defacing effects.

  1. Start by loading Desolation Echo 1.5 onto an audio track in Ableton Live.
  2. Adjust the delay lines to run independently and set the feedback to around 50%. This will create a spacious dub delay effect.
  3. Experiment with the delay time settings by switching between BPM Sync and Time mode. In BPM Sync mode, try using a base metrical rate of 8nd and a multiplier value of 1. This will create an interesting rhythmic delay pattern.
  4. Engage the wavefolding distortion to add some grit and crunchiness to the delayed signal. Use the grid to draw freely and mangle the signal to your taste. Adjust the Base dial to create a straight-line distortion pattern or click the dice to randomize the grid values.
  5. Tame the distortion by engaging the dedicated low pass filter. This will remove harsh higher frequencies and give the sound a smoother character.
  6. To further shape the sound, explore the Ring or Amplitude Modulation options. Adjust the modulation amount and experiment with different modulation sources to add movement and complexity to the sound.
  7. Use the resonant multimode filter to sculpt the frequency spectrum. Adjust the cutoff frequency to find the sweet spot that enhances the desired elements of the sound.
  8. Assign the LFO to control the distortion amount, modulation amount, or filter cutoff. Experiment with different LFO waveforms and phase settings to add dynamic variations to the sound.
  9. Finally, if the sound becomes too unruly, activate the optional brick wall limiter to contain any excessive peaks.
  10. To further customize your sound, explore the 16 included presets. These presets offer a starting point for further experimentation and can be a great source of inspiration.

Desolation Echo 1.5 is a powerful Max4Live device that provides a wide range of possibilities for creating unique dub, defaced, and decimated sounds. Experiment, tweak, and let your creativity flow to discover new and exciting sonic territories.

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