Coalescence, an ingenious Max For Live instrument developed by Dillon Bastan, is an innovative multisampler that repositions sampling within the realm of advanced sound design. Bundling the power of a SOM (Self-Organizing Map) neural network with cutting-edge concatenative sampling methods, this dynamic instrument moulds sound into a malleable resource ready to reshape your musical landscapes.
At its core, Coalescence utilises a neural network to group similar sample slices into clusters based on spectral features defined by the user. This amalgamation of similar sounds provides a substantial asset for musicians, enabling an enriched sonic texture and an expanded palette of creative possibilities. The neural network itself is a visual feat, providing an interactive 2D circle wherein your samples are organized. Though intimidating for some, the potential of this machine-learning core extends beyond the capabilities of a traditional sampler, launching Coalescence into its distinct category of advanced sound manipulation.
Unleashing the creative possibilities of this multisampler are three distinct playback modes: Point, Rings, and Paths. Point, closest to the traditional sampler, allows artists to select a single sample slice point for playback. Rings, on the other hand, create circular ranges that break the sonic spectrum into sectors, ideal for creating drum kits or any sample slicing. Lastly, Paths mode glides or jumps through the sample slices, allowing the creation of dynamic sequences and movements.
Unlike traditional samplers, Coalescence embraces an open mindset towards source material by providing an external audio input feature. This opens the gateway for a plethora of dynamic modulations and gives the user control over audio slices playing based on their similarity to the input at any moment. This unique feature adds an interactive touch and invites a new level of experimentation to the user's sound-design journey.
Beyond these features, Coalescence boasts an impressive modulation system. Equipped with two LFO's with Perlin noise options, two envelopes, an external audio input's envelope follower and pitch detector, among others, it gives you versatile modulation sources to explore and experiment with. Further, each modulation source has two mappable destinations, giving you even more control over the sound manipulation process.
However, while Coalescence offers incredible capabilities, it is crucial to acknowledge its limitations. It handles up to 2000 samples simultaneously, but may struggle with large or lengthy samples. Similarly, while its neural network efficiently analyses and trains samples, it can only accommodate 2500 slots for holding sample slices. Nevertheless, the ability to save the current state of the Nerual network in the device itself or the preset eases this process considerably, allowing instant load times for large setups.
In conclusion, Coalescence, from its innovative playback modes to SOM neural network, shakes up the traditional concept of a sampler. By combining machine learning and advanced concatenative methods, it gives the user unprecedented power over their samples, heralding a new era of sound design. Evidently, this robust tool is a must-have for anyone looking to dip their toes into the limitless realm of modern sound design.
Interested in exploring the sonic universe with Coalescence? Get your copy of this innovative Max for Live instrument from Isotonik Studios: https://isotonikstudios.com/product/coalescence-by-dillon-bastan/.
Example Usage
The beauty of Coalescence lies in its ability to put the power of machine learning and advanced sampling techniques right at your fingertips in Ableton Live. Here's a simple usage example to kickstart your exploration of Coalescence's potent capabilities.
First, load Coalescence by dragging and dropping it onto a MIDI track. Its sleek, intuitive interface will immediately appear, ready to receive your creative inputs.
Now, let's get some samples into Coalescence. Remember, you can drop multiple samples, whether individual or folders, up to a limit of 2000. For starters, stick to a handful of one-shot drum samples. Drag and drop your selected samples into the corresponding area on Coalescence's interface.
Pay attention to the Neural Network area – this is what sets Coalescence apart. It organizes your samples based on a selected spectral feature, with options such as Chroma, Mel, Bark, and Speech. Each has its unique flavor, so feel free to experiment. For this example, select 'Mel' to cluster your samples based on intensities from low to high frequencies.
Moving on to the playback modes – this is where you begin to shape the sound. Coalescence offers: Point, Rings, and Paths. Point functions close to a classic sampler; Rings are great for drum kits, while Paths are perfect for creating sequences. Choose the 'Rings' mode for your drum samples, triggering a random sample within its circular range.
Combining these unique attributes, play a MIDI sequence, listen to the output, and tweak parameters like pitch and volume to your liking. Notice how Coalescence transforms the drum samples into a unique rhythmic texture.
Next, experiment with the external audio input routing. Route a separate audio track through Coalescence and use the input transient detector to trigger sample voices. Play around with this feature to explore a whole world of pseudo-style-transfer effects and more.
Lastly, make the most of the modulation system. Map the LFOs and envelopes to different parameters, such as the pitch and volume of the samples.
Learning to navigate Coalescence is like acquiring a new instrument. As you familiarize yourself with its many features, you'll uncover a universe of sonic possibilities beyond standard sampling. Step into the world of intelligent, responsive sampling that bonds man, machine, and music in an exhilarating blend with Coalescence.
Creating a Dynamic Percussive Instrument with Coalescence
In this example, we will convert a collection of one-shot drum samples into a dynamic percussive instrument by utilising the Rings and Point playback modes of Coalescence.
Let's begin creating our unique instrument:
Start by feeding Coalescence with your favourite drum-kit samples. The device supports up to 2000 samples, but for this demonstration, use a more modest number, about 50 to 100 one-shot drum samples.
Experiment by including a variety of kicks, snares, hats, and percussive effects. When the samples are dropped, they will be analyzed and organized in the machine learning algorithm's 2D circle, forming various clusters based on spectral characteristics of the samples.
Once your samples are loaded, explore the spectral features and select 'Chroma' for sorting the samples based on their tonality. This way the samples will organise in a chromatic manner providing interesting harmonic content in playback.
Now, let's configure the playback mode. For this illustration, I will start with 'Rings'. In this mode, MIDI pitches trigger circular ranges, also referred to as 'Rings'. So, each time a 'Ring' is triggered, it plays a random sample within its range. Choose the size and quantity of the 'Rings' that suit your aesthetic vision. For automatic 'Ring' creation, explore the Auto Ring creation option.
Now playing random MIDI notes should trigger different samples within the created ‘Rings’. For engaging tonal loops, connect a MIDI controller and improvise.
Once familiar with the 'Rings', try using the 'Point' mode. Play with different single sample slice points to identify sound characters and signatures that you like. The 'Point' mode simulates a classic sampler experience where MIDI repitches the playback, providing a more focussed, less random playback option.
Experiment with dropping the envelope follower and pitch detector on modulation targets. Use the LFOs to modulate parameters like pitch and volume to create movement and add additional interest to the playback.
Swing the Per-voice filter options from simple biquad filter modes to vowel and formant filter modes to further shape and colour the samples.
With Coalescence, you build an unpredictable and dynamic drum instrument that is not only just fun to play, but can provide a complex and artistic percussive rhythm to your electronic music compositions.
Remember, Coalescence is a versatile instrument and its potential is not limited to percussions. It can be equally exciting when used with tonal samples or even ambient soundscapes. The more you interact with Coalescence, the more you unravel its potential.
Further Thoughts
Using Coalescence in an Ableton Live Session: Exploring the Possibilities
Let's begin by focusing on the heart of Coalescence: its neural network that organizes sound into a visual, accessible map. This map allows you not only to grasp the rich texture of your sound sample, but also offers the flexibility of three playback modes: Point, Rings, and Paths. Furthermore, the integrated transient selector ensures you can adjust settings to pinpoint exactly how you want your audio segments to shape the overall soundscape.
Imaginatively, you could feed Coalescence with a folder of your favorite drum sounds wherein the spectral features of each sample will be analyzed and organized, forming a tonal palette on a 2D visual circle. Using the Ring playback mode, you will be able to assign different MIDI notes to trigger rings within this circle, therefore activating random samples from each assigned ring, giving birth to an ever-evolving drum sequence.
Simultaneously, you could use the Paths mode for melodic elements. Import a series of one-shot synth sounds, assign each to a specific path, then glide or jump through the samples creating an instant multi-timbral synth. The paths are triggered by MIDI pitch giving you the ability to sequence rhythmic steps or even arpeggiate the path to create an evolving texture.
But what truly propels Coalescence into a league of its own, is its ability to work in real-time with external audio input. This feature allows for dynamic modulation and manipulation of the chosen samples. Use a live bassline or vocal recording to effectively 'mimic' the tonal properties of your imported samples, providing an extraordinary way to blend musical elements together.
The sample selection can be controlled by the similarity of the spectral content of the external audio to the samples in your library. Have an acoustic guitar play a pattern and let Coalescence choose the most similar samples to play back. The result: a sonic hybrid where the acoustic guitar will define the electronic sound selection.
Finally, a robust modulation system further empowers expressive control. With options such as LFOs, envelopes, random spray values and standard MIDI sources, you can create captivating variations over time, ensuring your musical performance never stays static. Add the pitch detection and envelope follower assigned to your live input, and the modulation possibilities are multiplied.
As capping touches, Coalescence also includes a phase vocoder playback mode for time-stretching effects and a selection of versatile filter modes, allowing for even finer shaping of your sound. Be it a simple biquad filter or a more nuanced vowel or formant filter, you can give your output a final touch of colour that suits your creative vision.
In summary, Coalescence helps you create a para-digital dialogue between acoustic sound and electronic manipulation, between randomness and control, and, ultimately, between predictability and surprise. By converging the worlds of sampling and AI, Dillon Bastan's Coalescence provides creators a unique tool that defies traditional sampling parameters and advances the art of sound design.