Concussor 1.0, developed by phasorspace, is a revolutionary drum synthesis instrument device for Ableton Live and Max4Live users. Combining two separate tone generators, this tool can emulate classic drum machine sounds and generate unique percussive sounds by applying filters and decimation to noise.
One of the many strengths of Concussor 1.0 is its simplicity and intuitiveness, making it an excellent tool for both novices and seasoned professionals alike. With an easy-to-use interface, the instrument facilitates the swift crafting of a whole range of drum sounds. This includes bass drum, snare drum, claps, hi-hats, and toms, among others which you can easily generate with a simple click.
The first tone generator in Concussor 1.0 is versatile and dynamic, producing a plethora of blips and 808-like sounds—it serves as the backbone of your drum sound. The second tone generator incorporates filtered noise to create percussive tail sounds, adding an extra layer of gritty character and allowing you to create hybrid sounds that straddle between acoustic and electronic. Combined, these tools provide an ample means for creating a diverse range of punchy, unique drum sounds.
Aside from the intriguing sound-shaping possibilities it offers, the Concussor 1.0 is designed to work seamlessly with Live 11.3.22 and Max 8.6.2. Although it has not been updated since its release on June 5, 2024, from a functionality standpoint, it has all the essentials covered and absolutely delivers on its promises, rendering it an integral part of any electronic music creator's suite of tools. It's a commercial device, meaning it's not a free offering, but given the unique sounds it can produce, it's well worth the investment.
Phasorspace's Concussor 1.0 serves a distinct niche in music production. Its strong focus on producing drum sounds that stand out can add an extra touch of originality to your tracks that most standard audio plug-ins probably won't provide. To explore more about this terrific tool, check out Concussor 1.0 on the creator's Gumroad page or visit Max4Live's official website.
To conclude, if you want an instrument device that will supplement your DAW and open up a whole new realm of percussive sound design capabilities, the Concussor 1.0 is a strong contender. Its blend of classic drum machine emulation and innovative percussive noise tail crafting can undoubtedly elevate your productions to new levels of sonic richness.
Example Usage
Imagine you're crafting a drum part for your latest EDM track. You open up Ableton Live, ready to dive in, and you decide to experiment with the Concussor 1.0 – a Max4Live device by phasorspace that promises to breathe new life into your percussive arsenal.
You start by dragging the Concussor 1.0 from the browser into a MIDI track. The interface pops up with its clean and intuitively laid-out controls. Intrigued by the promise of quickly generated unique sounds, you click the randomize button and immediately get a snappy and textured kick drum. You tap out a straightforward four-on-the-floor beat on your MIDI controller, instantly laying the foundation for your track.
With the kick pattern in place, you duplicate the MIDI track and initialize a new patch on the duplicated instance of Concussor for a snare. You adjust the tone generator to lean more into a higher pitch and tweak the noise filter for a crispier tail, creating a sharp, impactful snare that cuts through the mix.
You decide to complement this with hi-hats. In a fresh instance of Concussor, you play with the decay settings and use a high-pass filter on the noise generator, which gives you that classic, sizzling hi-hat sound. You program a simple off-beat pattern which adds a rhythmically hypnotic element to your drum groove.
Excited by the results thus far, you then go for a clap sound. After some adjustments to the tone generators to layer the blips differently and a bit of reverb to give it space, you have a bespoke clap sound that provides the perfect accent on the second and fourth beats.
Finally, you crave a bit of low-end tom for a percussive fill. You select a lower pitch for the first tone generator and elongate the decay for both generators, yielding a beefy tom which you can now sequence into a satisfying fill leading into your track's drop.
In just a few minutes, using the intuitive controls of Concussor 1.0, you’ve laid out a complete, unique drum track that carries your signature sound. The ease with which you can manipulate and layer the tone generators proves essential in finding those punchy, distinctive sounds that make your track stand out. With Concussor, your exploration into drum synthesis not only becomes easier but a lot more fun.
Exploring the Dual-Generator Powerhouse: Amalgamating Blips and Noise with Concussor 1.0
Intermediate Level: Crafting a Customized Electro Snare Drum
Let's dive into the capabilities of Concussor 1.0 to create a unique electro snare drum that can be utilized in any contemporary production seeking a blend of classic and avant-garde sound design.
- Start by loading Concussor 1.0 onto a new MIDI track within your Ableton Live session. Familiarize yourself with the intuitive interface that Concussor offers.
- To begin with, we'll focus on the first tone generator. At this point, we want to carve out a sharp attack for our snare drum. Set the envelope with a quick decay, ensuring the initial 'blip' is tight and punchy. This adds the necessary bite which is the hallmark of a great electro snare.
- Next, we’ll fine-tune the pitch of this attack. Varied electro snares often live in the higher pitch realm. Adjust the pitch to somewhere around 200 Hz, but don't hesitate to experiment to find the sweet spot for your track.
- Moving onto the second tone generator, this is where we introduce character and body to our snare sound. We’ll be utilizing the noise generator, which contributes a textured, percussive tail.
- Apply a bandpass filter within this generator to cut through extraneous low and high frequencies, focusing on the midrange that gives a snare its signature presence. A centered frequency between 1 kHz to 2.5 kHz is a good starting point.
- Implement the envelope of the second generator with a slightly longer decay than the first to allow the noise tail to extend just beyond the initial attack, creating a full-bodied snap.
- To add more punch, dial in some drive or saturation. You’ll find that even a small amount can significantly bolster the perceived power of your snail.
- Now, to glue these two generators together, play with the balance between them. You might want to have the first generator more prominent to emphasize the attack, or perhaps bring the second generator forward for a beefier tail.
- Once you have achieved a pleasing balance, use the ‘Random’ feature judiciously to inject slight variations into subsequent hits, adding a lifelike dynamism to your snare pattern.
- Finish off by routing the output of Concussor 1.0 through some choice effects. A light touch of reverb can place the snare in a virtual space, while a dash of compression will ensure it cuts consistently through your mix.
- Remember to save your preset within Concussor. Doing so allows you to revisit and further tweak your electro snare or to serve as a starting point for other drum synthesis explorations.
By approaching Concussor 1.0 with intention and creativity, you can manipulate its dual-generator design to sculpt a distinctive electro snare drum that reflects both technical control and sonic imagination, advancing your productions with innovative percussive elements.
Further Thoughts
Imagine you're crafting a driving techno track in Ableton Live, and you want your drums to cut through the mix with precision and uniqueness—something that sets your sound apart. That’s where the power of Concussor 1.0 by phasorspace comes into play. In this synthesis-driven journey, we'll explore crafting each individual drum component with Concussor to breathe life into your rhythmic section.
Firstly, load up Concussor on a new MIDI track. Let's say we're starting with the kick. Navigate to the first tone generator: this will be the body of your kick. By tuning the pitch and decay parameters, you can dial in the fundamental tone that resonates with the track's key and desired energy. Nudge the drive just a touch to give it that warm analog feel.
Now, switch over to the second tone generator. Here's where you add the character — the percussive "tail" of your kick. The interplay between the filtered noise and the decay will give your kick that modern texture, crucial for a signature sound. Use the decimation to add a touch of grit, which is fantastic for darker, warehouse-style techno kicks.
Next, we'll create a snare. Duplicate your Concussor instance to maintain the same sound palette. Tweak the first generator's pitch higher, and shorten the decay for a more tight, snappy snare. Then, manipulate the second generator's parameters to sculpt a noisy, high-frequency decay that mimics the sound of the snare wires. A bit of drive here and a pinch of cut-off frequency there, and you have a snarry attack that will stand out in your mix.
For hi-hats, we’ll start anew with another instance of Concussor. Fine-tune the first generator to a high pitch with a very short decay—think electronic blips. Balance it with the second generator by setting a high-pass filter and a short decay on the noise. This creates a sharp, crisp closed hi-hat. To create an open hi-hat, simply extend the decay on the second generator, and you have a perfect pair. Modulate the pitch slightly for every hit to give it a more organic feel.
Now, it's time to sequence these elements. Using Ableton Live’s MIDI editor, draw in your compelling techno rhythms. Employ velocity variations and subtle timing shifts (groove) to inject life into the pattern. Don’t forget to sidechain your kick to the bassline to ensure it pulses and breathes with the rest of the track.
With Concussor, the strength lies in layering and subtly processing these sounds. Create a bus specific for your drum synthesis, adding a touch of reverb for space, a dash of saturation for warmth, and mid/side EQing to ensure the kick punches centrally while high-frequency elements like hi-hats maintain stereo presence.
Remember, every parameter adjustment on Concussor can yield incredibly varied results, so don’t hesitate to automate parameters like pitch decay and filters over time to create dynamic changes in your drum parts, reflecting the ebb and flow of your composition.
The real magic of this drum synthesis device is that each alteration keeps you on your toes, injecting a thrill of sonic exploration that is as unpredictable as it is inspiring. With the Concussors' ability to splice tones and noise in such a nuanced way, your techno track will certainly captivate with its rhythmic originality and front-running sound design—all without leaving the innovative environment of Ableton Live.