Meet Boids: Granular Synthesis and Unpredictable Delays in One Plugin
As a musician and a connoisseur of original sound instruments, I’m always looking for something that can add uniqueness to my tracks. And the Boids plugin from ToneCarver is just such a find. It not only combines granular synthesis and delay effects, but does so in a completely innovative way, using the concept of “Boids flocking” to modulate parameters. This opens the door to creating textures that live their own lives.
What is a “Boid” and how does it work in audio?
Imagine a small virtual flock (that’s what “Boid” means – from “bird-oid object” or an object similar to a bird), which moves according to certain rules: avoids collisions, strives to the center of the flock, and tries to move in the same direction as its neighbors. ToneCarver has adapted this concept of visual motion modeling to control audio parameters. In the Boids plugin, this “flock” is visualized in 2D space, and its movement modulates key parameters of granular synthesis and delay, such as grain size, density, delay time, and feedback. This is not just randomness, but controlled chaos, which adds unpredictability to the sound, but with a certain order.
Hybrid Nature of the Plugin
Boids is exactly a hybrid. It is not purely a granular synthesizer or just a delay effect. Its strength is in their synergistic combination:
- Granular Synthesis: The plugin allows you to take small “grains” from the input audio signal and manipulate them. Regular granular processing often involves static or LFO-modulated parameters. In Boids, the movement of the flock gives this processing nonlinear, “organic” dynamics. You can literally “see” how the movement of virtual “birds” affects the creation and processing of grains, shaping unique textures and glitches.
- Delay: The delay effect is also modulated by the behavior of the flock. This is not just a static delay. The movement of the Boids creates subtle, constantly changing variations in delay time, repeat volume, or feedback. It’s perfect for creating atmospheric, ambient textures that don’t repeat exactly and sound very lively.
Why use Boids?
This plugin is designed for musicians who are looking for tools that go beyond the ordinary and offer new ways of sound design:
- Visual Control: The ability to “see” the modulation of parameters through the movement of the flock can be very intuitive and opens up new ways to interact with sound. Watching the “birds” can be inspiring.
- Unpredictable, but Controlled Variations: The movement of Boids is not completely random, it is subject to rules. The modulation is complex and nonlinear, but at the same time has a certain “organicity”, unlike pure randomness. This allows you to create ambient landscapes or interesting rhythmic textures that are constantly evolving.
- Atmospheric Textures and Ambient: The combination of granular synthesis and modulated delay makes Boids ideal for creating dense, moving atmospheres, backgrounds, and ambient soundscapes.
- Original Sound: The Boids-based modulation method is quite unique, allowing you to create truly original and distinctive sounds from standard effects. This is your secret ingredient for a unique sound.
Technical Details and Compatibility
The Boids plugin is available in VST format for the Windows operating system (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported). This means you can use it in most popular DAWs that support VST plugins on Windows.
ToneCarver Boids is not just another granular processor or delay effect. It is a tool that invites you to experiment with visually-driven modulation, creating living, unpredictable, but controlled sound textures. If you love delving into creating unique ambient sounds and are not afraid of unconventional approaches, Boids is worth your attention. It will prove that mathematical models of movement can be an inspiration for real sound art.
