Explore New Sonic Horizons with GRANCH by Quilcom
GRANCH is a unique VST plugin for Windows from developer Quilcom, offering a fresh take on modulation effects. Instead of traditional methods, it uses a granular approach, creating sounds that are radically different from ordinary chorus. If you’re looking for a tool to add originality and character to your tracks, experimenting with sound design, or creating electronic music, GRANCH can be a valuable addition to your arsenal. It allows you to achieve both delicate textural effects and extremely dirty and chaotic sounds, opening up unique creative possibilities.
Granular Chorus: The Principle and Features of GRANCH
Unlike the classic chorus, which uses modulated delays, GRANCH works with 8 short fragments of the input sound – grains. The key innovation lies in the ability to adjust the “spread” of the playback speeds of these grains. This means that each grain can be played back at a slightly different speed, generating a multi-layered, textured sound. This approach allows you to create effects reminiscent of shimmering, graininess, crystallization, or even controlled sonic chaos, providing a unique “digital” texture. This makes GRANCH ideal for creating non-standard modulation effects and soundscapes.
Key Features and Parameters
GRANCH provides intuitive controls for shaping the sound:
- Grain playback speed spread: The heart of the effect. Control the deviation of grain speeds to get a wide range of textures – from delicate modulation to extreme granular effects.
- Stereo width: Expand the sound image of the effect in the stereo space for greater volume.
- Feedback: Add a portion of the output signal back to amplify the effect, add resonance, or create feedback chaos.
- Effect levels: Adjust the ratio of the processed signal to the original (Dry/Wet) and the overall volume of the effect.
- Linear interpolation: Option available through the plugin’s help (click on the GRANCH logo). Affects the nature of the transition between grains, changing the smoothness or discreteness of the sound.
Sound and Creative Experiments
As the developer himself notes, the sound of GRANCH can be “really dirty” at more extreme settings. This is not a plugin for imitating a classic chorus (although slight thickening is possible), but a tool for creating unique sounds. It is perfect for adding unpredictability to synthesizer parts, creating atmospheric textures, processing vocals to get non-standard effects, or transforming any sound source into something completely new.
GRANCH encourages experimentation. Don’t be afraid to turn the knobs to the maximum – it is there that the most interesting and original sounds are often hidden. This plugin is an ideal choice for musicians and sound designers who are looking for tools to go beyond the standards and create a truly unique sonic signature.
Quilcom GRANCH is a free VST plugin for Windows that offers a fascinating look at modulation through the prism of granular synthesis. Try it and discover new dimensions of sound transformations!
