Outer: Discover the World of Chaotic Synthesis
In the realm of digital audio, where conventional synthesis methods reign, there’s often a yearning for something fundamentally different. Something unpredictable, alive, organic, and constantly evolving. This is where Outer steps in – an intriguing VST plugin from Xoxos that offers a unique approach to sound creation, based on the principles of chaos theory and “strange attractors.” It’s not just another synthesizer; it’s an experimental platform that opens the door to uncharted sonic landscapes.
Outer was one of the first Xoxos developments to explore the potential of chaotic systems in audio synthesis. Despite the emergence of later plugins that expanded upon this idea, Outer has retained its originality and unique timbral qualities. It’s ideal for musicians, sound designers, and experimenters who want to go beyond standard sound design and find truly original textures and timbres.
The Heart of the Plugin: Coupled Oscillators and Chaos
At the core of Outer’s sound generation lie three oscillators. But their operation differs from traditional synthesizers. These oscillators are “coupled,” meaning that their behavior is interdependent. The output voltage of one oscillator can affect the frequency, phase, or amplitude of another, creating a complex dynamic system. This interaction alone can generate interesting and non-linear patterns.
However, the true magic of Outer is revealed through the application of chaos principles. The term “chaos” in mathematics and physics describes the behavior of deterministic systems that are extremely sensitive to initial conditions. Even a microscopic change can lead to a drastically different outcome over time. “Strange attractors” are geometric objects in the phase space of such systems, towards which the system tends but never reaches a stable state. The movement along the attractor never repeats exactly, but remains within certain structures. In synthesis, this means that the waveform is never perfectly periodic, but has a certain “organic” structure, leading to richer, livelier, and less static timbres.
Architecture and Timbre Control
Signals from the three coupled oscillators are summed. Each oscillator has individual level control, allowing you to mix their contributions to the overall sound. The summed signal then passes through a multi-mode filter. The type of filtering (e.g., low-pass, high-pass, band-pass) can significantly affect the timbre.
But the key feature of Outer, which implements chaotic behavior, lies in the feedback. The output of the multi-mode filter doesn’t just go to the plugin’s output, but is also used to modulate the phase of each of the three oscillators. This feedback creates a non-linear system whose behavior can exhibit signs of chaos and form “strange attractors.” Phase modulation is a powerful tool that can radically change the waveform, creating complex harmonic structures and unpredictable sound fluctuations.
Modulation Capabilities and LFOs
For further dynamic development of the sound, Outer is equipped with two LFOs (low-frequency oscillators). These LFOs are not standard. They offer a vast collection of sixty different contours (waveforms) to choose from. Among these contours are not only the usual sine, triangle, or sawtooth waves, but also specially designed shapes that imitate or utilize the principles of “strange attractors.”
Using LFOs with such complex and irregular waveforms to modulate the parameters of the synthesizer (e.g., oscillator frequencies, filter cutoff frequencies, levels) allows for the creation of extremely complex, organic, and constantly changing modulation patterns. This can lead to the appearance of “breathing” textures, sounds that slowly evolve in an unpredictable way, or rhythmic patterns that never repeat exactly.
Who Is Outer For?
Outer is not a tool for those seeking classic synthesizer sounds or simple presets. It’s for those who are ready to explore. It’s ideal for:
- Sound designers creating sounds for film, games, or audio installations where unique, atmospheric, and unusual textures are needed.
- Musicians in experimental genres looking for new sources of inspiration and tools to create an original sound canvas.
- Electronic music producers who want to add elements of unpredictability, organicness, and complexity to their tracks.
- Anyone interested in alternative synthesis methods and who wants to understand how the principles of chaos can be applied in sound creation.
Although Outer was the first Xoxos platform to explore these ideas, its unique architecture and feature set give it its own character. It can generate sounds ranging from delicate, ringing metallic timbres and shimmering textures to dense, turbulent, and chaotic sound streams. Each movement of the controller can open a completely new dimension of sound, making Outer a tool for constant discoveries.
Conclusion
The Outer plugin from Xoxos is a prime example of how mathematical and physical concepts can inspire the creation of unique musical instruments. The use of coupled oscillators, feedback, and chaotic attractors in LFOs makes it a powerful tool for generating sounds that are both unpredictable, yet have an internal structure and organicness. If you’re tired of standard timbres and looking for a way to add an element of mystery, living movement, and true originality to your music or sound design, be sure to try Outer. Immerse yourself in the world of chaos and discover new sonic horizons!
