Explore New Sound Worlds with Xoxos Universe
In the world of digital sound synthesis, there are numerous approaches to creating timbres – from classic additive or subtractive synthesis to more complex methods such as granular or wavetable. However, some instruments offer truly unique perspectives, allowing musicians and sound designers to delve deeper into the very structure of sound. One such extraordinary instrument is the Universe synthesizer from the developer Xoxos.
Universe is a spectral synthesizer that draws inspiration from the concept of cepstral resynthesis. This approach focuses on working with sound in the spectral domain, that is, it analyzes and manipulates the individual frequency components that make up a complex timbre.
Spectral Synthesis and Cepstral Inspiration
Traditional synthesis often deals with concepts such as oscillators (sound sources) and filters (timbre shapers). Spectral synthesis allows direct influence on the harmonic content of the sound, its noise components, and their evolution in time. This opens the door to creating very dynamic and detailed timbres.
The concept of cepstral resynthesis, which lies at the heart of Universe, stems from the idea of separating a sound signal into two main components: the “source” (e.g., vocal cord vibration or bow) and “resonances” (the characteristics of the filtering medium, such as the vocal tract or the instrument’s body). This separation takes place in the spectral domain, allowing access to these components separately.
Universe’s Unique Approach: Synthesis through Contours
Where Universe truly differs from traditional implementations of cepstral analysis or resynthesis is in its method of sound creation. Instead of analyzing an existing audio sample to extract source and resonance components, Universe synthesizes these components from scratch using special “contours.”
These contours allow the user to directly shape four key data arrays in the spectral domain:
- Source Magnitude: Determines the loudness or intensity of the source components.
- Source Frequency: Controls the frequency characteristics of the source.
- Source Phase: Affects the phase relationships of the source components, which can influence the sense of space and attack.
- Resonance Magnitude: Shapes the amplitude characteristics of the resonance components, essentially acting as a spectral filter or resonator.
By controlling these contours, the musician gains unprecedented control over the finest details of the timbre. It’s not just changing the volume or filtering; it’s direct modeling of the spectral behavior of the sound.
Opportunities for Sound Design
This approach opens up vast possibilities for experimental sound design. Forget about standard waveforms or simple filters. With Universe, you can create:
- Timbres that evolve smoothly and unpredictably over time.
- Unusual textures that are impossible to obtain with other synthesis methods.
- Sounds with separated characteristics of “body” and “breath,” or “string” and “resonator.”
- Atmospheric landscapes and drones with a multi-layered spectral structure.
Xoxos Universe is not a synthesizer for quickly obtaining standard piano or bass sounds. It is a tool for those who are ready to delve into the exploration of the spectral nature of sound and create something truly original.
Compatibility and Technical Details
The provided information indicates that Xoxos Universe is available in VST format and designed for Windows operating systems (specifically, Win32). This means that you will need a host program (DAW) that supports VST plugins on the Windows platform to use it.
Given its unique specialization, Universe will be a valuable addition to the arsenal of a sound designer who is looking for tools to create unusual, complex, and deeply controlled timbres, working directly with the sound spectrum.
