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Best Granular Synth & FX plugins that every producer must have
From Output’s Portal to Arturia’s EFX Fragments and Quanta 2, this guide explores the top granular synthesis plugins redefining sound design in 2024.
Granular synthesis represents a powerful tool in the modern producer’s arsenal, enabling the creation of complex, evolving sounds that were previously impossible with traditional synthesis methods. Granular synthesis finds its origins in the 1940s, when physicist Dennis Gabor’s research on acoustics and his “granulation machine” laid the groundwork. The granulation machine could break sound waves into individual particles and alter their duration without changing pitch. Music producers have been using this technique for a long time to create brand-new, one-of-a-kind sounds. As technology advances, the capabilities and interfaces of granular synth and FX plugins continue to evolve, providing innovative approaches and unique features. In this article, we will delve into the top 8 granular synth and FX plugins of 2024.
The Best Granular Plugins of 2024 are:
- Imaginando – FRMS
- Output – Portal
- Arturia- EFX Fragments
- Dawsome- Novum
- Audio Damage- Quanta 2
- SoundMorph- Dust
- SLATE+ASH- Cycles
- Lese- Glow
1. Imaginando – FRMS
FM, Granular & Subtractive synthesis are some of the most powerful methods of creating sounds. Imaginando has combined these three in a single synth plugin, FRMS. It has 3 synth engines and 4 layers per voice that allow for complex sound design options from heavily dense ambient drones, to glitchy mechanical beings. You can granulate either a bunch of samples included within the plugin or even import your own sounds. Once you add in the sounds, you can further customize them using a bunch of parameters provided within. The subtractive and granular synthesis modes feature a multi-mode filter with multiple settings, including low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch. Additionally, these modes incorporate two ADSR envelope generators for shaping sound characteristics over time. To see how powerful FRMS can be, check out this video of transforming the sound of a ruler into a complex bass.
Key Features:
- Hybrid synthesis: Combines subtractive, granular, and FM synthesis in a single instrument.
- Four-layer structure: Features four layers, each operable as either a subtractive or granular synthesizer.
- Extensive waveform library: Includes about 150 waveforms and allows users to import their own audio files.
- Flexible modulation: Each layer has an independent modulation matrix with envelope generators and global LFOs.
- Intuitive interface: Dual editing areas with flexible panel arrangements for straightforward patch creation and editing.
2. Output- Portal
Portal is a granular FX plugin by Output. Portal allows producers to manipulate sound and transform sounds in a very unique way. You can put this plugin after anything including VSTs, drums, Vocals as well as live guitars. It offers a vast library of 250+ presets and advanced modulation options, making it easy to create complex, evolving textures. It also includes features such as Tempo-synced grain delay, Scale-based pitch modulation, and much more. Also, Portal’s latest version 1.2.0 offers Compatibility for M1, M2, and beyond.
Key Features:
- 250+ presets for instant playability
- A circular XY Control linked to granular parameters
- Powerful time manipulation engine with Time Stretch and Pitch Shift capabilities
- Tempo-synced grain delay
- Scale-based pitch modulation
- 7 built-in effects (Bit Reducer, Chorus, Distortion, Filter, Phaser, Reverb, Delay) with additional master compressor and filter
3. Arturia- Efx Fragments
Arturia’s Efx Fragments is also a Fx granular plugin. It allows you to divide, transform, and rebuild any sound. Fragments offer a wide range of modulation options and Instantly elevate any sound with glitchy stutters, grainy ambiance as well as experimental textures. Its key features include Grain capture, Grain release, and Pan & Fx as can be seen in the picture above. The easy-to-use and visually appealing interface makes Efx Fragments one of the best granular plugins of 2024.
Key Features:
- Three Granular Modes: Classic, Texture, and Rhythmic modes for different effects and applications.
- Pitch Quantization: 15 different pitch quantization options for precise control.
- Advanced Controls: Includes controls for grain size, density, and pitch modulation.
- Built-in Effects: Includes distortion, delay, reverb, and resonant filtering.
- Step Sequencer: In Rhythmic mode, allows for step-by-step control of grain playback.
- Envelope Follower: Tracks the amplitude of the input signal and can be used to control various parameters.
4. Dawesome- Novum
Dawesome’s Novum is one of the most recommended granular plugin on this list and the reason is its precision of creative sampling. Novum Create fascinating instruments from a single sample – from delicate pads to massive walls of resonating synths. One of the interesting features that Novum offers is Sound Clay. In this feature it “decompose” a single sample into 6 independent layers, and now you can edit each individual layer. Novum includes its own sound bank, but one can also import any other sample and use Cross-Synthesis feature to transform the sound. There are a lot more you can explore in this granular plugin.
Key Features:
- Timbre Flower: A unique feature that further opens up the timbral and textural world of the sound.
- Sample Import: Supports drag-and-drop sample import.
- Modulation Options: Includes a wide range of modulation options for sound shaping.
- Full MPE Support: Compatible with MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) for advanced control.
- 300 Factory Presets: Includes a variety of presets for different sound design applications.
5. Audio Damage- Quanta 2
Quanta 2 is a powerful granular synthesizer plugin that offers enhanced features, including a refined user interface, expanded modulation capabilities, and a more robust synthesis engine. Preceded by Quanta 1, this version changes a lot including its user interface, it has been cleaned up, modernized, and given panels for clarity and to accommodate new controls. Other new features include new Modulation Assignment, Root Note Detection, Grain Engine, and more.
Key Features:
- Grain Engine: Up to 100 simultaneous grains per voice, of up to 1 second long, with control over grain rate, pitch, direction, shape, length, panning, source position, and level.
- Two Virtual Analog Oscillators: Continuously variable wave shape, with pulse width modulation, and independent control over pitch (separate from grain engine).
- Noise Source: Noise source features a “color” control that affects the tonal characteristics of the noise. Can be injected directly into grain engine.
- Dual Multi-Mode Filters: Filters can be used in serial or parallel modes, and include lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch in 2-pole and 4-pole configurations.
6. SoundMorph- Dust
Dust Is a Binaural Granular Synthesizer. Dust is based on a real-time particle simulation, where each particle is a separate granulating sound source. It real time visualization helps to control the sound more creatively. Some interesting of Dust include 8 particle emitters, Convolution reverb and you can also import any sample to make that sound unique. Dust is also Apple Silicon compatible.
Key Features:
- Built-in Convolution Reverb: A convolution reverb that takes its characteristics from loaded audio files, providing a unique and organic sound.
- Sample Library: Includes a rich and varied sample library with presets from renowned artists such as Richard Devine, Robert Clouth, and Ivo Ivanov.
- Particle Emitters: Up to eight Particle Emitters can be used to generate sound, each with its own granular parameters and motion.
- Flow Field: Particles move within a visualized Flow Field, which can be set to various types such as spirals or gravity wells.
7. SLATE+ASH- Cycles:
Cycles is a Native Instruments Kontakt library. It is a loop manipulation and granular synth. If you are looking for a synth that adds a rhythmic atmosphere and texture to your tracks, Cycles can do that but not only that it can generate sequences with the given root note. Cycles includes about 100 presets which you can randomize to generate a continuous exploration of abstract, melodic and rhythmic ideas.
- Generative Sequencing: Creates complex, non-linear rhythms and patterns.
- Built-in Effects: Includes reverb, space, formants, and delay.
- Sample Import: Allows users to import up to 25 samples and manipulate them using the grain and loops engines.
- Modulation Options: Includes LFOs and modulation routing for dynamic control over parameters.
- Visual Interface: Features a clear overview with necessary controls and dynamic visuals for granular manipulation.
8. Lese- Glow:
This minimal plugin is known as “Glow”. It is the last granular plugin on this list. Glow includes three grain engines, three slots for applying effects after granulation, four highly customizable modulators, and three dimensions of macro control. This enables you to create intricate patches suitable for everything from subtle glitchy background effects to detailed blurred atmospheres. Some interesting features include Fragmentation Engine, Freeze Control, and much more.
Key Features:
- Three Grain Engines: The plugin features three independent grain engines that can be used to deconstruct and manipulate audio.
- Three Effects Slots: There are three slots for applying effects after the granular processing, allowing for further sound shaping.
- Four Customizable Modulators: The plugin includes four highly configurable modulators that can be used to dynamically control various parameters.
- Three Dimensions of Macro Control: Glow provides three macro controls that allow for easy manipulation of multiple parameters simultaneously.
- Powerful Granular Capabilities: The granular engines offer advanced controls over grain size, pitch, position, and other properties to create complex textures
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