Getting to grips with granular
Since granular synthesis involves manipulating grains of sound, it can theoretically be accomplished using any synthesis technique, as long as the grain durations are sufficiently short (under 50 milliseconds). That said, the majority of mainstream granular synthesisers are based on the processing of fragments of audio data, so the best way to get started is with a samplebased instrument.
In our first four tutorials, we’ll focus on Ableton Simpler and some of Live’s integrated MIDI and Audio Effect devices, many of which are available in the entry-level Live Intro. So even if you’re just getting started with Live, you’re covered.
As the extreme diversity of granular softsynths illustrates, there are quite a few ways to approach granular synthesis. Some artists gravitate toward the technique of breaking up audio into complicated ‘clouds’ of particles. Others prefer looping and scanning those grains into evolving, sustained tones that offer timbral complexity along the lines of wavetable synthesis. The most intrepid granular explorers opt for hybrid techniques that include aspects of both. By combining Simpler’s sampling features with the layering possibilities of Instrument Racks, it’s possible to integrate these two techniques into a single preset.
Before you begin, it’s worth taking a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the features and interfaces of the following Ableton Live Devices: Simpler, Instrument Racks, Arpeggiator and Tuner. If you’re a Live Suite user, be sure to download the Max for Live Essentials pack, as it contains several tools that greatly expand your sound design options.