> Step by step

1. Granular loops as an alternative to wavetables

1

Create a MIDI track containing a Simpler, followed by a Tuner. Set the playback mode to Classic and confirm that Warping is turned off. Then add a sample. Electricity.wav (in Tutorial Files) is useful, since it’s long and offers timbral complexity, but drum and percussion loops are also excellent.

2

Now, create a granular loop of a very tiny slice of the sample’s waveform. Do this by turning Loop mode on and Snap off. Snap is useful for finding zero crossing points, but in this case, we just need a ‘grain’. Set the sample Length to 0.10% and you’ll hear a pitched buzzing tone.

3

To ensure that our granular instrument is in key with the composition, you’ll need to tune Simpler to match the loop length. The tuning will vary based on the original sample duration and loop length. Adjust it with the Transpose and Detune parameters, using the Tuner as a reference.

4

With your instrument in tune, you’re ready to sweep the grains. Changing the start point of the sample will scan the loop through it, creating an effect similar to wavetable synthesis. If you make changes to the loop length, you’ll need to adjust Simpler’s tuning accordingly.

5

After looping, tuning, and scanning very small grains of audio, you can further adjust the timbre of the sound with the Fade and Loop parameters. Fade adds crossfade looping to the grain and doesn’t affect the tuning, while Loop adjusts the loop point in relationship to the sample length, creating pitch shifts.

6

The most distinctive granular effects come from modulating these parameters in real-time. Simpler doesn’t offer direct LFO or envelope control of them, but right-clicking and selecting

Group creates an Instrument Rack. Assign Macros to Start and Fade then automate them within a clip.