The sheer range of distinct textures that can be created with this plugin is nothing short of astounding. The modulation matrix on this processor is both detailed and fun to use. There are many plugins out there in the marketplace that provide some form of granular re-synthesis but, for me, the ability to have it as a bespoke effects processor is what attracted me to Soundtoys Crystallizer and it is this plugin that I am using for this specific tutorial.īilled as a ‘granular echo synthesizer’ Crystallizer uses the famous Eventide H3000 ‘Crystal Echoes’ and ‘Reverse Shift’ algorithms to create a wide variety of sonic textures based on granular re-synthesis principles. However, some granular processes will house even more detailed control and can come supplied with time-stretching tools, gating, and ducking. All the major parameters can be manipulated: speed, pitch, direction (forward and reverse) and slice density.

The process is quite simple: incoming audio is spliced into grains (slices) which can then be processed independently of each other. Granular synthesis is a method by which sounds are broken into tiny segments (grains/slices) which are then redistributed and reorganised to form other sounds. However, let us get our heads around how granular synthesis works before we jump in and get creative. This form of synthesis is now available in effects processors and it is this area we are going to explore in detail. Granular synthesis is a powerful time-based process that allows sound designers to create incredible textures using an existing sound. Soundtoys Crystallizer- using Granular Synthesis on Vocals video tutorial explores the workings of granular synthesis and how to apply it to vocals to create amazing textures.

Soundtoys chorus