Plucked!
For when you cannot afford a string instrument
Plucked! is a software synthesizer that employs physical modeling synthesis to emulate the sound of real-world sound-producing objects, such as a plucked string. It is based on the Karplus-Strong algorithm, a mathematical model specifically designed to simulate the behavior of plucked strings. This synthesis method uses mathematical formulas to replicate the physical properties of sound generation, resulting in highly realistic and dynamic timbres.
Overview
Plucked! is designed to create lifelike plucked string sounds, such as those produced by guitars, harps, or other stringed instruments. By leveraging the Karplus-Strong algorithm, it generates sound by simulating the vibrations of a string, including the initial pluck, the decay of the sound, and the tonal characteristics of the string. The synthesizer is particularly notable for its ability to produce organic and expressive sounds, making it a popular choice for electronic music production and sound design.
Features
Plucked! features several features that allow users to shape and customize the sound:
- Decay Knob: Controls the decay time of the plucked sound. Turning the knob to the right increases the duration of the sound, while turning it to the left shortens it.
- Color Knob: Adjusts the tone of the plucked sound, ranging from dark (left) to bright (right). This parameter affects the harmonic content of the sound.
- Normalize: Ensures that the decay time remains consistent across all semitones. When disabled, higher notes tend to have a shorter decay time.
- Gate: Determines how the sound behaves when a note is released. When enabled, the sound stops abruptly; when disabled, the sound continues to decay naturally.
- Widen: Enhances the stereo panorama of the sound, creating a richer and more immersive listening experience.
Notes & Tips
- Pitch Bends: Plucked! does not support pitch bends, as the Karplus-Strong algorithm is optimized for fixed-pitch plucked string sounds.
- Piano Roll Integration: The piano roll allows for per-voice adjustments to the decay and color parameters. While slides can be used to modify the decay in real time, the color parameter is only applied at the moment the note is triggered and does not change dynamically during playback.