Impactor

Description

Impactor is a procedural impact synthesizer built around phase accuracy, additive synthesis and dynamic stereo generation. Every part of the engine was designed to give you complete control over how an impact evolves in time, in phase and in space, while remaining fast, predictable and musical.

Every hit is generated analytically with deterministic phase control. The waveform is fully defined before playback, the tail phase can be locked with sample accuracy, and every impact remains perfectly repeatable. Once your kick is aligned with your bass, the sustain will never drift out of phase, regardless of how the pitch envelope is shaped.

At the heart of Impactor is an additive oscillator capable of generating rich harmonic spectra with up to twelve band-limited harmonics and continuously variable inharmonicity, ranging from classic analog shapes to metallic and bell-like textures.

The stereo image is generated directly by the synthesis itself. Every harmonic carries its own quadrature phase offset, making it possible to create an exceptionally wide stereo field while remaining fully mono compatible. The fundamental can remain perfectly centered while only the upper harmonics spread across the stereo image. Because stereo width is envelope-controlled, the spatial character of the sound can evolve throughout the hit! for example, keeping the transient focused before opening into a wide stereo sustain.

Every synthesis modifier has its own dedicated envelope. Rather than simply automating parameters, the oscillator itself continuously changes shape during the lifetime of each hit, producing an exceptionally organic and lively evolution that would be impossible with a static waveform.

The pitch engine was designed specifically for aggressive electronic percussion, inspired by the fast, punchy response of the Make Noise Maths. Combined with the phase-driven synthesis engine, it delivers sharp impacts without compromising the stability of the sustain.

The reverb introduces a different approach to spatial processing. Inspired by the legendary Bricasti M7, its feedback delay network is combined with transient separation. The attack remains completely dry while only the body of the sound feeds the reverb, preserving punch and clarity while allowing the sustain to bloom naturally.

Noise is treated as an integral part of the synthesis engine rather than an additional layer. Analog, digital and stereo noise generators can be blended directly into the sound or routed as phase FM, adding natural texture, depth and acoustic complexity.

A second oscillator expands the synthesis engine with vibrato, harmonic FM and audio-rate stereo modulation, while Patch Mode allows Velocity and Random to be routed freely to almost any parameter using a simple drag-and-drop workflow. Every modulation destination receives its own independent random source, allowing controlled variation without sacrificing repeatability.

Impactor is the result of years of research into kick synthesis, transient design and procedural sound generation. Every feature exists for one purpose: giving you complete control over the shape, movement, stereo image and phase of every impact.

Features:

- Additive synthesis engine with up to 12 bandlimited harmonics and continuous inharmonicity, from saw-like to metallic, bell-like spectra

- Analytic phase-driven core: every hit repeatable down to the sample, with full phase control over the tail for tight kick and bass alignment

- Pitch envelope shaped for a sharp, cutting impact, inspired by the Make Noise Maths response

- Eight independent envelopes: pitch, amplitude, and one bipolar Curve per modifier, each on its own timing

- Quadrature stereo Width baked into the synthesis itself, with independent control over the fundamental to keep the low end centered

- Transient-split FDN reverb: the Curve decides what feeds the reverb and what stays dry, so the body rings out without smearing the attack

- Analog, digital, and stereo noise, blendable or routed as FM onto the oscillator's phase for an acoustic character

- Second oscillator for vibrato, FM at note ratio, or audio-rate stereo modulation of the Width

- Patch mode: route Velocity and Random to any parameter by dragging a cable, with an independent random source per parameter

- Central visualizer showing the exact waveform before you play, with on-screen control of the amplitude envelope and tail phase

Compatible with Ableton Live 11 and Live 12 with Max for Live. Runs on Push 3 Standalone.

Feel free to reach out with any questions, feedback, or ideas.

I'll be happy to hear from you.

Contact: [email protected]