Quarantine is an advanced alien sound creator for modern science-fiction sound design, using Audio Reward’s AGRA Engine for granular synthesis and a unique 16-step arpeggiator.
Purpose
Quarantine is a virtual instrument crafted for futuristic sound design, delivering an atmospheric, restless, and unusual palette of sounds created by sound designer Glitchmachines. It is built around Audio Reward’s AGRA Engine (Advanced Grain Recombination Architecture), which offers a distinct method for generating, combining, and manipulating audio.
This instrument focuses on creating alien and otherworldly textures, making it suitable for science-fiction films, games, and experimental music. Its dual source architecture allows blending and manipulating sounds, while independent gates for each voice and Shift Mode controls for pitched overtones provide deep sound shaping possibilities.
Key Capabilities
Quarantine thrives on granular manipulation with controls for Attack, Release, Position, Movement, and Length of individual grains. It features three filters with LFO speed and depth for further tonal sculpting. Four send-level controls, each with five selectable effects, offer flexible routing for adding space and character.
The MIX control acts as a macro knob for quick overall adjustments. A randomization control enables instant variations, and 95 snapshots provide starting points for exploration. These tools make it straightforward to create evolving, complex soundscapes that feel alive and unnatural.
Workflow
At the heart of Quarantine’s workflow is its unique Arp-Seq, a sequencing arpeggiator that assigns a 16-step sequencer to each held note, up to eight notes. Unlike classic arpeggiators that cycle through keys, Arp-Seq plays each held note according to its own step pattern, allowing for intricate rhythmic phrases.
An eight-lane sequencer controls each voice independently, and you can save and load patterns for each gate and sequencer. This design encourages experimentation: hold multiple notes to build polyrhythmic textures, then use the randomization to spark new ideas. Snapshots serve as quick recall for presets you like.
Practical Applications
Quarantine is ideal for scoring science-fiction or horror projects, where alien or disturbed atmospheres are needed. Sound designers can use it to create UI sounds, creature vocals, or ambient drones. Its granular engine also works for generating impact textures or evolving pads that shift unpredictably.
In music production, the Arp-Seq adds rhythmic complexity to synth leads or basslines, while the filters and sends allow integration into a mix. Because it supports up to eight notes with independent sequencing, you can layer tones to build dense, harmonic content. It is a specialized tool for those seeking non-traditional sounds.
Key features
- Incredible selection of source sounds designed for futuristic sound design
- Advanced granular manipulation engine with deep control
- Dual source architecture for blending and manipulating sounds
- Independent gates for each voice
- Shift Mode controls for adding pitched overtones
- 4 send-level controls with 5 selectable effects per send
- Unique 8 lane sequencer to sequence each held note independently
Best for
Creating alien sound effects, sci-fi ambiences, and experimental textures in film, game audio, and electronic music, especially when you need evolving granular sounds with rhythmic sequencing.