Seurat is a granular synthesizer for film scoring and sound design, built on Audio Reward’s AGRA engine. It features two voices, extensive grain controls, and a library of unusual string instrument recordings for creating unique textures and atmospheres.
Purpose and Core Concept
Seurat is designed for movie scoring and sound design, offering an unconventional collection of sounds. It is the first instrument to use Audio Reward’s AGRA engine, a highly customizable granular synthesis architecture. The engine powers two complementary voices, allowing you to blend and layer different granular textures.
The instrument focuses on transforming source recordings of prepared and modified string instruments into new, often unexpected sonic material. Rather than simply playing back samples, Seurat deconstructs them into grains and reassembles them in real time. This approach is suited for creating evolving pads, rhythmic textures, and abstract soundscapes that add depth and character to a composition.
Granular Synthesis Capabilities
Seurat provides standard granular controls such as grain size, frequency, attack, release, and sample position. Beyond these, it includes additional parameters for grain gain, position variation, the space between grains, and spatial symmetry. These extended controls allow for intricate manipulation of the audio flow, producing distinctive and often unique results.
The symmetry and spacing parameters are particularly interesting, as they can create shifting patterns and mirrored effects. Grain position variation adds movement and instability, while grain gain enables dynamic shaping of individual grains. Together, these controls offer a wide palette for sound design, from subtle shimmering textures to more aggressive, glitchy effects.
Sound Library and Instruments
Seurat includes a substantial collection of samples and sound sources, grouped into folders for easy access. The library features recordings from a variety of string instruments, each prepared with unconventional materials to alter their natural timbre. Included are violin, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, piano, mandolin, and ukulele.
The violin samples include techniques like a mesh fabric fastened to the bow for a gritty sound, felt fabric near the bridge for a muted tone, and attaching metal objects to the strings. Guitar sources feature homemade soft picks, felt muting, moving pluck positions, and techniques like “ghost guitar” and “volumation”. These unconventional methods yield a rich variety of textures, from dark and gritty to soft and ethereal.
Workflow and Practical Applications
In a typical workflow, you would select a sound source from the library, then use the granular controls to shape it into the desired texture. The two voices allow for layering different sources or processing the same source with different grain settings. Snapshots provide starting points for exploration, and the organized folders make it easy to find specific instrument types or articulations.
Seurat is well-suited for film scoring, particularly for creating tension, atmosphere, or transitional material. Its ability to stretch and manipulate samples makes it useful for generating long, evolving drones or rhythmic pulses. Sound designers can employ it for unique foley effects, horror textures, or sci-fi ambiences. The unconventional sound sources ensure that even simple manipulations yield distinctive results that stand out in a mix.
Key features
- Two complementary granular voices powered by the AGRA engine
- Granular controls for size, frequency, attack, release, and position
- Additional parameters for grain gain, position variation, spacing, and symmetry
- Library of prepared string instruments including violin, guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, and ukulele
- Snapshots grouped for easy access and quick exploration
- Designed for movie scoring and sound design
Best for
Seurat is best for composers and sound designers needing unconventional, granular textures for film scores, game audio, or experimental music. It excels at creating evolving pads, disturbing drones, and abstract rhythms from prepared string instrument recordings, offering a unique palette that goes beyond typical synthesizers.