Computers are – it’s true, ones and zeros. But they can be idiosyncratic. “Software rot” and an aging computer can throw up all kinds of anomalies.
Ever got a new piece of software and then proceeded to try and ‘break it?’ Me too!
In fact, trying to get a plugin to deviate from its programmed purpose is one of my favourite side-lines of exploration!
The Chip Butty sample pack due for release this year. Was manufactured entirely by making the Decimort bit destructor plugin by D16, ‘free-run’ after providing an inputted MIDI signal. The results were unexpected!
It’s been my experience that only a few plugins will yield to ‘alternative’ use. Without going behind the scenes – as it were, and changing the code.
The Quadravox plugin by Eventide Audio is another. A bit of tinkering and it too will ‘free-run’ all by itself. If you know of anymore drop us a line!
You only then need to play around with its interface to achieve all kinds of unusual sonics.
Antiquated computers
One of the pleasures often stated by users of say the TR-808 is its natural “swing.” Indeed this is a quality cited on old computers like the Atari 1040ST. This is because older computers didn’t possess such accurate processors as newer ones.
Room in the beat
Many musicians – I’m one of them, like a bit of ‘room in the beat.’ This is kind of a hard to define quality. But nonetheless, a heard characteristic on many records. The rhythm is not overly syncopated. There’s a naturalness to the feel of the beat – a groove.
So, what has all this to do with glitching and the workings of a plugin?
Well, it kind of amounts to the same thing.
Computers that have been “worn in” tend to develop unique characteristics. And put side by side even with the same software installed will behave slightly – perhaps noticeably differently.
To summarise and to quote Hans Zimmer. Your computer becomes an instrument in its own right. You don't have limit it to just something you record and mix down on.
So if you want a bit of added ‘something’. Try an old computer model which you could get pretty cheaply just to experiment sonically with.