Mario Nieto Novagrid -- audio modulator/transformer

[morphex]

I just read an email with information about Mario's next plugin called Novagrid. And it sounds like it's going to be a very fun VST to experiment with. Quoted from the email:

"Novagrid is almost ready. Final polish is underway, and if all goes to plan, it drops in 2–3 weeks.

Novagrid is a multi-lane audio modulation sequencer: feed it audio, then slice, shape, and animate it rhythmically with step sequences, instant movement, grooves, and evolving textures.

It’s the next chapter of my old Max for Live (M4L) concept (still available free on my website): same DNA, pushed much further, more effects, tighter control, smarter random, built to expand over time.

I’ll also include a video showing the original M4L device in action, so you can see where Novagrid started.

More soon with the exact release date + links."

Mario is one of my favorite indie developers, and the Novagrid concept would fit in very well with his other plugins. Keep an eye out for any updates.

[thecontrolcentre]

[whyterabbyt]

I thought the 'next project' was MNodes, hope its not cancelled.

[morelia]

[Choikdoi]

There are a few livestream videos on his YouTube channel with it in use (at different development stages, I think).

[iowastate89]

Site is a down right now, but here's the link:
https://marionietoworld.com/novagrid

[morphex]

I’m hearing that people are really liking this new effect, and it’s certainly fun to use.

[pekbro]

Pretty cool and interesting so far

[MarioNietoWorld]

Yep! Novagrid is now available, my NEW project. It’s a device to modulate and transform any audio signal in real time (super quick to try, and a lot of fun to play with).

If you want to check it out in detail, here’s the page:
https://marionietoworld.com/novagrid/

The price is €19, but here’s an exclusive community coupon for 35% off:
NOVAGRIDFRIENDSDISCOUNT

As always, feel free to make requests or report any bugs that may appear.

[MarioNietoWorld]

I thought the 'next project' was MNodes, hope its not cancelled.

It’s not cancelled, it’s just a big project, and I need a bit more time to get everything working properly and make sure it can scale the way I want.

To be honest, I’ve started rewriting it from scratch again (for the third time ), but this time I’m focusing on building a really solid foundation. So far it’s looking very promising, now it’s just a matter of finishing it up.

As soon as I have something worth showing, I’ll start sharing it live.

[thecontrolcentre]

... and bought (before noticing the discount code ^^)
looks like another winner from MarioNietoWorld.

[enCiphered]

I am testing Novagrid and while working on a sequence for the volume or filter section, I can’t find a way to set it up so that it changes randomly every time the sequence ends and restarts. I can only hit the dice button manually to generate a new sequence. I also noticed that many parameters are unfortunately not automatable and are invisible to the DAW, which is very disappointing.

[MarioNietoWorld]

I am testing Novagrid and while working on a sequence for the volume or filter section, I can’t find a way to set it up so that it changes randomly every time the sequence ends and restarts. I can only hit the dice button manually to generate a new sequence. I also noticed that many parameters are unfortunately not automatable and are invisible to the DAW, which is very disappointing.

About having the sequence change automatically at the end of each cycle: Novagrid doesn’t have that option built in yet. For now, the Dice can be triggered manually or via an external MIDI CC. Still, I’ll try to fit this into a future update.

Regarding DAW automation: the vast majority of Novagrid parameters are automatable. What isn’t exposed to the DAW is Dice itself (and similar trigger-style actions), and that’s intentional: if the DAW treats it as an automatable parameter, each “roll” typically gets recorded as additional project changes (and often ends up in undo/redo and automation write data), creating a lot of “noise” and complicating the workflow.

That said, Dice results are saved internally in Novagrid, just without “polluting” the DAW’s undo/redo list.

In any case, I’ll take another look and see if I can offer a solution that makes sense (for example, an optional mode).

[enCiphered]

Thanks for the clarification, that would be really awesome. Ultimately, that’s what defines generative music and sound design.

The following parameters also don’t seem to be automatable or exposed to the DAW:

-Number of Steps (Filter / Pan)
-Randomly Reorder Sequence

[MarioNietoWorld]

I've reviewed it, from what I see the Number of Steps of the Pan works correctly, the Random Reorder (the button) applies the same logic as the dice, which is why it's not exposed, on purpose. But indeed there is a BUG with the Number of Steps and the filter, when automated, it changes the range instead of the steps. I'll fix it.

Thanks for pointing it out.