Preparation 2

Preparation 2 puts you in a virtual world of augmented strings, constructed with our latest physical modelling techniques. Two strings collide with a rattle and a dynamic fret, their reactions delivering a rich palette of acoustic timbres. The acoustic model's properties are tailored by you, generating a depth of sounds from unique instruments to experimental soundscapes.

Strings and Objects

Every time you play a new note, Preparation 2 generates a new model with a pair of virtual strings. Each string can also be made to behave as a long bar, and its output can be panned and changed in level. The strings can both collide with a fret and/or rattle, if activated.

A frame with two holes that the strings travel through, the Rattle reacts to strings colliding with it, making a chain reaction of chaotic sound. A Fret can be placed on the opposite side of the string to the rattle, and its properties determine the likelihood of the string colliding with it. With a small-enough gap between the fret and the string, the fret can mute harmonics when placed at certain positions, or can act solely as a colliding element. The fret and rattle's position and some properties can be changed and modulated various by two LFOs, velocity and keyboard (note).

You can alter each string or bar's Sustain and Tone to affect how their sound rings out, and increase Inharmonicity to make the tone of a string less in tune with itself. String 1 can have its Nonlinearity changed for a more chaotic sound, and String 2 can be Tuned to relate to its partner in semitones (+/- 12) and cents.

Choice of Impulse

Excite the model using plucks, bows or audio sidechain input.

The Pluck module lets you choose the (excitation) Force Position and Mic Position along the virtual strings, changing the character of the sound in the same way as microphone position or pick position on a string instrument. The movement of a Bow across a string causes friction that acts to transfer energy, driving the string into vibration. When this is simulated in Preparation 2, control is given over the (bow) Force Position and Mic Position. Friction is set using its own control, or MIDI Pitchbend wheel, allowing for expressive performance.

An impossibility in the real world, Preparation 2 can route a sidechain audio signal (via the host DAW) as an input to the string models. MIDI notes are used to 'gate' the input sound, which directly vibrates the strings (of the note played) and in turn the objects attached to them. The result is a resonant system that's directly attached to whatever you choose to feed it with.

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