Tracktion Dawesome Novum is a unique and powerful granular synthesizer plugin that pushes the boundaries of sound design. At its heart, Novum utilizes an innovative spectral import system to deconstruct audio samples into six distinct layers, each representing different sonic elements of the source material. These layers are then processed through a granular synthesis engine, allowing for intricate manipulation and recombination of sound. The plugin features a visually striking and intuitive user interface, making complex sound sculpting accessible to both novice and experienced sound designers. With over 300 factory presets, MPE compatibility, and extensive modulation options, Novum offers an expansive playground for creating evolving textures, atmospheric pads, and otherworldly soundscapes. The ability to import custom samples and mix layers between presets further expands its creative potential, making it a versatile tool for electronic music producers, film composers, and sound designers alike.
Pros:
• Innovative spectral import system for deconstructing and layering samples
• Intuitive and visually appealing user interface
• Extensive modulation options with drawable LFOs and MPE support
• Ability to create complex, evolving textures and unique soundscapes
• CPU-efficient despite its complex processing capabilities
Cons:
• Steep learning curve for fully utilizing its advanced features
• Resulting sounds can sometimes have a characteristically granular, diffuse quality
Novum’s core functionality revolves around its spectral import system, which analyzes and separates imported audio into six distinct layers. This process goes beyond simple frequency band separation, employing detection algorithms to isolate various sonic elements such as fundamental tones, textures, and transients. Each layer can be manipulated independently or in tandem, offering unprecedented control over the source material.
The granular synthesis engine is applied to all layers simultaneously, with the option to decouple controls for individual layer processing. This allows for intricate sound design possibilities, such as having one layer play back at a different speed or with unique granular settings compared to the others. The granular engine provides control over parameters like grain size, density, and playback position, enabling users to create anything from smooth, evolving textures to glitchy, fragmented sounds.
Novum’s modulation system is particularly robust, offering up to 14 additional modulation sources. These include drawable LFOs, randomizers, ADSR envelopes, and MPE controls. The modulation routing is intuitive, with a simple drag-and-drop interface for assigning sources to parameters. The drawable LFOs, while not as precise as traditional MSEGs (Multi-Segment Envelope Generators), offer a unique approach to creating organic and unpredictable modulation shapes.
The plugin includes a comprehensive effects section, allowing for further sound shaping and processing. While the specific effects are not detailed in the provided information, it’s likely to include standard options such as filters, delays, reverbs, and distortion units. These effects can be crucial in transforming the raw granular sounds into polished, production-ready patches.
Novum’s preset management system is particularly noteworthy. With over 300 factory presets, it provides a solid foundation for exploration. More importantly, the ability to mix and match layers between presets allows for hybrid sound creation, vastly expanding the plugin’s sonic palette. This feature, combined with the option to import custom samples, ensures that Novum can continually offer fresh and unique sounds.
The user interface deserves special mention. Described as colorful and creative, it manages to present complex information and controls in an accessible manner. The visual feedback, particularly in the form of waveform displays and modulation indicators, helps users understand and interact with the granular processes occurring under the hood.
While granular synthesis is not a new concept in the world of audio plugins, Novum sets itself apart with its spectral import and layering system. Compared to more traditional granular synthesizers like Audio Damage’s Quanta, Novum offers a more structured approach to sample deconstruction and layering. This can lead to more predictable and controllable results, especially when working with complex source material. In terms of sound design capabilities and interface design, Novum shares some similarities with Spectrasonics Omnisphere. Both plugins offer deep sound manipulation options and a visually appealing interface. However, Novum’s focus on granular synthesis and spectral layering gives it a unique character and workflow that sets it apart from Omnisphere’s more traditional synthesis approaches. When compared to other Dawesome products like Abyss, Novum represents a significant increase in complexity and depth. While Abyss is praised for its simplicity and immediacy, Novum offers a much deeper sound design experience, requiring more time and experimentation to fully exploit its capabilities.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking new and unique textures
• Film and game composers creating atmospheric and evolving soundscapes
• Electronic music producers looking for innovative ways to manipulate samples
• Experimental musicians exploring the boundaries of granular synthesis
• Creators of ambient and drone music
Tracktion Dawesome Novum stands out as a powerful and innovative tool in the world of software synthesizers. Its unique approach to sample analysis and granular synthesis opens up new possibilities for sound design that go beyond traditional synthesis methods. The plugin’s ability to deconstruct and recombine audio in novel ways makes it an invaluable tool for creating evolving textures, atmospheric pads, and otherworldly soundscapes. While . The extensive modulation options and effects processing capabilities ensure that sounds can be shaped and manipulated in countless ways, providing endless creative possibilities. The plugin’s strengths lie in its ability to create complex, evolving sounds and its potential for breathing new life into existing samples. However, users should be aware that the resulting sounds often carry the characteristic diffuse quality associated with granular synthesis, which may not be suitable for all musical contexts. Novum is particularly well-suited for electronic music producers, film and game composers, and sound designers who are looking to push the boundaries of their sonic palette. Its ability to create unique, evolving textures makes it an excellent choice for ambient, experimental, and soundtrack work. While it may not be the go-to tool for creating traditional, realistic instrument emulations, its strength lies in its capacity to generate sounds that are truly unique and impossible to achieve with conventional synthesis methods.