Igor Vasiliev has released NoInputMixer, a new iOS and macOS (Apple Silicon) app that explores the wild and fascinating world of hardware feedback.
Musicians are constantly looking for new sounds. They are experimenting with new tools like synths or effects and or new signal routings. In this never-ending process, it was also discovered that you could make sounds without a signal from an instrument. This with feedbacks from a simple audio mixer.
The technique is called no-input mixer and is used a lot in experimental music. I first experienced it in the musical concept at a performance by the musician Simon Grab. With a large mixing console he generates bombastic drones that are fully controllable. I have linked a video from Zurich Modular 2019 below. Igor Vasiliev, best-known for its experimental apps, brings this fascinating technique to iOS and macOS.
No-Input Mixing
As a historical reference: the no-input mixing technique was developed by japanese experimental composer Toshimaru Nakamura who started experimenting with plugging board outputs into inputs resulting in feedback loops. And with the right mixing, you can tune and play them like an instrument.
The technique is not that simple. The sounds that come out of the mixer are often unpredictable and instable. Therefore the same rule applies as with any instrument: practice, practice, practice, and discover what is possible with the technique.
NoInputMixer App
NoInputMixer is the new app from Igor Vasiliev, known for his Synthscaper, Fieldscaper, and many other experimental apps. It’s new app captures this technique by modeling an analog mixing console and effects racks in detail. A good decision to incorporate effects right in the apps so you can create a wider range of sounds and FX.
It consists of a seven-channel mixer and an effects rack with eight slots. Each effect slot can be an insert FX for a mixer channel or work with two send/return buses. Effects has an option for hi-res or lo-fi sound processing
Then, each mixer channel hosts an own algorithmic generator of different types of noise mixeable in the feedback signal. You can also use it standalone. NoInputmixer has input selector switches between multiple points in the signal paths for making different types of feedback loops. You can also swith it to an external input for any channel to use it as an effect processor.
If you use a hardware mixer, you are limited to the internal features. Most of them are very simple. Igor Vasiliev’s emulation offers here more. You get preamp tube types and modes, different op-amp types, or even adjust the overload protection circuit.
The user interface can be presented in the form of a classic mixer, or in the form of complete control of a single channel, says Igor.
AUv3 Plugin
It’s not a classic sound generator or Synthesizer. If you’re looking for synthwave patches, you’ve come to the wrong place. Here you find unsettling soundscapes, sci-fi timbres, strnage noises, disrupted signals, buzzing drones, glitch elements, and more.
NoInputMixer is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). Support for Inter App Audio (IAA), Audiobus, Ableton Link, and AUv3 is also onboard. There is also full MIDI with MIDI CC support.
Simon Grab Interview
In 2019, I interviewed Simon Grab after his performance at Zurich Modular. He explained me his loves for feedback music and his hardware setup.
First Impression
No input mixing is a fascinating sound design technique. I’m happy to see that Igor has now brought this experimental technique to iOS and macOS without depending on a mixer. If you use the app on your iPhone, you even have it in your pocket. Great release.
NoInputMixer by Igor Vasiliev is available now for $15,99. The purchase includes both the iOS and macOS (Apple Silicon) version with the AUv3 plugin.
More information here: AppStore
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