Igor Vasiliev ExoSphere is a new, fascinating, multi-layer drifting granular ambient generator app and AUv3 plugin for iOS and macOS.
The iOS world has defined my life as a musician for many years. Apps from my studio and live setup are indispensable. Apps that break away from the classic sound framework (vintage emulations, etc.), like those by Igor Vasiliev, inspire me the most because they offer something fascinatingly new.
This year is all about granular synths, and Igor Vasiliev is jumping on that bandwagon, too. However, it’s not the traditional 100x granular synth, but it’s own take. Igor Vasiliev has today released ExoSphere, an endless, drifting ambient generator.
Igor Vasiliev ExoSphere
ExoSphere is a multi-layer generator designed for crafting continuous ambient and meditative compositions. Like most Igor Vasiliev apps, ExoSphere works standalone and as an AUv3 plugin on iOS and on Apple Silicon-based macOS systems.
According to Igor, it provides an effortless way to create a foundation for ambient tracks or even a complete background piece with minimal adjustments.
Moreover, it’s designed with slow, rhythmic structures in mind and is especially suited for meditative music and calm soundscapes. That sounds like you can get quick, satisfying results from it.
At its core is a multi-layered granular engine designed with slow, rhythmic structures in mind. Each of the five layers (Core, Flow, Grain, Shard, and Glow) is independent, sample-based, and contributes a distinct dimension to the evolving sonic environment.
How Igor Vasiliev describes the layers:
- Core – Deep, evolving drones that anchor the listener with resonant low frequencies, creating a grounding presence in the body.
- Flow – A layer reminiscent of an instrument, voice, or choir that forms the harmonic foundation of the composition. Gentle shifts its color and pitch, creating a subtle drifting detune that feels fluid and alive.
- Grain – Layers of stretched environmental fragments – whispers of wind, water, and space – that envelop the listener in a textured, atmospheric sense of place.
- Shard – Fleeting melodic fragments that surface and dissolve unpredictably, like echoes of imagined songs, sparking shifting associations and evoking transient images.
- Glow – High, sparkling tones that flicker like light on water, bringing brightness, clarity, and a gentle radiance to the soundscape.
Fully Customizability
Each layer in Igor Vasiliev Exosphere is sample-based. The app ships with a ready-to-use built-in library of samples for instant fun. Alternatively, it allows you to load your own samples into any of the five layers, giving you complete freedom to define the sonic palette. That’s a very welcome feature.
The core is sample-based; however, each layer is more than just classic sample playback. Each layer uses granular synthesis and processes the source sample through its own unique chain of effects and modulation. This gives you a distinct sound per layer.
The five layers merge seamlessly into a living, not-static, evolving ambient texture and composition thanks to the engine. You get continuously shifting atmospheres suitable for many music production use cases.
Alongside various in-depth parameters and modulation for each layer, there is also a built-in 8-step sequencer that adds tonal variation and movement to your compositions.
For those who find the number of tweakable options too overwhelming at first, there is also an advanced randomizer that gives you a new variation with a few touches/clicks.
AUv3 support is provided, allowing the app to be used as a plugin or with multiple instances. Additionally, it supports Inter-App Audio, Audiobus, and Ableton Link.
First Impression
I’m a big fan of Igor Vasiliev’s apps and use them in every live setup. Just this past November, I had Fieldscaper and NoiseSpace in a live performance setup. ExoSphere looks very promising and inspiring.
It’s great to see that Igor Vasiliev now also has a granular app on the market, and that could be a nice conclusion to an intensive year focused on granular products. Or will we see even more granular synths/samplers/processors this year?
Igor Vasiliev ExoSphere is available now for an introductory price of $9,99, down from the regular price of $14,99. This offer ends December 9th, 2025. It runs as a standalone and AUv3 plugin on iOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon only).
More information here: Apple App Store
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