GrainHeads by Andrei Nevar is a new sequenceable granular sampler/Synthesizer app for iOS and macOS with eight playheads.
If there were a Synthesizer word of the year, it was certainly “granular” last year. New granular synthesizers are constantly being released, both hardware and software. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Andrei Nevar, a new developer, has released Grainheads, a new granular synthesizer/sampler with some exciting features.
Grainheads By Andrei Nevar
Andrei Nevar’s first app for iOS and macOS is a granular sampler/Synthesizer that uses samples as its sound source. The app name Grainheads consists of two parts: Grain and heads, which are important here because they point to the concept.
The engine’s core consists of a single sample slot. Samples can be imported from your own library in various formats (WAV, AIFF, M4A, MP3, CAF) or sampled live via the microphone.
The key feature of this new app is that you can load up to eight granular playheads onto the loaded sample. That’s the “heads” part of the app name.
Each granular playhead is independent and has its own set of parameters, including the grain position, scatter, grain size, grain rate, grain chance, and pitch with built-in scales (major, minor…) for instant pitch quantization.
Next to this, you have three grain envelope shapes, including Hann, Gaussian, and Trapezoid, each with a distinct characteristic. With a simple on/off toggle, you can also playback grains backwards.
Neat, you can also pan the position of each playhead in the stereo field with random stereo variation via the pan spread parameter. Plus, there is a per-head mult-mode filter with lowpass, bandpass, and highpass controls.
Sequencing & Animation
Thanks to high per-head flexibility, very versatile granular textures can be generated from a single sample. But Andrei Nevar didn’t leave it at that.
One step forward, Grainheads also features a polyrhythmic sequencer with independent lengths per head. The developer uses the Elektron-style parameter lock concept, which allows you to animate parameters: pitch, grain size, position, and chance
A sequencer and granular synthesis aren’t exactly the kind of dream team you’d expect. But don’t be fooled. Since you can animate parameters here, you can introduce exciting rhythmic elements into the textures.
Another key feature of the app is its built-in modulation engine. It houses eight multi-wave LFOs, freely assignable to almost every parameter of the engine. Almost every parameter has an LFO symbol, making mapping super easy.
When the LFOs are too classic, they can also be cross-modulated with other LFOs to achieve more complex, evolving motion. If you need more animation, there is also a 3-finger 2D touch pad to control up to six assignable parameters simultaneously.
Multi-Effects
Grain clouds in Grainheads can be finalized with a re-routable multi-FX processor, and of course, you can also animate them with the eight LFOs. It starts with a noise generator with three types and level control: white, vinyl, and waves.
Then you have a syncable delay processor with send, time, width, and feedback parameters. Yes, all parameters have LFO signs, so you can go wild if you want. The third and last FX is a fully automatable reverb with built-in multimode filtering.
Once you have your granular sounds ready, you can save them for the future into presets in the browser.
First Impression
A major advantage is that the app can be downloaded and tried for free in almost its entire extent. Sample import and audio recording, however, require an in-app purchase to unlock.
After discovering it, I immediately dived into the app. I spent 30 minutes playing and can say: it’s a powerful and fun app. While one sample is somewhat limited, the 8 playheads, each with its own parameter settings and modulation capabilities, make you almost forget about it.
Sequencing parameters also yield interesting results, although I still need to get used to them.
A major drawback of the app, however, is that it’s currently only standalone and not an AUv3 plugin. Hope the developer reads this article and releases AUv3 soon. That would massively increase the app’s value.
All in all, first impression: a very exciting new granular sampler/Synthesizer with a lot of potential to become a highlight. The developer can do a lot to make that happen.
Grainheads by Andrei Nevar is available now as a free download from the App Store. It runs as a standalone app for iOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon). No AUv3 support so far!
You can unlock the full version (Pro) with sample import and sample recording as an in-app purchase for $6,99. It runs as a standalone app for iOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon).
More information here: Andrei Nevar/ App Store
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