Giorgio Sancristoforo Homework is a new tape-style standalone experimental workstation software featuring modular synths and effects.
When you hear the word “software” in the music world, you immediately think of VST plugins. But with Giorgio Sancristoforo, it’s different. The developer consistently takes a different approach, releasing his tools as standalone applications.
His goal is to achieve a DAW-less workflow on the computer. After a long break, Giorgio Sancristoforo has done his homework and released a new exciting sound tool.
Giorgio Sancristoforo Homework
Yes, it’s called Homework and is again a standalone software. Giorgio Sancristoforo describes Homework as an experimental modulator workstation or environment comprising a 4-track tape-style recorder and two modular synthesizers.
Let’s start this time where the signal chain actually ends, in the recorder. Here, it’s a four-track Portastudio-like cassette recorder with a built-in multi-FX processor. The two modular synthesizers are integrated right into it with patch sockets.
Patching is the point. The Portastudio-like recorder is designed like an old-school 5U modular instrument, where you can virtually patch the individual processors.
Alongside patch matrices for the modular synths, it includes a granular processor, a tape echo, tube saturation, a reverb, a mixer, and the tape recording section with dedicated tape controls. Each module-like section has its own inputs and outputs.
The granular processor is the only FX that also has CV inputs. On the right side, you also have dedicated VU meters for each track and classic transport controls.
2 Legendary Modular Synths
The sound at its heart consists of two integrated modular synthesizers heavily inspired by vintage classics.
The Eye Of Horus is a west-coast modular Synthesizer that takes inspiration from Don Buchla’s 200 synthesizers. According to Giorgio Sancristoforo, the first synth of Homework is modeled after the West Coast paradigm.
It includes 10 modules, including two Tropical Additive Synthesis Oscillators, a hybrid Putney filter, a Triple Variable State BP Filter, a Tropical Shaper, a Comparator, and a double sequencer and clock.
These modules are designed for wild, evolving, organic, and warm sounds. Anyone looking for Buchla-style bongos or complex sounds, then this is the right place.
Further, the second synth is somewhat more traditional and less experimental. Well, it can be if you want. Sonda is a modular Synthesizer designed for drones and modeled on the legendary ARP 2500.
Giorgio dedicates this instrument to the French composer and synthesist Eliane Radigue, who popularized it.
Sonda features five multi-waveform oscillators, two multimode state-variable filters/resonators, two modulators/amplifiers, one 24 dB LPF, a 7-channel mixer, and a special, very low triple low-frequency oscillator (LFO). Indeed, no envelopes were needed for heavy drones.
Both synthesizers can easily be routed to the tape recorder and effects. You don’t need to do much because, as already mentioned, they are fully integrated.
First Impression
I find what Giorgio Sancristoforo does very inspiring and unique. This is also true of his Homework.
Even though we’ve seen all the elements before in other software products, such as plugins, everything comes together to form a very inviting and good-sounding package.
And I also don’t think the concept of offering it standalone is bad, because it really doesn’t distract you. It’s lets you dive into it without thinking of DAW tools.
Giorgio Sancristoforo Homework is available now for 25€. It runs as a standalone application on macOS (Intel and native Apple Silicon). Windows support is coming soon. It’s not a plugin!
More information here: Giorgio Sancristoforo
I would LOVE that on IOS!!