Kaivo

Hybrid synthesizer

Kaivo is a software instrument combining two powerful synthesis techniques (physical modeling and granular synthesis) in an easy-to-use semi-modular package.

It’s laid out a bit like an acoustic instrument; the GRANULATOR module acts like the player’s touch, exciting one or more tuned objects (here, the RESONATOR module, based on physical models of resonant objects) that come together in a central resonating body (the BODY module, also physics-based).

This allows for a natural (or uncanny) sense of space, pleasing interactions between voices, and a ton of expressive potential — all traits in short supply in digital synthesis. The acoustic comparison begins to pale when you realize that your “touch” is really a granular sample player with scads of options, and that the physical properties of the resonating modules are widely variable, and in real time.