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358 Chapter 24 Sculpture
Sculpture goes far beyond the mere creation of an infinite number of base timbres,
however. One of the key differences between Sculpture’s String and a traditional
synthesizer’s waveform is that the base timbre (provided by the String) is in a constant
state of flux.
By this, we mean that if Sculpture’s String is still vibrating for a specific note,
retriggering that same note will interact with the ongoing vibration. This is not
dissimilar to the effect of repeated plucking of a guitar string, where the string is still
vibrating when the next note is played. This will alter the harmonic spectrum each
time—which is why acoustic guitars sound organic when a note is played repeatedly,
and sampled guitars don’t.
As you can see, this is quite different to other synthesis methods where the base timbre
(waveform), even if modulated, does not harmonically interact when retriggered. What
usually happens in traditional synthesizers is that the waveform is restarted—from mid
cycle, or from the beginning—with the result being an increase in volume, or a slight
cyclical wave shift.
Beyond this aspect of base timbre control and interaction, Sculpture also provides you
with the means to model (emulate) a number of other properties of acoustic
instruments. Among these, you’ll be able to emulate a bow dragging across a string, a
piano hammer strike, or even dropping a coin onto the bridge of a guitar.
There would be no point in bowing or plucking a string, however, if you didn’t have a
neck or a body to your violin, cello or guitar. You’d probably want some way to change
the tension of the strings, or try steel, rather than nylon or catgut. In other words, to
control the physical properties of the string, and its excitation.
All of this is possible with Sculpture.
It is an instrument that will require some investment of your time, but it will reward you
with beautifully warm organic sounds, evolving soundscapes or a harsh and metallic
“Hell’s Bells” patch—if you’re after that sort of thing.
Think of it as your own personal sound design and sculpting toolkit.