Manifest Audio's Sonification Tools v3 lets real data shape music in a DAW. The set brings Data Synth, Data Path, and Data FX to macOS, Windows, and Linux, with AU, VST3, and CLAP support. Its past Max for Live release made the MIDI Innovation Awards finals. This is its first move into other major DAWs.
Here's the neat part. Each plug-in can pull fresh data from within the DAW. Feeds cover the weather, seas, space, wildlife, money, and green trends. Users can feed in photos, text, video, sound, sheets, typed values, or shapes drawn by hand.
Beyond those feeds, 47 math methods can turn raw values into waves, note patterns, and ways to alter sound. There is a lot to play with here, and the tools can use both real-world data and pure math.
Data Synth packs 16 voices with MPE support. Four oscillators read from four slots of data. Each can make a full wave cycle or use a bank of partial tones. The synth has cross-mod options as well. Those values can even drive four LFOs and its poly note sequencer.
Data FX gives sound makers four main slots and seven ways to process audio. The choices cover convolution, grain effects, multi-tap delay, tuned resonators, spectral filters, spectral morphing, and wavefold drive.
In practice, values can set the pitch of a resonator bank, change grain spread, pick delay taps, or form a filter mask. Another four global effect slots add more options, while live data can steer effect settings.
Data Path takes a different route. It reads values and makes MIDI notes in sync with the DAW. Pitch, velocity, note span, hit chance, and rhythm can all change. Euclidean beats and count-based patterns are supported. It can play up to eight poly voices, use Scala tuning with MPE, and send OSC or MIDI CC.
Data Map stays in Ableton Live. It can make or alter MIDI and audio with a range of custom methods. But it needs the Live 12 Suite beta, with build 12.4.15 beta as the minimum.
Then there is Data Tap Pro for iPhone. It sends sensor signals via OSC to the synth and MIDI tools. Motion, touch, proximity, mic input, camera feeds, hand poses, face tracking, depth, and GPS all work. A free tier has fewer features, while buyers of the full pack get Pro access.
For access, all three main plug-ins work with screen readers. Each has a free demo mode as well. The set comes with VST wrappers for Max for Live, Push 3 Standalone devices, and a modulator. That last tool lets OSC signals change any Live parameter.
The full bundle has a launch price of $169. Each plug-in can be bought on its own at a sale rate, and v2 users have an upgrade deal.
As for system needs, Macs must run macOS 11 at minimum. PCs need Windows 10 or later. Linux calls for a 64-bit x86 setup with glibc 2.35 or higher, while the iPhone app needs at least iOS 15.
Here's the neat part. Each plug-in can pull fresh data from within the DAW. Feeds cover the weather, seas, space, wildlife, money, and green trends. Users can feed in photos, text, video, sound, sheets, typed values, or shapes drawn by hand.
Beyond those feeds, 47 math methods can turn raw values into waves, note patterns, and ways to alter sound. There is a lot to play with here, and the tools can use both real-world data and pure math.
Data Synth packs 16 voices with MPE support. Four oscillators read from four slots of data. Each can make a full wave cycle or use a bank of partial tones. The synth has cross-mod options as well. Those values can even drive four LFOs and its poly note sequencer.
Data FX gives sound makers four main slots and seven ways to process audio. The choices cover convolution, grain effects, multi-tap delay, tuned resonators, spectral filters, spectral morphing, and wavefold drive.
In practice, values can set the pitch of a resonator bank, change grain spread, pick delay taps, or form a filter mask. Another four global effect slots add more options, while live data can steer effect settings.
Data Path takes a different route. It reads values and makes MIDI notes in sync with the DAW. Pitch, velocity, note span, hit chance, and rhythm can all change. Euclidean beats and count-based patterns are supported. It can play up to eight poly voices, use Scala tuning with MPE, and send OSC or MIDI CC.
Data Map stays in Ableton Live. It can make or alter MIDI and audio with a range of custom methods. But it needs the Live 12 Suite beta, with build 12.4.15 beta as the minimum.
Then there is Data Tap Pro for iPhone. It sends sensor signals via OSC to the synth and MIDI tools. Motion, touch, proximity, mic input, camera feeds, hand poses, face tracking, depth, and GPS all work. A free tier has fewer features, while buyers of the full pack get Pro access.
For access, all three main plug-ins work with screen readers. Each has a free demo mode as well. The set comes with VST wrappers for Max for Live, Push 3 Standalone devices, and a modulator. That last tool lets OSC signals change any Live parameter.
The full bundle has a launch price of $169. Each plug-in can be bought on its own at a sale rate, and v2 users have an upgrade deal.
As for system needs, Macs must run macOS 11 at minimum. PCs need Windows 10 or later. Linux calls for a 64-bit x86 setup with glibc 2.35 or higher, while the iPhone app needs at least iOS 15.
