Sentient Synthesizer vs Sightlines

The controller with the eyes represents the neural network’s learning system. When the eyes are open, the system learns; when they are closed, learning is disabled. A long tap toggles learning on or off. Dragging vertically changes the learning rate, while dragging horizontally controls how strongly the winning neuron influences its neighbors. This influence is shown by the number of open eyes and the width of the pupils. While learning, the neural network visibly `swells`. When a new sound is analyzed, the neuron that best matches it updates its internal representation and `swells` more than the others. Nearby neurons also update, but less strongly, forming a smooth sound space inside the network. Two grids represent the two `hemispheres` of the neural network. Each cell corresponds to a neuron. Tapping a cell selects the neuron whose waveform will be used. An orange dot marks the selected neuron, and the curve above it shows the fragment of waveform stored by that neuron — the wavetable used to generate notes or modulate parameters. The controller with the planets manages memories. Dragging it moves through time and lets you browse stored states. A double tap returns to the present moment. A long tap opens a menu with three actions marked by Russian letters: `С` for save from sohranit, `У` for delete from udalit, and `З` for close from zakryt. The planet interface represents time symbolically. The crescent shadow shows the time of day, the moon’s position indicates the day of the month, and the satellite’s position represents the orbital period of an artificial body similar to the ISS. Below the neural grids are six synthesis sections. The first is marked with the Russian letter `Г`, from generator, and selects the oscillator waveform. Two sliders control the fundamental frequency and volume. The remaining sections provide modulation. Sliders control depth and rate, while letters indicate the destination parameter: `П` pitch from podstroika, `П` pan from panorama, `Д` drive from drive, `Ч` filter frequency from chastota, and `Р` resonance from rezonans. The slider with stars controls the filter. Dragging horizontally selects the filter type, while dragging vertically adjusts drive. The area to the right controls filter frequency and resonance. At the bottom of the interface is a keyboard of eight keys represented by Lissajous figures — curves created by combining two harmonic oscillations. Each figure corresponds to a note. Above the keys are two buttons: `У` hold from uderzhanie and `П` tuning from podstroika.

Make noise, texture, and percussion sing. Add motion and stereo spread to basic sounds. Load samples and sculpt them endlessly. Leave your mark on any sound with harmonic filtering. Sightlines is a playable harmonic filter. Built from a collection of resonant bandpass filters tuned to the harmonic series, designed to bring out a customizable set of musical frequencies in any sound. Tune it to a fixed frequency like a resonator, or send it MIDI to make it come alive as an instrument. Sightlines can be loaded as an instrument or an audio effect. As an instrument, use it with samples, noise, or oscillators to construct sounds never heard before. As an effect, add movement and interest to any sound, and even impart tonality onto unpitched input. SOUND SOURCES • Noise – filter variable color noise and random noise bursts for Sightlines’ simplest and quickest output. • Samples – send samples through resonant filters as one-shots or infinite looping versions of themselves, great for found sound and tonal samples alike. • Synth – skip the filters entirely and use Sightlines as a harmonic synth, where you can customize and modulate the proportion of each harmonic in the signal. • Audio effect – use Sightlines as an audio effect on any track. MOVEMENT AND EFFECTS • Manipulate overtones – stretch, bend, and reimagine the harmonic series to retune Sightlines’ output into realistic or indescribable sonic spaces. • Quantize frequencies – snap all of Sightlines’ filters to a scale, to impart that key quality onto any sound. • Balance bands – maneuver through the harmonic space by scanning, tilting, or spreading Sightlines’ bands. • End of chain – make your output shine with a built-in chorus, BBD-style delay, and reverb. FEATURES • Modulation – modify any control in Sightlines with multiple LFOs, sequencers, smooth random sources, and performance effects. • Presets – full preset control over every parameter in Sightlines. Cross-platform preset format for sharing with friends. • Waymaker – connect to Sightlines’ sibling application, Waymaker, for direct sequencing of Sightlines’ without MIDI routing. Also available for macOS and Windows in VST3 / AU / AAX formats from Aqeel Aadam Sound.