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It Has Chains, And AÂ Pillow
The Resonance of Early Electronic Music
Gong Amp takes an exciting experimental amplifier from the beginnings of electronic music to the plugin world of today.
In 1932, Maurice Martenot was looking for a way to make his groundbreaking proto-synthesizer âOndesâ audible beyond what could be archived with the horns and loudspeakers of the time. He developed a set of âdiffusersâ, of which the âMĂ©talliqueâ was one. Instead of a paper cone or horn, Martenot put a gong behind the amplifier circuitry. This seemingly simple idea resulted in resonances and brilliant overtones that excite audiences to this day.
In 2011, the French company Eowave took inspiration from Martenotâs invention and made their own version, the Resonator Metallik. When Audiothing heard what Berlin composer Hainbach did with this rare and discontinued amplifier, they knew the sound needed to be available to more than a select few. So they made Gong Amp, their third collaboration with Hainbach since Motors and Wires.
Using a complex mixture of convolution processing, physical modeling, and feedback systems, they created an instrument that is true to the responsiveness of the original and even transcends it in terms of sound design possibilities.
The Metallik Resonator
Eowave built their fantastic version of Martenotâs invention from 2011 to 2018 on demand in small numbers. Much treasured by collectors, Hainbach got the last one made especially for him from the last parts in the shop at Eowave. It was then recorded and measured in Hainbachâs Studio.
Mixer
You can choose from three recording positions: mono mic, stereo mics, and a unique âresonatorâ effect Hainbach designed. Try mono for a âdocumentaryâ perspective, stereo for beautiful ribbon mic width, and hear reverb feeding into reverb in âresonatorâ mode. Try upping the input overdrive for added overtones, and use the soft clip for output distortions.
Applications
Taking a page from the experimental percussionistsâ handbook, you can add thick and thin chains to the Gong. The sympathetic rattling creates effects that range from a soft shimmer to clangorous noise.
The strength of the MĂ©tallique, its long ring, is also its weakness when playing fast: everything turns to mush. So a pillow was added that dampens the sound and makes Gong Amp âarpeggio-approvedâ.
Performance
Adjust the sound of Gong Amp to your playing style. Choose from two different gain settings on the gong with âDynamicâ. Add modulations for a slightly more psychedelic sound. Turn on âhowlâ to hear Gong Amp struggle beautifully when overloaded. Experiment with extreme pitch manipulations for cinematic effects.
Trip Mode
With Trip Mode, you can add automated crossfading between the three signal positions of mono, stereo and resonate. Use spread to adjust the rhythmic shift. From gentle drifts that last minutes to fast rotary effects, this is a sound designerâs dream.
Features
- Gong Amp Emulation
- Chains and Pillow Sets
- Dynamic, Pitch, Modulation, Howl
- Trip Modulation
- Resizable Window
- Preset system with randomizer
System RequirementsÂ
PC
- Windows 7 - 11
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- VST2, VST3, CLAP or AAX (64-bit)
Mac
- OS X 10.9 â macOS 13
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- Apple Silicon (M chips) Native (Universal 2 Binary)
- VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP, or AAX (64-bit)
- Universal 2 Binary
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