Sonicware Liven Texture Lab Synthesizer

General

While a lot of synthesizers tend to focus on the bass, the leads, pads and maybe some drums, what the Sonicware Liven Texture Lab does is fully focus on pads and ambient textures, making this one special synth. Able to step beyond the ambient limits of most models, the convenience of the Texture Lab lies in its design as well as its potential: tight, compact and loaded with more than enough control elements to keep the workflow smooth and comfortable.

The Sonicware Liven Texture Lab

The core of this synth is formed by the combination of sample playback and granular synthesis, where a sample is literally ground down into 'grains' which can then be manipulated and played back in unique ways. You could compare it to a drop of water falling on a tabletop: apply granular synthesis and you can create a rainbow, which is exactly why the method is ideal for sculpting big, spacious effects. The 'granular' details you have to play with are the pitch, the position, the number of 'grains', the diffusion and more. If you have a bit of experience with the more accessible subtractive synthesis method, then the Texture Lab might offer an entirely different, but no less exciting, way of thinking about sound.

Extra Perks

All of the synthesizer standards have also been included, so you get envelopes, low, mid and high filters, and LFOs and effects - even an arpeggiator and step-sequencer has been piled on. With this desktop unit, you can also make custom samples, so a line-input is supplied as well as thirty-two slots for your samples, with space for 6-second 16-bit/32kHz samples per slot. This might not sound like much considering what's possible with today's tech, but we're talking granular synthesis which works with extremely small, almost incomplete sound sources, rather than massive and complex sounds like a violin section, which eat up a far wider frequency range. With that in mind, you're getting more than enough space to play with. The Texture Lab is definitely made for the more experienced sound designer, and probably won't be your only synth, because it's prime goal is to add one of many ingredients to the ambient, dream-pop-worthy mix.

Tips or comments about this product

• Please note: This synthesizer does not come including a power supply. The power supply for Korg Volca Series models is compatible.