Preparation 2 creates a virtual world of augmented strings using our latest physical modelling techniques. Two strings collide with a rattle and a dynamic fret to deliver a rich palette of acoustic timbres, from unique instruments to experimental soundscapes
Preparation 2
Physical modelling of prepared strings
Preparation is based on mathematical modelling of 3 basic elements; strings which can be configured as bars, a rattle that joins strings together, and a dynamic fret. Each voice contains a pair of strings which are excited with either a customisable pluck, a bow, or side-chained audio. The acoustic model’s properties are tailored by you, generating a range of sounds from unique instruments to experimental soundscapes. Preparation uses our latest research into collision modelling and fast solver techniques.
Nonlinear physical modelling
The nonlinear strings can be excited with a customisable pluck, allowing you to choose different impulses for the minimum and maximum Note-On velocity. Or use the scrape of a virtual bow, with bowing force controlled by the Pitch bend wheel and position by the Mod wheel.
Dynamic Fret and Rattle
The rattle element sits across the 2 strings and transfers energy from collisions on one end to the other. This has a variable mass on each end, as well as stiffness, gap and edge parameters. The fret is underneath the strings and each one can hit it depending on the amplitude of vibration and the distance between them.
Modulation and FX
Shape your sound with fully fledged Equalizer, Compressor, Mods, Shaper, and Delay/Reverb effects, five modules that can be re-ordered then programmed deeper in their own tab. Preparation 2’s EQ, Distortion, Drive, Fuzz, Phaser, Tremolo and Wah effects come from Orastron’s Brickworks. There are also 2 LFOs, and keyboard and velocity modulation to customise the response of the model and the FX parameters.
Demo tracks by Gadi Sassoon
Gadi Sassoon is a world class composer, pioneering synthesist and accomplished performer, whose experimental blend of classical and computer music has garnered wide acclaim from audiences as diverse as the United Nations, Leipzig Opera House and prime time TV. As Physical Audio’s longest running artistic partner, his vision has done much to influence the design of our instruments for the best part of a decade: he has been creating records, live performances and soundtracks using our algorithms since they were research level machine code, when the Physical Audio team was known as the Next Generation Sound Synthesis project at the University of Edinburgh. Gadi’s first solo album Multiverse was a direct result of our early research, and together we continue exploring new applications of physical modelling to composition and sound art. Get the latest at gadisassoon.com
Demo tracks by Missing Ear
Missing Ear is Matteo Gualeni, an Italian musician, drummer, sound designer and teacher based in Milan, with an enthusiasm for audio-visual projects and music education. He has worked as a sound designer or composer for companies including Cinqueesei, Febo Film, BHM Studio, KYMKO, Argor, Lelit, Officine Fare Cinema and AKONI, and has collaborated with SØS Gunver Ryberg, SPIME.IM, Felicia Atkinson, Halina Rice and more. Find out more here.
Sound design by Daniel Stawczyk (AKA Status)
A Poland-based sound designer, Daniel has collaborated with numerous software instrument developers including Applied Acoustics Systems, XILS-lab, Lunacy Audio, discoDSP and many more. Daniel has launched almost 50 well-received sound sets as well as hundreds of factory presets for the premieres of many of the world’s most loved software instruments. Find out more about his work on Daniel’s website.
A sound designer, beta tester and composer, Alex has contributed presets to our Modus and Preparation 2 synths, as well as their trailer music. He also contributes as a beta tester for other music software companies, and has launched a collection of his own Ableton virtual instruments. Alex’s focus in music is all about increasing digital expression, and bringing a more organic nature to electronic synthesis. You can hear more on Alex’s website.
Sound design by Alex Truscott
Sound design by John Lely
John Lely is a composer, musician and curator based in Norwich, UK. He makes works for acoustic and electronic instruments. Collaborations include projects with John Tilbury, Mira Benjamin, Alvin Lucier, Christian Wolff and Christian Marclay. Recent releases include The Harmonics of Real Strings (solo cello), Meander Selection (mostly music for strings and piano), Orrery (piano/prepared piano) and Walking North, a 70-minute electronic work in Pythagorean tuning. He is co-author of Word Events: Perspectives on Verbal Notation (Bloomsbury 2012), a book about text scores. Since 2005 he has co-curated Music We’d Like to Hear, an experimental music series described by Tempo as ‘an oasis of thoughtful and idealistic music-making’.
Features
– Physical model of 2 strings/bars with a dynamic fret and rattle. 7-voice polyphony.
– Multiple excitations with custom pluck designer, bowing and side-chain audio.
– 2 x LFOs, keyboard and velocity modulation.
– Full FX rack with EQ, compressor, shaping, delay and reverb.
– MPE compatible with custom control setup.
– 160+ presets.
– Standard AU/VST3/AAX formats for macOS and Windows.
Custom Tuning
The tuning can be customised using the Scala format, as well as a variable reference A4. This allows micro-tuning of each interval in the octave from a base C, using either cents or fractions. An example tuning file is here.
The .scl tuning file should be placed in the same directory as the presets folder, which is shown at the bottom of the Info window. If a tuning file is found and loaded it will be shown next to the Reference A control in the MIDI window.
System Requirements
macOS
– macOS High Sierra 10.13 to Sonoma 14.
– Intel or Apple Silicon processor.
Windows
– Windows 11
– Intel or AMD processor.
Upgrade from Preparation v1
Owners of the original Preparation v1.x can upgrade to Preparation 2 with a 50% off voucher. Please email support21@physicalaudio.co.uk to claim your voucher code to use at the checkout.