Physical Audio has introduced a new hybrid instrument based on physical modelling and granular synthesis.
Developed in collaboration with composer and transmedia artist Gadi Sassoon, Tetrad takes 4 oscillators, routes them in combination through a Quad AM processor that works like a pseudo-sequencer, a specifically tailored Granulator, and 4 physically modelled plate resonators.
Inspired by Gadi’s sculpture-based synth installation, as heard on the album Modes of Vibration, Tetrad was originally devised as a complement to the slashed plates and sound generators of the experimental setup, but has grown into a plugin instrument that puts the capabilities of the installation into a single piece of software in a DAW.
Tetrad features
- Over 100 presets to get started immediately.
- Generate voices through Basic, Chords and Modal chords, Free and Flex modes. Plus ADSR envelope, FM Frequency and FM Depth for all oscillator types.
- Quad AM module to ‘pseudo-sequence’ or gently modulation voices, with control over phase Shape, Depth, Gain and Rate (up to 250Hz), plus Phase Displacement per voice.
- Quad Granulator mangles the four voices into new textures individually or all together. Grain Size, Feedback, Rate (up to 50Hz), or individual Grain Size and Pitch per voice.
- Plate Resonators that can be driven and positioned graphically on the virtual sound stage. Set Decay, Metal Cuts, Preamp Drive globally; or Drive and Decay per plate.
- Comprehensive Modulation Matrix with over ## destinations, eight LFOs and three envelope-following sources, plus MIDI and MPE parameter sources.
- Three filters (LP/BP/HP) to curtail and sculpt effects from audio-rate modulation distortion and extreme granulation artefacts.
Available for Windows and Mac (VST3, AU and AAX), Tetrad is on sale for the introductory price of $59 USD until July 28th, 2025 (regular $99 USD).
More information: Physical Audio
