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Review of INFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust

INFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust is an arpeggiator machine that creates polyrhythms and very exotic sounding tones by combining several instruments. This is done with six individual tracks of six different sounds (pop, electro, bass, drum hit, noise, and voice). You can then create your own patterns on the fly, individually for each instrument.

Arpeggiator Machine that Creates Polyrhythms

INFUNDIBULUM#1 is an arpeggiator machine that creates polyrhythms and very exotic sounding tones by combining several instruments. If you wonder where the name was originating from: An infundibulum (Latin) is a funnel-shaped cavity or organ.

After launching INFUNDIBULUM#1 you get access to a simple but effective user interface with six individual tracks of six different sounds (pop, electro, bass, drum hit, noise, and voice). You can then create your own patterns on the fly after choosing sound one by one or all at once with the ‘ALL’ button.

Each track can be assigned to use one of three different patterns, which are all completely randomizable by clicking on the colored circles: CHORD, RIFF, and NOISE. The chord mode will play a chord using the selected sound. The riff mode plays short phrases that you define by clicking left or right on the ‘RIFF’ circle. Last but not least is the noise mode, which you can use for drums or any other sound.

INFUNDIBULUM#1 used three sample oscillators with 20 great sample sets in each (two pianos, music box, Rhodes, tuning forks, MS10, marimba, chime bars, charango, mbira, Wasp and many more). Plus an amazing multi-arpeggiator for each sample oscillator with independent step length, rate, speed, and swing adjustment plus a variety of arp modes.

The Idea Behind INFUNDIBULUM#1

This idea for INFUNDIBULUM has been rattling around in Pendle Poucher’s mind for some time. Pendle created polyrhythmic cascades of sound, strange interlocking tremolos, and beautifully warped loopings. Sound Dust did send a review copy with no strings attached.

INFUNDIBULUM1 by Sound Dust online ManualINFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust online Manual

Installation of INFUNDIBULUM#1

You need the full version of Kontakt 5.5.1 or above (which you have to buy) and can not use the free player from Native Instruments.

Sound of INFUNDIBULUM#1

INFUNDIBULUM generates a musical composition, all based on the combination of sounds that are included. It is spiced up with effects that inject artifacts and stretching.

INFUNDIBULUM1 by Sound Dust FeaturedINFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust Featured

For INFUNDIBULUM#1 Pendle Poucher sampled Dulcitone, Rhodes MK1 stage piano, medical grade tuning forks, music box, Hohner clavinet, charango, mbira, school chime bars, glockenspiel, marimba, banjo, Cramer upright piano, over felted upright piano, EDP Wasp synth, Nord Wave, DSI Evolver, Korg MS10, MaM ADX1 analog drum machine, Bastl micro granny sampler, recordable cuddly toy, human voice. The base is 20 individual sound sources that can be changed and mangled in the engine.

All the recorded sounds are available in 3 sample oscillators, there are 20 sample sets per oscillator. You glue it together with the complex polyrhythmic multi-arp which you use on every one of the three oscillators. I love the digital polyrhythmic arpeggiator in INFUNDIBULUM#1 which you can use on every sound and allows for some unique effects.

The best thing with INFUNDIBULUM is that it instantly creates very groovy songs with just one click, but you can also shape these songs into your own musical vibe. Does the job very well and sounds really great!

INFUNDIBULUM instrumentsINFUNDIBULUM

Sound Dust makes tones and instruments interesting by introducing artifacts that you can control with the engine which has been included. You can loop sounds and use the super multi arp, including a gate, tremolo, time and stretch, and more.

INFUNDIBULUM1 by Sound Dust RecorderINFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust Recorder

The included recorder grabs single and multi-channel output from the multi-arp that can be Drag & dropped as midi into the DAW track

INFUNDIBULUM#1 User interface & Usability

Sound Dust has found across all their Kontakt instruments a very valuable design for the UI. The included 135 snapshots keep you busy and provide a great starting point. Every part of the instrument, also the effects and arp are easy to use. Also, it is a very nice design when it comes to the colors used. In addition, the instruments’ intuitive layout makes it easy for users to navigate and customize their sound. The effects and arpeggiator add depth and texture to the sound, enhancing the overall sonic experience. Overall, Sound Dust has done an excellent job creating an engaging and user-friendly interface for their Kontakt instruments. For more details on the features and capabilities of this bundle, be sure to check out the ‘metal and ice review‘.

INFUNDIBULUM#1 by Sound Dust The last section is dedicated to pitch bending using a joystick-like X/Y controller. You can also choose between two modes: GATE and ARC. The former will play the looped pattern over and over again, while the latter morphs through the loops in an arpeggiated fashion.

Let us take a closer look at INFUNDIBULUM#1’s user interface:

  • The MIDI learn/MIDI channel selector can be found on top of the interface. Using it you can choose the MIDI channel that INFUNDIBULUM#1 is listening to. All other controls are then assignable via MIDI Learn
  • The ‘M’ button will mute or unmute a track and turn red when active.
  • CHORD and RIFF mode circular buttons: Here you can choose which pattern to use, or turn them off.
  • NOISE mode circular button: This allows you to define the length of the noise phrase.
  • Morph controller joystick for tweaking each instrument’s pattern live (X/Y) The X/Y fader allows you to send the output signal to the effect bus on top of your mixer (if available). To assign the fader to the effect bus, press and hold CTRL (or Command) on your keyboard and click on it. You can then use any available MIDI CC for this purpose.
  • Gate mode button. Turn it off to disable the gate.
  • Effect Bus selector button: Choose which bus you would like to use with the joystick controller above.
  • Loop length fader will set how long INFUNDIBULUM#1 keeps looping each instrument pattern.
  • The ‘ALL’ buttons allow you to choose between choosing one instrument or all at once.
  • The ‘AUTO’ button will assign separate patterns for each instrument automatically.
  • Positive/negative buttons allow you to set the direction of the joystick controller movement. NOTE: This only works in GATE mode, as ARC mode requires a continuous joystick movement.
  • The tempo knob sets the tempo, while the sync enables button is used for setting INFUNDIBULUM#1 to synchronize to your DAW or other time-related signals.

The last section is dedicated to pitch bending using a joystick-like X/Y controller. You can also choose between two modes: GATE and ARC. The former will play the looped pattern over and over again, while the latter morphs through the loops in an arpeggiated fashion.

INFUNDIBULUM1 by Sound Dust UI

Sound Dust did include some effects like Tape saturation, bit reduction, Solid G equalizer, Rotor speaker, and an Algorithmic reverb. I did add in the DAW effect plugins from Audio Damage and others and got great results.

You can use INFUNDIBULUM#1 to create rhythmic and melodic patterns, but also for creating drones and atmospheric soundscapes.

Conclusion

INFUNDIBULUM#1 is a great sounding Kontakt instrument with a polyrhythmic arpeggiator machine. It is easy to use and has a very nice design, with great colors used. The user interface is intuitive and the included snapshots provide a great starting point.

You can use it to create rhythmic and melodic patterns, drones, and atmospheric soundscapes. INFUNDIBULUM#1 is an interesting tool that can produce polyrhythmic melodies and patterns with just the turn of knobs. Every time you touch it, something new happens, which is always great with software instruments.

Rating: Five out of five stars

INFUNDIBULUM#1 produces exceptionally groovy arps with that special Sound Dust vibe, mainly from the recorded sources and how Pendle on the samples. While the interface is not complicated, it does have some deep features hidden beneath. And don’t be afraid to experiment with all of its settings!

INFUNDIBULUM#1’s GUI is very easy to use and understand in minutes. Even if you are a beginner when it comes to sequencing arpeggiators, this one will be a blast to use.

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