A sine bank oscillator in the Grid together with partial shaping modules to give usable synthesis features, like waveshape, filters, effects etc… This would enable basic additive synthesis in Bitwig. It could also become a foundation for future related features.
Additive synthesis is a sound synthesis technique that creates timbre by adding sine waves together (more). By adding and modulating hundreds of sine waves, the possibilities for new sounds and effects are endless.
What problem(s) would this feature resolve?
Producers interested in additive synthesis must rely on an external plugin.
How does this feature fit in Bitwig as a product?
Additive synthesis is one of the last major type of synthesis that Bitwig still misses. Bitwig is known for its innovative sound design possibilities. Bitwig wants to offer a vast and ever-growing device library, and promotes The Grid as a sound designer’s dream. Additive synthesis would be a great addition to its already powerful synthesis potential, and to The Grid in particular.
Is there already an alternative way to achieve this on Bitwig?
It is possible to make very small simple additive patches (and CPU heavy) by having many sine oscillators, but Bitwig users can’t really get additive synthesis. Most additive synths have at least 256 partials, and ways of modifying them to make additive synthesis usable.
There are some presets of this type on Bitwig Presets | Bitwiggers. To get an idea of the complexity required, check this video:
Could it be implemented using Bitwig components or APIs, without Bitwig team’s support?
No
Could it be provided by an STV or something else reasonably integrated with Bitwig?
It is possible to use additive synth plugins, but this misses the point of integrating with The Grid as a sound design environment and expand it.
Are there other products that offer this feature?
Native Instrument’s Reaktor comes equipped with a “sine bank” oscillator, which powers synths like Razor.
Other examples of additive synths include Air-Loom, Image Line-Harmor, Rob Papaen-Blade, and the Eurorack module “Odessa” by Xaoc devices.
