xoxos – Virtual Machine
Virtual Machine is a commuted synthesis model for emulating engines and similar mechanical sounds. The architecture consists of three correlated signal generators and two resonators for modeling cabinet acoustics. A ‘Gearbox’ is used to modulate parameters as a group to add realism during ‘performance.
Virtual Machine is designed for the emulation of motors and simple mechanical sounds.
The core of VM uses a pulse clock to generate a series of short impulses. This is used to model the main stroke of the engine. The top panel controls this impulse series. Sputter mixes a continuous noise source with the synced noise to create variation. Timing modulates the clock rate with a low frequency noise source. The mod parameter changes the rate of the modulator.
Impulses are shaped by an a d envelope and pass through a resonant low pass filter. The impulses trigger a mechanical noise generator used to model the sound of the mechanism’s moving parts. The mechanical noise is in turn used to amplify a continuous noise source with a peak follower. The continuous noise source can be amplified separately to add ambience.
All three signals are routed to a series of resonators to model cabinet acoustics. The mechanical noise circuit generates square pulses and operates at very low or high densities to create a variety of textures. Halt limits the rate it can be triggered at, creating catching or stalling effects when faster clockrates are used. This can be used to model dependent systems that function at lower frequencies, such as an exhaust pipe.
Two delay networks running in series are used to model cabinet resonances. They can be bypassed to model partial enclosures such as engine cowling. The largest size setting approximates cabinets over ten feet in length. The speed panel applies modulation to a group of parameters for accentuating changes in the clock rate. The gear switch selects between three different coefficients. The rate of modulation between settings is smoothed by the down and up trimmers to emulate mechanical resistance. The pitch bend and mod wheel are routed through this grouping.
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