Maybe you have this problem sometimes as well: Whenever I need some top rhythm to twist between the kick and snare, I seem to dig in the same folders for hihat patterns. I do love funk hats, but creative limitations aren’t always the way forward. So when I saw that Audiothing had just released B00GA, a VST to quickly whip up a rhythmic pattern using micro samples and noise, it immediately caught my attention.
Some instrument plugins are huge and present limitless options. And then there’s case specific plugins like B00GA, inspired by something as obscure as a piece of test hardware by Hewlett Packard. Within a few minutes of loading it up for the first time, I had a pattern of micro blips rolling.
Dual sound source sequencing
Latest Reviews
The concept is simple: A dual lanes sequencer defines the number of steps and an on/off state per step for our two sound sources: A micro sample element and a noise element. These can either hit at the same time or by themselves on any given step, and can each be adjusted in pitch and length. The starting point of the microscopic samples can also be adjusted dragging the mouse in the waveform window – or alternately adding the slider to the device level in Ableton .
Patterns can be saved to 8 banks per patch and an added FX tab holds Audiothing’s by now well known mini units Tape Echo, Phaser, Spring Reverb and a new octave filter, which is just enough creative space to shape each patch. Apart from the new octave filter, these FX are also well known from Audiothing’s latest synth JUNE, a very good take on the JUNO-60 synth.
The sequencer can play freely or sync to your DAW, while the rate/speed of the pattern playthrough can be set to either free or in 16th notes, 8th notes, quarter notes and so forth. This can be automated as well.
So, things evolved pretty quickly from here, though. I went in hoping for a new way to add top rhythm, but ended up twisting B00GA into an improvisational instrument of noise and fragmented melodics.
VIDEO: 2 track live session with B00GA
In the little video below the sequence rate knob is played almost like an instrument in a neo jazzy session to a funky drum loop. Had I recorded the session in Ableton as well, I would have fully printed automation lanes ready for editing.
The built in sequencer is nice in the sense that it can either play straight through or loop back to the starting point. Also, with automation, you can change the amount of steps on the fly, and I’ve yet to find a way for the rhythm NOT to find itself across, say, and 8 bar section, no matter how I automate the steps length. This means solid patterns, that can stray but always hold true to the down beat.
User customization én masse
The new octave filter is a really cool addition. It gives you 10 octaves of band pass filter, I’m not sure how it works exactly, because all sound sources seem to generate sound even at the lowest possible setting at 31.5 hz. But to be able to stretch a patch across 10 octaves is very generous, to say the least.
The banks are inspiring, and the ability to alter the patterns with random knobs, or whole preset randomization with Audiothing’s well known five eyed die icon next to the preset selector (do you love randomization? Check out the review of Rando 2.0 as well). You’ll never run out of ideas here. There’s of course the option of saving a preset under a new name, but also to create your own micro sample banks to stuff in the top sequencer. That’s a lot of user customization right there.
When close to failure means succes
B00GA almost feels like a flimsy plastic encased machine on the brink of malfunction, and it does it with a ton of charm. It’s true to the way of the Audiothing X Hainbach explorations of obscure electronics these past years, and we’re lucky to have yet another piece of specific machinery to take into uncharted territories. I can’t wait to couple this thing with the big brother to the Spring Reverb FX module, Springs, it’s one of the very best sounding and most flexible spring reverbs out there. Definitely check it out if you like that cold, twangy vibe.
[…] we’re lucky to have yet another piece of specific machinery to take into uncharted territories.
Overall I’m having a lot of fun with B00GA, even playing out and capturing tones with the playback rate set to free and moving seamlessly on the known melodic scales. I can resample hours of stuff for use elsewhere doing this. And to have another rhythmic tool in the bag is just super handy and something we must always look at with interest. Lots of stuff makes noises, but B00GA is kind of strict and machine-like about it. It’s kind of like an old fax modem, a piece of power equipment from its time. Nobody really knows how it works, but they’ll never mistake how it sounds. Now send a message.
