Why Granular Processing?
What's it for?
Taking 'constant' sounds beyond standard looping
How does it work?
It shifts the grains around :)
Usually, looped audio has a recognizable repeating pattern.
Playing it in small chunks (grains) with randomized cursor positions removes the pattern.
The grains can be stacked or separated & moved (shifted) around.
Their individual cursor positions, pitch, pan & gain can be randomized.
Common Use Cases:
Static sound beds:
Usually, looping requires careful handling of the start and end of an audio file.
Playing grains that range all or most of the file removes the need to make it seamless.
Grains can crossfade naturally to give a constant output.
Randomization of grain cursor positions removes recognizable loop patterns.
(great for crowds, room tones, wind, aircon/electrical units, item drones)
Optimization:
The above technique allows the use of smaller audio files.
(background loops often use long files to avoid pattern recognition)
Freeze:
Playing grains in a small area allows you to stay in that part of the audio indefinitely.
The range can be adjusted live while listening, faster than carefully trimming the audio file.
Procedural audio:
For this, use an audio source that ramps from one state or sound to another.
"Freeze" a small area of the file to play it as a constant sound.
Game parameters can then move it across the audio file for dynamic response.
(great for engines revving, skateboard or bike speed, charging sounds, energy weapons)
Texture Sounds:
Blips/ticks can be created using extremely short grain times.
Play them rapidly and randomize their gain & pitch to build up a texture.
(can imitate fire, welding, electrical buzz, geiger counters)
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