Vessels is an exploration of object resonance and sonic materiality.
An expansive collection of extensively sampled analog and digital synthesisers are recontextualised through contemporary and experimental re-amping techniques.
Precisely captured at the revered Holy Mountain studios in Hackney, Vessels transcends traditional synthesis - adding colour, dimension and physicality to the source material.
The resulting recordings form a palette of raw, textured synth tones - imbued with the character and depth of the Vessels they were born from.
Vessels’ presets are grouped into 3 Banks:
Convergent, Divergent & Relics.
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The Convergent Bank comprises 220 sound-designed presets forged from material resonance exploration.
Using surface transducers to vibrate and drive metallic objects, the objects themselves become a new sound source - creating abstract, elemental deviations from the original synth recordings.
Combine Oil Drum and Thunder Sheet resonances with the original synth material to generate tonal and spatial variances, often resulting in unwieldy, harmonic disturbances.
An additional Thundersheet layer was captured using a Lom Geofón - a sensitive omnidirectional contact microphone designed initially for seismic measurements. With a frequency response as low as 10Hz, the Geofón layer adds depth and power to the Convergent Bank.
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The Divergent Bank contains 220 presets that utilise more traditional re-amping techniques.
Synth samples were sent through two 180-watt cabinets (in stereo), which placed the source material within a physical environment and added width and colour.
Blend different mic feeds and outboard chains with the original recordings to create unique and unfamiliar synth tones that allow for extensive, nuanced control before any effects are applied.
Captured with a pair of exquisite Sanken CU-41s, its wide response produces flawless fidelity and maintains the weight and detail of the source material.
A pair of SM-57s were also used, offering a bright, more characterful alternative to the Sankens.
The original synth samples and the Sanken and SM57 mic feeds were also sent through the External Signal Processor of a Korg MS-20, overdriving an already-slammed signal to create uncontrolled, destructive results.
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The Relics Bank contains 20 presets that create an alternate sound world of warmth and nostalgia.
The source material has been re-recorded onto 1/4" tape and cassette before being sent through boutique effects pedals to form saturated, gritty textures, expanding Vessels' palette beyond the original material.
The Relics remain untouched primarily to preserve the patina generated by the process. Noise and warm distortion from the breaking signal transform the sounds into something more organic and human.
“It's real, it's something in the air. That's the magical ingredient - when something moves through the air.
It's been in the real world and
put back into the computer.
It's a nice thing to do.”
Aphex Twin
Precisely captured at the revered Holy Mountain studios in Hackney, Vessels was born from experimentation and in-depth research into object resonance.
The Holy Mountain sessions took place over the course of a year, allowing for concepts to be tested, dismissed and refined.
£99
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- Requires Kontakt / Player 7.7.2 or later. Download Kontakt Player
- MacOS 12, 13 or 14 (Latest Update)
- Apple Silicon Macs (via Rosetta 2 & natively on ARM in Standalone or in hosts that support it): MacOS 12, 13 or 14 (Latest Update)
- Windows 10 or 11, Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU
- Download with Native Access
- 460 Unique Patches
- 11,387 samples
- 24 Bit | 48 Khz
- 25.7 GB samples compressed, using Kontakt Lossless Sample Compression format
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Download the Vessels User Manual
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Download the Vessels Installation Manual
