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What is Grainulator?

Grainulator is a granular synthesizer. You give it an audio sample — a recording of anything, from a single piano note to a field recording of rain — and it slices that sample into hundreds or thousands of short fragments called grains. Each grain is between about 1 millisecond and half a second long. By spawning grains rapidly, varying their pitch, position, window shape, and amplitude, and layering the result through a modulation matrix, Grainulator turns any source sound into a new instrument.

Two layers, one engine

Grainulator has two independent layers, Layer 1 and Layer 2. Each layer has its own audio buffer, grain engine, window shape, pitch variation, filter, and envelopes. Use the two layers in parallel for thick layered sounds, in opposition for call-and-response patches, or mix a rhythmic layer against a pad for generative backgrounds.

A global synthesis block (resonator, sub oscillator, VCA/filter envelopes, glide) sits downstream of both layers, followed by the FX chain — master filter, compressor, tape delay, and multi-mode reverb. The Layer System reference explains exactly what is per-layer and what is global.

What you can make with it

  • Pads and drones from a single held note or a vocal "ahh".
  • Rhythmic textures by syncing grain density to your DAW's clock and routing a euclidean pattern to the grain trigger.
  • Frozen reverbs by holding the grain position and sweeping density.
  • Pitched instruments by mapping the grain source to MIDI notes with the root-note glide control.
  • Sound design for film, games, and live performance.
  • Cinematic risers and impacts by modulating scan rate and window shape over time.

Versions

Grainulator runs as:

  • A standalone desktop app for macOS and Windows.
  • A plug-in for any DAW that supports VST3, AudioUnit, or AAX.
  • An AUv3 plug-in for iPadOS, runnable in any compatible host (AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, GarageBand, Drambo) or as a standalone iPad app.

The interface and sound engine are identical across all versions. Only the installation path, audio routing, and a few input methods differ.

Where to start

If you want sound right now, read the Quick Start. If you want to learn every control before you touch one, start with the GRAIN tab reference. If you want to build something specific end-to-end, try Your First Patch — a ten-minute walkthrough that ends with a working ambient pad preset.