Surreal Machines launches Dub Machines

Our friends Peter Dowling and Matt Jackson have teamed up as Surreal Machines, and today released a new Live pack called Dub Machines. This pack consists of two analog-inspired devices – Magnetic and Diffuse – that combine classic functionality with some modern tweakability. Dub Machines is available directly from the Ableton site.

Magnetic, on first viewing, will recall Space Echoes from times past, including the unique multi-head selection design that makes delay selection both intuitive and inspiring. Diffuse is less emulation than imagination, and features a delay-and-reverb network with massive feedback capabilities. Imagine some of the famous “Bloom” sounds of old digital hardware and you’ll be in the right neighborhood.

In addition to honoring the past, these two devices also provide some adventurous advanced options. Magnetic’s most impressive “non-vintage” function is the ability to change the processing chain, allowing you to swap the order of the reverb and echo for distinctly different sounds. A favorite Diffuse tweak is the ability to exceed 100% regeneration – at which point the internal feedback system comes alive with screams and moans.

As with all Max for Live devices, you can hit the edit button to see some clean and creative coding, much of which is accomplished using the Gen system. It’s not only educational to review Peter and Matt’s coding, but it also leaves the door open for modification. Much fun to be had…

Also, check into the Art + Music + Technology podcast this weekend for an interview with the Surreal Machines folks.