A spectrum of possibilities

Seconds is a spectral sound design effect that uses bandpass filters, ring modulation, saturation, panning, and sample rate reduction to creatively shape any signal. At its heart is a bank of 48 bandpass filters tuned in “seconds,” or whole-tone steps. Cut up sounds, sequence their spectrum via MIDI, or freeze the spectrum of one sound and apply it to another.

From lush modulation and rotary effects to harsh metallic tones, booming bass drums, and glassy pings, Seconds is a rich toolbox for experimental sound design.

48 bands of spectral shaping

A bank of 48 analog-modelled bandpass filters gives you finely tuned control over the spectrum. Each band is spaced a whole tone apart, with resonance control and a choice of 12 or 24 dB slopes.

The filter topology comes from AudioThing Dials and Octaves, modelled on passive inductive coils. Shape a sound gently, or push the filters into much more intense territory.

Play and transfer the spectrum

Use MIDI to play the filter bank and sequence the spectrum of a sound. Turn filtering into a part of your composition, from changing patterns to glassy pings and booming percussion.

Analyse and freeze the spectrum of one sound, then apply it to another. Spectral transfer gives a different sound the shape of the captured spectrum, opening up new ways to transform familiar material.

From lush to destructive

Add ring modulation per band for metallic tones and complex textures. Pan odd and even bands separately, then add volume and panning modulation for lush movement and rotary effects.

A high-gain input stage with saturation and a brutal sample rate reduction option lets you boost and cut a signal into much rougher territory.

The origins of Seconds

Seconds began during a meeting between AudioThing and Hainbach in Berlin, inspired by two books from Hainbach’s library: a history of the SWR Experimentalstudio in Freiburg and the Brüel & Kjær 1983 master catalogue.

At SWR, filter processes were central to compositional practice. Analog filter banks came first, followed by digital filters. In the studio’s history, Hans Peter Haller describes a special “Sekundenfilterbank” developed with Sennheiser in the late 1980s and early 1990s: a digital 48-band filter bank that could sequence filters with MIDI and freeze a spectrum to transfer it to another sound.

The Digital Frequency Analyzer 2131 in the Brüel & Kjær catalogue provided another spark. Its frequency display suggested how the design might translate to a modern touch interface. Seconds brings together inspiration from that rare filter bank, the clean Danish design of a vintage analyser, and AudioThing’s own ideas about how a filter bank should sound and play today.

Created with Hainbach

Berlin-based electro-acoustic composer Hainbach explores esoteric synthesizers, test equipment, and magnetic tape. Seconds brings that spirit of experimentation to a playable spectral effect. His insistence on ring modulation helped take the filter bank beyond gentle shaping into a much wider sonic palette.

Highlights

• 48 analog-modelled bandpass filters
• 12 / 24 dB slopes with resonance control
• Playable via MIDI
• Spectral analysis, freeze, and transfer
• Ring modulation per band
• Odd / even panning control
• Volume and panning modulation
• Input saturation and sample rate reduction