Pioneering VST Plugins for Live Electronic Music Performance

Client: Self
Category: Sound Design, Instrument Design
Year: 2008

In an era when auto-chopping samples and performance-focused VSTs for drums were not yet a mainstream focus, Buggy Boy (Onur Uzunismail) developed a trio of innovative VST plugins that revolutionized live performance and catered to the needs of lazy-minded musicians. The S1.vst step-sequencer, L1 loop player/chopper/manipulator, and M1 master controller were ahead of their time, offering unique features and workflows that empowered musicians to create, manipulate, and perform with samples and loops in unprecedented ways.

S1.vst - A Step-Sequencer for the Lazy-Minded:

S1 is a sample-based step-sequencer designed specifically for live performance. Despite its seemingly complex interface, S1 is surprisingly easy to operate. The user selects a directory containing desired samples, chooses a speed for the sequencer (half, normal, or double), and then creates a sequence using the intuitive interface. What sets S1 apart is its extensive real-time manipulation capabilities. Users can tweak the volume, pitch, and effect send (with a built-in delay effect) of each step, as well as randomize these parameters at adjustable speeds. This level of control and randomization was groundbreaking at the time, allowing musicians to create evolving and dynamic sequences on the fly.

L1.vst: A Loop player/chopper/manipulator for the lazy minded from onor bumbum on Vimeo.

L1 - A Loop Player/Chopper/Manipulator for the Lazy-Minded:

L1 is a loop-mangling VST that addresses a limitation of Ableton Live at the time of its creation. While Ableton Live made it easy to create new loops, it lacked the ability to improvise and create different phrases with a given loop in real-time. L1 fills this gap by allowing users to load a sample, chop it into seven cells, and manipulate each cell individually. Each cell can be divided into different sizes, pitched, and assigned to a specific MIDI key for triggering. The randomization function in L1 enables musicians to instantly generate new and interesting phrases from a single loop, which can be recorded using the host software. This level of loop manipulation and real-time improvisation was groundbreaking and greatly enhanced live performances.

M1 - Master Controller for S and L Plugins:

Recognizing the challenges of managing multiple instances of S and L plugins during live performances, Buggy Boy (Onur Uzunismail) developed the M1 master controller. M1 allows performers to control the sample loading parameter of up to 8 instances of S and L plugins from a single window. This centralized control streamlines the process of changing samples and loops on the fly, ensuring a smooth and efficient performance. Additionally, M1 includes a timer that helps performers keep track of the elapsed time since the start of their performance, addressing the common issue of losing track of time when operating complex setups.

Impact and Significance:

The S1.vst, L1, and M1 plugins were ahead of their time in terms of their focus on live performance and catering to the needs of lazy-minded musicians. At a time when auto-chopping samples and performance-focused VSTs for drums were not a primary focus in the music software industry, these plugins offered innovative solutions that empowered musicians to create, manipulate, and perform with samples and loops in new and exciting ways. The real-time manipulation capabilities, randomization functions, and centralized control provided by these plugins set them apart from other tools available at the time.

Buggy Boy (Onur Uzunismail)‘s S1.vst step-sequencer, L1 loop player/chopper/manipulator, and M1 master controller were pioneering VST plugins that revolutionized live performance and catered to the needs of lazy-minded musicians. These plugins were ahead of their time, offering features and workflows that are still not necessarily a primary focus in the music software industry today. By providing real-time manipulation, randomization, and centralized control, these plugins empowered musicians to create dynamic and evolving performances with samples and loops.