Amoeba is a stand-alone audio application for the Macintosh. With its powerful audio file mutation, varied forms of synthesis, and amorphous pseudopod interface, Amoeba produces exotic sonic landscapes to take your music into uncharted territory.

Key features -

• built-in 4-note polyphonic synthesizer with 4 freely-selectable waveforms
• sequencer capable of importing and exporting midi files
• synth can be triggered via external controller or on-screen keyboard (great for mobile users)
• up to 4 audio files can be loaded and independently pitch & time-stretched
• built-in delay effect doubles as a comb filter
• all work in Amoeba can be exported for further sequencing

Getting started -

Before launching the application, make sure all of the audio files you wish to use are in the ‘myaiffs’ folder contained in the ‘amoeba’ folder. (Do not rename or remove this folder or your files will not be seen by the application). To begin working in Amoeba, first import the audio files you wish to process using the ‘load files 1-4’ console. Engage the ‘audio 0/1’ console to turn the audio on. Adjust volume levels to taste.

(load files here)



(turn audio on, adjust master, direct, delay levels)



(adjust each file’s volume independently)

Synthesizer/sequencer -

Amoeba contains a built-in midi synthesizer which offers four different methods: sine, square, sawtooth, and FM synthesis. A simple sequencing process is also included allowing you to play along with your audio file mutations.

To begin, select your method of input by double-clicking on the ‘midiin’ box. You will be presented with a dialog asking you to choose which source will be used for recording from a listing of your midi setup. If you skip this step, your performance may not be recorded into the sequencer. Select iac bus if you wish to use the on-screen keyboard to record a sequence, select your external controller to record that, etc.

After this process is complete, select the waveform you want the synth to employ using the blue pull-down menu under the ‘midiin’ box. Adjust the volume for that waveform using the appropriate sliders. You should now hear your input being played back by Amoeba’s synth.

Amoeba’s synthesizer works a little differently than those you may be familiar with. By double-clicking on the ‘polysine~’ box, you can adjust the ADSRs of each individual voice. Amoeba will access each voice dynamically, that is, it will utilize whichever voice out of the four is available as needed. This can create some very interesting results, as your melodic or harmonic progression will change over time instead of opting for static repetition. Of course, you can always set each ADSR envelope to be identical if you prefer consistency.

(adjust each voice’s ADSR envelope independently)

The grids with tiny boxes are used for storing the settings of both the ADSR envelope and volume of each waveform. Shift-click in an empty square to store a new setting, or in a square with a tinier black square to overwrite the setting. Click on a square to retrieve your settings.

The parameters for the sequencer section (located below the keyboard and above the synth volume sliders) are fairly intuitive. To record your performance, simply engage the ‘record’ button. When you are finished, click ‘stop record.’ To hear your performance played back, select the ‘loop 0/1’ button and adjust the length of your sequence. If you want to save your performance for later retrieval, you can use the ‘save file’ and ‘load file’ buttons just above the ‘FM lvl.’ The ‘tempo *’ box will multiply the playback speed.

File mutation -

Amoeba’s file mutation section is where the program really shines. Here, you can stretch the pitch and time of the loaded audio file in two different ways. By clicking in the ‘swirl’ number box, you can do just that -- swirl your audio backwards and forwards like a jog wheel on a multi-track recorder. Based on the time set in the ‘swirl rate’ box, Amoeba will remember how and when you swirled, and repeat that motion throughout the loop. But if you would rather have more precise control over the playback speed, you can store numbers in the aptly-named ‘store #’ box, and they will not take effect until you click the ‘send #’ button.

When things start to swirl out of control, simply click the ‘wash’ button to erase all stored swirl data. Playback will continue at the last swirl setting stored at the time the ‘wash’ button was clicked. By pressing ‘reset,’ the default playback value of 100 (normal playback speed) will be restored.

The ‘pulse’ button will engage the randomized playback section of the file mutation console. Amoeba will take random samples of the audio file and play them back according to some user defined parameters. ‘Rnd rate’ tells Amoeba how often a new randomized sample should begin; a setting of 500 = twice per second, 1000 = once per second, 2000 = once every two seconds, etc. The ‘rnd range’ box is where you determine how much of the file will be used for random sampling.

The last two parameters, ‘loop point’ and ‘grain,’ perform double duty. They can be used in conjunction with the pulse/randomization feature, or independently from it. ‘Loop point’ designates where in the file the looping will begin. ‘Grain’ indicates the amount per sample. Small settings of 100 and below in the ‘grain’ box can mimic granular synthesis effects, and by varying the ‘loop point’ manually, one can avoid the monotony common in loop-based music.

Delay -

Amoeba has a built-in delay unit to add ambience to your mix. Most of the parameters found in this console are self-explanatory, but it should be mentioned that you can create interesting comb-filter style effects by setting delay times to less than 40.

Recording -

As with all previous sineqube software releases, all work done in Amoeba can be exported to disk for further processing. Simply set the audio record path prior to recording. Then engage the ‘start/stop recording’ button. There will be no dialog indicating how much disk space is being used in real-time, so it is up to the user to make sure there is enough space available.

Additional notes -

• Amoeba was made with the amazing, all-powerful Max/MSP. more information can be found at http://www.cycling74.com

• on a G4 400mhz Titanium powerbook with 512mb ram, Amoeba was utilizing 15-20 % of the available processing power. your mileage may vary.

• Amoeba is the property of sineqube productions. any unauthorized redistribution thereof or financial gain as a result of its resale is just mean because it’s freeware so be nice or lawyers will become involved

• sineqube bears no responsibility in regards to the well-being of your hard drive. use the software at your own risk, and leisure

• want to become a part of the sineqube community? join the discussion forum at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sineqube_forum/ . signing up is quick, painless, and best of all, free. this is your first stop for tech support and sharing your thoughts on sineqube software

• to become a beta tester for the next sineqube application, close your eyes, click your heels, and send an email to tech@sineqube.com indicating why you would be a good candidate

• like what we’re doing? have some ideas on what could be improved? like sending hate mail? feeling philanthropic and want to make a donation? drop a line at tech@sineqube.com

• if you like Amoeba, you may enjoy the work of its author at http://www.sineqube.com

Special thanks -

• j
• the family
• rubicks & tuxb0x
• the users
• the world of micro-organisms
• j. cage




enjoy



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