Anukari Music is the latest venture of Evan Mezeske, a former senior engineering leader at Google who founded the new company with the mission of developing innovative new virtual instruments based on cutting-edge technology. They have unveiled an early prototype of the Anukari software synthesizer, a virtual instrument and effects processor that uses a modelled network of masses (like ball bearings or marbles) connected by springs as a sound source.
Currently, the virtual mass can be vibrated by ‘striking’ it via MIDI messages, or triggered by an audio inputs, allowing Anukari to act as either an instrument or effects plug-in. More input methods are planned to be added as the instrument develops, such as basic and harmonic oscillators, with the aim of simulating sounds such as bowed strings and wind instruments.
The physical parameters supported by Anukari include mass, damping, spring length and stiffness, as well as striker hardness and impulse, and the angle and gain of the strikers, microphones and pickups. Again, further parameters including more sophisticated spring and microphone models will be introduced as the development of the software progresses.
The end result aims to be highly interactive and playful, with users able to interact with the system using their mouse or touchpad whilst triggering it via MIDI or audio, changing and modulating the sound by moving or plucking masses, or by editing the instrument’s set of parameters.
The physics simulation used by Anukari is so processor-intensive that it needs to be run on a system’s GPU (graphics card), rather than using its CPU like most virtual instruments and plug-ins. The number of masses and springs that can be modelled by the software is only limited by the user’s GPU, but the company say that those with a relatively modern Windows machine can expect to simulate around 750 connected masses in real time at 48kHz.
Compatibility
Anukari is currently being developed for PCs running Windows, but has been built so that it can easily be ported to macOS before its release. A standalone version will be available, as well as AU, VST3 and AAX plug-ins.
Pricing & Availability
As Anukari is still in the early stages of its development, the company have not yet set a release date or pricing information.
