PLUGIN REVIEW: UNITED PLUGINS RANDOMACHINE: INJECTING LIFE INTO THE STATIC

Get it here: https://unitedplugins.com/Randomachine/

In the realm of music production and sound design, repetition can often lead to monotony. Loops that once sounded engaging can become stale, and meticulously crafted sequences might lack the organic feel that captivates listeners. Enter United Plugins Randomachine, a deceptively simple yet incredibly powerful plugin designed to inject unpredictability and variation into your audio samples, breathing life into even the most static of sounds.

Randomachine operates on a fundamental principle: controlled chaos. It doesn’t just haphazardly alter your audio; instead, it offers six distinct “changers” that introduce subtle or drastic variations to key sonic parameters each time it’s triggered. This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to add realism to sound effects, humanize rhythmic elements, or create evolving textures in electronic music.

Core Functionality: The Six Changers

At the heart of Randomachine are its six unique effects, each targeting a specific aspect of the sound:

• Pitch and Formant Shifter: This changer introduces random variations in both the pitch and the formant characteristics of the audio. This can create subtle differences in the timbre of percussive hits or drastically alter the perceived character of sustained sounds. Imagine a series of footstep samples, each with a slightly different pitch and vocal tract resonance, adding to the realism.
• Ambience: By randomly adjusting the parameters of an internal reverb, this changer adds organic variations in the perceived space and decay of the sound. This is excellent for making repeated impacts or sonic events feel like they are occurring in slightly different acoustic environments.
• Saturation: This effect introduces random changes in the amount of harmonic distortion or saturation applied to the signal. This can add subtle grit and character variations to each instance of a sound, preventing it from sounding too clean and uniform. Think of a distorted synth line where each note has a slightly different level of overdrive.
• Panorama: This changer randomly shifts the left/right stereo position of the audio. This can add movement and interest to static sounds, making them feel more dynamic within the stereo field. For example, a hi-hat pattern can gain a sense of groove as each hit subtly shifts its position.
• Time Offset: This effect introduces minute random variations in the timing of the audio. This is particularly useful for humanizing rhythmic elements like drum loops or hi-hat patterns, making them sound less robotic and more like they were played by a human.
• Volume: Introduced in a recent update, this parameter allows for subtle or drastic random variations in the output volume of each triggered event, further enhancing the natural feel of repeated sounds.

Triggering the Chaos: Three Modes of Operation

Randomachine offers three flexible triggering modes to suit various production workflows:

• Transient: In this mode, the plugin analyzes the incoming audio signal and triggers the randomization process whenever it detects a transient or a significant sonic event. This is ideal for processing individual hits or percussive elements. The sensitivity control allows you to fine-tune how responsive the triggering is.
• Sync with Tempo: For grid-based music, the “Sync” mode allows you to synchronize the randomization with your DAW’s tempo. You can set the plugin to introduce variations at specific rhythmic intervals, such as every beat, every eighth note, or any other subdivision. This is perfect for adding subtle evolution to loops and rhythmic patterns.
• Trigger by MIDI: This mode gives you the most precise control over when the randomization occurs. By routing MIDI information to the plugin, any incoming MIDI note can trigger a new random variation. This allows for intricate and deliberate control over the evolving nature of your sounds.

In Use: Workflow and Interface

Randomachine boasts a clean and intuitive interface. The six changers are represented by knobs arranged around a central display. Each knob controls the amount of randomization applied by its corresponding effect. Setting a knob to zero effectively bypasses that effect, saving CPU resources. The central display provides visual feedback on when the plugin is triggered and, in MIDI mode, even shows incoming MIDI notes.

The workflow is straightforward: insert Randomachine on an audio track containing the sound you want to vary, select a triggering mode, and then dial in the desired amount of randomization for each of the six parameters. Experimentation is key, as even subtle amounts of randomization can yield surprisingly organic and engaging results. The inclusion of A/B comparison buttons and undo/redo functionality encourages sonic exploration.

Applications: Where Randomachine Shines

Randomachine is a versatile tool with a wide range of applications:

• Sound Design for Film and Games: In these fields, realism is paramount. Randomachine can make sound effects like footsteps, gunshots, door slams, and environmental elements sound less repetitive and more believable by introducing subtle variations in pitch, timing, and ambience.
• Electronic Music Production: Break the monotony of drum loops, hi-hat patterns, and arpeggiated synth lines by adding subtle timing variations, panning shifts, and evolving saturation. This can inject groove and a sense of organic movement into otherwise static electronic elements.
• Adding Realism to Virtual Instruments: Even the most sophisticated virtual instruments can sometimes sound too perfect. Randomachine can introduce subtle imperfections in pitch, timing, and dynamics, making virtual ensembles and synthesized sounds feel more human and alive.
• Creating Unique Textures and Soundscapes: By applying more extreme randomization settings, Randomachine can be used to generate unexpected and evolving textures, perfect for creating abstract soundscapes and experimental music.

Pros:

• Effective at breaking monotony and adding realism.
• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
• Versatile triggering options to suit different workflows.
• Six distinct and useful sound changers.
• Low CPU usage, especially when effects are bypassed.
• Hassle-free software protection (no iLok or dongle required).
• Free-for-life updates.

Cons:

• The degree of randomness is controlled globally for each changer, without finer control over specific parameters within each effect.
• Some users might desire more visual feedback on the specific types of randomization occurring.

Conclusion: A Secret Weapon Against Sonic Sterility

United Plugins Randomachine is more than just a randomizer; it’s a tool that injects life and character into your audio. Whether you’re a sound designer striving for realism or a music producer seeking to add organic variation to your tracks, Randomachine offers a simple yet powerful solution to combat sonic sterility. Its intuitive interface, flexible triggering options, and effective sound changers make it a valuable addition to any audio professional’s toolkit. If you’re tired of static loops and predictable patterns, Randomachine is ready to introduce a welcome dose of controlled chaos into your sonic creations.