Lanna Lang – Looking Outwards – 10

Google Magenta // NSynth and NSynth Super // 2018

The goal Google Magenta had with NSynth and NSynth Super was to build a machine learning tool that gave musicians new ways to express themselves. NSynth (Neural Synthesizer) is a new way to approach audio synthesis using neural networks that creates the sound of the actual instrument that is being played instead of the note that’s being played. Magenta wanted the algorithm to be more accessible to musicians, so they created interfaces such as the Sound Maker and the Ableton Live plugin, and Magenta encourages creative use with the algorithm, from dubstep to scenic atmospherics. NSynth is Google’s neural network, but NSynth Super is the tool/musical instrument that brings NSynth to life.

What I love about this piece are the infinite possibilities this brings to artists and anyone anywhere. In the video, they show how using NSynth and NSynth Super, you can combine a flute and a snare to create a whole new instrument (i.e Fnure). NSynth Super isn’t just layering sounds on top of each other, but instead, it’s synthesizing an entirely new sound based on the acoustics of the individual instruments. This technology isn’t making the work of a musician easier, but it’s enhancing it and providing more possibilities and artistic direction that can manifest from this. Although the NSynth Super isn’t available for purchase, Google has provided instructions to make one from scratch using Raspberry Pi for artists to make themselves and explore.