Glitch Grains

Glitch Grains is the ultimate library for screen tearing glitches, erroneous malfunctions, and spasmodic system failures.

It’s the Phreaking best!

We created the library using a variety of unconventional sources and techniques: No input Mixing Board, Gameboy LSDJ tracker, Raw Data, Theremin, Radio Statics, Drum Machine Sample Retriggering, Noisy Oscillators, Mic Overloads, Simulated Hacked Telephone and Electromagnetic Interference.

Includes over 200 Designed Glitches and 1600+ source files.

THEREMIN

These files were recorded using a Jaycar Electronics theremin, varying the frequency antenna and at times making contact with it to create short glitchy sweeps, bloops and stutters as well as longer ham radio style ‘tuning’ effects.

NOISY OSCILLATORS

These files were recorded using a tone generator in Native Instruments Reaktor called Skrewel. Skrewel uses 8 oscillators interacting in complex ways to create terrifying noises, interstellar soundscapes and musical glitches. The files are organised into long and short glitches as well as one ‘constant change’ file in which Skrewels parameters are randomised every second, showing the amazing diversity of the sound source.

SAMPLE RETRIGGERING

These files were created using a process of sample retriggering with an Elektron Machinedrum, whereby a sample is triggered, then retriggered several times in quick succession. The results range from jarring stuttering effects to musical bleeps and bloops. The files have different pitch and musicality depending on the sample being triggered and its pitch and speed.

RAW DATA

These files were created using/abusing Audacity’s ‘Import Raw Data’ feature. Intended as a way to open uncompressed audio files with damaged/missing headers, Import Raw Data can convert any file type into audio. We fed it .gif’s, .tiff’s, .pdf’s, .bmp’s, .exe’s and .ptx files, all with their own unique sonic flavour. The results at times sound akin to dialup modem noise, bitcrushing, blasts of white/pink noise and crystalline grain showers.

RADIO STATIC

These files were recorded using the original household glitch box – the transistor radio. Each file picks out a different point in the radio spectrum, between the broadcast stations, showcasing all the beautifully unpredictable natural and man-made electromagnetic noise washing over us as we go about our days. There are three varieties of static – FM, LW, MW – each with a subtly different sonic profile.

POWER CYCLES

These files were created by recording the output of various devices during power down. The crackling you hear is the death rattle of the circuits as the last dregs of voltage slip away. The devices include a Doepfer Dark Energy, PC, Akai S1000, Teenage Engineering OP-1, Nintendo Gameboy, MFOS Weird Sound Generator and a Theremin.

NO INPUT MIXING BOARD

These files were recorded using a no input mixing board. With this method, the outputs of a traditional mixing desk (a Behringer Xenyx X2222USB in this case) are routed into its inputs and modulated/combined through various EQs and busses to create delightfully unpredictable feedback loops. The files range from throbbing bass-heavy drone feedback and midrange hums to short modulating blasts and twittering bleeps.

MIC OVERLOADS

These files were created by overloading various microphones to the point of saturation. You will hear some heavy metal-like overdriven screaming, blustering wind and purring heavy machinery noise. The microphones used were the Sennheiser MHK416, Shure SM7B and Barcus Berry 4000 contact mic.

PHREAKING (hacked telephone system)

These files were recorded using the ‘phone’ effect on the OP-1 from Teenage Engineering. Phone simulates a hacked telephone system with modulatable baud rate. The resulting sounds are very varied, with some circuit-bending-style effects, granulation, some noise, some stuttering and some truly unique glitch sounds.

GAMEBOY SOUND CHIP [MGB-LCPU-01]

These files were created using a Nintendo Gameboy Pocket and the LSDJ sequencer rom. All the sounds come from the Gameboy’s internal sound chip (MGB-LCPU-01). Expect chiptune-style glitchy bleeps and bloops as well as sounds you would never have dreamed of hearing coming from your Gameboy.

EMI

These sounds were created using guitar pickups to record the different electromagnetic interference patterns created by different household objects. These include a PC, an electric razor, a fidget spinner, an iPhone 6s, a Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator, a USB powerbank, a vacuum cleaner, a cordless vacuum cleaner, a digital camera, a hard disk drive, speaker drivers and a Nintendo Wii U, Switch and Gameboy. The results are ghostly washes of noise, crackles and sweeps.