GRADIENT NOISE Coming to ICMC 2026

Gradient Noise: Work in Progress with Dirtywave M8 and Processing.org
video upload by John C.S. Keston

https://audiocookbook.org/gradient-noise-at-icmc-2026/

"I'm pleased to announce that I will be performing the world premiere of my piece Gradient Noise at the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) in Hamburg, Germany on May 11 at 9:30pm. The following video except represent the work in progress. The final piece will be 10 minutes long and contain up to four layers of instruments with independent, corresponding, video objects.

Since 2019 I have been composing animated graphic scores for ensembles and soloists. Examples include Parking Ramp Project, SYNTAX, and Rhodonea. These generative works are projected for both the performers to read and audience to experience. I write software to generate and animate the geometric forms, and establish rules on how the forms are read, whilst allowing improvisation and the emotional response of the performer to play an integral part in each piece.

Gradient Noise, written using the Processing.org language, translates values generated by the Perlin noise algorithm into independent layers of seamless loops repeating at variable intervals. These loops are visualised as geometric forms, abstract visualizations, and evolving structures. The data generated is aleatoric, but the values can be tuned to range between slowly moving gradients or rapid, angular forms. When the sound and visuals are synchronized I respond not only to the animation but also to the changes in the timbre of my instruments.

Through Gradient Noise I am rethinking the relationships between musicians and machines. By translating the properties of n-dimensional Perlin noise into a musical language, the piece presents a unified ecosystem with coordinated timbres and geometric forms. Thus generating a living environment that requires active participation and improvisation. Ultimately, the work presents a contemporary model for computer music where the performer does not simply follow a score, but negotiates a path through a responsive, multi-sensory experience.

More on AudioCookbook.org:
https://audiocookbook.org/gradient-no...

ICMC Official Conference Website:
https://icmc2026.ligeti-zentrum.de

Audio in this video entire produced using the Dirtywave M8 tracker:
https://dirtywave.com/"

winter sunset.

video upload by hijaq.

"m8 on the go ;3"

Just a Jam 01 with Dirtywave M8 and Waldorf Protein

video upload by Nicolai

"Music from the Bedroom #1 – My first lazy jam, built completely from scratch.

I start with a simple percussive foundation on the Dirtywave M8, then layer a single-oscillator patch on the Waldorf Protein and just explore where it takes me. Nothing polished, just raw ideas in the bedroom."

Acid exploration Jam 02 with Dirtywave M8 and Waldorf Protein

video upload by Nicolai

"Music from the Bedroom #2 – Acid exploration jam from scratch on Waldorf Protein with Dirtywave percussion presets.

Starts with a clean init patch on the Protein, evolves into full acid lines while the M8 runs live-mode percussion and pattern switches. Calm, repetitive, but constantly varying kick, snare, hats and acid lead. Raw 11-minute bedroom take.

Timeline:

00:00 Init Patch
00:20 Patch evolution
01:00 Acid - here it comes
02:30 Filter and FX added
03:35 Notes variation
04:14 Adding Percussion
06:40 Feels complete, now "live" mode
07:47 Now it really makes fun!

Patch sounds rough? Video quality questionable? Tell me in the comments – I can take it.
If you actually like it, I’d love to hear your feedback too.

Links
Tracks on Bandcamp: https://nicolai-creates.bandcamp.com
Homepage: https://nicolai-creates.art/"

Ambient Electronica with LYRA-8 and OP-1 field Strings | Curb Stones 2026-03-29 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"Ambient electronica built from simulated string tones and sustained synth textures.

Created with ‪@somasynths‬ LYRA-8, ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 MODEL 02, ‪@teenageengineering‬ OP-1 field, and monotron DELAY.

On the LYRA-8, sustained tones are performed. The signal is processed with ‪@KORG_INC‬ monotron DELAY for filtering and delay, then through MICROCOSM with deep reverb.

On the M8 MODEL 02, simple harmonies are played and looped using Hypersynth. The sound is processed through ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ LOSSY with filtering and reverb.

On the OP-1 field, simulated string tones from the STRING synth are looped using the ENDLESS sequencer. Reverb is added with MOOD MKII, and the MICRO LOOPER is occasionally engaged to introduce variation."

hichord + m8.

video upload by hijaq.

"since the beginning of the year i’ve been slowly learning how to use the m8. it’s my new favorite little guy, but i still feel like i barely know what i’m doing. this is a really simple little song using the hichord as an external instrument with some touchscreen effects. there is no post-processing on this audio. still haven’t figured out how to make led screens look good on camera lol.

i have a few videos saved up so i can post weekly for the next little while. expect more m8 later, i’ll be back to traveling once it warms up so it’s coming with me ;3

all my music is free to use. liking the video or subscribing to the channel helps me make more stuff. thanks love u."

new hichord looper can make a whole song.

video upload by hijaq.

"hichord recently updated its looper to have six separate tracks and they asked me to try it out. i tried to get the camera as close as possible so you can read the screen. all this audio comes straight from the box with no plugins or effects."

The Joy Of Repeating Riffs Over Changing Chords

video upload by EZBOT

"When I first started writing songs it was all about a cool guitar riff over a strait bassline or a solid chord progression. It's the best feeling, it's so simple and satisfying. Let's lean into it and talk about it while using the M8 Tracker."

EZBOT resources: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot, https://ko-fi.com/ezbot/, https://www.modbang.com"

Bad Gear - He tried his best to HATE IT

video upload by AudioPilz

[Funny side note: I just saw that episode of Myth Busters with the truck plowing through cars, just yesterday.]

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. There are a few learnings to be taken from years of ploughing through music production gear like an 80s rock band shopping in a liquor store: don’t believe the hype, everything has been done before and never trust a stylish instrument sold with the promise to give you all you need in a compact form factor without compromising sound quality and usability.

Today we are going to talk about Dirtywave M8. This hardware tracker and mini DAW comes with more red flags than the average dating app experience like a cult-like following, a Game Boy-inspired workflow and believe me - I tried my best to hate it.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Waldorf Protein in the hands of a beginner makes "Bang!"

video upload by Nicolai

"I just bought the Waldorf Protein. They said it is their entry level, so I unboxed it, did a test drive, created some own patches and guess what: "Bang!" a tight techno track was born.

🎧 Original "Bang!" track (the one born from frustration): [below]


It is a lovely wavetable synth: portable (fits my setup perfectly), flexible and most importantly: accessible! Sure, there are menus and a shift button for deeper tweaks, but most of the time you just coast on the sound, dialing it in directly with the tons of hands-on knobs. How cool is that?

Watch the full video: unboxing, preset demos and evolution, honest critique, Nicolai patch building which lead to the 'Bang!' track."

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Living Room - an idea/sketch Zoia, M8, Razzmatazz, NTS-3, MT-32 pi

video upload by Arman Bohn

"An 'in progress' sketch for an OST I'm working on.

My 2nd Zoia patch, 'Dream Shrine #2', is a four voice, generative synth thingy with master tempo and adjustable meter for each voice. The voices are routed through a reverb and ping-pong delay module. The four voices are also sending MIDI notes out on different channels - which are triggering 2 harp voices, a vibraphone and a celeste voice on the MT-32.

The Zoia patch is also sending clock sync out to the Razz to keep it in tempo. The M8 is playing back creepy public domain samples from an old-sci radio show about an alien that haunts your dreams called "The Green Thing".

NTS-3 is chopping the drums.

Not sure if this will be the final configuration - I'd like some bass in there as well. Just playing around at this point.

The album is an ambient-ish OST that should be out by this summer!"

Dirtywave M8 and Torso S-4 Jam 260117

video upload by Indra Perkasa

"technical notes / self-reminder.

both M8 and S4 connected to mac desktop using usb.
then using Loopback, i route audio from M8 to S4 with details:
M8 Main Out to S4 Track 4
M8 Track 4 (Pads Hypersynth) to S4 Track 2
M8 Track 1 (FM Bass Synth) to S4 Track 3

S4 Track 1 is playing back sample that i also recorded from M8 via usb-Loopback.
more on this, at first i tried to connect directly using usb from M8 to S4. it worked, but there's audio crackles. i assumed this happen because of the different sample rate. M8 is 44Khz and S4 is 48KHz. so i found a workaround that is working nicely (no crackles) using Loopback as a bridge.

M8 also sending midi to S4 to send clock, control Start/Stop, and send midi cc to control Mix FIlter of S4 Track 1 and 2. i did this using Midi Patchbay app, its an open source app. very handy app with for this kind of situation, just want a simple routing without needing to use DAW.

then i use ableton just to record, set audio input to S4, audio out to my audio interface for monitoring.

its amazing nowadays how you can multitrack record music gear without using audio cables, only 2 usb! and just want to say Loopback is really really nice. simple, but very useful."

Range (Dirtywave M8 Tracker)

video upload by The Way Up

"A new track I put together on the Dirtywave M8 Tracker. I've been goofing around with the Lydian mode more, and finding it really inspiring. This was just a short/simple thing that came out of that. I also found a midi controlled video playback app (SmashCut for iPad) and used a spare channel to send some fun CC to make the background. The video is from the 1920 film "A Trip to the Moon"

https://thewayup.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/64qqi..."

Tech House on M8 Tracker Model:02 & MPKmini : Selectable 2025-10-05 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and ‪@Akai_Pro‬ MPKmini. Tech house where even kicks and intricate synth tones pass through filters and delay.

The MPKmini is used to control the M8 via Ableton’s MIDI thru. The knobs on the MPK control the filter cutoff of the synth tones and the DJ filter cutoff.
The keyboard is used to play the M8’s MACROSYNTH, with the arpeggiator turned on to generate detailed phrases."

Mixing it up w/ Zeptocore, AudCalc & Dirtywave M8

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Chill generative beats...

Using the M8 to randomly sound off drone-ish sine waves with some of the new 'shimmer' reverb in the latest firmware.

Zeptocore is synced to M8 via MIDI clock and providing some chopped samples I fed it.

AudCal is running three different sounds that I'm triggering by hand. I created a pattern of notes on each of the sound/channels to help me differentiate which one was selected."

Dirtywave M8 Tracker Model:02 solo IDM : Osmotic 2025-09-27 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. IDM where beats and synth phrases intertwine.

The beat is constructed using the Sampler. High-frequency sine tones are generated with the FMsynth.

The main chords are played on the Hypersynth with filtering applied.

The bassline uses the MACROSYNTH’s CSAW waveform with a low-pass filter. The flute-like sound in the latter half also comes from the MACROSYNTH.

In performance, I mainly manipulate the filters and delay of each sound. At times, I also tweak the DJ filter."

Dirtywave M8 Tracker Model:02 & Buchla Music Easel : DOF 2025-09-20 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and ‪@buchlausa‬ Music Easel. Electronica where phrases shift and evolve through micro-loops.

The Music Easel receives MIDI sequences from the M8 Tracker, while its sliders are used to modulate oscillators. The output is processed through ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII with micro-loop, delay, and reverb effects, creating variations in the phrases.

On the M8, rhythm parts and harmonies are played. In LIVE MODE, phrases are switched while occasionally tweaking the synth filter."

M8 Track Model:02 solo IDM performance : New facility 2025-09-18 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. IDM/electronica where sampled voices are screwed and warped into the mix.

The vocal samples are loaded into the Sampler and played back with pitch shifts.

The main harmony is performed on Hypersynth, with chords switching throughout."

Ambient w/ M8 Tracker Model:02 : Iron and Caves 2025-09-17 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02, ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10, and piano. Ambient electronica built from floating electronic tones and piano.

The piano is played on the YAMAHA CP88, layering the dry signal with processed sound through the ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM. On the MICROCOSM, a looper is used to record phrases live and play them back in loops.

On the M8 Tracker, the DJ Filter cutoff is gradually reduced toward the end.

The Prophet-10 performs long-release synth pads, processed with reverb from the ‪@strymon‬ blueSky."

M8 Tracker Model:02 MIDI SYNC with MU15 : Stroll 2025-09-15 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and YAMAHA MU15. Electronica where repeating phrases gradually transform through filtering and glitch effects.

The MU15 is sequenced from the M8 via MIDI, with its output processed through ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY for reverb and filtering.

The M8’s output is routed into the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII, where micro-loops are used to glitch the phrases."

M8 Tracker Model:02 solo performance : Stagnation 2025-09-14 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"Ambient electronica created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02.

The track is composed entirely using the M8’s built-in sampler and synths. The main sustaining pad was made with Hypersynth, with each part’s tone evolving through filter modulation."

M8 Tracker Model:02 & MOOD MKII : Dream on the palm 2025-09-13 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. Abstract beat electronica progressing with glitch-infused textures.

The track was produced on the M8 Tracker Model:02, then performed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII with added micro-loops, reverb, and pitch-shift effects.

Beats are mainly triggered using the M8’s Sampler. The main chords are also played by loading synth samples into the Sampler.

At times, the DJ Filter cutoff on the M8 is adjusted during performance."