- Developer: Emi liano
- Category: Cybernetic Lowercase Instrument
- Version: 9.0
- File Size: 303 MB
- Formats: .maxpat, .mxf
- Requirements: Cycling ’74 Max, Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later
A synthesis and advanced sampling environment designed for lowercase, microsound and Drone Synthesis Environment: very low levels by default, subtle dynamics, and detail that rewards slow listening.
ENDOGEN is a modular lowercase synthesis environment built around microsound, drift, feedback, and near-silence. It includes two generative oscillators and ten additional oscillators with direct frequency control, all of which can be individually tuned and operate within constrained pitch structures, featuring octave scale shifting and continuous frequency control.
Beyond this, ENDOGEN includes 14 complex modal synthesis modules modeled after vactrol-like dynamics and the frequency responses of tapes, cabinets, and amplifiers. These modules do not aim for faithful emulation, but for behavioral resemblance: slow energy transfer, asymmetric decay, spectral bending, and subtle saturation.
ENDOGEN is particularly suited for the creation of deep atmospherical drones grounded in lowercase and microsound aesthetics. Long-duration sound masses evolve slowly near silence, shaped by drift, feedback, and internal instability rather than gesture or rhythm. Micro-variations in spectrum and amplitude become the primary musical material, allowing drones to feel physically present, fragile, and continuously alive even at extremely low listening levels.
Designed for Listening, Performance and Recordings
ENDOGEN is built for live performance and studio work. Its architecture supports extended listening sessions, real-time manipulation during performances, and direct recording of its output for use in compositions and sound design projects.
~150 continuous parameters
Small numeric changes affect long-term behavior rather than immediate results.
What’s Included
ENDOGEN comes in two formats to suit different workflows:
.maxpat Format for Max/MSP Users:
Full editing access and complete control over the patch structure. Explore, modify, and customize the entire synthesis architecture.
Requires: Max/MSP license (full version)
.mxf Format for Max Demo Users:
Runs with the free Max Demo version with full functionality including complete recording capabilities (dual-channel stereo output). Window resizing supported on both Mac and Windows.
Requires: Max Demo (free download from Cycling ’74) — replaces previous Max Runtime
Usage Options
Max/MSP Owners:Use .maxpat for complete control and editing capabilities
Max for Live Users:Use .mxf – Max Demo provides the same functionality as the previous Max Runtime
Other Users:Download the free Max Demo from Cycling ’74, then use .mxf version (full functionality including recording)
Note: ENDOGEN is a standalone synthesis environment that runs independently as its own application, not inside a DAW. Both formats also require SuperCollider (included in package with setup instructions).
ENDOGEN 9.0 ~ Complete ITB Synthesis System
With this update, ENDOGEN positions itself at the very top of the most complete ITB systems available, spanning nearly the entire spectrum of synthesis methods — from microscopic sound design to massive spectral structures.
New Synthesis Modules + Dedicated Noise Architecture
The new synthesis modules and dedicated noise architecture expand the system’s range from organic micro-chaos to glacial sub-mass, while maintaining the lowercase, microsound and drone aesthetics at the core of the ENDOGEN philosophy.
New Modules
- BIRDY: Chaotic bird synthesis & VLF radio—micro-spikes, hiss, crackle, and dusty vinyl/tape grain designed for lowercase headroom. Dynamic filtering tied to FREQ: low frequencies dark and compact, higher frequencies bright micro-detail
- HARMONIC SHIMMER:99 resonators transforming a single fundamental into slowly breathing harmonic clouds. Subtle drift and varied decay times create static-yet-alive sound mass with wide spatial suspension
- TECTONIC WAVETABLE:Deep sub structures with 16 real-time harmonic controls for dynamic wavetable sculpting. Dark filtering, sub reinforcement, and glacial reverb produce slow, monumental textures with geological motion
- NOISE DESIGNER / NOISEMIX: Electromagnetic fields architecture—multi-lane noise engine with parallel processing (clipping, stepped sampling, rounding/quantization, bit-style degradation). Per-lane trim for ultra-subtle balancing down to near-silence
- Vinyl:Analog vinyl surface noise generating organic crackling, pops, dust and rumble. Six layers: spike droplets (2-12kHz), dust grain (6-9kHz), modulated crackle (50-250Hz), gray mid-noise, hi-hiss (8-14kHz), and lo-rumble (<1200Hz). Designed for lowercase dynamics and tape aesthetics
System Evolution
This update transforms ENDOGEN from a specialized lowercase synthesis environment into a comprehensive ITB system covering microscopic chaos, harmonic micropolyphony, tectonic sub-bass architecture, electromagnetic noise modeling, and analog surface degradation—all operating within the same lowercase-safe headroom philosophy.