Database

Usine provides audio database modules for analyzing, cataloguing, and navigating collections of sound files. These modules work together: one analyzes a folder of sounds to create a descriptor database, the other lets you explore and play back samples by navigating a 2D descriptor space.

Modules

Module Purpose Character
Database Creation Analyzes all audio files in a folder and outputs a SQL database of audio descriptors Batch analysis, recursive folder scanning, configurable max file duration
Database Player Represents a database in a 2D descriptor space with cursor-based sample selection and audio resynthesis Interactive 2D navigation, real-time resynthesis, configurable polyphony and envelope

Workflow

  1. Create a database with Database Creation by pointing it at a folder of sounds. It analyzes each file and stores the audio descriptors in a .usine-analysis file.
  2. Explore the database with Database Player by choosing which two descriptors to map on the X and Y axes. Move a cursor to find and play the nearest samples in real time.

Use Cases

  • Sound design exploration: browse large sample libraries by timbral similarity
  • Live performance: navigate sounds interactively using a 2D controller or mouse
  • Concatenative synthesis: blend nearby samples with coefficient-based mixing and configurable polyphony

See also

version 7.0.250121

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