SpaceCraft

Name: SpaceCraft
Price: 99 USD
Author: Tracktion

by Tracktion · Synth · Granular synth

Not rated yet

SpaceCraft is a granular synth, sold by Tracktion, that began as an iOS app by Delta-V Audio and runs on the desktop with two parallel granular engines.

Its grain pitch sequencer, 24+ scales, live sampling and MPE support make it suited to melodic granular textures; it costs $99.

Best for: Sound Design, Keys & Synths. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: granular, sequencer, live performance, drones, MPE support, pads, textures, arpeggiator, AUv3/iOS, cinematic, creative, evolving, harsh, monophonic, polyphonic, sound design.

What it does

SpaceCraft is a focused granular synth, developed by Delta-V Audio and sold by Tracktion, that turns any sample into pads, drones and rhythmic grain sequences. It is built for "instant gratification", with all performance controls on one page.

Two granular engines: run in parallel, each with grain frequency and length control and a sample-position LFO that moves the playhead through the sample.
Sound shaping: a stereo reverb with size and damping, a filter, and pitch and ring modulation; pitch can be free or locked to a scale with fine and coarse tuning.
Grain sequencer: an arpeggiated note and grain sequencer grid with over 24 scales, for melodic and rhythmic patterns.
XY pad: morph between granular chords, drones and rhythmic sequences.
Samples: drag and drop audio onto the interface, or capture it with live sampling; per the Andrulian review, samples can run up to 16 minutes, depending on RAM.
Expression: full MIDI and MPE support with 16-note polyphony, per-note pressure, pitch glide and grain-position slide.
Interface: a single-page GUI with reactive visuals and 15 color themes; settings sit behind a cog icon.

A 30-day unlimited trial is available.

Source: Tracktion product page

When to use it

SpaceCraft is the pick when you want granular sound from your own samples quickly, without building a patch in a big synth. Compared with Arturia Pigments 7, it has no other synth engines around it, but its grain sequencer and XY pad make melodic and rhythmic granular parts faster to get. Unlike Output Portal, which processes audio as an effect, it is a playable instrument with MPE and its own scales. Next to Tracktion's own BioTek 3, which includes granular oscillators in a much larger engine, SpaceCraft is simpler and cheaper.

Best for: granular pads, drones, glitchy sequences and textures from your own samples, and live performance.
Genres: ambient, cinematic and experimental electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you need a full synth around the granular engine (Pigments 7), or want granular effects on existing tracks (Output Portal).
Tip: drop a sample in and play right away, then automate the controls for sounds that keep evolving.

What producers say

Coverage found is limited to one blog review, which was clearly positive about its speed and creative range.

Andrulian praised the on-screen performance controls and its range, from "evolving ambient soundscapes" to "glitchy, harsh noise", and found it well suited to live use.
Criticisms: the reviewer's older laptop struggled when raising the grain count above the default 16.

Andrulian review

Where to buy

Tracktion: $99

Tutorials and reviews

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