Torsion Audio’s Syclone Is A FREE Neural Transfer Plugin

Torsion Audio releases Syclone, a FREE neural transfer plugin for macOS and Windows, promising a new approach to audio production.

The Syclone plugin uses neural timbre transfer technology to deliver a new artificial layering technique. In short and simple terms, Syclone transfers the timbre of a given sound/instrument (trained model) to the original input.

The concept isn’t too dissimilar to the Neutone plugin that we covered recently.

The Syclone plugin offers two trained models at the moment: Funk Drums and Djembe. I imagine more will follow at some point, and there’s the option to load external onnx models.

If we focus on the preset models currently available, one of the obvious uses is to blend the Djembe model with a drum loop (input). By setting the mix to allow the original sound to maintain priority, you can add an element of hand percussion, mimicking the drum loop to make it more interesting.

Syclone allows you to load both preset models simultaneously to create a more distinct sound. One of the cool things about Syclone is that you can tweak each network individually when you have both models functioning simultaneously.

Each network includes Transient Control, Filter, Neural Network Transfer, and Granular Delay settings. You can shape the Funk Drums and Djembe models (or external models) independently before blending everything to create your new output.

The GUI features a large X/Y pad, where you can shape the sound by dragging any loaded models between four points.

The X/Y pad features:

• Attack: Focus on the foreground sound
• Sustain: Focus on the underlying sound
• Sharp: Remove low frequencies
• Smooth: Remove high frequencies

If we look into the future a little, I guess the possibilities with neural transfer technology are almost limitless. We can use it to add to an existing sound while maintaining much of its original character. Alternatively, we can use our input purely as a vehicle to create something entirely different or random.

Here in the present, I think the application of this technology still has some way to go, but plugins like Syclone give us a preview of things to come. Of course, that’s not to say that you can’t put Syclone or similar plugins to good use now; you can.

However, it’s probably safe to say we’re still very much in the early stages of what’s possible.

In terms of becoming a new approach to audio production, it would be great to hear your thoughts on neural transfer technology in the comments. Will it significantly change how you work in the future?

Syclone is available in AU and VST3 formats for macOS and Windows.

Download: Scyclone (FREE)

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