Loading Gong…
Gong
A physically modelled gong synthesiser with nonlinear energy transfer between vibrational modes. As you play harder, energy cascades into higher modes — like striking a real gong.
Nonlinear Modal Synthesis
Energy cascades between vibrational modes as you play harder — like a real gong
Touch Response
Velocity, position, and gesture all shape the timbre — from gentle swells to explosive crashes
Continuous Excitation
Hold or drag for sustained bowed tones that evolve over time
Instrument & FX
Play it as an instrument, or route any audio through the resonator as a VST3/CLAP effect
Explore Sound Together
Share a live session and shape the sound together — randomise parameters, tweak patches, and hear every change in real time
MIDI & MPE
Full MPE support for per-note pitch bend, pressure, and slide — connect any controller and play expressively
Strike harder and energy cascades from the fundamental into higher vibrational modes — the same nonlinear behaviour that gives real gongs their explosive shimmer.
How it works
The gong synthesis engine is based on the Föppl–von Kármán nonlinear plate equations, implemented as a modal system with cubic coupling between oscillators. Inspired by:
- S. Bilbao, C. Webb, J. Wang & M. Ducceschi, "Real-Time Gong Synthesis," Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Digital Audio Effects (DAFx-23), 2023.
- M. Ducceschi & C. Touzé, "Modal approach for nonlinear vibrations of damped impacted plates: Application to sound synthesis of gongs and cymbals," Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 344, pp. 313–331, 2015.
Controls
- Size — Plate radius from 0.15m to 0.60m, continuously variable. Controls fundamental pitch and overtone spacing. The sequencer uses three instances — small, mid, and large — but the parameter is fully continuous
- Nonlinearity — Energy transfer between modes
- Damping — Decay rate
- Excitation — Strike character
- Brightness — High-frequency content
- Reverb — Room ambience
- Volume — Output level
Continuous Excitation
Hold or drag on a gong to enter continuous excitation mode, producing a sustained bowed tone that evolves over time.
Effect Plugin
Also available as an audio effect (VST3/CLAP). Route drums, voice, or any audio through the gong's resonator — the incoming signal excites the plate model in real time. The Size parameter tunes the resonator's base frequency, so you can dial in exactly where the resonance sits.