A granular synthesizer for iPhone and iPad that decomposes audio into grains and rebuilds it into evolving textures, rhythmic patterns, and ambient soundscapes. 5 playheads, deep modulation, step sequencer, and AUv3 — designed to be played, not menu-dived.
DownloadUse GrainHeads as an AUv3 instrument or AUFX audio effect inside any DAW. As an effect, it captures live audio and processes it through granular synthesis in real-time. Full parameter automation, multiple playheads, and preset recall in both modes.
Deploy up to 5 granular playheads, each with its own position, scan speed, filter, pitch, amplitude, and modulation. Each head can target a different sample for rich, multi-source textures that evolve independently.
Multiple LFOs, envelopes, and sequencer lanes can target the same parameter simultaneously with their values summed together. LFOs can modulate other LFOs for deeply nested movement. Virtually every parameter is modulatable.
Go beyond note patterns. The step sequencer locks any parameter per step — pitch, filter, grain size, position, pan — with polyrhythmic lengths and clock divisions from /64 to x64. Each playhead runs its own sequence. Filter envelopes add timbral motion per step.
4 macro XY pads — Time Smear, Spatial Bloom, Degradation, Complexity — map multiple parameters to simple gestures. The 4-finger multi-touch pad controls up to 8 parameters at once across three performance modes.
Shape each grain with an interactive envelope editor. Draw any curve using splinter or Bezier control points for precise control over transient character and spectral detail — from soft clouds to sharp percussive fragments.
Each playhead has its own ladder filter with LP/BP/HP modes, selectable 12dB or 24dB/oct slope, self-oscillation, and overdrive. Filter envelope is available per step in Sequencer mode for evolving timbral patterns.
Sculpt further with lo-fi degradation, stereo delay, reverb, and filtering — all with adjustable signal flow so effects interact in the order you choose.
Control playhead drift direction and speed with the Scan parameter. Set a scope with Start/End, add wobble for instability, and enable Ricochet so the playhead bounces off scope walls. All fully modulatable by LFOs.
Load up to 4 different samples simultaneously. Each head can choose which slot to play from — and the slot selection is modulatable by LFO for dynamic sample-switching textures.
Lock pitch to chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic, dorian, blues, and more. Even randomized or modulated pitch snaps to the nearest note in the selected scale — musical results without manual tuning.
One tap randomizes an entire playhead — parameters, effects, LFOs, and sequencer patterns. Scale quantization keeps randomized pitch musical. Happy accidents, on demand.
Watch GrainHeads in action.
GrainHeads is built for sound designers, musicians, and experimental producers who want deep, hands-on control over texture and motion — not a grid of menus.
Every parameter is reachable from the surface. Macros map complex timbral shifts to single gestures. The multi-touch pad turns granular synthesis into something you perform, not program. And the summing modulation matrix means you can layer movement on movement without running out of routing.
Granular synthesis slices audio into tiny fragments called grains (typically 1ms to 2 seconds) and plays them back with independent control over pitch, position, speed, and density. This lets you stretch, freeze, scatter, and reshape any sound into textures impossible with traditional synthesis.
Yes. GrainHeads works as an AUv3 Audio Unit instrument and as an AUFX audio effect. As an instrument, load samples and generate granular textures. As an effect, capture live audio from your DAW and process it with granular synthesis in real-time. Both formats support multiple playheads, full modulation, and parameter automation.
GrainHeads uses a summing modulation matrix — multiple sources (LFOs, envelopes, sequencer lanes) can target the same parameter at once, with their values added together. LFOs can even modulate other LFOs. Virtually every parameter is a modulation target, including sample slot selection and scan direction.
The step sequencer has parameter lanes — any parameter (pitch, filter, grain size, position, pan, and more) can be locked per step. Each playhead runs its own independent sequence with adjustable length, clock divisions from /64 to x64, and polyrhythmic timing. Filter envelopes are available per step in Sequencer mode.
4 macro axes as XY pads — Time Smear, Spatial Bloom, Degradation, and Complexity. Each axis controls multiple parameters with a single gesture, making dramatic sound changes easy to perform live.
GrainHeads is free to download with built-in samples and full functionality. A one-time PRO purchase unlocks loading external samples and microphone recording.
GrainHeads requires iOS 17.0 or later and runs on iPhone and iPad. The layout adapts responsively to any screen size, including iPad split-screen multitasking.
Available now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
DownloadRequires iOS 17.0 or later. Free with a one-time purchase to unlock the full app.