Sound Bowl

The Sound Bowl is a singing bowl synthesiser with two excitation modes: strike for bell-like attacks, and rub for sustained singing tones.

How It Works

The bowing simulation uses an elasto-plastic friction model to recreate the stick-slip interaction between a mallet and the bowl rim. This produces sustained singing tones with natural harmonic overtones that evolve over time.

Parameters

ParameterRangeDescription
Brightness0–100%Tone brightness
Reverb0–100%Room ambience
Decay0–100%Sustain length
Volume-60 to +6 dBOutput level
Sympathetic0–100%Sympathetic resonance between bowls
Bow Force0–100%Friction pressure for rub mode

Excitation Modes

Strike

Tap a bowl for a clear bell-like attack. The tone rings and decays naturally based on the Decay parameter.

Rub

Hold on a bowl to enter rub mode. The friction simulation engages and the bowl begins to sing with sustained, evolving harmonics. The Bow Force parameter controls how much pressure is applied.

Sympathetic Resonance

The Sympathetic parameter controls how much the bowls resonate with each other. When one bowl is struck or rubbed, nearby bowls will vibrate in sympathy, creating a richer, more complex soundscape.

Effect Plugin

Orbiter Sound Bowl FX routes incoming audio through the bowl's harmonic resonator. Any audio source can excite the bowl's modes, adding singing bowl character to the sound.