Nasko, the prolific and imaginative software developer, is back with a new one – and it’s completely free, running in Plug Data (Pd) on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It’s a convolution-based spectrum disperser. Say what? Well, you get a powerful, precise, fairly rare method for generating impulse responses for convolution tools, like Kilohearts Convolution (now on sale), the one just added to Serum 2, and more. Or just play it live, because that also sounds kind of awesome.
You can grab N-IRIS from the Nasko Patreon account. No paid subscription is required, but you will need to login with a Patreon account and opt for the free tier:
You’ll also need to download Pd fork Plug Data to run this as a plug-in with a GUI. That free and open source tool has become a treasure trove of free and inexpensive stuff, especially via Nasko and Ewan Bristow.
Convolution-based dispersion is a slightly exotic mechanism for producing high-res real-time spectral delays. Here, you’re using it to generate IR files by recording live. As it happens, that also sounds wild:
N-IRIS just dropped!! 🗣️🗣️
— Nasko (@Naskomusic) April 19, 2025
free full spectrum real-time disperser using IR Convolution for PLUGDATA FX 😈😈😈 pic.twitter.com/95AuaRMxYo
iZotope Iris would be one obvious reason to use this – hence the name. (That software is sadly discontinued.) But pretty much any instrument that lets you use IRs is useful, especially for synthesis.
And we have two more entries that spring to mind. Serum 2 just added this kind of convolver, meaning this is a must-download for Serum heads. I’ve always loved this as a synthesis technique, too, not just the obvious reverb approach. You can drop IRs into software like Ableton Live’s built-in Convolution Reverb / Convolution Reverb Pro effect, for instance – and no reason you can’t ignore the word “reverb” there if you want. Kliohearts’ Convolver is now on sale for 50% off through April 29, which opens up the possibility of building your own synth/effect in Phaseplant:
I’m curious how folks use this or – any other Nasko faves. Let us know in comments.
And here’s Nasko’s music (it gets intense… part of the way through… EDM-style dubstep, the gateway drug to experimental sound design, basically):
And here is just a ton of asko playing around with Serum 2. (It’s weird to think that Nasko was six years old when Massive 1 was released!)