The software is a versatile audio tool that serves as a softsynth, sampler, and more. It offers users various features and functionalities to manipulate sound and create unique compositions with ease.
The software's modular interface allows for quick and easy use, making it a great tool for both beginners and professionals. First released in April 1999 for gesturally controlled electronic improvisation, Spongefork continues to be one of the most interesting software-based instruments available today. Its sense of surprise and unpredictability is a unique feature that sets it apart from other applications.
Spongefork features wave-based oscillators and sample table oscillators, which can play a range of sine, triangle, saw, square, pulse, noise, or samples, with the option of volume normalization. The table can be "scrambled" (rearranged randomly) for added creativity, and waves or samples can be played forwards or backwards.
The software also offers FM synthesis, where waveforms and samples can be modulated together with added controls for frequency range, modulation depth, modulation rate, and frequency smoothing glide. Additionally, users can enjoy the benefits of the software's fully-featured multistage multitap delay processor, filters (low pass, high pass, band pass, band stop, peaking eq, low shelf, and high shelf), five loop samplers, and pitch tracking from input or sound file.
Live input processing is another feature that allows you to process real-time input sources in the oscillator or as a modulator, while sound file stream processing lets you stream process sound files directly from the library without having to load the sample into RAM.
Spongefork's controls can also be accessed via external MIDI events, with support for any Core MIDI-enabled devices, or via the IAC application bus. And because of its unique modulation/frequency controller, XY control can be accomplished through mouse or keyboard.
For even more control, ADSR envelope editors for amplitude envelope editors for the oscillator and modulator are also included, as well as savable patches and a dynamic stereo waveform display monitor with VU meters and CPU usage.
When it comes to sound file management, users can play, loop, or load files into the oscillator, with an unlimited length scrolling list of files, drag and drop from the finder, and support for custom playlists, playlist management tools, and output capture.
Spongefork requires Java 1.5, and while the demo version is fully-featured and doesn't expire, work cannot be saved. Overall, Spongefork is a powerful and versatile sound processing software that offers a unique and dynamic approach to creating music.
Version 3.3.4: N/A