Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Prepare to meet SoundThread - capable of the most insane sound mangling imaginable - and it's completely free. You might know of Composer's Desktop Project, used by our old pal Aphex Twin on Drukqs. CDP is one of the most powerful software sound design tools on Earth, and is free. It can do things you just can't do elsewhere. Problem is, CDP has never been especially easy to use. Enter SoundThread - a new, _beginner friendly_ Mac/Windows/Linux "front end" for CDP. SoundThread gives you access to lots of CDP's power, but in a simple drag-and-drop modular way. It makes it fun and quick to explore, even if you have very limited experience - that's a big deal. CDP has _never_ been this easy before.
This video was made completely independently of SoundThread & CDP - if I find something cool, I just want to spread the word.
SOUNDTHREAD LINKS TO TRY IT YOURSELF
▶ Get SoundThread: github.com/j-p-higgins/SoundThread (Note: This will also tell you how to install CDP. Follow the install instructions precisely. It's not hard, but you mustn't miss a step.)
▶ ...Then learn SoundThread: Soundthread's maker has made a really clear and straightforward video tutorial series for it, watch these - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSR1fakzpcw9QjMXeByFGQBdFXJWfdFbu
▶ SoundThread Discord community: discord.gg/kWf4v8SCvR
▶ Buy the maker of SoundThread (Jonathan Higgins, solo developer) a pint to support future development: ko-fi.com/jphiggins
COMPOSERS DESKTOP PROJECT INFO
▶ Main site for CDP: composersdesktop.com (Note the other GUIs - if you’re on PC Soundshaper also looks good and I think has all CDP’s processes)
▶ SoundThread/CDP are not like other modular DSP platforms you might know, like VCV or AudioMulch etc as the library of available processes is its own thing. Learn about the processes in CDP: composersdesktop.com/docs/html/ccdpndex.htm (Note not all of CDPs processes are in SoundThread - yet - but more are coming)
▶ Watch this video where lovely chap BT shows you how command line CDP works: youtube.com/watch?v=vAOBnBjvXmA
SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL:
▶︎ Patreon: patreon.com/c/mylarmelodies (Help fund more podcast episodes, videos, join a community of music makers and ask me questions directly!)
▶︎ Buy some music on Bandcamp: mylarmelodies.bandcamp.com
▶︎ Buy your gear thru these affiliate links:
👉 SHOP AT KMR AUDIO AND GET 5% OFF ANYTHING WITH CODE MYLAR5 👈
➡️ KMR Audio: kmraudio.com/?ref=mylarmelodies
➡️ Signal Sounds: signalsounds.com/?ref=mm
➡️ Perfect Circuit link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-312335-9759?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2F
➡️ Sweetwater sweetwater.sjv.io/DKnn6y
➡️ Thomann: thomann.de/?offid=1&affid=845
➡️ Plugin Boutique: pluginboutique.com/?a_aid=642c4629ec8ef
▶︎ Make a one-time donation via Paypal: paypal.com/ncp/payment/KNLRQUDAUDUUJ
▶︎ Subscribe to my podcast Why We Bleep: whywebleep.com (...and rate it on your favourite app!)
CHAPTERPTZ
00:00 Why is this important?
01:35 How to apply processing in SoundThread
03:22 Add automation
03:45 Filterbank example, showing mixing
05:06 Extend Sounds: Envelope Bounce
05:51 Distort: Interpolate madness
07:15 Every sound gets saved (more examples)
08:17 What Aphex did with CDP
08:56 Drukqs effect spotting
09:51 Our own version, with automation
10:18 Processing Breaks in weird ways
11:03 Putting the sound in order of volume(!)
11:53 How to PVOC for more madness
13:19 PVOC Breakmangling
14:00 Final suggestion
Prepare to meet SoundThread - capable of the most insane sound mangling imaginable - and it's completely free. You might know of Composer's Desktop Project, used by our old pal Aphex Twin on Drukqs. CDP is one of the most powerful software sound design tools on Earth, and is free. It can do things you just can't do elsewhere. Problem is, CDP has never been especially easy to use. Enter SoundThread - a new, _beginner friendly_ Mac/Windows/Linux "front end" for CDP. SoundThread gives you access to lots of CDP's power, but in a simple drag-and-drop modular way. It makes it fun and quick to explore, even if you have very limited experience - that's a big deal. CDP has _never_ been this easy before.
This video was made completely independently of SoundThread & CDP - if I find something cool, I just want to spread the word.
SOUNDTHREAD LINKS TO TRY IT YOURSELF
▶ Get SoundThread: github.com/j-p-higgins/SoundThread (Note: This will also tell you how to install CDP. Follow the install instructions precisely. It's not hard, but you mustn't miss a step.)
▶ ...Then learn SoundThread: Soundthread's maker has made a really clear and straightforward video tutorial series for it, watch these - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSR1fakzpcw9QjMXeByFGQBdFXJWfdFbu
▶ SoundThread Discord community: discord.gg/kWf4v8SCvR
▶ Buy the maker of SoundThread (Jonathan Higgins, solo developer) a pint to support future development: ko-fi.com/jphiggins
COMPOSERS DESKTOP PROJECT INFO
▶ Main site for CDP: composersdesktop.com (Note the other GUIs - if you’re on PC Soundshaper also looks good and I think has all CDP’s processes)
▶ SoundThread/CDP are not like other modular DSP platforms you might know, like VCV or AudioMulch etc as the library of available processes is its own thing. Learn about the processes in CDP: composersdesktop.com/docs/html/ccdpndex.htm (Note not all of CDPs processes are in SoundThread - yet - but more are coming)
▶ Watch this video where lovely chap BT shows you how command line CDP works: youtube.com/watch?v=vAOBnBjvXmA
SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL:
▶︎ Patreon: patreon.com/c/mylarmelodies (Help fund more podcast episodes, videos, join a community of music makers and ask me questions directly!)
▶︎ Buy some music on Bandcamp: mylarmelodies.bandcamp.com
▶︎ Buy your gear thru these affiliate links:
👉 SHOP AT KMR AUDIO AND GET 5% OFF ANYTHING WITH CODE MYLAR5 👈
➡️ KMR Audio: kmraudio.com/?ref=mylarmelodies
➡️ Signal Sounds: signalsounds.com/?ref=mm
➡️ Perfect Circuit link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-312335-9759?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2F
➡️ Sweetwater sweetwater.sjv.io/DKnn6y
➡️ Thomann: thomann.de/?offid=1&affid=845
➡️ Plugin Boutique: pluginboutique.com/?a_aid=642c4629ec8ef
▶︎ Make a one-time donation via Paypal: paypal.com/ncp/payment/KNLRQUDAUDUUJ
▶︎ Subscribe to my podcast Why We Bleep: whywebleep.com (...and rate it on your favourite app!)
CHAPTERPTZ
00:00 Why is this important?
01:35 How to apply processing in SoundThread
03:22 Add automation
03:45 Filterbank example, showing mixing
05:06 Extend Sounds: Envelope Bounce
05:51 Distort: Interpolate madness
07:15 Every sound gets saved (more examples)
08:17 What Aphex did with CDP
08:56 Drukqs effect spotting
09:51 Our own version, with automation
10:18 Processing Breaks in weird ways
11:03 Putting the sound in order of volume(!)
11:53 How to PVOC for more madness
13:19 PVOC Breakmangling
14:00 Final suggestion
