Soniccouture Flowstate Review
A Transformative Tool for Experimental Sound Design
As a sound engineer with a passion for pushing creative boundaries, I was intrigued by Soniccouture’s Flowstate, a new Kontakt Player virtual instrument designed to morph audio into dynamic, harmonic soundscapes. Known for their innovative sampled instruments, Soniccouture has a reputation for delivering tools that inspire experimentation, and Flowstate promises to turn any audio clip into a living, pitched musical form. I spent some time exploring its features in my studio, and here’s my take on its design, functionality, and potential for producers and sound designers.
What Is Soniccouture Flowstate?
Flowstate is a Kontakt Player instrument (compatible with Kontakt 7 or 8) that transforms audio clips into evolving, harmonic textures using a Harmonic Morphing Engine. It features a formant filter bank with eight tuned filters, allowing you to morph between two harmonic setups (A and B) across five distinct states. You can drag and drop any audio—drum loops, field recordings, vocals, or noise—and manipulate it with synthesis parameters, formant filters, and global effects. Priced at £99 (with an introductory offer of £59 until March 14, 2025), it comes with 100 presets and samples but is designed for users to experiment with their own audio.
Design and Interface
Flowstate’s interface is both minimalist and enigmatic, a deliberate choice by Soniccouture to encourage experimentation over technical overthinking. The main panel features a large Flow Dial, a waveform display, and five “state runes” that look like they belong on a sci-fi set—or a Led Zeppelin album cover. Clicking these runes shifts the sound between five harmonic states, while the Flow Dial (mapped to the mod wheel by default) lets you morph between harmonic setups A and B in real time. This setup invites intuitive exploration, which I found refreshing for sparking creativity.
Digging deeper, the Editors section reveals the Harmonics and Synth panels. The Harmonics panel lets you adjust eight faders to control the level of each harmonic (1 being the fundamental, 2 the second harmonic, etc.), with negative values for subharmonics. The Synth panel offers classic synthesis controls like sample start position, filter tweaking, and envelope/LFO modulation, all of which morph between states. Finally, the FX panel provides three configurable slots with 26 effects—reverbs, delays, distortion, and more—that apply globally across all states, adding consistency to the sound.
The interface runs smoothly in any VST/AU/RTAS/AAX-compatible DAW (e.g., Ableton Live, Logic, Reaper), and its NKS compatibility ensures seamless integration with Native Instruments hardware. It requires Kontakt Player 7.10 or later, which is free, making it accessible without needing the full version of Kontakt.
Sound Quality and Performance
Flowstate’s core strength lies in its ability to transform audio into harmonic, pitched soundscapes. I started by dragging in a simple drum loop and was immediately impressed by how the formant filters turned it into a glassy, melodic texture. Clicking through the five states, I could hear the sound morph into distinct harmonic profiles—one state gave a pad-like drone, another a pulsating rhythmic texture. The Flow Dial made these transitions smooth and organic, perfect for creating evolving soundscapes in real time.
The Harmonics panel allowed me to fine-tune the sound by adjusting the eight harmonics. For example, boosting the fundamental (harmonic 1) on a vocal sample added a deep, resonant tone, while emphasizing higher harmonics (like 5 or 6) brought out a brighter, more ethereal quality. Morphing between A and B setups added a layer of movement that felt alive, almost like the sound was breathing. The Synth panel’s envelope and LFO controls let me shape the dynamics further—I added a slow LFO to the filter cutoff on a field recording of rain, creating a hypnotic, swelling effect that sounded otherworldly.
The global FX were a highlight, with 26 options to add depth and character. I applied a reverb and delay to a breakbeat, then distorted the low end slightly, resulting in a cinematic, textured sound that wouldn’t have been out of place in a sci-fi soundtrack. However, I did notice that because the FX are global and not state-specific, sudden shifts between states could sometimes feel jarring if the effects didn’t complement the new harmonic profile.
Flowstate excels at creating ambient pads, drones, and evolving textures, but it can also produce more aggressive sounds like searing leads or glitchy rhythms. I transformed a recording of traffic noise into a haunting, pitched drone by tuning the formants and adding a touch of distortion—a testament to its versatility. The 100 included presets are a great starting point, covering everything from ethereal pads to rhythmic FX, but the real magic happens when you use your own audio.
Practical Applications
Flowstate is a dream for sound designers and media composers. Its ability to turn any audio into a playable, harmonic instrument makes it perfect for scoring films or creating ambient soundscapes. I used it to craft a background drone for a short film, starting with a recording of wind and morphing it into a pitched, evolving texture that added an eerie atmosphere to the scene. EDM producers might also find value in its rhythmic capabilities—transforming a drum loop into a pulsating, harmonic layer added a unique edge to a techno track I was working on.
The real-time morphing and keyswitching between states make it a powerful tool for live performance or improvisation. I mapped the state runes to my MIDI controller and found it intuitive to shift between textures during a live jam, adding a dynamic layer to my set. However, for more traditional music production, like composing with orchestral libraries, Flowstate might feel too experimental—it’s best suited for those who want to explore the “esoteric end of the sound spectrum.”
Pros and Cons
Pros
Transformative Sound Design: Turns any audio into a harmonic, evolving instrument with a unique, organic quality.
Intuitive Interface: The minimalist design and Flow Dial encourage experimentation without overwhelming technical details.
Versatile Morphing: Five states with morphable harmonics and synthesis parameters offer endless sonic possibilities.
Global FX: 26 effects add depth and consistency across states, enhancing the overall sound.
Affordable and Accessible: At £59 (intro price), it’s a steal for a Kontakt Player instrument with no extra purchase needed.
Cons
Global FX Limitation: Effects don’t change with states, which can lead to inconsistent transitions.
Niche Application: Best for experimental and ambient work—may not suit traditional music production needs.
Learning Curve for Precision: While intuitive, achieving specific results with the formant filters requires some trial and error.
Who Is Flowstate For?
Flowstate is ideal for sound designers, media composers, and experimental producers who want to create unique, evolving textures from any audio source. It’s particularly well-suited for ambient, cinematic, or avant-garde music, where its ability to craft pads, drones, and rhythmic soundscapes shines. However, if you’re looking for a traditional instrument library for composing pop or orchestral music, Flowstate might feel too abstract. It’s a tool for those who thrive on experimentation and aren’t afraid to dive into the unknown.
Conclusion
Soniccouture Flowstate is a remarkable instrument that lives up to its promise of transforming audio into malleable, harmonic soundscapes. Its Harmonic Morphing Engine, intuitive interface, and versatile synthesis options make it a powerful tool for creative sound design, particularly for ambient and cinematic applications. While the global FX and niche focus might limit its appeal for some, its ability to inspire experimentation and produce unique, living textures is undeniable. At £59 (introductory price until March 14, 2025), it’s a fantastic value for anyone looking to add a fresh, experimental edge to their sonic palette. If you’re a producer or composer who loves to explore new sonic territory, Flowstate is well worth a try.