You can now get Gait Runner, a rhythmic gate galloper for macOS from the planet Symphagos, for free!
Using a noise gate to create interesting rhythms from a sustained sound, like a synth pad, is nothing new, but I can promise you, this one is something different.
We know how much it means for our readers to keep up to date with current releases and industry news, so we’re doing one better!
We’re bringing you news from the year 5878 (this statement may or may not be factual).
Before I get into Gait Runner, I should discuss its unusual origins.
Many developers share information about the company’s genesis or the inspiration behind specific projects; in this case, we have a story that transports us to another time and space.
In this story, the protagonist is Dr. Dara Dawes, a humanoid alien scientist who discovers the planet Symphagos while exploring in her ship, the HMS Bugle.
Symphagos is a planet inhabited by Symphiotes, animal-instrument hybrids, of which Dr. Dara Dawes collects and catalogs specimens.
The good doctor then transmits these specimens in plugin form (specifically, the AU format for macOS, in this case) for 21st-century dwellers like us to make noise with.
The first specimen is Gait Runner, a quirky equine-themed noise gate, inspired by the work of Eadweard Muybridge, particularly The Horse in Motion from 1878.
Gait Runner has two modes (Walk and Gallop) presented with interesting interface visuals that present the horse-like species running wild (or tempo-synced).
Unlike a regular horse, you can quantize this horse’s gait (don’t even try with a real one, they don’t listen).
Behind the story of space exploration and hybrid lifeforms, Gait Runner is a noise gate that can inject simple, complex, or quirky (and random) rhythms into your sound.
It also features various ways to introduce character and dynamic elements to the rhythm through pitch, velocity, and filtering.
It’s different, it’s a bit unusual, and it is free!
This specimen is a collection of 78 cinematic samples from the Blumooda system (some very nice textural soundscapes in 48 kHz, 24-bit WAV files).
Now, I know that you might be thinking this all seems a little far-fetched, and we’re making up stories of space scientists and messages from the future, but I was prepared for that reaction.
So, I’ve sent my own transmission to HMS Bugle, requesting the doctor to provide verification that her work is very much real. I’m expecting a response around 2099, and when I get it, you’ll be the first to know!
If you still have doubts after that, I’ll borrow a line from one of my favorite protagonists, who once said: “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it.”
(Yes, it’s Marty McFly)
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Last Updated on March 6, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
