View source for Imaginando

{{Infobox company
| name = Imaginando Lda
| logo = 
| industry = {{Unbulleted list|[[Music technology]]|[[Music software]]|[[New media art]]}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|2014}} in [[Braga]], Portugal
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Nuno Santos}}
| hq_location_city = [[Braga]]
| hq_location_country = [[Portugal]]
| products = TKFX, LK, DRC, DLYM, K7D, FRMS, VS, BAM, TV3, GRFX
| area_served = Worldwide
| num_employees = 6
| website = {{URL|imaginando.pt}}
}}

'''Imaginando Lda''' is a Portuguese company founded in 2014 by Nuno Santos that develops software for music production, sound design, and performance as well as audio-reactive visuals. The company's headquarters is located in [[Braga]], [[Portugal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imaginando. Dar música aos estrangeiros com tecnologia portuguesa |url=https://dinheirovivo.dn.pt/imaginando-dar-musica-aos-estrangeiros-com-tecnologia-portuguesa-12854440.html/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Dinheiro Vivo |date=21 January 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-24 |title=#17: Nuno Santos Imaginando Founder, Co-Creator of DRC Virtual Analog Synth |url=https://brianfunk.com/blog/2017/4/18/nuno-santos-ios-developer-creator-of-drc-virtual-analog-synth |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Brian Funk |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first= |title=IMAGINANDO'S MOST POWERFUL STRENGTH: FORWARD-THINKING SYNTHS AND TOOLS FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION |url=https://magneticmag.com/2023/01/imaginandos-most-powerful-strength-forward-thinking-synths-and-tools-for-music-production/#google_vignette |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=magneticmag.com|date=31 January 2023 }}</ref>

== History ==

Imaginando was founded by Nuno Santos in Braga, Portugal ([[City of Media Arts]] of [[UNESCO]]), who is the company's current CEO and CTO. The company started as a business initiative with no venture funding.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=P3 |date=2016-07-04 |title=Imaginando: controlar a música electrónica a partir dos "gadgets" |url=https://www.publico.pt/2016/07/04/p3/noticia/imaginando-controlar-a-musica-electronica-a-partir-dos-gadgets-1826429 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=PÚBLICO |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Faria |first=Inês |date=2016-12-04 |title=Imaginando: making Portugal stand out in the electronic music scene |url=https://portugalstartups.com/2016/12/imaginando-making-portugal-stand-out-in-the-electronic-music-scene/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Portugal Startups |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Imaginando. Dar música aos estrangeiros com tecnologia portuguesa |url=https://www.dinheirovivo.pt/fazedores/imaginando-dar-musica-aos-estrangeiros-com-tecnologia-portuguesa-12854440.html/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Dinheiro Vivo |date=21 January 2017 |language=pt}}</ref> As a solo entrepreneur, he looked for a solution for maintaining a single code base for multiple target devices, thus Qt Framework was adopted.<ref>{{Citation |title=QtWS17 - One developer, Three products, Three platforms, Nuno Filipe Magalhães Santos, Imaginando | date=25 October 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgBq4dMoI_g |access-date=2024-02-07 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2015 he joined forces with his long time friend Rui Antunes, an [[Analogue electronics|analog electronics]] expert and [[synthesizer]] repairer, to create Imaginando’s first synthesizer. Rui developed an analog modeled synthesizer in [[Pure Data]], which served as a base for the development of the DRC (Digital Resistor Capacitor) synthesizer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imaginando DRC |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/imaginando-drc |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=ECO |date=2016-12-17 |title=E se pudesse tocar uma harpa laser? Já pode |url=https://eco.sapo.pt/2016/12/17/e-se-pudesse-tocar-uma-harpa-laser-ja-pode/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=ECO |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-18 |title=Visão {{!}} DRC: o primeiro sintetizador português já está disponível para download |url=https://visao.pt/exameinformatica/noticias-ei/software/2016-04-18-drc-o-primeiro-sintetizador-portugues-ja-esta-disponivel-para-download/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Visão |language=pt-PT}}</ref>

During DRC development and stemming from a [[new media art]] open call from GNRation, they created a project called “Harpa Laser”. The project consisted of a {{convert|2|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall|sp=us}} iron structure that incorporated 8 lasers in parallel and with a DRC engine running on a [[Raspberry Pi]]. This [[new media art]] installation debuted in the 2015 Noite Branca, in the streets of Braga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ECO |date=2016-12-17 |title=E se pudesse tocar uma harpa laser? Já pode |url=https://eco.sapo.pt/2016/12/17/e-se-pudesse-tocar-uma-harpa-laser-ja-pode/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=ECO |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-02 |title=Já se cruzou com a Harpa Laser da Imaginando? – Marketeer |url=https://marketeer.sapo.pt/ja-se-cruzou-com-a-harpa-laser-da-imaginando/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |language=pt-PT}}</ref>

In 2017, Imaginando ventured on another open call by GNRation, this time turning a piece of antique furniture into a gigantic digital music box.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-27 |title=A giant-sized music box, made with digital tech and antique furniture |url=https://cdm.link/2017/09/giant-sized-music-box-made-digital-tech-antique-furniture/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=CDM Create Digital Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Products ==

In 2014, Imaginando released TKFX, a  [[Native Instruments]] [[Traktor]] Dj Controller.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imaginando - TKFX · Tech Review ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/reviews/15819 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref>

In 2015, Imaginando released LK, an [[Ableton Live]] & [[MIDI controller|MIDI Controller]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-09 |title=LK Gives Your iPad or Android Tablet Easy Control of Ableton Live [Gallery, Hands on] |url=https://cdm.link/2015/03/lk-gives-ipad-android-tablet-easy-control-ableton-live/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=CDM Create Digital Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2016, Imaginando released DRC, a polyphonic synthesizer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-18 |title=Visão {{!}} DRC: o primeiro sintetizador português já está disponível para download |url=https://visao.pt/exameinformatica/noticias-ei/software/2016-04-18-drc-o-primeiro-sintetizador-portugues-ja-esta-disponivel-para-download/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Visão |language=pt-PT}}</ref>

In 2018, Imaginando released DLYM, a [[Chorus (audio effect)|chorus]] and [[Flanging|flanger]] effect.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-07 |title=Free DLYM Delay Modulator VST/AU Plugin Released By Imaginando |url=https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2018/03/07/free-delay-modulator-vst/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Bedroom Producers Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Ben Rogerson |date=2018-03-09 |title=DLYM puts chorus, phaser and flanger effects into a free VST/AU plugin |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/dlym-puts-chorus-phaser-and-flanger-effects-into-a-free-vstau-plugin |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, Imaginando released K7D, a [[Delay (audio effect)|tape delay]] audio effect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fab |date=2019-05-14 |title=K7D Review - A Great Sounding Yet Ultra Affordable Tape Delay For Desktop and iOS |url=https://audionewsroom.net/2019/05/k7d-review-a-great-sounding-yet-ultra-affordable-tape-delay-for-desktop-and-ios.html |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=AudioNewsRoom - ANR |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2020, Imaginando released FRMS, a [[Granular synthesis|granular synthesizer]] that combines granular, [[Subtractive synthesis|subtractive]], and [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM synthesis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldschmitz |first=Thilo |date=2020-05-23 |title=Test: Imaginando FRMS, granulares FM-Synth-Plugin |url=https://www.amazona.de/test-imaginando-frms-granulares-fm-synth-plugin/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=AMAZONA.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>

In 2021, Imaginando released VS, a visual synthesizer that can turn musical compositions into graphical effects (based on [[OpenGL Shading Language|GLSL]] shaders, images and videos), in real time, by taking advantage of incoming audio and [[MIDI]] information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imaginando VS |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/imaginando-vs |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-21 |title=VS Visual Synthesizer responds to your music, with shader and layer powers (Mac, Windows, iOS) |url=https://cdm.link/2021/06/vs-visual-synthesizer-responds-to-your-music-with-shader-and-layer-powers-mac-windows-ios/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=CDM Create Digital Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, Imaginando released BAM - Beat Maker & Music Maker, a [[groovebox]] style application that can also host plugins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why are so many producers praising Imaginando BAM? |url=https://musictech.com/reviews/digital-audio-workstations/imaginando-bam-review/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Markus |date=2023-12-06 |title=Test: Imaginando BAM, Groovebox, iOS, Mac, Windows, VST |url=https://www.amazona.de/test-imaginando-bam-groovebox-ios-mac-windows-vst/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=AMAZONA.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>

In 2024, Imaginando released TV3 - Acid Synth, a synth inspired by the iconic [[Roland TB-303]] bass synthesizer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Imaginando TV3 acid synth and bassline generator, free through Dec 1 |url=https://cdm.link/tv3-acid/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=CDM Create Digital Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2025, Imaginando released GRFX - Granular Effects, an audio effect that uses granular synthesis principles to transform sounds into textures, rhythmic patterns, and ambient soundscapes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-24 |title=Imaginando GRFX Might Be the Most Fun Granular Plugin You'll Use This Year |url=https://weraveyou.com/2025/04/imaginando-grfx-might-be-the-most-fun-granular-plugin-youll-use-this-year/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=We Rave You |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title=Imaginando GRFX puts granular effects in sweet harmony |url=https://cdm.link/imaginando-grfx |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=CDM Create Digital Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References==
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. -->
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Software companies of Portugal]]
[[Category:Music companies]]
[[Category:Software companies established in 2014]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Portugal]]