the tab as speculative fiction: world-building sonic genres through counterfactual signal histories
This article is based on the latest industry practices and data, last updated in April 2026. In my decade as a sonic architect and speculative design consultant, I've moved beyond treating the audio plugin as a mere tool. I now see the humble DAW tab as the primary interface for a profound act of world-building. This guide explores how we, as producers, use the signal chain not just to process sound, but to construct entire counterfactual histories of music. We'll delve into advanced techniques