Les Diffuseurs (La Palme and Le Metallique bundle) are inspired by famous and highly unique speakers (called “diffuseurs”) that came with the Ondes Martenot, featuring a palm-shaped resonance chamber laced with 12 strings or a gong cabinet, which adds a specific metallic character to the Ondes Martenot sound.
With the help of Nori Ubukata and Yves Usson we reproduced these classic speakers, La Palme and Le Metallique. In addition, more possibilities have been added, such as the ability to mute any string, global transposition and real-time change of the gong's size.
But this was not enough!
The True Stereo Dynamic Engine ( TSDE ):
We pushed the concept even further by offering a True Stereo engine, so that you could position the two units, left and right, in a stereo image. True Stereo doesn’t mean a simple panoramic tool, with our TSDE you can place a speaker in front of the stereo field or farther back: You master the Space!
"Of course these are great plugging guitars straight in (I do a bit of that in the video) but playing with the Echo Fix EF-P2 Spring Reverb & EF-P3 Chorus Vibrato pedals has shown how they really shine on synths, modular and in studio settings.
This is a Pedals & Patches series video where I explore pedal FX with modular gear, synths and in the studio for creative use cases and musical applications. With these we have spring reverb on fifthy synths, on claps for dub style beats, creating ghoulish metallic drones and retro organ stabs. The Chorus Vibrato creates some ridiculous thick synth tones for a bass guitar, adds some tasty wonk to modular synth riffs and gives warm cuddly nostalgia flavour to a guitar. All the examples are in the timing index below, skip around as you like.
"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to catch up with Chris and Walker from Soundtoys to discuss their latest plugin, SuperPlate. Released about nine months ago, SuperPlate has become a standout product for the company. Unlike traditional reverb plugins, SuperPlate is an evolution of Soundtoys' LittlePlate, featuring five meticulously modeled plate reverb bottles, including iconic models like the EMT-140 and EMT-240.
What sets SuperPlate apart is its auto decay feature, that allows for infinite decay while intelligently managing the reverb's intensity when playing into it. We delve into the algorithmic modeling process, stereo controls, and the plugin's ability to smoothly emulate the characteristics of various plate reverbs.
Here are 5 things you can do with Polydactyl from Noise Engineering. We used presets and modified parameters to enhance a dull mix, beef up that drum room mic, and add dynamics processing to a clean guitar, Bass VI, and a 12-string.
Smoosh, limit, expand, drive, saturate, and create with Noise Engineering’s Polydactyl dynamics plugins! Polydactyl is designed for anything from subtle mixing tasks to complete sonic destruction.
We also made another dynamics plugin, Librae, made for mixing, mastering, sound design, and stereo-field experimentation. Check these out and other plugins on our website, and 'build your own bundle' for discounts.
Inspired by over-the-top and aggressive techniques but designed for versatility, Polydactyl and Librae are intended for clean mastering, sound design, and coloration."
"MAIM is the plugin for you if you want the sound of MP3 compression. With heavily hacked real MP3 encoders at its core, MAIM gives you the full gamut of digital distortion, from the realistic to the fantastical. Explore the bubbles and crunches of this unique form of digital distortion.
MAIM features two real MP3 encoders, captured in the wild and painstakingly incorporated into a real-time plugin.
We've woven mad-science circuit bending into MAIM's MP3 encoders, to give you fine control over a whole palette of spectral distortions and face-melting glitches.
All knobs can be smoothly dragged and automated, without pops or gaps in the sound.
MAIM works across DAWs, on Mac (AU/VST3), Windows (VST3), and even Linux (VST3).
MAIM is, and will always be, 100% free and open-source. If you are so inclined, check out the code, build MAIM yourself, or add the next awesome feature.
If you encounter any issues, or have an idea for something that would improve MAIM, please raise an issue on the GitHub page.
Maim took a long time to make. If you enjoy MAIM and want to see more plugins like it in the future, tips are always welcome."
"The clone is the Joyo 'Monomyth' a direct copy of the Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra; the chicken is the curious 'Boozer'; and the dodgy respray is me after I change my mind on the pedal's name and mangulate an other wise perfect spray job. So this is just a little bit of fun, and if I seem a bit strong in my criticism of the pedal's original state it's because I would never have bought it without intending to give it a makeover.
If watching an 11-minute pedal makeover is too much then here's the TLDW (too long didn't watch): Getting this pedal's top on and off was a nightmare; I stupidly changed my mind about the name; the end result was OK; and the pedal sounds good with a very strong EQ section.
0:00 Blather and unboxing
1:54 Raising the ugly bar
2:28 Pedal pedant
2:55 Behold the original
3:58 Inspection and test
5:33 Taking it apart
6:21 Respray
6:33 Boozer
6:35 Spraying
7:00 Family labor
7:44 Lights return
8:24 Version 2
8:50 Matched pair
9:02 Sound demo
11:18 OMG no!
Black Friday is almost upon us, and as is customary, we catch up with Tony from Soundtoys, who takes us through a processing ideas using elements of the SoundToys 5, Effect Rack and the Super Plate.
Currently SoundToys are giving away Little Plate (usually $99) and also heavily discounting their range for the sale period - currently around 50% savings to be had on the SoundToys 5 bundle ($249 from $499) and Effect Rack ($149 from $299) with up to 80% on individual plug-ins.
Note: SuperPlate can be used within Effect Rack V5.4 when you purchase and add a SuperPlate license to add to your Effect Rack plug-in. SuperPlate is NOT included with your Effect Rack plug-in purchase.
"Efx MOTIONS is a software effect that combines musical movement, mix dynamics, and creative audio tools into a powerful effect plugin to give your music the momentum, variety, and pure sonic excitement it deserves."
"In this Overview tutorial, Yetundey explains the basic concepts behind Efx MOTIONS, its structure, various modules, and motion editor. She also showcases a few use cases that might inspire you on how to integrate it into your own projects. Learn how to use Efx MOTIONS to create ducking effects, gated rhythms, abstract filtered loops, as well as stuttered drums fueled by spatial and dynamic effects."
_CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:12 Software Overview 01:42 Motion Modules 03:10 Macros & Modulators 04:08 Ducker Use Case 06:06 Abstract Use Case 09:22 Gated Rhythm Use Case 11:11 Drums Use Case 12:40 Transitions 13:33 Outro
Arturia Efx Motions plugin: presets walkthrough. No talking
"Arturia has just released a new multi-effect plugin: Efx Motions. It consists of several blocks (filter, distortion, noise, beat repeat, effects) and modulation sources (motion envelopes, sequencers), and together they can change the sound dramatically.
I like groove/sync/seq features the most: a pad can be easily transformed into rhythmical chords.
I passed my Minifreak presets, pads and arps, through the plugin and gave them a new life.
"Meet Arturia’s EFX Motions processing tool that turns the simplest idea into music that evolves and captivates; bring boring, static stems to life with moving filters, distortion, beat repeating, and more; making your music more responsive and alive."
00:00 Piano V3
01:31 Augmented Strings
04:24 MiniFreak V
05:21 Emulator II V (drums)"
"Efx MOTIONS empowers musicians to transform their ideas into evolving, captivating music. It breathes life into stagnant tracks with a suite of features, including moving filters, distortion, beat repeating, and more. Your mixes will feel more spacious, responsive, and alive.
Give your music the momentum, variety, and pure sonic excitement it deserves.
5 motion modules
At the center of Efx MOTIONS are its 5 main audio modules, each providing a different type of sound alteration. Toggle them on & off, switch up their order, and dig into unique parameters for each one for a near limitless range of motion-based processing.
Filter
Open and close the frequencies of your incoming audio with 5 types of filtering for bubbly swells, pumping resonant risers, and subtle analog transient emphasis.
Noise
Embellish & texturize any sound with a layer of noise, with dozens of sampled noise types to explore - from analog white noise to computer keyboard mashing to cicadas chirping.
Drive
Saturate, degrade, and destroy incoming sound with 10 varieties of crunch to choose from, including Tape, Softclip, and the fuzzy Germanium.
Volume
Create variations in level for stuttering percussion, tremolo-like movements, and more.
Pan
Make full use of the stereo field by manipulating the movement of panning in sync with your projects.
Beat repeat
Chop, resample, and transform incoming audio into punchy rhythmic ideas, from subtle repeating fills to glitchy Aphex Twin-esque mayhem.
Efx MOTIONS’ Beat Repeater and FX module gives you 5 more ways to get creative with the movement of your tracks, plus 2 FX slots with 14 FX types for a sprinkle of sonic coloration."
"We proudly present the GOLDEN MASTER PEDAL: a 24-bit 96kHz multiband processor effect unit that redefines the art of sound manipulation.
AVAILABLE NOW from ENDORPHIN.ES directly and worldwide retailers: [see the dealers on the right]
Crafted with the discerning needs of both live musicians and studio virtuosos in mind, this pedal stands as a testament to punch and power. At its core, the Golden Master boasts 32-bit internal processing, delivering pristine audio that enriches stereo mixes and imparts life to individual elements.
This pedal brings a plethora of features including an classic 3-band equaliser with selective compression, end-of-chain limiter, multiband sidechain and stereo image widener with dry/wet control. Such a versatile array of tools makes the Golden Master an indispensable instrument for adding energy and clarity to your music - whether you are a guitar or bassists player or just mastering the whole mix directly into venue PA.
Innovating further, the per-band EQ can be controlled externally using an expression pedal or the sidechain envelope follower derived from an external audio source. This ground-breaking technique empowers you to harness granular control over the spectrum sculpting frequencies and dynamics with unparalleled precision.
Compact and lightweight, the GOLDEN MASTER PEDAL seamlessly integrates into live setups, allowing you to achieve commanding, stageready mixes effortlessly.
With the capability to store and recall 3 presets, morphing between soundscapes becomes an intuitive one-handed experience, ensuring your creativity flows unhindered.
Moreover, the Golden Master's high impedance inputs and pseudobalanced outputs transform it into an exceptional DI box for minimising
noise when interfacing with large PA systems."
"We're thrilled to unveil the GHOST PEDAL: a collaborative masterpiece born from our ongoing synergy with Andrew Huang.
AVAILABLE NOW from ENDORPHIN.ES directly and worldwide retailers: [see the dealers on the right]
Tailored for audacious sound designers and electrifying live performers, the GHOST PEDAL embarks on an odyssey of multi-dimensional audio effects.
Prepare to be captivated by its arsenal of effects, including distortion, cabinet simulation, bitcrushing, and a trio of reverbs that span from lush halls with infinite freeze and shimmer to reverberating springs and ethereal reverses. A distinctive delay section takes centre stage, featuring a single delay line that can be harnessed for looping, stereo choruses and resonant textures.
The Ghost Pedal's expansive filter suite offers three distinct types – state-variable LP/HP, Band Pass, and a comb filter that morphs into a resonator with high resonance settings. Immerse yourself in sonic exploration as you modulate effects using the built-in multi-shape LFO or external sources such as the envelope follower, expression pedal or MIDI.
But what truly sets the Ghost Pedal apart is its Routing Matrix, providing six versatile routing options that redefine the sonic journey. With a simple button press, you can reshape the order of effects in the audio processing chain, from cataclysmic subharmonics to celestial shimmer
reverbs.
The Ghost Pedal is a haven for creative expression, offering 9 presets that can be seamlessly morphed and recalled on the fly. Sharing and evolving your sound is effortless, as presets can be exchanged between users via SysEx messages opening the doors to endless sonic horizons.
The Ghost Pedal redefines convenience with its compact design, offering also an all-in-one solution for both pedal boards and multi-effect processors.
It boasts a carefully chosen selection of intuitive hands-on controls that eliminate the need for cumbersome menu diving, steep learning curve or connectivity overkill."
"Welcome to the world of breaking down the digital world! Yes, in our music production world, we are proud to record on 24bit and 192kHz to provide pristine audio for music lovers. BUT... as we are, we are keen on crushing things as well, which means that LoFi audio quality is not a side effect of cheap Chinese child toys, but has become a creative tool in today's music creation and post-audio productions! Who could have thought of that in the 80ties when everybody screamed for 16bit instead of 8bit! Yes, humans are creative and many years later the ‘LoFi’ sound sculpting became an art of its own.
Well, LowSane adapts to this creative process and adds some additional creative options like the ‘Disrupt Sphere’ to this world of crushing down the digital bits!
It offers in the audio route a Distortion module, Band Pass / Notch Filter, Lo-Fi section, Hi and low Pass Filters, and a Noise Gate.
These parameters can be controlled by the ‘Disrupt Sphere’, and additionally there is also an Audio Follower which again can control the 'Disrupt Sphere' or any of the other parameters.
Last but not least there is a 2-slot modulation matrix in which you can connect again parameters, or use MIDI to control parameters and also the ‘Disrupt Sphere’. With LowSane you get your bits and pieces together going LoFi!"
"Here's the SooperLooper #looperpedal module built into the #Zynthian #raspberrypi #diysynth , used with a #guitar. The looper is treated as an effect, so you can include it in any part of your effects chain, routing (as shown in this video) a compressor into an amp model into the looper into a delay and reverb.
As always, don't expect great guitar playing in this video. This is a tech demo first and foremost. Video doesn't need an index this time. #poorguitarplayingpimpedwithepicreverb"
"We explore two psychoacoustic plug-ins from 0v1 Records: the Plutonium and PlutoniumXtra. These effects are meant to be felt rather than heard, and operate best on low frequency content like kick drums, bass, etc. It is recommended you listen to this video with headphones or stereo speakers with good bass response.
00:32 The user interface of the Plutonium and PlutoniumXtra
01:58 Drum & Bass example using the Arturia MS-20 V
06:40 Spectral analysis of the Plutonium and PlutoniumXtra
12:48 Conlusion
▣ Plutonium is a powerful psychoacoustic plugin that adds sub-audible signals to audio tracks, resulting in a more dynamic and impactful sound.
▣ It utilizes advanced techniques in stereo, compression, equalization, and transient alteration to excite frequencies at specific stereo ranges. With Plutonium and PlutoniumXtra, music producers, engineers, and audiophiles can take their audio to the next level.
"Habit is a new lovely loop guitar pedal by the super-combo of @Knobs and @Chase Bliss Audio. It records a 3 minute loops constantly in the background, and scans through that. This is a concept that fits my style very well, and I had fun from the start. Here is a track I made in 3 minutes for the compilation 'Habitapes' they plan to release soon on cassette."
Habit is a delay with a memory. It stores everything you play for later, so you can revisit and reuse sounds from the past: Gather up loops, design echo patterns, and harmonize with yourself from two minutes ago.
It’s an effect that can be turned into an instrument on a whim, an evolving paint-splatter of everything you do. Or it could just be a fun echo.
Habit’s secret is a digital tape reel that records every sound that enters the pedal. As long as Habit is on, it’s recording.
At any moment, you can scan back into this history and play moments from the past–instead of, or alongside the present. This architecture makes a pile of interesting things possible: never-before-heard delays, bizarre loops and transitions, and even entire songs captured right inside the pedal...
Habit features advanced connectivity and customization options including MIDI, CV and Expression control, sync, presets, and internal modulation of any or all its knobs.
"The original Boss RC-505 is seen by many as the pinnacle of loopstations, with countless musicians using it as a gateway to success during the 15+ years it's been available. Surely time for an update then?
Here's the RC-505 MKII then, with expanded IO, improved audio quality, increased FX (4 input, 4 track), more algorithms, increased record time - 13hrs over 3, bounce feature, Mark back and undo, more rhythms, way deep button and controller assignments.
We've multi-sampled a couple of the Drum Kits and made them available as Decent Sampler presets on our Patreon Page:
https://patreon.com/sonicstate
The RC-505 MKII really does build on the original while keeping the essential functions the same - that is five stereo tracks of loopers, with tempo detection, time stretch and lots of control.
Editor Nick is a first time RC user and takes us through the essential functions, and gives his verdict.
