These days, the audio plugin market is so diverse and dynamic that it would be impossible to keep track of every new launch and release.
In the tutorial video above, we showcase four of our favorite effect plugins that you might have never heard of. We’ve also listed each plugin and summarized some key points from the video below.
1. The Orb by AudioThing
The Orb is a formant filter that simulates the human voice. At the heart of the plugin is an orb that displays different vowel sounds, which can each be customized individually. The right-hand LFOs modulate the dot in the center of the orb, which dictates the balance between the vowel filters. Check out 0:19 of the video to hear The Orb in action.
2. Nuxx by Audiaire
Nuxx is a step sequencer-powered multi-FX processor. It has over 30 effect types (distortion, delay, reverb, flange, etc.) that can have their parameters rhythmically mapped across a sequencer. There are a ton of great presets that span everything from the staples — the reverbs sound amazing — to absolute mayhem. Check out 3:19 of the video to hear Nuxx in action.
3. Subvert by Glitchmachines
Subvert is a multi-channel distortion unit that can radically change any input. It’s one of the more extreme plugins on this list in the sense that it’ll truly decimate your sound, often rendering it unrecognizable (in a good way). With its minimal, submenu-free UI, Subvert allows everything to be quickly accessed and manipulated. Check out 6:38 of the video to hear Subvert in action.
4. SurferEQ by SoundRadix
SurferEQ is a unique pitch-tracking equalizer; each of its seven EQ filters can latch onto a specific harmonic of an incoming sound. This is particularly helpful when creating consistent mixes for elements such as bass and vocals. That said, it can only latch onto monophonic sources, so SurferEQ will act like a traditional equalizer when processing piano, rhythm guitar, or anything else that’s polyphonic in nature. Check out 8:55 of the video to hear SurferEQ in action.
Do you have any plugins in your toolbox that you feel are underrated? Let us know in the comments below.
January 18, 2020
