SineVibes has introduced Array – an AudioUnit plugin for creating rhythmic spectral effects.
Array divides the input sound using 8 finely-tuned, smooth -36 dB/octave band-pass filters, and allows to sequence each frequency band individually.
What can it do?
- Completely reconstruct and transform drum and percussion loops.
- Turn synths, basses, pads or pretty much any static sound into spectrally and rhythmically rich new material.
- Liven up final productions with intricate breaks and transitions.
Compatibility
Array works with Logic, MainStage, GarageBand, Live, Maschine, Studio One, ReNoise, Reaper, Bidule and other Mac software that supports AudioUnit effect plugins. It comes in 32/64 bit versions for both Intel and PPC, and requires OS X version 10.5 or later.
SineVibes Array is available now for $19.
If you’ve used Array, let us know what you think of it!
Downloaded the demo version and ran it in live with some beats, synths, and vocals. Here’s my review: It definitely sounds interesting but in general I was underwhelmed. At $19 I would expect there to be more presets and the 15 or so that it has all sound quite similar. I was hoping for a more surprising sound but in the end it’s very similar to a gate type rhythmic chopping effect. Another issue is that it really cuts the signal when the effect is active so you need to have a signal boost(at least 5db’s or so after effect chain). This is not a big deal but can make things tedious when using it a lot. In the end I could see how this could add of lot of interest and intricacy to a piece of music but for $19 I would expect it to be much more impressive since it’s only used as a plug in effect. In the end I could probably see myself using this, especially live but am not keen at that price range. If the plug in had a ton more presets and even another effect packaged in than I might. In the meantime check it out for yourself as I would love to hear what other users experienced!
I can agree with The Wholeheart on the amount of presets, we will be bringing more in version 1.0.1. However, maybe you compare it with iPad/iPhone apps, but $19 is a very rare price for an AudioUnit plugin with such capabilities (and it’s way more than just a “gate effect” – compare it with our Strobe for example, which is indeed just a gate). Array might seem like a simple tool – and it is simple to use indeed, but try it on different sound materials and you will see it will do different things, mainly since it depends on the source spectrum. Cheers!
19$ seems pretty cheap, when you consider that there are VSTs like this that sell for way over 100$….
iOS is making people so cheap. these ipad hobbyists think 20 bucks is expensive for a plugin. On the other hand if this AU only why not put it in the App Store to make everyone’s life easier. Who can keep track of a million different plugins from different vendors with different accounts and registrations and copy protections etc. etc.
from what I understand, plugins cannot be in the app store due to Apple’s rule that the app must be self-contained so the interaction with your DAW is not acceptable.
Some companies have got around this though by selling a standalone version and allowing you to download the plugin as part of that purchase.
On topic though this app looks very interesting and $19 for an AU is a pretty amazing price, weird and esoteric ways of mangling content and creating rhythmic material is right up my alley – I’ll definitely be trying it out.
Sadly, the App Store only allows apps and not plugins, can’t even have an app that would install a plugin. BTW we use no authorization and getting your updates is done by simply entering your e-mail on our website. So trust me you won’t ever have a headache updating or re-downloading our plugins 🙂
I got this tonight and I dig it. I think the described loss of volume might be from using too thin of a sound. If your sound falls into only 1or 2 of the frequency bands, it becomes a basic gating effect very easily. A gain dial might be cool, but not necessary for me. I like the suggestion of an added effect section though, and my vote would be for chorus, it smooths it out and sounds real groovy.
Overall I think it’s a good buy, as expected from Sinevibes. I’ve used Deep and Filther on every song since I got them, and see myself using Array just as often.
Glad you like it, Brett! Thanks a lot for your feedback.
Come on people, 19$ is a steel , and be creative with it
I have continued to use the demo and I stand by what I said in my initial review. Of course the review is very much based on how I might use it in context with my music. Most of my stuff is very thick and shoegazy. Heavy on analog pads and arps and Sample layers.I found the plug in to really bite into the character of the sound as opposed to enhance it. Overall I think the plug in is very intricate but better suited to glitchy spacious electronica. Perhaps even minimal. I look forward to hearing what others have to say if they have genuinely used it and of course I hope others find it quite useful and inspiring. I look forward to checking out other Sinevibes products.. 🙂
Because BPF’s, when layered, create quite a few dips in the spectrum, of course the plugin will color the input signal a lot. Especially if you crank up the resonance and the input signal’s main frequencies will fall right into resonating cutoff frequencies. In that sense, yes, Array works better with more tame, spectrally homogenious material, that spreads widely into 3-4 filter bands at least.
I messed around with this over the weekend, and I think it’s quite cool. You can get some really neat morphing comb-filter-y sort of stuff. It helps to have source material with a wide harmonic content (I used orchestral string sample pads to great effect). If you give the sequencer odd lengths you can get really interesting results. I’d say the bang-to-buck ratio on this is very decent.
I’ve also used the Filther plug-in a lot. The thing about the Sinevibes plugs is that they may be subtle, or limited in the variety of sounds they produces, but they do produce unique, interesting sounds. It’s hard to explain, but they tend to give stuff a cool sort of furturistic ‘sheen’ to things or something. And neat interfaces, too.
Thanks very much for the warm feedback! 🙂