Audio Damage has released Filterstation, their software take on the classic serial/parallel/stereo dual filter topology, made famous (and some would say “indispensable”) by the Sherman Filterbank and its many clones. Filterstation comes in AU and VST plug-in flavors.

With twelve filter algorithms—including Audio Damage’s all-new MS20 lowpass and highpass emulations—an envelope follower, saturation, and an easy-to-use interface, Filterstation has everything you need to get your “noink” and Dubstep wub wub wub on!

Filterstation Features

• Twelve different filter algorithms, including two all-new MS20 emulations and classic 914 bandpass and Filterpod lowpass models
• VCA mode for tremolo and gate effects
• LFO with twelve different patterns, and both internal and tempo sync modes
• Envelope follower for dynamic control of filter frequency
• Serial, parallel, and true stereo operating modes
• Sidechain input for external signal to envelope follower (VST3 only)
• Easy-to use interface for quick programming

On the Mac, Filterstation requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel processor, and a compatible Audio Units (AU), VST 2.4 or VST 3.0 host application. All formats are available as both 32- and 64-bit binaries.

Filterstation is available now via direct download from Audio Damage for $49.

http://www.audiodamage.com/effects/product.php?pid=AD029

Audio Damage has released Phosphor, a software instrument plug-in modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but they’ve gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your DAW of choice.

Featuring two sixteen-partial additive oscillators, each with its own amp envelope, Phosphor’s topology closely follows the alphaSyntauri, while adding many modern features such as full velocity control, a much more extensive modulation routing system, tempo synced LFOs, a pair of delays, and two monophonic modes. The noise and oscillators are able to work in the original alphaSyntauri resolutions, and can also be run at modern sample rates. All this results in a much more sophisticated and capable synth than the original, without compromising the ability to recreate the classic sounds of the early days of digital synthesis.

Phosphor Features:

• Two complete oscillator/envelope sections modeled on the original topology of the alphaSyntauri.
• Each set of partials can run in “lo-fi” mode, emulating the original, or in a modern mode for alias-free sines.
• The noise can be either “lo-fi” digital shift-register noise, or modern white noise.
• Two complete delay sections with LP/HP filtering and cross-feedback.
• Two tempo-syncable LFOs with multiple modulation destinations.
• Full MIDI Learn.

Phosphor requires an Intel Mac and OS X 10.5 or later, and comes in VST and AU plug-in flavors. It is available as a direct download from Audio Damage for $59.

http://www.audiodamage.com/instruments/product.php?pid=AD027

Discuss Phosphor on our Instruments forum.

Audio Damage has announced Axon, a VST and AU plug-in that combines a set of FM-based percussion synthesizers with a novel sequencer design. Christened the Neuron Sequencer, it is described as a set of counters that trigger each other, creating complex and sometimes unpredictable—but not random—patterns and rhythms.

The goal at Audio Damage was to come up with a new style of percussion sequencer/synth that wasn’t linear and x0x-y (TR-808, TR-909, et al). The Neuron Sequencer in Axon is a fundamentally different way of thinking about rhythmic sequencing, and results in new patterns and styles that will bring your IDM, dance, and ambient tracks to another place.

Axon’s sequencer can either drive external synths and samplers or seven of its own internal voices, which are FM-based, but designed for quick and easy programming, and fine-tuned for percussive-type sounds. A full MIDI Learn complement allows external hardware control of both the sequencer and the internal voices. And an on-board stereo delay chosen from a fairly thick collection of Audio Damage delay algorithms extends the rhythmic possibilities right to the edge of what any sane person could possibly stand.

Its own creator will be the first to admit that Axon is an experimental tool, and isn’t for everybody. But if your interests lie in the abstract realm, and you want to take your rhythm and melody programming to strange new worlds, this might be just the thing.

Axon Features:

• All new Neuron Sequencer, a seven-node hexagonal counter sequencer.
• Seven FM percussion-tuned voices, also capable of melodic expression.
• Unique FM and Ring Mod busses for global FM and Ring Mod.
• Full MIDI output control (VST only) for driving external synths, drum machines, and samplers.
• Full internal mixer that also controls MIDI output velocity, with solo and muting.
• Internal stereo delay, taken from the best of Audio Damage’s delay algorithms, with low- and high-pass filters and a playable feedback control.
• Full MIDI Learn mode, for external hardware control of all Axon parameters.

Axon for Mac OS X requires 10.5.1 or greater, and is Intel only. It is available via download directly from Audio Damage for $59.

www.audiodamage.com/instruments/product.php?pid=AD026

Discuss Axon in our Instruments forum.

Audio Damage has announced the availability of Discord3, a comprehensive refresh of their popular Discord series of multi-effects. From subtle ADT effects to completely chaotic granular destruction, and everything in between, Discord3 is a capable and broad-reaching multi-effect plug-in.

The pitch-shifter consists of three separate algorithms: a “vintage” mode (the original Discord algorithm, modeled on the Eventide H910 and H949), a “clean” mode for more modern shifting sounds, and a “granular” mode for experimental effects. Each mode has its strengths, depending on the input material, and Discord3 has a broad palette of capabilities as a result. The P1 and P2 algorithms have full control over the buffer (window) size of the shift effect, for fine tuning the shift to the input signal, or for stranger sound effects. At the extremes of the six-octave shift range, some truly strange aliasing and artifacts can be had with this control.

If you’re looking for a nice, clean diatonic pitch shifter for fine surgery and re-pitching the full program, this may not be for you. Discord3 is a tool for sound design, barberpole shifting delays, and special effects. Think Eno, Visconti, Bowie, or Dirty Mind-era Prince and you’ll be on the right track.

Discord3 Features:

• Pitch Shifting — Discord3 contains a pair of shifters with three separate algorithms (Vintage, Clean, and Granular) for different styles of pitch shifting.
• Buffer Size Control — The P1 (Vintage) and P2 (Clean) algorithms have a Buffer Size control, from 32 to 2048 samples, for fine-tuning the pitch shifting effect.
• Delay — Tempo-synced or free-running delays with feedback, cross-feedback, and a sophisticated bandpass filter.
• Modulation — Discord3 has a pair of LFOs that can modulate delay time, pitch shift amount, and filter center frequency.
• True Stereo Operation — Discord3 has a true stereo signal path, with entirely independent control over each side.
• All New GUI — Discord3 has a completely re-designed GUI, with animated displays and a unique “grab-the-digit” value adjustment method.
• MIDI Note Control — Six octaves of pitch-shifting can be controlled with MIDI note input.
• Full MIDI Learn — Discord3 features MIDI learn for every parameter, for full hardware control.

The Mac version of Discord3 requires an Intel processor, OS X 10.5 or newer and an AU or VST 2.0 host. 64-bit versions will be available by mid-June.

Discord3 is available directly from Audio Damage for $59. If you already own Discord 1, 1.5, or 2, an upgrade is available for $10.

www.audiodamage.com/effects/product.php?pid=AD025

Discuss Discord3 in our Effects forum.

Audio Damage is very pleased to announce that its first software instrument is now available. It’s called Tattoo, and it’s a drum synthesizer with integrated sequencer. All sounds are synthesized in real time–no samples are employed.

With twelve voices inspired by the famous X0X series of analog drum machines and an internal sequencer that is second to none, Tattoo makes an excellent addition to the arsenal for any electronic music producer.

Each of the twelve internal voices has been created using their proprietary D-Plane synthesis, and each has been extensively tested and tuned in order to have a broad palette. Every parameter of every voice has its own modulation sequencer, allowing for extensive motion within a pattern.

The grid sequencer in Tattoo is a whole world unto itself, with comprehensive randomization features and multiple sync modes, including a MIDI note sync to enable use with virtually any time signature, groove template, or host swing. The sequencer has MIDI out (VST only) to drive other sound sources, to double or replace Tattoo’s internal sounds.

“This product represents our largest investment of time and effort to date, but it was a labor of love” says Audio Damage’s Adam Schabtach. “Chris and I are both drum machine nuts and we’ve been talking about doing a software beatbox almost as long as we’ve been talking about anything. Six or seven months ago we decided that the time had arrived to take a stab at it, and now it’s done. We’re pretty proud of it and we hope that you enjoy it, too.”

Click to zoom

Tattoo features:

• 12 Drum Synths: Tattoo comes equipped with twelve different voices, utilizing custom D-Plane synthesis, rather than the one general catch-all voice you find in most drum synth plug-ins.
• Sophisticated Step Sequencer: Tattoo’s internal sequencer comes correct, taking grid programming to the next level.
• Randomization For Days: There are multiple routes to randomizing your beats, from subtle ghost notes to full on haywire.
• Parameter Sequencing: Every synth parameter (and we mean every one) has its own sequencer, including randomization.
• Synchronized: Tattoo can run off its internal sequencer, from host sync, or via “note sync,” where the sequencer can be stepped with MIDI notes. In this way, Tattoo can run in any time signature you can come up with, or sync to any groove template in any host sequencer.
• MIDI Input: Tattoo’s MIDI implementation includes full MIDI learn for all parameters and MIDI pattern switching. You can also use MIDI note input in addition to or instead of Tattoo’s internal sequencer, and still have access to the randomization features and MOD sequencing.
• MIDI Output: Tattoo sends MIDI output of all its note events, including randomization, so you can use its step sequencer to drive any other drum synth or sampler (or any instrument, really) as long as your host allows MIDI routing from a plug-in instrument.
• Audio Outputs: Tattoo has six stereo outputs. The first buss has a modified version of the Kombinat “One Knob Compressor” to add a little (or a lot of) squish to things.

In short, Tattoo is more than a simple drum synth; it is a complete rhythm programming environment, a fantasy come true for any fan of vintage drum machines.

To use Tattoo, you’ll need a Steinberg VST-compatible host application which conforms to the VST 2.0 specifications, and a computer capable of running it. For the Audio Unit version of Tattoo, you’ll need an application capable of hosting Audio Unit plug-ins, and a computer capable of running it. The Mac version requires OS X version 10.4 or newer.

Tattoo is available now via direct download from Audio Damage for $79.

www.audiodamage.com/instruments/product.php?pid=AD024

Discuss Tattoo in our Instruments forum.

The original returns! One of the long-deprecated Audio Damage products, Ronin hails from a time not so kind nor gentle. This remade version features a new UI, full compatibility with current plug-in standards, and on the Mac side, the best news of all: Universal Binary VST and AU.

What Audio Damage says they didn’t change, however, is the sound. Featuring pairs of BBD-style delays, multi-mode filters, saturation, and LFOs, Ronin also is fully modular. You can route the effects however you’d like, including (if you feel like living dangerously) in to themselves. The audio path is entirely modular. Ronin also has an extensive control routing mechanism, including MIDI inputs.

If you are an owner of Ronin V1.0, this upgrade is free, and is currently in your account in the Audio Damage store. Otherwise, Ronin is $49 and available now via direct download. To use Ronin on a Mac, you’ll need OS X 10.4 or later, and an AudioUnit or VST 2.0-compatible host application.

Two different plate simulators along with the Superhall algorithm give you a broad palette of reverb, and the easy-to-understand interface makes adjusting the algorithms to suit your track incredibly simple.

Want a traditional dark plate reverb? Eos can do that. How about a short, dense room sound for your drum buss? Not a problem. But where Eos really comes in to its own is when you drop Superhall on your piano or synthesizer tracks. The incredibly long modulated hall sounds of Eno-style ambience are where Eos thrives, something that is made of unobtanium with convolution reverbs. Quite simply, an impulse response can not do what Eos does.

Features

• Three custom-designed algorithms: Plate 1 (mono in, stereo out), Plate 2 (true stereo), and Superhall (true stereo) built with modern production in mind.

• All standard reverb controls, including modulation rate and depth, attack, diffusion, and full control over the EQ and multipliers of the reverb tail.

• Infinite control for “freeze” effects.

• Unique visual controls designed for quick and easy programming.

• Low CPU usage compared to other algorithmic reverb plug-ins, and far lower than the average convolution reverb.

• Full MIDI learn for hardware control of most parameters (VST only).

Eos is provided as both a VST and an AudioUnit plug-in. The Mac version is a Universal Binary, compatible with both Intel- and Motorola-based Macs, and requires OS X version 10.4 or newer, 512 MB of RAM and a display capable of “thousands of colors.”

Eos is available now, direct from Audio Damage for $49.00.

Puff of smoke not included.

Discuss Eos in our Effects forum.