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Soundtoys Devil Loc was free for a limited period. It also required an iLok copy protection key. Discussing Devil Loc and it's paid for big brother Devil Loc Deluxe Soundtoys said. "The evil analog level destroyers are here. Devil-Loc and Devil-Loc Deluxe are a SoundToys twist inspired by the classic Shure Level-Loc. These plug-ins add huge sucking compression, grit, dirt, distortion, and take drums (but try it anywhere) to a wonderful hellish nightmare. It's not for the faint of heart." Adding "essentially a distorting compressor but so much more, it's really quite simple but also a bit supernatural." Sometimes we're obliged to just agree with the manufacturers description.
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Prosoniq's North Pole Filter is a four pole resonant filter effect available as an Audio Unit for Mac OSX. North Pole Filter features 24dB/Octave (4 pole), variable cutoff + resonance, lowpass/bandpass switchable, envelope follower with adjustable sensitivity, envelope attack/release times, adjustable analog distortion, adjustable digital delay after filter with time, mix and feedback in a simple, usable format. A personal favourite and source of nostalgia, it was one of the first free plug-ins available. North Pole went 64bit in January of 2011. You can view our introductory videos by clicking here for part one and here for part two.
You can download Prosoniq's North Pole Filter here
Audio Damage's Pulse Modulator is an emulation of, according to the makers, an "extremely rare (and exceedingly strange) tremolo pedal from the 70s." Available as an AU and VST for Mac OSX and as a VST for Windows it's compatible with the majority of good audio software. Prosoniq say "Three LFOs effect the VCA at the same time, and the whole mess goes through a distortion circuit, resulting in strange... uh... modulating pulses of sound." We say tempo sync modulation effects are cool on a whole host of sounds. From chorused guitars to chopped synth pads. Check out our screencast on Pulse Modulator here.
You can download Audio Damage's Pulse Modulator here
Massey plug-ins Tapehead represents renowned Pro Tools plug-in designer Stephen Massey's only foray into the world of AU development. Massey have a fully developed and supported RTAS plug-in but the AU version was only a brief experiment, unfortunately for us non Pro Toolers. The download is preceded by the disclaimer "This is a free plugin issued without warranty or a commitment to future maintenance." Tapehead is inspired by the thick saturation imparted to sounds by analog tape. Massey suggest "Add a little saturation to your mix. Make your drums fuller & louder. Add some grit to vocals." Here's the video.
You can download Massey's Tapehead here
Brainworx are offering Cleansweep a low and high pass filter as free download, for OS X and Windows it's available as an AU, VST, TDM and RTAS. Brainworx proudly claim "bx_cleansweep is a new Hi-Pass and Lo-Pass filter plug-in, introducing the new “Anti Crush Technology” and "bx_cleansweep is the plugin that should go into every mix channel as the first plugin. This way you can filter out any unwanted hi-end and lo-end, and the result is a clean and tight mix." Hi and Lo pass filters are a useful, bordering on essential mixing tool. Cleansweep sounds good, has intuitive joystick control and is free, you be a fool not to give it a try. If you're not completely convinced you can watch the video here
You can download Brainworx's Cleansweep here
Valhalla DSP are a relatively new company, they've chosen to introduce themselves to the world with FreqEcho, they idiosyncratically describe it as "Perfect for dub, Dr. Who and all of your psychedelic needs. Sonic results range from subtle chorusing and double tracking to barberpole phasing and flanging to endless glissandos and runaway echos." or in more technical langauge as "Bode-style frequency shifter with analog echo emulation." In a nutshell FreqEcho is an inventive delay effect, available for Mac and PC as an AU, RTAS and VST. Like most things in the audio universe it's easier to use than describe and as it's free, easy to download and install we'll stop trying.
You can download Valhalla DSP's FreqEcho here
Elysia are a hardware manufacturer who've branched out into the world of plug-ins, their contribution to ever growing list of free effects is the Niveau Filter. Elysia describe it thus, "Its main function is to change the proportions between high and low frequencies. The principle is quite similar to a pair of scales: Dependent on the gain setting around a variable center frequency, the high frequencies are boosted whereas the low frequencies are attenuated (or vice versa) at the same time." As an AU, RTAS and VST for Mac and PC it's compatible with most Digital Audio Workstations, so there's nothing stopping you. Here's the video.
You can download Elysia's Niveau Filter here
