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A modern design of a classic
A concept dating back to the '60s, algorithmic reverb has been introduced to the audio world through many different analog effects racks, stompbox pedals and much more. None however have captured the true potential of what algorithms can produce until now. The Crystalline reverb plugin takes advantage of all that the digital realm has to offer, whilst drawing on inspiration from the studio reverb units of the last 60 years. As audio fidelity has improved throughout plugin history, reverb units can recreate almost impossible to measure nuances and complexities with the physics of how sound moves within a space. Crystalline uses proprietary, next-generation technology to power the most advanced algorithmic reverb plugin to date, allowing these minuscule details to be heard in stunning resolution whilst being equipped with every creative feature a contemporary musician, producer and engineer needs to craft the perfect reverb.
Creating the perfect space
Free from the constraints of real-world spaces, Crystalline can draw on inspiration from other sources to create the perfect environment. Understanding the importance of physical air movement within a space is the key to creating a seamless reverb sound, regardless of real-world qualities. The key to creating the perfect space is the ability to manipulate the space. With traditional convolution reverbs, this of course is not possible as the space is stationary, with no physical adjustments possible. Baby Audio Crystalline offers all the parameters you've come to expect such as Size and Width, whilst also employing new ideas such as Sparkle and Resolution. Sparkle allows you to tailor the response of your high-end, altering the decay time to be longer than the rest of your frequencies, this can create an emphasised high-end that's ideal for dull instruments to add articulation and brightness, such as a bass drum or bass guitar. Resolution sets the complexity of the algorithm from basic to pristine. Adjusting the resolution to the maximum will create a smooth and seamless reverb decay with no unwanted artefacts. Lowering this rate will introduce metallic artefacts that distort and saturate for a unique sound with improved CPU performance.
Onboard sound design tools to help sit in your mix
So rare is the case that one reverb sound will work across several different mixes, styles, genres and tempos. With that in mind, Crystalline offers a wide range of different parameters to help sculpt and shape your reverb tone to fit virtually any project you are working on. Everything from frequency shaping, spatial widening and transient response are all employed within Crystalline to offer unrivalled control over the tone of your reverb. Unique to Crystalline, a newly developed 'Transients' control offers the ability to tailor your reverb character based on incoming dry audio. Emphasise the attack of the incoming signal for a more 'splashy' and wet sound or look to enhance the decay for a more light and breezy tone within your reverb.
Traditional controls such as Damping and Tone allow you to customise the frequency response of your reverb to shelf-off any excessive lows and highs that can muddy your sound. Classic sounds of the '80s can be achieved by using the onboard 'Gate' control to channel your inner Collins. Outside of the normal, controls such as 'Sides' offers an intuitive way to create a more harmonious spatial field by removing stereo information from the low-end of your reverb character, letting the highs shine through in a wide soundscape. This is ideal for creating vast and expansive vocals. reverb decays, sitting above the rest of the mix with articulation and brightness.
Explore the creative side to reverb
Far more than just a simple reverb plugin, Crystalline uses next-generation technology to create the perfect algorithmic reverb plugin, filled with features to experiment with. What makes Crystalline stand out from the crowd is the ability to tempo-sync your reverb to your music using your host's tempo. Of course, normal decay times can be set using the classic milliseconds/seconds approach, however, this won't yield the results possible when synced to your music's tempo. Create natural, flowing and authentic decay trails when synced to your music, helping to reinforce the power and emotion conveyed in your tracks, making your music sound as professional as it can.
The included 'Freeze' function offers a wide range of applications within your music or mix. This creative effect takes a granular snapshot of your reverb sound and holds it in place until the button is clicked again. Opening up new possibilities for composition, the Freeze function can be used as part of the arrangement, rather than just an effect within your track. Transition between sections hold long sustained notes over a solo or fade out your track with a beautiful and ambient reverb, it's all possible using Freeze.
Limited in application but highly impactful, a Reverse engine has also been included with Crystalline. Ideal for creating powerful swells into a verse or chorus vocal melody as well as creating punchy intros, the Reverse effect retains all the sonic character of Crystalline with all of the available tone adjustment parameters remaining in place.
Plugin essentials
Although small adornments to an already stacked reverb plugin, Crystalline includes all the important trimmings needed to integrate seamlessly with your workflow. A simple colour dial lets you change between light and dark backgrounds, 'Eco Mode' allows you to run Crystalline in a low-CPU setting by adjusting the resolution and shimmer effects internally as well as important performance features such as Preset Save and Reset ensure you get your sound right, every time. For more inexperienced users, Crystalline also offers a handy Tool Tips feature which opens a small text dialogue next to each parameter explaining their basic function. No matter how experienced you are in sound design, Crystalline doesn't place any barriers to learning, the Tool Tips feature combined with the more than 150 presets allows you to dive into powerful reverb production and enhance your tracks with ease.
Reviews
”Crystalline’s unique interface encourages you to think about reverb in a completely different way. As a result, I’ve found myself creating sounds and textures I’ve never encountered before. You’ll get sound out of Crystalline you can’t find anywhere else.” - Damian Taylor (Grammy nominated producer – Bjork, The Prodigy, Arcade Fire)
”Honestly, on first impression, this is one of the best sounding plugin reverbs I have ever used! It’s the first plugin verb that can hold its ground with my Bricasti M7 in terms of space, clarity, depth and texture. I am majorly impressed! Not sure what on earth you did, but this plugin is a home run!” - Keith Ross (Vocal Producer/Mixer – The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Boyz II Men)
”I adore your innovative slant on traditional ideas. On my first experiments, I liked how different this approach is to the concept of reverberation – especially the ducking parameter and some of the other unusual approaches (Reverse and Freeze – amazing!)” - Stephen W Tayler (Mix engineer – Phil Collins, Queen, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel)
Features
- Host-syncable start and end time offers natural and seamless decay with your music
- Adjust the size of the room from small and compact to large and expansive, drastically altering the reverb character
- Emphasize the high frequencies with 'Sparkle'
- Create huge soundscapes using the 'Width' control
- Set the complexity of your reverb algorithm from basic to pristine, adjusting how the reverb responds to your audio
- Inject small pitch variations through 'Modulation' control, adding depth and expression to your tone
- Set your high frequencies to decay slower with 'Shimmer' control
- Fit your reverb to your mix using 'Damping' to remove excessive low and high-frequency content
- Unique 'Sides' control removes stereo information from low frequencies, helping to preserve spatial imaging
- Classic 'Gate' mode helps you achieve the sounds of the '80s
- Tilt the response of your reverb using 'Tone'
- Mellow out harsh frequencies with 'Smoothing' for a rich and lush tone
- Innovative 'Transients' detector lets you prioritise attack or decay of incoming audio signal to manipulate the response of your reverb
- Two Ducker modes allow you to attenuate wet signal when a dry signal is being played for a clean and pristine mix
- Experiment with an unpredictable sound design using 'Reverse' mode
- Accurately hear the character of each reverb sound using 'Wet Lock' control and seamlessly browse presets
- Take a granular snapshot of your reverb sound with the 'Freeze' control
- Fully loaded with more than 150 presets from industry professionals, helping you to dive into what Crystalline has to offer
Specifications
- Compatibility:
- Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
- Product Code: 1246-2104