MIXING & EFFECTS

Fruity WaveShaper

Fruity WaveShaper is a wave distortion effect which maps input (horizontal axis) to output (vertical axis) values using flexible spline-based graph. See a video tutorial here.

Video Tutorial

Parameters

  • Unipolar/Bipolar Switch - In Unipolar mode, the bottom of the graph corresponds to 0db input and the top corresponds to 100% and the Waveshaper shape is applied equally to waveforms above and below 0 dB (the zero-crossing). In Bipolar mode the graph changes to allow you to independently shape the waveforms above and below 0 dB.
  • Pre - Preamplifies the input signal (volume).
  • Mix - Balance between the dry input and processed signal. Turning to right mixes more signal from the processed version.
  • Post - Postamplification of the sound (volume).
  • Smoothing - Eliminates noises associated with fast modulation of the Pre, Mix and Post controls.
  • Oversample - Oversamples the input to the factor specified, applies the distortion and downsamples. Oversampling helps to avoid aliasing artifacts, if any.
  • HQ - HQ deactivates CPU saving that disables WaveShapers output when it falls below -85 dB. This can be audible if the output of the plugin is boosted by other effects in the chain. When HQ is enabled WaveShaper processes inputs to silence.
  • Center - Remove DC offset from the final output. That is, a case where the average output of the waveform is above or below the zero line.

Graph Editing

Editing Parameters

  • Freeze - Enable this switch to lock the map curve to its current setup. This feature is helpful after you finish with the changes to the shape and you want to protect it from accidental edits (it also hides the handles providing a clear view of the shape).
  • Step - Enable this option to set the editor in step editing mode - drag in the editor to create a "free hand" curve where a new control point is defined for every step in the timeline. Hold SHIFT key while dragging to draw "pulse" lines (straight vertical/horizontal lines only). Note that each new segment created this way uses the last tension set while adding a segment.
  • Snap - Enable this option if you want the control points to snap to the nearest step in the graph while dragging.

Curve Editing

Here are several basic operations you can perform to edit the envelope/mapping shape:

  • Add a new Control Point - Position your cursor over the line until the add point cursor appears (). Right-click and a new point will be added.
  • Reposition a Control Point - You can drag the control points with your left mouse button. Hold SHIFT while dragging to lock vertical position or CTRL to lock horizontal position.
  • Delete a Control Point - Right-click a control point and select Delete. Alternatively hold ALT and Left-click.
  • Change Segment Type - WaveShaper offers three types of spline segments to select from. Right-click a control point and you will see three spline type options (the affected segment is the one preceding the control point): Single Curve - the default mode which allows you to create linear, ease in and ease out curves (depending on the tension); Double Curve - allows linear, ease in-out and ease out-in curves (depending on the tension); Hold - creates "hold" or "pulse" curves which are handy for creating abrupt value changes in your envelope.
  • Change Segment Tension (Acceleration) - You can drag the tension handle of each spline up/down to change the spline appearance. Right-click the handle to reset to a straight line. Hold CTRL during adjustment to fine tune.

Plugin Credits: Didier Dambrin