EFFECTS

Frequency Shifter

Frequency Shifter is a special effect that shifts all frequencies by the same amount. For instance, if the shift is 100 Hz, 400 Hz becomes 500 Hz and 10,000 Hz becomes 10100 Hz. This has the effect of pitch-shifting lower frequencies more dramatically than higher ones, and so, it's not the same as a traditional pitch change from the Sampler Channel, Pitcher or NewTone. These change frequencies in multiplies so a 2X shift makes 400 Hz become 800 Hz and 10,000 Hz becomes 20,0000 Hz. The Frequency Shifter's defining characteristic is to transform inputs to sound more dissonant, metallic or 'FM-like' (Frequency Modulation). Additionally the Frequency Shifter includes a Ring Modulator Mode modulated by a sidechain input.

Frequency Shifter is a special effect that transforms inputs to sound metallic or dissonant. Click the visualization to choose Spectrum (input dark, output light) or Oscilloscope mode.

Video Tutorial

Frequency Shifter Mode

  • Freq - Frequency shift or offset in Hz. This is added across the frequency spectrum. The display shows the frequency offset in Hz.
    • 20 kHz / 200 Hz - Set the range of the Frequency control to +/- 20 kHz or 200 Hz.
    • Tempo - Adjusts the Frequency in multiples of the tempo.
  • Frequency Shifter / HQ - Choose standard or High Quality (HQ) mode. Reduces aliasing noises with dramatic shift amounts. This may or may not be desirable depending on your goal.
  • Ring Mod - See Ring Modulation Mode (below).
  • Sidechain - See Ring Modulation Mode (below). Not used for Frequency Shift Mode.
  • Sideband L/R - Adjusts the sound of the Frequency Shifting on Left Channel. TIP: Set Sideband to max, set Mix to 50% and use a slow frequency modulation for endless Phaser-style effects.
    • Link (icon) - Links the Left and Right Sideband controls.
  • Start Phase - Defines the starting phase of the sine wave oscillators.
  • L/R Phase - Defines the difference between the Right and Left Channel's sine wave oscillator phase. The effect becomes more apparent whenever the Frequency parameter is around 5Hz or lower.
  • Feedback - Controls the amount of signal being fed back from the Frequency Shifter's output into its input. This results in the signal being shifted more and more after each feedback-round with a broad change in the frequency spectrum.
  • Mix - Wet (effected) vs dry (input signal).
  • Stereo - Stereo width.

Ring Modulation Mode

Ring Modulation is the process of multiplying the amplitude (volume) of one audio signal by the amplitude of another. When the amplitude modulation from the source slow it will sound like a tremolo effect, when it is fast enough, new additional tones are created.

Click the visualization to choose Spectrum (input dark, output light) or Oscilloscope mode.

NOTE: The following controls do not apply to Ring Modulation mode: HQ and Sideband. See above for the other active controls. Unique to Ring Modulation is:

  • Sidechain - The sidechain audio input will modulate the amplitude (level) of the input signal. This will create unique and new frequencies or tones when the sidechain signal is of the right frequency range and duration (inter-modulation). Sidechains available on the Frequency Shifters Mixer Track are those sidechained to it.

Plugin Credits: Daniel Schaack, Miro.