Signal Processors

Originally designed by SOS author Craig Anderton as a DIY hardware circuit, Spectral Design have now turned this into a software plug‑in. Unlike most other distortion effects, it splits the signal into four frequency bands and distorts each one individually.

TC Native Bundle 2.0 can now be seen as roughly equivalent in scope to Waves' Native Power Pack, or as a high‑end version of their own Native Essentials bundle...

The way you use effects and processors can make or break a mix. Paul White offers 20 useful tips to help you get it right first time.

Artificial reverb algorithms are designed to add 'fake' room ambience to recorded sounds — but a prototype reverb unit from Sony purports to deliver new levels of realism by imposing the characteristics of actual reverberant spaces on the sound. Hugh Robjohns explains....

Mike Collins provides some early reflections on TC Electronic's latest reverb unit and effects processor.

Paul White gets inside Focusrite's new compressor to find out what really makes it tick.

The latest version of Behringer's Composer dynamics processor appears to provide all the facilities anyone could ask for, with a separate expander/gate, compressor and limiter for each of its two channels.

JoeMeek combine the old and the new in their opto-electronic analogue compressor with 24-bit digital I/O and M&S signal path. Paul White tries it out.

The latest incarnation of SPL's enigmatic Vitalizer offers a mixture of the qualities of other models in the range. But does it have anything new to offer?

Though marketed as a guitar effects unit, the G Force might be more accurately described as a full-function studio effects processor with some neat guitar-related functions added.

We try out what must be the most cost-effective programmable 24-bit effects unit on the market. But can quality really come at such a low price?

Is it really possible to produce a worthwhile stereo compressor which sells at under £200? Paul White finds out.

In Part 1, we saw how manufacturers realised that putting DSP effects on synths made for great sales. Subsequently, they twigged that it was also a good idea to let us take them off again (selectively), and route and adjust them ourselves.

Bob Moog's analogue filter in a pedal certainly has the vintage look — but does it capture that vintage Moog sound? Paul White does the stomp and finds out.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a new guitar-oriented effects unit from Lexicon. But will it inspire our mild-mannered reported John Walden to turn his Clark Kent chords into guitar (super)heroics?

TL Audio have gained an enviable reputation for high-quality processors. Hugh Robjohns takes a look at the latest addition to their Classic range.

Can this intriguing little box really emulate the recorded sound of many of the world's greatest guitar amplifiers?

Taking the essence of the highly regarded Finalizer Plus, TC Electronic have repackaged their multi-band compressor in a new easy-to-use format. Hugh Robjohns puts it through its paces.

Digitech's Quad 4, like its predecessor, can treat up to four signals independently, parcelling out its processing power according to your requirements. Could this be the only multi-effects unit you need? Hugh Robjohns finds out...

We get down to some serious equalising with SPL's most Qurious product to date.

Sony's new mid-priced multi-effects unit boasts four-channel operation, 200 preset effects algorithms, comprehensive user programming capability, and great sound quality to boot. Hugh Robjohns spins that dial...