reFuse Software has announced Lowender, a subharmonic synthesizer, reminiscent of classic analog dual-band bass enhancer circuits.

While taking classic subharmonic generator circuitry as its core, the Lowender expands on the concept in several ways.

First, it offers switchable frequency ranges, so that the low end frequencies generated can be selected to fit the program material. In addition to the "Classic" frequency range (generating subharmonics from 24-56 Hz), there are also ranges suitable for the lowest octaves of guitar and bass.

Second, the generated subharmonics pass through a gate tailored for low frequencies, which is useful for cleaning up unwanted bass rumble (e.g. from between kick drum hits in a drum loop).

Third, the Lowender passes the bass material through an output section comprised of an overdrive circuit and a lowpass filter. Driving or compressing the newly generated low frequencies is essential for evening out their dynamics, and will allow them to sit well in a mix. The variable lowpass filter is provided to shave off the higher harmonics of the overdrive and create a smooth low end - or you can leave some of them in, for raspier bass sounds.

Lowender will be released in December 2006, using Cycling '74's Pluggo standard which allows a single plug-in to interface with VST, RTAS, and AU frameworks.

Lowender will be sold exclusively from the reFuse Software website, for $39.