KVR Audio

sin night · Post by **sin night** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:29 pm

It’s a really nice plugin. I probably wouldn’t have tried it if I just looked at the user interface (it’s not that inspiring to me), but then I would have missed a good plugin (so thanks to Arturia to introducing it for free for a limited time).

Some presets based on the harmonizer processor remind me of Crystals and other effects by Eventide (of course those offer more control and way more sonic options, but some presets from Efx Refract are in that sonic territory imho).

But what impressed me the most is the “Analog Voices” preset, which uses only the refraction module without any additional processor. I tried it on a dry M1 piano patch and it added a “subtle” stereo modulation (well, I felt I needed to shift the balance towards the dry; but it’s subtle in comparison to, let’s say, a bitcrusher) and I really loved it… maybe I should keep it a secret…

VariKusBrainZ · Post by **VariKusBrainZ** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:36 pm

Hopefully this is a lite version of a future plugin

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:42 am

jamcat wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 3:39 pmIf I’m feeling underwhelmed by it compared to previous years, then I bet other people feel the same. So I was curious if that was the case, which is why I asked.

I'm the exact opposite - none of Arturia's previous Xmas freebies have interested me in the slightest but this one is definitely a keeper. Where the others are just yet another version of whatever they are, this is pretty unique and, therefore, worth having in your arsenal, I think. Even though I own a shit-tonne of licenses, this is the only Arturia product I currently have installed.

foosnark · Post by **foosnark** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:05 am

VariKusBrainZ wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:36 pm Hopefully this is a lite version of a future plugin

As great as it already is, it does seem like there's potential for expanding on the concept. Feedback, some macro panning control for the refracted versions, MIDI control over the harmonizer, A/D envelope for the spray on the Harmonizer, other FX types etc...

I wasn't into the comb filter at first, but I found if you use it on more transient-heavy stuff (...or put it into Bitwig Transient Split...) and dial in the resonance and adjust it just so, it can act as a weird metallic reverb.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 5:53 am

foosnark wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:05 am
VariKusBrainZ wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:36 pm Hopefully this is a lite version of a future plugin
As great as it already is, it does seem like there's potential for expanding on the concept.

Like being able to apply different effects/settings to individual refracted voices.
For example, DISTORTION with 12 dB drive Tape on REFRACTION voice 1, and 22 dB drive Germanium on REFRACTION voice 2, and BANDPASS on REFRACTION voices 3 and 4...

noiseboyuk · Post by **noiseboyuk** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 am

foosnark wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:05 am
VariKusBrainZ wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:36 pm Hopefully this is a lite version of a future plugin
As great as it already is, it does seem like there's potential for expanding on the concept. Feedback, some macro panning control for the refracted versions, MIDI control over the harmonizer, A/D envelope for the spray on the Harmonizer, other FX types etc...

Agreed. As a concept this is a real winner. You could do more modulation options, envelope instead of LFO triggered by mod would be especially cool.

AFAIK Arturia has never released a free version and then added a 2nd beefier paid one further down the road, but they have offered some significant free upgrades. So it could be the case that they update it when it is a paid product, and freebie owners get the update too.

But regardless, this is REALLY good as-is. While the V Collection 10 update prices left many feeling cold, this is a reminder that Arturia are still being very customer friendly these days. Those V Collection update prices will surely drop to be much lower in the coming months / years.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:15 am

noiseboyuk wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 am AFAIK Arturia has never released a free version and then added a 2nd beefier paid one further down the road, but they have offered some significant free upgrades.

Augmented STRINGS Intro. This “Intro” version was free for a limited time when it was first introduced in April of 2022. Then they released the full version (which was not free) the following month in V Collection 9.

https://www.kvraudio.com/news/arturia-r ... 2022-54585

mabian · Post by **mabian** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:48 am

Is this in collaboration with Unison Audio? (Couldn't resist, sorry).

Great plugin btw

- Mario

mountainmaster · Post by **mountainmaster** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:59 am

This is a great take on doubling / chorus effects. Adding the comb filter throws a versatile flanger into the mix as well.

I think I will be using this mainly for emulating classic chorus and flanger pedals.

bluesawsq · Post by **bluesawsq** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 11:15 am

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mountainmaster · Post by **mountainmaster** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:03 pm

bluesawsq wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 11:15 am So, it seems to be like a chorus/ensemble where some additional effects are applied to the wet signal.

From what I can tell that appears to be the case.

Maybe Arturia means that because each dispersion voice already has a shifted frequency in the wet signal it also has a different frequency center in the cutoff control. But that seems like stating the obvious.

osiris · Post by **osiris** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:08 pm

Merry Christmas gand at Arturia. Thanks for the wonderful free plugin. Such a simple concept, but so well done. Love the graphics. Really makes me want to take a look at the other eFX stuff. You do Pigments so I just have to get the idea that you just do vintage emus.

noiseboyuk · Post by **noiseboyuk** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 3:00 pm

jamcat wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:15 am
noiseboyuk wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 am AFAIK Arturia has never released a free version and then added a 2nd beefier paid one further down the road, but they have offered some significant free upgrades.
Augmented STRINGS Intro. This “Intro” version was free for a limited time when it was first introduced in April of 2022. Then they released the full version (which was not free) the following month in V Collection 9.

https://www.kvraudio.com/news/arturia-r ... 2022-54585

I was only thinking about effects but GOOD POINT.

yojacoby · Post by **yojacoby** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:49 pm

I just downloaded this effect and am sort of blown away by how much it can do (considering its free)

bluesawsq · Post by **bluesawsq** » Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:26 pm

mountainmaster wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:03 pm
bluesawsq wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 11:15 am So, it seems to be like a chorus/ensemble where some additional effects are applied to the wet signal.
From what I can tell that appears to be the case.

Maybe Arturia means that because each dispersion voice already has a shifted frequency in the wet signal it also has a different frequency center in the cutoff control. But that seems like stating the obvious.

Just tested it a bit more, and I was clearly wrong in my previous comment.

The Efx REFRACT is working like stated in the documentation.

It is truly a unique effect. You cannot get the same effect by just applying some filter or distortion to wet chorus signal.

Arturia EFX REFRACT - New free effect