Superimposer - Alternate-reality distortion is SONICALLY NEW (original DSP)!

VST, AU, AAX, CLAP, etc. Plugin Virtual Effects Discussion
RELATED
PRODUCTS

Post

Superimposer 1.1 - EffectiveFX

I’m back! Last year, I released the free experimental modulation plugin Poltergeist - returning now for the second round in my mission to invent as many mathematically and sonically new audio effects as possible.

Superimposer is a complete re-imagination, from the ground up, of distortion from a purely digital perspective. In this alternate universe, there’s no overdrive/distortion/fuzz to model, so instead, audio data is rearranged in a particular way that superimposes waveforms onto themselves.

As many original inventions are, the initial concept was pretty simple, but the results are pretty interesting! And you can definitely hear it:

Image

The best way I have to describe it is “alien amplifier”, or maybe “digital spice”, a little bit like a ring modulator or bit crusher but also quite distinct.

I tend to be pretty heavy-handed with effects in my own music (surprising, I know), but Superimposer can substitute virtually any application of overdrive/distortion/fuzz, from subtle soft clipping on guitar to completely mangled bass/drums. It can also augment any of these effects too - and I especially enjoy running guitar → fuzz → Superimposer.

Something Superimposer can do that those other effects can’t: automating and sweeping through the parameters creates a very cool pitch-shifting effect, to the point that I considered releasing it with an oscillator (maybe in the future?), and due to the elusive frequency-dependence of the sound, certain settings with certain inputs can create a beating tremolo-like effect.

You can try it free for 10 days. All features unlocked. Just need to “sign in” each time you start it (this goes away with purchase).

August ONLY: $15 off with code AUGUST15

I do this by myself - and fortunately 90% of what you pay supports me directly. This means I can keep creating new plugins, which brings way more joy and value to the world than my old consulting job!

Last edited by EffectiveFX on Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Post

Cool video! Binned the Boss "plugin" like a boss ...
Wanna check out the demo.
Thefor I clicked your link and... it doesn't send me to the demo.
Stockhausen and Mean Jeans? You are definitely funny!
:D :tu:
ABX is enemy to GAS

Post

Oh, and I just saw: I can't buy from you like this. I have Paypal, no CC and never heard of those other options you got. Bummer.
ABX is enemy to GAS

Post

I'll buy any distortion, especially experimental ones, nice work! Reminds me of Mr. Alias.

Post

whassup wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 6:35 pm Wanna check out the demo.
Thefor I clicked your link and... it doesn't send me to the demo.
:D :tu:
Strange - it's embeded on the page for me!

Here's a direct link for you and anyone else is having an issue seeing the demo:

https://youtu.be/6f7k0AxAAbw?si=iZ2kCRrskG33z8R3

Post

whassup wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 6:44 pm Oh, and I just saw: I can't buy from you like this. I have Paypal, no CC and never heard of those other options you got. Bummer.
As for payment methods, I've enabled a few more that weren't on by default (Google Pay, Bank Transfers, some European country-specific banking stuff, etc.).

After some digging, I'm just now, after 30 years of life learning that 1) PayPal is extremely popular in Europe and 2) PayPal does NOT connect to Stripe for businesses based in the USA :(

I'm going to make a PayPal account and create a form for people to request a PayPal bill and get Superimposer immediately as a stop-gap - but maybe somebody in the know has a suggestion for a permanent solution?

I would love to know more about how people in Europe buy stuff on the internet haha.

Post

wasi wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:36 pm I'll buy any distortion, especially experimental ones, nice work! Reminds me of Mr. Alias.
I've never heard of Mr. Alias - but it looks pretty rad! I love the design and concept. Unfortunately I was only able to find a very old 32-bit version that I can't seem to run on Windows :( maybe I'll try later on my personal mac.

This was before my time - do you know anything about the developer (Insert Piz Here)? I'm floored by how many super creative people were on this radically-digital wavelength. Also find it sad (and scary) that so many of these developers/projects have long been abandoned - though clearly not forgotten!

Post

Does it make you sound like Joy Division?

Image
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP

Post

EffectiveFX wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 2:01 pm Superimposer 1.1 - EffectiveFX

I’m back! Last year, I released the free experimental modulation plugin Poltergeist - returning now for the second round in my mission to invent as many mathematically and sonically new audio effects as possible.

Superimposer is a complete re-imagination, from the ground up, of distortion from a purely digital perspective. In this alternate universe, there’s no overdrive/distortion/fuzz to model, so instead, audio data is rearranged in a particular way that superimposes waveforms onto themselves.

As many original inventions are, the initial concept was pretty simple, but the results are pretty interesting! And you can definitely hear it:

Image

The best way I have to describe it is “alien amplifier”, or maybe “digital spice”, a little bit like a ring modulator or bit crusher but also quite distinct.

I tend to be pretty heavy-handed with effects in my own music (surprising, I know), but Superimposer can substitute virtually any application of overdrive/distortion/fuzz, from subtle soft clipping on guitar to completely mangled bass/drums. It can also augment any of these effects too - and I especially enjoy running guitar → fuzz → Superimposer.

Something Superimposer can do that those other effects can’t: automating and sweeping through the parameters creates a very cool pitch-shifting effect, to the point that I considered releasing it with an oscillator (maybe in the future?), and due to the elusive frequency-dependence of the sound, certain settings with certain inputs can create a beating tremolo-like effect.

You can try it free for 10 days. All features unlocked. Just need to “sign in” each time you start it (this goes away with purchase).

This weekend ONLY: $15 off with code SUPER15

I do this by myself - and fortunately 90% of what you pay supports me directly. This means I can keep creating new plugins, which brings way more joy and value to the world than my old consulting job!

Seems interesting, but I think extending the sale for a full week might be better than a weekend only sale. I'm just seeing this now at 9:45 PM, and weekends are super hard to find time to do a proper demo. During the week I'm in the studio most of the day and can stretch out and get into it.
Zerocrossing Media

4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~

Post

EffectiveFX wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 10:13 pm
wasi wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:36 pm I'll buy any distortion, especially experimental ones, nice work! Reminds me of Mr. Alias.
I've never heard of Mr. Alias - but it looks pretty rad! I love the design and concept. Unfortunately I was only able to find a very old 32-bit version that I can't seem to run on Windows :( maybe I'll try later on my personal mac.

This was before my time - do you know anything about the developer (Insert Piz Here)? I'm floored by how many super creative people were on this radically-digital wavelength. Also find it sad (and scary) that so many of these developers/projects have long been abandoned - though clearly not forgotten!
Yeah Mr. Alias is awesome, a Synth built on using aliasing rather than avoiding it. The sound is really unique, gritty and crunchy, but less harsh than what you'd get from just low-res waveforms. Also a bit unpredictable to program, which I love.

I reached out to the dev again. He's all grown up now so probably life took over...

Post

distortion isn't distortion because its modelled. Distortion is math which they modelled. or is this wrong
100 High Quality Soundsets: Omnisphere 2, Dune 3, Tone 2 Synths, Pigments, Uhe Synths, Halion, Spire, and others.

TTU Youtube

Post

jamcat wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:28 am Does it make you sound like Joy Division?
I don't know, you tell me :)

https://soundcloud.com/effective-fx/disorder

https://soundcloud.com/effective-fx/disorder

Post

Touch The Universe wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 6:27 am distortion isn't distortion because its modelled. Distortion is math which they modelled. or is this wrong
Well, the distortion I'm referring to here is the classic "overdriven tube amp" sound that was originally a consequence of how analog tube amps work when volume is cranked high. This was then later "modeled" by pedal manufacturers using analog electrical circuits, no vacuum tubes. And then later modeled mathematically in digital effects including VSTs, no complex DSP circuits, just code on a digital chip.

The idea behind Superimposer was to start over completely, but 100% in the digital realm, and pretend that I have no idea what overdrive or distortion or fuzz have existed before and come up with something completely new!
zerocrossing wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:45 am Seems interesting, but I think extending the sale for a full week might be better than a weekend only sale. I'm just seeing this now at 9:45 PM, and weekends are super hard to find time to do a proper demo. During the week I'm in the studio most of the day and can stretch out and get into it.
That sounds like good advice. Just for you I've extended the $15 discount through August (code AUGUST15).

Post

EffectiveFX wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:44 pm I would love to know more about how people in Europe buy stuff on the internet haha.
Europe is quite fragmented in that regard, but I’d say enabling PayPal and Apple/Google Pay should cover most bases.

https://www.statista.com/topics/3946/di ... in-europe/
https://frisbii.com/blog/the-most-popul ... in-europe/

Post

nanostream wrote: Sun Aug 24, 2025 11:15 am
EffectiveFX wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:44 pm I would love to know more about how people in Europe buy stuff on the internet haha.
Europe is quite fragmented in that regard, but I’d say enabling PayPal and Apple/Google Pay should cover most bases.

https://www.statista.com/topics/3946/di ... in-europe/
https://frisbii.com/blog/the-most-popul ... in-europe/
Thanks for the info - bases covered now!

Post Reply

Return to “Effects”