Nuro Audio Blockchain MultiFX

[idoru97214]

ALTHOUGH - it seems you can't automate or use midi controllers with it. I guess that makes sense, given the modular nature. But... that's a no buy for me. Sounds great though.

[billinder33]

If I were going to design a plugin like this, I would keep the top/bottom split, but have collapsible plugins on the top (like Ableton or Bitwig), and drag/drop modulators on the bottom (like Serum or Phaseplant).

Someday I'll create such a plugin and make many nickels. Maybe dimes even.

[Ah_Dziz]

So a bunch of little effects with few controls and noodulation? How does it handle automation? Seems relatively expensive for a closed system from a company that has no track record (that I'm aware of).

[Korg Supporter]

I was planning to get either Serum 2 or the Omnisphere 3 pack just for the standalone multi-fx plugin. But I'm still torn on which to get, especially considering that I already have Infiltrator.

[oobesan]

To me, it seems like Transit 2 with the main effect dial turned all the way up. Or Molekular, even.

[billinder33]

I was planning to get either Serum 2 or the Omnisphere 3 pack just for the standalone multi-fx plugin. But I'm still torn on which to get, especially considering that I already have Infiltrator.

Serum FX is good for taking sources and quickly giving them a punchy, in-your-face quality. So if that's a big part of your sound, it's the way to go. You can also stack endless numbers of FX into a rack. The downside is that the number and variety of FX is much less than Omnisphere.

Omnisphere won't really do the aggressive slamming thing like Serum, or at least not as quickly/easily. Where Omni excels is that it has way more variety. The delays and reverbs are way beyond Serum. It has a great number and variety of distortions, and a lot of other novel, creative FX. It has some very nice analog compressor and EQ emulations. On the downside, the multi-band doesn't really replicate the OTT that Serum made famous, and you can only run 4 FX in a rack, which IMO is an unnecessary limitation in 2025.

So it really depends heavily on what you goals are. As an alternative, I'm a big fan of Minimal Audio's FX Bundle, and they hinted in another KVR thread that they are considering making Current's FX rack a standalone like Serum and Omni.

[Korg Supporter]

I was planning to get either Serum 2 or the Omnisphere 3 pack just for the standalone multi-fx plugin. But I'm still torn on which to get, especially considering that I already have Infiltrator.

Serum FX is good for taking sources and quickly giving them a punchy, in-your-face quality. So if that's a big part of your sound, it's the way to go. You can also stack endless numbers of FX into a rack. The downside is that the number and variety of FX is much less than Omnisphere.

Omnisphere won't really do the aggressive slamming thing like Serum, or at least not as quickly/easily. Where Omni excels is that it has way more variety. The delays and reverbs are way beyond Serum. It has a great number and variety of distortions, and a lot of other novel, creative FX. It has some very nice analog compressor and EQ emulations. On the downside, the multi-band doesn't really replicate the OTT that Serum made famous, and you can only run 4 FX in a rack, which IMO is an unnecessary limitation in 2025.

So it really depends heavily on what you goals are. As an alternative, I'm a big fan of Minimal Audio's FX Bundle, and they hinted in another KVR thread that they are considering making Current's FX rack a standalone like Serum and Omni.

I am tempted to upgrade Omnisphere 3, but the Serum FX, from what I've tried, makes things sound a bit more alive. And the frequency shfiter sounds hella good! I think I'll wait for Minimal Audio's FX then. I love what they have, so far!

[qtheerearranger]

after using this for a few days theres a lot of pros and cons to it especially when compared to a lot of tools that are out there.

If you have transit2 and waves studio verse I think you may find limited use for this plugin. These modules are fricken awesome and a lot higher quality then what you see in transit. But the lack of master macro knob and being able to set the ranges as to which it mixes in an effect - for example only wanting a reverb to max out at 60% and go as low as 5% something that is a great feature of transit. This to me makes it more of a vibe shift for a different section of a song then something that helps you transition the vibe to the new section of the song.

It's hard because I just feel like the price tag is a bit high for what your getting. I'm sure a lot of work went into the modules but the fact that I'm limited to your modules and no vst3 plugins (unlike studioverse) and a lack of fine tuning macro controls makes it kinda worse then transit.

I want to reiterate the quality of these modules are fantastic. Can't wait to see what this plugin company does in the future.

[cryophonik]

Demoed and purchased it over the weekend and have been putting it through the paces on a new track I'm working on. Nuro Audio really made an excellent plugin here. Yes, it could use some improvements and it's definitely not the cheapest multi-FX on the market (Nuro is certainly not know for being cheap), but this is plugin is very well done and is getting positive reviews on other forums.

One thing I've noticed after owning many of Nuro's plugins is that they are deceptively deeper than they appear at a glance. After digging in pretty deep with this, I need to rebut/respond to some comments in this thread.

Looks cool but a lot more expensive than Hex FX (which is on sale right now in some reseller stores)

Hex FX is cheap for a reason - it only has six module slots and is limited to serial routing only, which is far more limited than Blockchain's eight module slots, ability to route modules serially or in parallel (4x2 or 2x4) and has some dedicated utility modules to create some pretty complex FX chains with internal routings (e.g., internal channel mixer, m/s processing routings, mulitband routing options).

I don't see the point of an FX rack that doesn't have a shared modulation system. I ha a DAW, and lotsa discrete FX units.

Personally, I don't care about a shared modulation system and that's not Blockchain's strength, but it would be a nice addition. At the very least, It would be nice to have some user-assignable macro controls (I may make a feature request for this one). It's strength is that it offers a LOT of excellent sounding modules (many that are modeled on well-known hardware) that can easily be routed and re-routed in a very simple way (see previous reply). The way it allows multiple routing pathways is much easier than using a bunch of buses connected to multiband or mid/side splitters, etc. That said, yeah, this plugin isn't for everybody, but it's very slickly designed and very intuitive.

Other than reverbs, as a stating point, i don't see any point in FX presets either.

Many of the "presets" are not presets in the typical sense - they're more like preset routings or templates for modules and signal paths. Their overview videos (Nuro is huge on making lots of videos for their products) even stress repeatedly that they're simply starting points and the idea it so build and swap out modules from there.

But so many people here never get there because they stop at the far less meaningful, superficial feature comparisons with everyone else - and there it stops. Which is fine. But short sighted. Deluxe. And that's fine.

Pretty typical for KVR. I'm convinced after 20-some years here that most people here are just plugin collectors - they look at the GUI, look at the price, and buy it if it's cheap. If not, they move along. Nuro is obviously not trying to cater to that market segment.

ALTHOUGH - it seems you can't automate or use midi controllers with it. I guess that makes sense, given the modular nature. But... that's a no buy for me. Sounds great though.

I haven't tried using a MIDI controller with it yet, but you can automate everything. I've only used it in Logic so far, but the parameters for each module are available for automation and the parameters get updated whenever you add/subtract a module or select a new preset.

How does it handle automation? Seems relatively expensive for a closed system from a company that has no track record (that I'm aware of).

See above for automation. And, yes, Nuro Audio has an excellent track record with many excellent products (Xvox Pro is pretty well-known outside of KVR). They're one of those companies that fall into the "if you know, then you know" category - i.e., people who are aware of them seem to really like their products. Also, as I mentioned above, they're very keen on promoting their products using videos (see their YouTube channel). But, they are certainly not cheap (even their loyalty discounts are pretty meager by most standards, but at least they have one).

To me, it seems like Transit 2 with the main effect dial turned all the way up. Or Molekular, even.

Blockchain is a different paradigm and is more about routings and a pretty huge breadth of effects types than modulation. It won't be replacing Transit 2 or Molekular for me.

I want to reiterate the quality of these modules are fantastic. Can't wait to see what this plugin company does in the future.

I totally agree. Nuro has been making some excellent plugins for a few years now and, as I've mentioned, they have a pretty good reputation outside of KVR. Because they're not cheap, most people here tend to look at the price, make assumptions (often very wrong), and write them off as being overpriced because they can buy a somewhat similar option with fewer and/or different features for less money. That's fine, though - Nuro prices their plugins higher than others for a reason and, if they wanted everyone to own them, they'd price them more competitively, right?

As for Blockchain itself, I really like this plugin and see myself getting my money's worth out of it. The modules are relatively simple in terms of available parameters, but they sound great, are very flexible and fully automatable (a pretty big feat given the number of modules available), seem to be easy on the CPU, and so far perfectly stable. That's another thing I'll add about Nuro is that they have a tendency to bring plugins to market after they've been tested pretty thoroughly, so you're not getting a buggy v1.0 release. They're also pretty responsive to their customers.

[oobesan]

Demoed and purchased it over the weekend and have been putting it through the paces on a new track I'm working on. Nuro Audio really made an excellent plugin here. Yes, it could use some improvements and it's definitely not the cheapest multi-FX on the market (Nuro is certainly not know for being cheap), but this is plugin is very well done and is getting positive reviews on other forums.

One thing I've noticed after owning many of Nuro's plugins is that they are deceptively deeper than they appear at a glance. After digging in pretty deep with this, I need to rebut/respond to some comments in this thread.

Looks cool but a lot more expensive than Hex FX (which is on sale right now in some reseller stores)

Hex FX is cheap for a reason - it only has six module slots and is limited to serial routing only, which is far more limited than Blockchain's eight module slots, ability to route modules serially or in parallel (4x2 or 2x4) and has some dedicated utility modules to create some pretty complex FX chains with internal routings (e.g., internal channel mixer, m/s processing routings, mulitband routing options).

I don't see the point of an FX rack that doesn't have a shared modulation system. I ha a DAW, and lotsa discrete FX units.

Personally, I don't care about a shared modulation system and that's not Blockchain's strength, but it would be a nice addition. At the very least, It would be nice to have some user-assignable macro controls (I may make a feature request for this one). It's strength is that it offers a LOT of excellent sounding modules (many that are modeled on well-known hardware) that can easily be routed and re-routed in a very simple way (see previous reply). The way it allows multiple routing pathways is much easier than using a bunch of buses connected to multiband or mid/side splitters, etc. That said, yeah, this plugin isn't for everybody, but it's very slickly designed and very intuitive.

Other than reverbs, as a stating point, i don't see any point in FX presets either.

Many of the "presets" are not presets in the typical sense - they're more like preset routings or templates for modules and signal paths. Their overview videos (Nuro is huge on making lots of videos for their products) even stress repeatedly that they're simply starting points and the idea it so build and swap out modules from there.

But so many people here never get there because they stop at the far less meaningful, superficial feature comparisons with everyone else - and there it stops. Which is fine. But short sighted. Deluxe. And that's fine.

Pretty typical for KVR. I'm convinced after 20-some years here that most people here are just plugin collectors - they look at the GUI, look at the price, and buy it if it's cheap. If not, they move along. Nuro is obviously not trying to cater to that market segment.

ALTHOUGH - it seems you can't automate or use midi controllers with it. I guess that makes sense, given the modular nature. But... that's a no buy for me. Sounds great though.

I haven't tried using a MIDI controller with it yet, but you can automate everything. I've only used it in Logic so far, but the parameters for each module are available for automation and the parameters get updated whenever you add/subtract a module or select a new preset.

How does it handle automation? Seems relatively expensive for a closed system from a company that has no track record (that I'm aware of).

See above for automation. And, yes, Nuro Audio has an excellent track record with many excellent products (Xvox Pro is pretty well-known outside of KVR). They're one of those companies that fall into the "if you know, then you know" category - i.e., people who are aware of them seem to really like their products. Also, as I mentioned above, they're very keen on promoting their products using videos (see their YouTube channel). But, they are certainly not cheap (even their loyalty discounts are pretty meager by most standards, but at least they have one).

To me, it seems like Transit 2 with the main effect dial turned all the way up. Or Molekular, even.

Blockchain is a different paradigm and is more about routings and a pretty huge breadth of effects types than modulation. It won't be replacing Transit 2 or Molekular for me.

I want to reiterate the quality of these modules are fantastic. Can't wait to see what this plugin company does in the future.

I totally agree. Nuro has been making some excellent plugins for a few years now and, as I've mentioned, they have a pretty good reputation outside of KVR. Because they're not cheap, most people here tend to look at the price, make assumptions (often very wrong), and write them off as being overpriced because they can buy a somewhat similar option with fewer and/or different features for less money. That's fine, though - Nuro prices their plugins higher than others for a reason and, if they wanted everyone to own them, they'd price them more competitively, right?

As for Blockchain itself, I really like this plugin and see myself getting my money's worth out of it. The modules are relatively simple in terms of available parameters, but they sound great, are very flexible and fully automatable (a pretty big feat given the number of modules available), seem to be easy on the CPU, and so far perfectly stable. That's another thing I'll add about Nuro is that they have a tendency to bring plugins to market after they've been tested pretty thoroughly, so you're not getting a buggy v1.0 release. They're also pretty responsive to their customers.

Do you have conflicts of interest, such as paid review, paid promotion, affiliate kickback, or sponsorship with this company?

[cryophonik]

Do you have conflicts of interest, such as paid review, paid promotion, affiliate kickback, or sponsorship with this company?

I have no affiliation with Nuro Audio and you should look up the definition of conflict of interest because it doesn’t mean what you think it does.

[oobesan]

Do you have conflicts of interest, such as paid review, paid promotion, affiliate kickback, or sponsorship with this company?

I have no affiliation with Nuro Audio and you should look up the definition of conflict of interest because it doesn’t mean what you think it does.

Good lord you are one weird and defensive dude.

[Morty-C-137]

I am tempted to upgrade Omnisphere 3, but the Serum FX, from what I've tried, makes things sound a bit more alive. And the frequency shfiter sounds hella good!

The big downside to me with Serum is the loading time. The GUI just takes a while to load using AU (it’s a wrapped VST3) on macOS in Logic Pro. Not ages, but compared to other plugins it’s noticeable enough to make me not reach for it whenever I want just FX. Even though I very much like it’s FX.

[CrystalWizard]

I don't see the point of an FX rack that doesn't have a shared modulation system. I ha a DAW, and lotsa discrete FX units.

Personally, I don't care about a shared modulation system and that's not Blockchain's strength, but it would be a nice addition. At the very least, It would be nice to have some user-assignable macro controls (I may make a feature request for this one). It's strength is that it offers a LOT of excellent sounding modules (many that are modeled on well-known hardware) that can easily be routed and re-routed in a very simple way (see previous reply). The way it allows multiple routing pathways is much easier than using a bunch of buses connected to multiband or mid/side splitters, etc. That said, yeah, this plugin isn't for everybody, but it's very slickly designed and very intuitive.

Other than reverbs, as a stating point, i don't see any point in FX presets either.

Many of the "presets" are not presets in the typical sense - they're more like preset routings or templates for modules and signal paths. Their overview videos (Nuro is huge on making lots of videos for their products) even stress repeatedly that they're simply starting points and the idea it so build and swap out modules from there.

I don't disagree at all. The shared modulation is just a preference and a use case. I have boatloads of great (imo) FX so, unless an FX does something innovative, i have what i want. I made many of my own FX in Reaktor (and in hardware). For someone who either doesn't have a boatload, or just wants more FX, this looks ideal. I'm not interested in emulations much either but once again if i was this would be more tempting.
As for presets of different routing this does interest me although i'm fine with multiple sends, ableton racks, etc. I can see this aspect of Nuro saving some complexity and time.

As you comment it's just not for everybody, and i was commenting on how i'm someone it doesn't appeal to. If someone gave it to me I'm sure i would use it

[SamDi]

One thing I didn't see was a built-in modulation system. Does it have it? Huge miss if not. That's the main reason I rarely use Kilohearts' FX outside of Phaseplant.

You can perfectly modulate Kilohearts Fx in Snap Heap or Multipass, so no miss there.