FX pedals to pair with synth
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
Halo Effect is cool, but it's a stretch to say it's equivalent to the microcosm imo. I might say it's the closest thing in software, but that's probably not even the case anymore thanks to Neural DSP and Misha Mansoor.
Halo Effect is worth a demo for sure, but I would demo it before buying as it's a bit loose, like their other stuff. An interesting developer for sure, but you really have to play around with the stuff at times, aside from the reverb at least.
The Neural thing is more of a combination of the microcosm and infinite jets, but it's far from comprehensive when it comes to simulating the effects from either pedal. I didn't buy it, but
I may pick it up during a sale sometime. (due to the cost mostly)
Halo Effect is worth a demo for sure, but I would demo it before buying as it's a bit loose, like their other stuff. An interesting developer for sure, but you really have to play around with the stuff at times, aside from the reverb at least.
The Neural thing is more of a combination of the microcosm and infinite jets, but it's far from comprehensive when it comes to simulating the effects from either pedal. I didn't buy it, but
I may pick it up during a sale sometime. (due to the cost mostly)
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
Sorry, which plugin is this?pekbro wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 9:25 pm The Neural thing is more of a combination of the microcosm and infinite jets, but it's far from comprehensive when it comes to simulating the effects from either pedal.
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-misha-mansoor
*The guy uses a microcosm on stage, the effects in the sym are inspired by that at least.
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
Thanks! I was going to write some comments about it, then remembered writing nearly identical comments about Halo Effect the last time a topic like this came up. Then I realized that KVR is basically one of these plugins, with repeating granular topics popping up randomly. "Hardware vs. software", "Mac vs. PC", "which granular plugin", etc.
btw, this Misha Mansoor needs to be left in mono input, otherwise it flips the phase of one side.
btw, this Misha Mansoor needs to be left in mono input, otherwise it flips the phase of one side.
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
So what do you think of it beyond that?Uncle E wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 5:09 am Thanks! I was going to write some comments about it, then remembered writing nearly identical comments about Halo Effect the last time a topic like this came up. Then I realized that KVR is basically one of these plugins, with repeating granular topics popping up randomly. "Hardware vs. software", "Mac vs. PC", "which granular plugin", etc.
btw, this Misha Mansoor needs to be left in mono input, otherwise it flips the phase of one side.
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
It's a nice suite of plugins if someone doesn't have other granular plugins. I already own Other Desert Cities and Granulizer, and could get nearly identical results with them. Also, while none of them can do all the things the Microcosm can do, I personally don't like those extra things and did not love the Microcosm while I had it.
I couldn't test against Halo Effect because I already used up my demo, but I'd be more likely to buy their bundle because Butterfly Effect sounds better to me than the Neural reverb.
I couldn't test against Halo Effect because I already used up my demo, but I'd be more likely to buy their bundle because Butterfly Effect sounds better to me than the Neural reverb.
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
Having it in a guitar package is not always super convenient when it comes to effects too.Uncle E wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 8:06 pm It's a nice suite of plugins if someone doesn't have other granular plugins. I already own Other Desert Cities and Granulizer, and could get nearly identical results with them. Also, while none of them can do all the things the Microcosm can do, I personally don't like those extra things and did not love the Microcosm while I had it.
I couldn't test against Halo Effect because I already used up my demo, but I'd be more likely to buy their bundle because Butterfly Effect sounds better to me than the Neural reverb.
I did like it, particularly the looper. It may wind up as my 2nd Neural DSP plugin one day.
I still haven't bought Butterfly Effect, I am not overly interested in Reverbs generally, and
it's not super cheap, tho I have the other 2 plugins from them.
The Microcosm is not for everyone definitely, I know of more folks who have sold it then
kept it. To me it's more of a glitch pedal than anything else.
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 1347 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
Get one of these:

or you could get a Korg NTS-3 and a bunch of Sinevibes effects

or you could get a Korg NTS-3 and a bunch of Sinevibes effects
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
Yes, agreed.pekbro wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 9:22 pm Having it in a guitar package is not always super convenient when it comes to effects too.
Yes. I'm glad I got to try it, got the GAS out of the way. Now I'm at the follow up stage of wanting every granular plugin to be a Torso S-4.The Microcosm is not for everyone definitely, I know of more folks who have sold it then
kept it. To me it's more of a glitch pedal than anything else.
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
I get it definitely.Uncle E wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 5:49 amYes, agreed.pekbro wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 9:22 pm Having it in a guitar package is not always super convenient when it comes to effects too.
Yes. I'm glad I got to try it, got the GAS out of the way. Now I'm at the follow up stage of wanting every granular plugin to be a Torso S-4.The Microcosm is not for everyone definitely, I know of more folks who have sold it then
kept it. To me it's more of a glitch pedal than anything else.
Here's another developer with some stuff I found interesting, if you haven't checked them out.
Soundghost, I'll probably pick up a few of them eventually.
https://soundghost.net/product-category/plugins/
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
Thanks! Will do. Do you use Other Desert Cities and Granulizer? They're excellent.
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
I am a big fan of Audio Damage forever, so yea. I didn't grab Granulizer 2 from InertiaUncle E wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 6:38 am Thanks! Will do. Do you use Other Desert Cities and Granulizer? They're excellent.
I'm afraid, but I know it's thought well of. They've been pretty quiet lately I thought.
- KVRAF
- 20910 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
- KVRAF
- 8647 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
Ahh ok, yea got thatUncle E wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:58 am BLEASS Granulizer
https://www.jrrshop.com/bleass-granulizer.html
Big fan of Bleass actually, being amazed lately by the dragonfly tremolo, you can do tons
of stuff with that. It's awesome on bass and drums imo (for distortion!). Don't miss that for
$15. I have a good number of their effects, like 12.
- addled muppet weed
- 111324 posts since 26 Jan, 2003 from through the looking glass
metasonix did some cool shit! are they still around?Constructed Identity wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 3:23 am Get one of these:
or you could get a Korg NTS-3 and a bunch of Sinevibes effects