Hi andreTSV,
Thank you for this incredibly detailed and honest feedback. This input helps us a lot, and we are working on bringing more and diverse video content to the community that covers the software in more depth.
To address your specific questions with details from our latest manual:
1/ Is version 12 interesting for a stereo/monitor setup? Yes. While the 12-path 3D Panner is a major addition , v12 also introduced Full Stereo GCOs (Generators). Previously, you might have had to manually assign channels to maintain a wide image; now, every grain can follow its own individual 3D surround path up to 12 in total while maintaining its internal stereo "width". This results in a much richer, deeper sound even on just two monitors.
2/ Is it worth it for YouTube (Stereo)? Absolutely. Spatial richness isn't just about surround speakers; it's about depth. Features like Spatial Diffusion and Grain Window Tilt allow you to create a sense of "depth" and "air" that translates well even when folded down to stereo. Additionally, the new Big Mono Fader offers a powerful way to blend a mono mix of all 12 paths back into the spatial output, giving you total control over the "solidity" of your stereo image.
3/ Routing in Live 12 and Panner vs. Binaural plugins:
* Panner vs. Binaural: Plugins like Panagement are excellent for "placing" a sound in a virtual room. The crusher-X 3D Panner is different because it is Grain-controlled—it allows up to 12 independent paths where every single grain can have its own trajectory through space.
Routing in Ableton Live 12: You have two great options here. You can exploit the immersive engine internally by using the Stereo Width Panner and Big Mono Fader within the plugin to fold that 12-path spatial movement back into a wide stereo image. Alternatively, if you want even more control, crusher-X supports up to 12 individual outputs. You can route these to separate audio tracks in Live 12 for external processing or custom binaural encoding, though for many "3D-sounding" stereo results, the internal mixer's merging capabilities are already quite powerful. I will also create a video for that.
Regarding Rot3 and the Glitcher-X: You are right that Rot3 can feel abstract! It is a mode within the Glitcher-X system that rotates the glitch trigger across the generators in groups of three. I will make a video to show how to use the Spectral Trigger and Glitcher-X.
I’ve opened a dedicated "Suggestions" topic here in the forum viewtopic.php?t=627887 to share ideas. I'm always open for suggestions and feedback.
Best, Johannes
crusher-X 12 released - immersive 3D panner
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- KVRAF
- 2851 posts since 10 Jul, 2008 from Orbit SW US
Full disclosure: i still haven't been in a position to purchase Crusher X. I had a demo of either v10 or v11. I've rtfm multiple times. In the world of granular synthesis it is incomparable. It is, though, priced for professionals, (and well off non pros). It's priced to reflect it's value, making it a rare plugin these days when it's BF every weekend. For those that are serious about granular and have it's a must. For anyone deeply interested (regardless of experience), and can afford it, definitely. For members that are mildly interested, financially tight, or who don't like complex tools than Crusher X it probably will not work out.
TL:DR- Crusher X has amazing value- the price reflects it.
TL:DR- Crusher X has amazing value- the price reflects it.
gadgets an gizmos..make noise~crystalawareness.bandcamp.com/ soundcloud.com/crystalawareness Restocked: 5/2026
if this post is edited -it was for punctuation, grammar, or to make it coherent (or make me seem coherent).
if this post is edited -it was for punctuation, grammar, or to make it coherent (or make me seem coherent).
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- KVRist
- 30 posts since 2 Apr, 2005
@ Punktmidi
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and the content of your message. Your message proves that the compliments I gave to accsone were entirely deserved!
The subject is complex, but I'm starting to understand thanks to your explanations, and everything you say adds a lot of positive points to the balance. It's cool that you're now making a video on the subject. I'm already looking forward to it. Thank you also for your new “Suggestions” thread.
I think I'll stick with the stereo output because, in any case, I don't think I can have 12 outputs with my sound card (Focusrite Saffire USB 2.0) (at least I haven't managed to route it in Live yet!). I think that will be enough because my music is the opposite of immersive (percussive, impacts, hits, breaks, contrasts, tension-release), it's not enveloping ) and if I think this Panner would be useful to me, it's because it's the sound itself that interests me, apart from any spatiality. The more unusual and out of the ordinary the sound is, the more it interests me, and for that, crusher-X is truly incredible. So it would be one more tool in my arsenal.
Ultimately, I have two options:
A/ I put crusher-X on a single audio track in Live with Main output.
B/ I put crusher-X on an audio track in Live and route its 12 outputs to 12 additional audio tracks.
In both cases, which surround mode should I choose (there are modes for Logic, Pro Tools, and Steinberg, but not for Ableton)? Also, is it necessary to use the Surround Panner (M4L) (included in Ableton Live 12 Suite)? If so, how?
Sorry for asking so many questions! These will be the last ones.
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and the content of your message. Your message proves that the compliments I gave to accsone were entirely deserved!
The subject is complex, but I'm starting to understand thanks to your explanations, and everything you say adds a lot of positive points to the balance. It's cool that you're now making a video on the subject. I'm already looking forward to it. Thank you also for your new “Suggestions” thread.
I think I'll stick with the stereo output because, in any case, I don't think I can have 12 outputs with my sound card (Focusrite Saffire USB 2.0) (at least I haven't managed to route it in Live yet!). I think that will be enough because my music is the opposite of immersive (percussive, impacts, hits, breaks, contrasts, tension-release), it's not enveloping ) and if I think this Panner would be useful to me, it's because it's the sound itself that interests me, apart from any spatiality. The more unusual and out of the ordinary the sound is, the more it interests me, and for that, crusher-X is truly incredible. So it would be one more tool in my arsenal.
Ultimately, I have two options:
A/ I put crusher-X on a single audio track in Live with Main output.
B/ I put crusher-X on an audio track in Live and route its 12 outputs to 12 additional audio tracks.
In both cases, which surround mode should I choose (there are modes for Logic, Pro Tools, and Steinberg, but not for Ableton)? Also, is it necessary to use the Surround Panner (M4L) (included in Ableton Live 12 Suite)? If so, how?
Sorry for asking so many questions! These will be the last ones.
Last edited by andreTSV on Thu Feb 19, 2026 6:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRist
- 30 posts since 2 Apr, 2005
Changes in Glob-1 and Glob-2.
In version 11, there were two tabs, one at the top and one at the bottom, and they were different. In version 12, only the bottom panels remain. How can I access the top panels?
In version 11, there were two tabs, one at the top and one at the bottom, and they were different. In version 12, only the bottom panels remain. How can I access the top panels?
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 517 posts since 17 Jan, 2005
The Global Grain Modulations went both from the top to the bottom Edit Tabs row and can be access both with the bottom Edit Tabs. Functionally the global modulators are the same as in version 11.andreTSV wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 11:09 am Changes in Glob-1 and Glob-2.
In version 11, there were two tabs, one at the top and one at the bottom, and they were different. In version 12, only the bottom panels remain. How can I access the top panels?
Best
accSone
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 18 Nov, 2025
Hey andreTSV
Im happy to assist.
Sticking with the Stereo Output is definitely enough for most cases. Playing with the 3D Panner is still worth it. I would like to encourage to try experimenting with multiple outputs to send them to different effect channels for example. You can use any 3D Panner preset. Also the Logic Pro works for you.
Create new audio tracks for each output pair you want to separate.
Route Audio: On each audio track, go to the "Audio From" dropdown, select the track containing crusher-X, and choose the specific output channel from the second dropdown.
A video addressing this in detail is in process.
Hope that helps so far.
Best
Johannes
Im happy to assist.
Sticking with the Stereo Output is definitely enough for most cases. Playing with the 3D Panner is still worth it. I would like to encourage to try experimenting with multiple outputs to send them to different effect channels for example. You can use any 3D Panner preset. Also the Logic Pro works for you.
Create new audio tracks for each output pair you want to separate.
Route Audio: On each audio track, go to the "Audio From" dropdown, select the track containing crusher-X, and choose the specific output channel from the second dropdown.
A video addressing this in detail is in process.
Hope that helps so far.
Best
Johannes
andreTSV wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 9:37 am @ Punktmidi
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and the content of your message. Your message proves that the compliments I gave to accsone were entirely deserved!
The subject is complex, but I'm starting to understand thanks to your explanations, and everything you say adds a lot of positive points to the balance. It's cool that you're now making a video on the subject. I'm already looking forward to it. Thank you also for your new “Suggestions” thread.
I think I'll stick with the stereo output because, in any case, I don't think I can have 12 outputs with my sound card (Focusrite Saffire USB 2.0) (at least I haven't managed to route it in Live yet!). I think that will be enough because my music is the opposite of immersive (percussive, impacts, hits, breaks, contrasts, tension-release), it's not enveloping ) and if I think this Panner would be useful to me, it's because it's the sound itself that interests me, apart from any spatiality. The more unusual and out of the ordinary the sound is, the more it interests me, and for that, crusher-X is truly incredible. So it would be one more tool in my arsenal.
Ultimately, I have two options:
A/ I put crusher-X on a single audio track in Live with Main output.
B/ I put crusher-X on an audio track in Live and route its 12 outputs to 12 additional audio tracks.
In both cases, which surround mode should I choose (there are modes for Logic, Pro Tools, and Steinberg, but not for Ableton)? Also, is it necessary to use the Surround Panner (M4L) (included in Ableton Live 12 Suite)? If so, how?
Sorry for asking so many questions! These will be the last ones.
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- KVRist
- 30 posts since 2 Apr, 2005
@ freq
Thanks for the reply. I asked the question because the two dice in the upper panels produce very interesting musical results.
@ Punktmidi
Thank you very much for your help. I can finally deal with the different outputs in Live, which of course opens up new horizons.
I just watched your video “crusher-X 12: immersive Ambient Experiment” and I can see the potential of version 12, even though it doesn't fit my style of music at all. But we'll see, I've already changed my composing style once thanks to crusher-X.
Thanks for the reply. I asked the question because the two dice in the upper panels produce very interesting musical results.
@ Punktmidi
Thank you very much for your help. I can finally deal with the different outputs in Live, which of course opens up new horizons.
I just watched your video “crusher-X 12: immersive Ambient Experiment” and I can see the potential of version 12, even though it doesn't fit my style of music at all. But we'll see, I've already changed my composing style once thanks to crusher-X.