Product Reviews by KVR Members

P565 Siren is the filter plugin I've been waiting for...a very long time.

The actual filters themselves can compete with any of my hardware synthesizers and also offer a variety of options and sounds, that make it superior to good hardware. The quality far outstrips any existing filter plugin on the market. Need proof? If you turn up the resonance of a filter plugin or VST synth and do a filter sweep in the low-mid to low and sub frequency range...Compare the result to Siren and you will immediately know what I mean. Siren maintains the musical quality, adds no mud and is honest with the transients. The punch is retained and if you want, you can increase punch to levels of absurdity, without destroying the original signal.

Where to start on Siren when writing a review? phew.

3 filter slopes, all of which work and sound different. Extreme convincing resonance distortion within the 24 dB/oct filter slope. 2 bandpass filters with dual functions each. They can be used as BR, Bell, Notch and Peak.

It is worth mentioning that the notch filters can be used for mastering too. The HPF and LPF can also be used for mastering, especially when used with 18 dB/oct slopes. You can also go into negative values using the RES of the LPF, which I think no other plugin (or Hardware?) does that. And I can't think of any EQ I know with which you can notch out unwanted frequencies while working as clean plus staying musical.

The 18 dB/oct filter has its very own unique charm.

The built-in DRIVE is able to add a special character. Many other circuits in other plugins like to remove the punch and the transients from the audio signal, resulting in glassy-thin and scratchy high frequencies. Sirens DRIVE preserves the brilliance of the high frequencies a good amount and keeps low end punch alive and kicking. I haven't heard anything like this from a plugin before.

Siren has 2 envelope followers on board which can be adjusted precisely to make them super-groovy and sensitive. You can also control them via sidechain. There is an option to switch to an emulation of the famous Mu-Tron pedal via menu to elicit previously unheard ITB chucka-quack funky style tunes.

If Drive isn't enough, Siren simply shoots into orbit with Overdrive. This circuitry is brutal, and with its many other features, Siren is the perfect pre-sculpting stage for guitarists. But you can also perfectly shape typical distorted industrial bands voices like from Skinny Puppy, Ministry etc. Or, for example, a mercilessly distorted TB303 bassline is just a pleasure and sounds fully analogue. You'll find a delay trim-pot, usable on wet or dry signal information. In tandem with the MIX-knob you squeeze out phasing, flanging and slapback delays additionally on top. Siren has phase rotation on wet and dry signal, a stepped filter mode (Big Knob King Tubby style) and and and...think of the options you have combining all this and using the automation/modulation sections of your DAW :).

One nice thing is to say. Siren improves any signal floating through its circuitry, even without processing your audio. Just like good hardware does. If you strive to exhaust all possibilities, you will be able to explore the most compelling and vibrant filter plugin that money can currently buy. You will discover completely new application possibilities almost every time. That's how it's been for weeks at least.

Siren belongs into every tool box of:
- pro-musicians
- hobbyists which are audiophiles
- sound-designers
- mix and mastering engineers.