BLEASS Phase Mutant: frequency modulation effects plug-in for all audio
Phase Mutant is a new product by BLEASS, a developer known for clever, multi-platform creative effects plug-ins with distinct visual and aural personalities. The basic idea takes the method of frequency modulation, best known from FM synthesizers like the Yamaha DX series, and applies it to regular audio tracks. By the BLEASS playbook, Phase Mutant is available for macOS, Windows, and Apple devices at very fair prices.
BLEASS Phase Mutant
Having developed a strong frequency modulation engine for its Omega synthesizer, BLEASS took to spinning it into an effects plug-in called Phase Mutant. It’s a badass name, it would look great on a boutique pedal with some macabre graphic art. There are three methods making Phase Mutant work – a modulator signal coming from a secondary oscillator, modulating via the input signal, and modulating the input signal with itself.
There’s a lot that you can accomplish by splicing two waveforms together, and much of it goes beyond words. But here’s some by BLEASS: “harmonic distortions, expressive tonal variations, and fascinating sound structures.” All of which applies to vocals, basses, arpeggios, leads, drums, percussion and so on.
The modulation oscillator either follows the pitch of the input signal, or is manually adjusted to a factor of the input pitch. In addition, there are various modes of phase shifting distributed between the left and right channels. Additionally, the integrated pitch tracker can be precisely adjusted via parameters such as channel, attack, release, ratio, and fine-tune. There’s also the smooth parameter regulating how quickly the pitch detector reacts to changes.
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- BLEASS Phase Mutant – Sequencer · Source: BLEASS
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- BLEASS Phase Mutant – Sequencer · Source: BLEASS
The actual FM processing offers a different range of settings. Intensity and Amount control the modulation strength and the processed signal can be ran through a low-pass filter. An envelope, two LFOs, and step sequencer are available as additional modulation sources – complete with the ability to draw custom curves and randomize functions.
All the modulation mayhem does come at cost, though. The developer does not hide the fact that Phase Mutant generates inevitable latency. Depending on the settings, it ranges between 1 and 50 ms. This cannot be avoided because the plug-in always has to look ahead in the audio stream. Be mindful of that when introducing the plug-in to latency-sensitive projects.
Otherwise, Phase Mutant is still a worthwhile plug-in to explore. Unless you are into advanced sound design, chances are you don’t have such straightforward means of accomplishing frequency modulation outside synthesizers.
BLEASS Phase Mutant – Price and availability
BLEASS Phase Mutant is available in 64-bit VST3 and AU formats for macOS 10.9 and Windows 8 or later. For the introductory period, you will pay EUR 28 down from the regular price of EUR 39. You can get the plugin from BLEASS or our affiliate partner Plugin Boutique. The iOS version costs EUR 7 requires an Apple device running iOS 11 or later. You can get a free demo version from the manufacturer’s website
Learn more about BLEASS Phase Mutant
- Phase Mutant at Plugin Boutique (affiliate link)
- BLEASS website
- iOS version in Apple App Store
- More BLEASS news
BLEASS Phase Mutant Video
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