Digicrush: SSL’s First Bitcrusher and Lo-Fi Plugin
An Eternal Bitcrusher?
4,8 / 5,0 | 
SSL Digicrush is the latest plugin from Solid State Logic, this time with a lo-fi sound. Yes, you read that right – SSL can do lo-fi too! The Bitcrusher plugin comes with all sorts of features that make Digicrush a comprehensive sound colouring tool. And the new SSL plugin is out now!
SSL Digicrush: Bitcrusher With Many Functions for (Lo-Fi) Sound Colouring
Downsampling and bit reduction are at the heart of the new SSL Digicrush plugin. But nowadays it’s not enough to just change the bit depth and sample rate of an audio signal – of course a good bit crusher needs a few extras!
SSL Digicrush is a complete tool for colouring audio material. It doesn’t matter if it’s a single track, a group of tracks or the entire mix. SSL Digicrush achieves lo-fi and vintage sounds with a mix of different tricks. Overdriving, for example, reduces the quantisation scale and increases the resulting output level. The result is a ‘blown speaker’ effect.
Reducing the sample rate creates the sound of vintage equipment with digital technology – especially old samplers. Jitter adds a degree of imprecision, and these random variations make the sound even more authentic.
Interesting Features Complement the Bitcrusher
The accompanying parameters that SSL Digicrush offers to change is the bit depth, and this is very interesting. Bit Mode selects the style of bit reduction and can be switched between Gate, Destroy, Smooth or Noisy. Anti-Aliasing minimises digital artefacts when activated, and is complemented by a filter that gives a slightly cleaner and punchier sound. Anti-Image reduces downsampling artefacts.
All of this is presented in one plugin with an interface that has a centred ‘display’, which shows what’s going on in the style of an old monochrome CRT monitor. It seems a bit gimmicky, but looks pretty cool. These days, plugins have to be visually appealing.
Even if SSL Digicrush doesn’t set any new trends, it looks like a welcome addition to the company’s portfolio. And the sound is sure to impress, because SSL knows what it’s doing.
Specifications and Pricing
SSL Digicrush runs as VST2, VST3, AU and AAX on MacOS (10.15 or later) and Windows (10 or later). A free iLok account is required for licensing. A free trial version is available from the Solid State Logic website.
Digicrush is available now and can be purchased from Thomann* for $78.00 / £75.00 / 89.00€.
Find Out More
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