Wave Mechanics PurePitch. Click image for larger view.

Review: Wave Mechanics UltraTools [continued]

PitchBlender
The PitchBlender plug-in is a 2-channel effects processor that combines pitch-shifting features with the delay, filtering, panning and modulation components that are shared by both plug-ins. The actual implementation of PitchBlender consists of two pitch shifters, two digital delays, two filters, a mixer and a feedback matrix. The basic effects modules can be “rewired” and modulated in many different ways, allowing for endless varieties of signal-processing effects. The signal-processing parameters are grouped into pages, easily accessible via a mouse click.

Two channels of pitch shifting are available and can be used to create detune and chorus effects, harmony generation, arpeggiation and some pretty wild pitch modulations. The pitch shifters in PitchBlender do not preserve the formant structure of source material (unlike PurePitch, as explained below). The shift parameters have a ±2400 cent resolution and can be modified in one-cent increments. The output of the two pitch shifters may be panned anywhere within the stereo field, and a constant power panning algorithm will maintain a constant loudness across the stereo field. Level parameters adjust output levels of the two pitch shifters, with 0 dB representing unity gain.

The Pitch Mapper adds harmony and arpeggiation features to the two pitch shifters. For harmony generation, Pitch Mapper analyzes the pitch of the input signal and dynamically adjusts the pitch shift interval depending on the detected pitch, the selected key and the selected pitch-shift interval. Arpeggiation patterns are created by modulating a pitch mapper with one of the various modulation sources. A series of scale patterns available as presets ranging from Western diatonic to microtonal Eastern can be used to build harmonically interesting and rhythmically complex arpeggiations based on whatever aural building foundation is used as a modulation source. Pitch-based arpeggiation material can be adjusted to whatever key is desired.

TimeBlender
TimeBlender is a 2-channel plug-in that combines reverse pitch shifting with the delay, filtering, panning and modulation components shared by both plug-ins. The Pitch and Delay section of TimeBlender replaces the pitch-shifter section found in PitchBlender, and as mentioned above, TimeBlender uses two channels of reverse pitch-shifting as its main component feature.

Each reverse pitch shifter continuously samples small segments of audio and plays back the sampled segments in reverse. The length and the playback pitch of the segments can be varied and routed throughout the different sections of the plug-in (Mix, Feedback, Master Pitch, Master Delay, Mod Rate and Mod Depth as described previously).

How do they sound? The manual describes SoundBlender as “radical effects for creative audio production,” and this is definitely not an understatement. Options abound for everything from the seemingly mundane (such as chorusing, flanging, vibrato and delays), to the profound (check out the “Nightmare Sequence” preset in PitchBlender or the “Crystallizer” effects in TimeBlender), and the results can be stunning. I used the filter section of PitchBlender on a remix I was working on, and the client was literally jumping up and down with glee. A large number of interesting presets have been programmed by the engineers at Wave Mechanics, but don’t be afraid to tweak—the results will never fail to yield surprises.

One problem I discovered involves Logic Audio and is not the fault of the SoundBlender plug-ins: Automating plug-in activity (which works flawlessly in Pro Tools) consistently causes a hard crash in Logic. Although this is caused by shortcomings in Logic’s automation (I have the same problem with other plug-ins), it’s an issue to consider if you plan on implementing esoteric automation movements while using Logic. I hope this problem will be addressed in future versions of Logic Audio.

PurePitch
PurePitch is designed to detune or transpose vocal or instrumental tracks over a wide pitch range while retaining the original, natural sound of the source material. A wide variety of harmony, detuning and other assorted processing is available. PurePitch also allows for independent control of pitch and formants and has a built-in delay and LFO.

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