Links update: 14/07/2017
SpectrumWorx is a modular effect processor that works exclusively in the frequency domain. Two things make SpectrumWorx vastly different from other effects processors:
- Ability to manipulate the frequency domain, and
- Modularity.
Attractive user interface
A lot of musicians tremble with trepidation when they hear the term “modular”. It brings to mind towering monolithic synthesizers festooned with hundreds of knobs, patch points and obscured by dozens of dangling cables. Fortunately, the SpectrumWorx GUI is a study in user-friendliness. Everything you need at any given moment is right in front of you, and there are only a few (and rarely needed) bits tucked away where they won't interfere with your work until you need them.
Main window
Four distinctive sections of the GUI enable everything a user needs to easilly control and monitor the plugin.
In-Out-Mix section
The input knob is used to control the signal level coming into SpectrumWorx, while the output knob adjusts the gain of the outgoing signal. The mix knob controls the ratio of the dry and processed signal output. A value of 0% produces an entirely unprocessed signal, while %100 will allow us to hear only the processed audio. A 100% wet signal is desired when SpectrumWorx is used on a mixer's auxiliary “send”, though you can certainly crank it up to full-blast whenever you like!
Info section
Provides information on the currently selected control and module. Continuously updated with each user selection or mouse-over reaction.
Gain, wetness and frequency range
Below the info section, there are three controls shared among all modules: Gain, Dry/Wet and Frequency Range. These three controls are availalbe for every module. They are shown only if a module is selected. The Gain knob controls the gain applied to the signal at module output, the Wet knob specifies how module input and output signals are to be mixed, and the Frequency range specifies exactly what the name says: the frequency range inside which module operates – outside the range, the signal stay unchanged. All four parameters – gain, wetness, start frequency, and stop frequency – are controllable by the LFO too.
LFO section
Informs the user on the LFO status of the currently selected control. Each knob in each module can be modulated independently by the SpectrumWorx's LFOs – just tick the blue LED button. LFOs are fully configurable; period, waveform, and range can all be set by the user. There are two ways to adjust LFO’s period, the “free” mode and the “tempo-synchronized” mode.
External Audio section
Allows for selection of external audio. Many modules can use or even require the presence of a side channel signal to do their magic. This can either be provided by the host or through SpectrumWorx itself with an externaly selectable audio sample. SpectrumWorx supports raw audio formats (wav, AIFF), as well as compressed (MP3) audio.
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