Intellijel Swells: The Ultimate Reverb Module for Creative Sound Design?
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Intellijel Swells turns reverb into an instrument for creative experimentation! One of the most exciting reverb modules to come out in recent years, Swells looks like a sound designer’s dream.
Intellijel Swells
Superbooth is still a few weeks away, but the anticipation for the world’s largest synth event is already building. Several manufacturers have already hinted at the new products they’ll be showing this year. Now, Intellijel joins the party with an exciting new release: Swells!
When Intellijel releases a reverb module, you can be sure it pushes the boundaries. Sure, the 20 HP module delivers a wide variety of stereo spaces with nine creatively named algorithms: Fog, Blur, Shadow, Velvet, Asterion, Deadspace, Buckets, Ritual, and Gaze. But what’s even more exciting is how you can shape the reverb.
Swells shares several core parameters with other reverb modules: the Pre-Delay, Size, Decay, and Damping (High and Low) can each be controlled via sliders or CV. All of the corresponding inputs are equipped with attenuverters. The Ebb and Flow parameters do different things depending on the selected algorithm. There’s also a CV-controllable tilt EQ.
But it’s the namesake Swell Generator where things really get interesting. This is an envelope follower with Rise, Fall, and Threshold parameters and three source options. In addition to the input signal, the envelope can react to an external side chain signal or even to the reverb itself.
And that’s still not all. Swells also sports a Freeze button that lets you capture a moment in time and feed it endlessly back into the input. The Reverse button reverses the input signal with adjustable Time and Sync options. And the Burst button creates a burst of noise or feedback.
The module has a universal Trigger input that can be used to control the Freeze, Burst, Reverse, or Swell functions externally. This means that the module can react to lots of things going on elsewhere in your patch, turning reverb into a creative sound design tool. There’s also an output for the Swells envelope.
If you like to use reverb creatively, Swells should be right up your alley. There are many reverb modules, but only a few with this many options for creative sound shaping.
Price and Availability
You can now order Intellijel Swells from Thomann* for $483 / £443 / €499. The module is expected to ship within about a week or two.
More Information
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