Sentinel, Drox II, PSP Spector: Free Plugins of the Week
Sentinel, Drox II, PSP Spector: Free Plugins of the Week · Source: Vain Audio, Dystopian Waves, PSP Audioware
This week’s round-up of the best free plugins brings you MIDI-controlled distortion, unique stutter effects, and an awesome spectrum analyzer. Check out Sentinel, Drox II, and PSP Spector!
Free Plugins of the Week
Vain Audio Sentinel: Band-Selective Distortion with a Twist
Sentinel by Vain Audio is a unique distortion plugin that focuses on a specified frequency band. This allows you to shape and transform your sounds by applying frequency-selective distortion, bringing out unique qualities in the sound.
The band can be adjusted by dragging the two vertical lines in the spectrum view or by turning the Low and High knobs. You can also adjust the slopes for the high-cut and low-cut filters. Perhaps most interestingly, Sentinel also has a MIDI mode that allows you to specify a frequency band that follows MIDI notes, with adjustable offset and width.
Sentinel offers dual distortion engines that can be activated separately, each with 20 modes to choose from and two large knobs for control. The parameters controlled by the knobs vary with the selected mode. However, due to the limited documentation provided with the plugin, I found it hard to determine how the two engines differ from each other. They’re clearly not the same, but I also couldn’t figure out exactly what the difference between them is and how they act on the selected frequency band. But that’s OK, as this is clearly a plugin that delivers the best results when you simply play with the controls until you get the sound you want.
Sentinel is available for macOS and Windows in VST3, AU, and CLAP formats.
Dystopian Waves Drox II: Free Stutter Effect for Ableton Live and Windows
Drox II by Dystopian Waves is an awesome stutter effect that was originally released as an Ableton Live device. Now, it’s also available as a VST3 plugin for Windows.
Drox II lets you create movement and rhythmic variation in your tracks, all the way from momentary glitches and CD-style skips and jumps to complete rhythmic mayhem. It’s also great for simulating tape dropouts and physical imperfections for a lo-fi character.
Depending on the Density, Size, and Reps parameters, Drox II generates stuttered repetitions that can evolve dynamically. It also offers various randomization options and lets you change the playback direction at the push of a button, which makes it a great performance tool.
Drox II is available as an Ableton Live device for macOS and Windows, and as a VST3 plugin for Windows.
PSP Audioware PSP Spector: Free Spectrum Analyzer with 31 Bands
Everyone needs a good spectrum analyzer! PSP Spector by PSP Audioware offers 31 bands, Peak and RMS measurements, and a range of visual customization options.
The analyzer was originally released as part of the PSP ConsoleQ and PSP preQursor3 plugins. Now, PSP Audioware has made it available as a free plugin.
PSP Spector is available for macOS and Windows in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.
Can’t get enough of free plugins like Sentinel, Drox II, and PSP Spector? Check out our huge archive!
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