Shift Line Astronaut multi-algorithm morphable reverb plugin, new free version

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Shift Line Astronaut Reverb is a new multi-algorithm reverb plugin based on the Astronaut pedal with morphing, utilities, and more.

In June, I reported on the Astronaut reverb plugin based on the algorithms found in the pedals of the same name. Four months earlier, the developer released the SkyNet, a free reverb plugin, as an appetizer. 

Now, the developer is adding another appetizer and offering the Astronaut in a stripped-down free version.

Shift Line Astronaut Free

Instead of the nine of the full version, Astronaut Free has just six algorithms. You get three reverb algorithms, SKYNET1, SKYNET2, and SHIMDOWN, and three utility algorithms: CLEAN CRUSH, WHITE NOISE, and SILENCE. 

The free version also includes the unique morphing functionality. A downgrade is, however, the missing preset system. If you like the plugin, you can also get the full version for very affordable $15. 

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Article From June 1, 2023 

Shift Line is a Boutique pedal manufacturer. In particular, the Astronaut, a versatile reverb pedal, is one of the company’s best-sellers. Last February, the developers entered the plugin world for the first time with the free SkyNet plugin—a high-quality atmospheric reverb plugin for macOS and Windows.

SkyNet was just a teaser of what the developers are working on. With the Astronaut Reverb now comes the complete reverb plugin with all the algorithms of the pedal. And that for a very affordable price of 10€.

Shift Line Astronaut Reverb

Shift Line Astronaut Reverb

Astronaut Reverb is a new reverb plugin based on the same reverb algorithms of the Astronaut pedal. According to the developers, the plugin is not just a digital copy of the pedal but has a unique feature set and performance optimizations.

The core has four slots, each of which can be loaded with an algorithm. There are nine different algorithms, including the Skynet algorithm from the free plugin.

  • CELL: space-style reverbs with freeze and decay times of over 10 minutes
  • ROD is a spaceship’s outer shell, where the sound is recorded at different points. It has a characterful resonant peak at around 1500Hz.
  • CAN is a metal cylinder with an uneven surface. It has cylinder sizes from “soup can” through “barrel” all the way to “huge empty hangar”.
  • REVERDOX: is a reverb/delay combo that plays the memory buffer contents forward and backward, resulting in a cool “time-floating” effect.
  • SKYNET1 is a bright, futuristic space reverb algorithm with decay times of several minutes.
  • SKYNET2 is a darker version of SKYNET1 with heavy filtering to the wet signal.
  • SHIMUP1 is an octave-up shimmer reverb with moderate filtering and a distinctly bright character.
  • SHIMUP2 is another octave-up shimmer reverb, this time with less filtering and a different sonic character.
  • SHIMDOWN is an octave-down shimmer reverb that can add depth to any incoming signal — a pad, a lead, or anything else.

A wide range of reverb algorithms.

3 Utilities

Then, you get three utility programs:

  • CLEAN CRUSH is the incoming signal which is unaffected by reverberation. Use this utility algorithm if you only want to apply the WARP control or the filters to the incoming signal, which can result in peculiar Lo-Fi effects.
  • WHITE NOISE can be used the same way spices are in cooking. Set the WARP and filter knobs to just the right values to achieve cool distortion effects and ever-evolving chaotic soundscapes.
  • SILENCE is, well, silence. If you don’t wish to use all four algorithm slots at once or want to create a tremolo effect on one of the axes, you can assign this algorithm to the desired slot in the XY controller.

Algorithm Morphing/Mixing

Excitingly, you can morph the four selected algorithms using the XY pad. This means you can morph from one algorithm to another. Or create a unique algorithm from a mixture of different algos.

Astronaut Reverb can be controlled with various parameters. On top, you get X-Mix, the cross-mix of the dry/wet signals, decay is the reverb decay time, and warp controls the flow of time within the algorithm (max no time-stretching, low settings lo-fi effects).

Further, you can modify the wet signal with additional parameters, including a highpass filter, a lowpass filter, and wet-level signal control.

First Impression

At first glance an exciting reverb plugin. I linked a sound demo. There the reverb sounds very solid and atmospheric. I like the ability to mix/morph the algorithms. For $15, you can’t go wrong here. Maybe we can see it in the future also for iOS AUv3.

Shift Line Astronaut Reverb is available now for $10 and runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (Intel + native Apple Silicon) and Windows. A free demo version is on the developer’s website.

More information here: Shift Line 

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