Arturia has released Efx REFRACT, an experimental effects plugin based on a super unison core with add-on effects, free until January 4, 2024.
It has become a tradition for Arturia to release an effects plugin at Christmas and offer it as a free download for a limited time. Last year, they give away the beautiful aggressive Filter MS-20 and before the Tape Mello-Fi plugin.
This year, they also have something for you. Arturia has just published the Efx REFRACT, an experimental-flavored effects plugin based on a special core. This is a free download until January 4, 2024. Here is my first look review.
Arturia Efx REFRACT
Efx REFRACT is an effects plugin based on a super-unison core that spreads your sounds into up to eight voices. It gives every sound you inject an instantaneous size and character.
This spread can also be modulated with the built-in LFO and applied dynamically to your tracks. Alternatively, you can map it to MIDI CC and modulate it externally. Efx REFRACT offers precise adjustment over the input level, and tweaks are available using the high-pass filter.
Add-On FX With Effect
Arturia upgraded this core with various effects, giving the plugin a very experimental touch. You can choose between a bandpass filter, comb filter, bit-crusher, multimode distortion, and a harmonizer with various modes.
A highlight is the harmonizer, with which you can archive pseudo-granular, crystallized effects that are nicely distributed in the stereo image. Also, the distortion algorithms give you interesting, warm, moving textures. These are special distorted results with an intriguing, unusual character.
With the comb filter, you can also archive bizarre modulation effects with a somewhat strange, detuned touch.
Each effect has a minimal set of parameters that can also be modulated with a single multi-wave LFO. It’s a little weak compared to the other FX plugins from Arturia, but it’s enough to get some movement in.
Additionally, you can fine-tune your output signal with a lowpass filter. For example, to make it more duller. There is also a dry/wet mix control with which
Arturia ships the plugin with a good range of factory presets, giving you a good overview of the effects capabilities.
First Look Review
Efx REFRACT is not a massive effects plugin. It is small, easy to understand, and offers fascinating sound design possibilities with a limited set of features. The effects you can create here are refreshing and stimulate the music producer’s curiosity. I’m happy that it’s not the 100th delay or reverb.
I think most music producers have these enough in the folder. Efx REFRACT is something special, and everyone can have fun with it, at Christmas and beyond. Don’t forget, it works not only on software but also beautifully on hardware synths. See my video. I can also say: don’t miss this Christmas gift from Arturia.
Arturia Efx REFRACT is available now as a free download until January 4, 2024. It regularly costs $99/99€. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Arturia
You should be able to click on a parameter to assign the LFO to it, so you can affect both cutoff and resonance for example.
Yes, but in the modulation it’s pretty basic :S
I agree. Could use more than one LFO, or some envelopes. I wonder if stacking multiple instances of REFRACT on the same sound source with different settings might work.
All parameters have host automation so you can easily do this by popping in an LFO in your host of choice.
Yup! Ableton/Bitwig for the win.