AudioThing x Hainbach Moon Echo is a free delay plugin (mac, Linux, win, iOS) that explores the dark side of the moon.
In recent years, more and more developers, hardware, and software have collaborated with artists and YouTubers. One of the most prominent teams up in the synth area is Hainbach and Carlo from AudioThing, who have already created six creative, experimental-focused plugins together.
The curtain has just fallen for number 7. Most people will be happy. It’s a free plugin, so now a little Hainbach will be on every computer.
Moon Echo is a new free delay plugin crafted by the two creators. Like every AudioThing and Hainbach plugin, this new release is not ordinary. It has a fascinating history. For this, we travel to the moon, where the idea comes from.
Concept
The concept is based on a communication technique that uses our closest cosmic neighbor, the moon, as a reflector for radio waves.
That the moon can be an odd reflection in radio broadcasting was discovered by German radio operators during the Second World War. However, it was only after the war that moon bouncing was developed as a communications technique.
First, the US military made use of it, but amateurs caught on quickly in the 1950s. With the advent of satellites, it became obsolete for defense applications, but radio amateurs are still connecting through the moon to this day with each other.
To experience this reflection technique in person, Hainbach visited the CAMRAS (C.A. Muller Radio Astronomy Station) in Dwingeloo. The team has allowed him to send test signals, voices, and human test tones by sopranist Johanna Vargas, double bassist Paul Cannon, and Patreon supporter signals to the moon.
According to AudioThing, the tones from the soprano and bassist tested the transmission limits and gave the developers a more varied set of samples to model it. Important to say is that every moon bounce is different. So, creating a 100% “accurate” emulation is impossible.
AudioThing Hainbach Moon Echo
Based on these data and observations, AudioThing coded the Moon Echo plugin. This includes emulations of the radio transmitter in/out stage, automatic leveling circuitry, moon bounce phase and frequency shift, and more.
The result is a unique free delay plugin that can create crunchy and lively echoes modulated by the movement of the earth and moon. Moon Echo is a relatively compact plugin with few parameters that can shape the sound beautifully in different directions.
You can adjust the Doppler shift, delay time, “moon dust” noise, feedback, and the transmitter from simplex to duplex. Further, there is a master section with controls over the input, mix, and output.
Like every AudioThing plugin, it’s fully resizable and ships with a preset browser with an integrated randomizer.
First Impression
They have developed yet another very special plugin here, a fascinating release. It is worth noting that this is an audio plugin and a playful tool for teaching space.
AudioThing Hainbach Moon Echo is a free download and runs as a 64-bit only VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows. A free iOS (iPhone/iPad) version with AUv3 support is available on the Apple AppStore.
More information here: AudioThing / AppStore
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