Daniel Gergely Spirals is a new effects plugin for macOS and Windows that combines pitch-shifting delays with shimmer reverb.
In 2022, Daniel Gergly, developer of the Emergence granular processor, released the beta version of his upcoming plugin Spirals.
After much delay, the commercial version of Spirals is now available. A lot has changed, but the free beta version with the final update in 2024 is still available.
Daniel Gergely Spirals
Spirals remains a dual delay processor with a built-in wide-range pitch shifter that goes from -2 up to +1 octaves.
There is a tempo-syncable global delay time control with a dedicated delay offset parameter for the second line. With the spread parameter in the Daniel Gergely Spirals plugin, you can create left/right parallel or stereo ping-pong delay sound processing. Repeats sets the feedback of the both delay lines.
Each also comes with an independent pitch shift parameter with a snap-to-octave function. The modulation parameter controls the amount of pitch modulation in the pitch shift effect.
Unlike the beta version, it now ships with a diffuse parameter that raises the density of the pitch-shifted echoes up to reverb-like timbres. Raise the shimmer parameter, and the pitch-shifted, diffused echoes are fed back into the delay, creating very fluffy, micro-loop-style effects.
The built resonant lowpass filter with cutoff and resonance settings is still onboard but is now controllable with the XY pad. Unfortunately, you can’t change the parameters on the X/Y pad. Functions to reverse the delay, create cross-feedbacks, and the drive are no longer part of it.
Important note: The plugin doesn’t offer much modulation, but all knobs are externally modulatable. Route an LFO or envelope from Ableton Live/Bitwig, and the party can begin.
Handy, Daniel Gergely ships the Spirals plugin with an oversampling option. The higher you go, the better the sound quality, but the CPU consumption will rise. There is also a preset browser with 15 factory presets.
First Impression
I gave the plugin a go right away before writing this. It’s a lovely, creative dual pitch-delay plugin. I enjoy these micro loop effects it can produce. It’s a shame, however, that the features from the beta version are no longer included. Perhaps they’ll be added again at a later date.
Daniel Gergely Spirals is available now for $30 in his online shop. It runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
There is a free evaluation version of the plugin with no registration or credit card details required. It is fully functional and identical to the paid version in features and sound quality. Still, it will display a message and bypass audio processing when the UI is opened until the message is dismissed.
Article From November 11, 2022
Let’s stay with creative delays. A Synth Anatomy reader drew my attention to another new delay release in the comments of my Interstice article, Inear Display’s latest plugin. Thanks a lot for this info.
The plugin comes from Daniel Gergely, the maker of the amazing free granular processor Emergence. It’s called Spirals and is a new inspiring dual delay with an interesting feature set. Free plugin or not, it depends on your openness in supporting the developer.
Spirals Beta
Attention Spirals is currently in the beta phase, and it’s possible that the developer will add or remove features before the official release of the plugin.
Spirals is a dual delay plugin with two independent stereo delay lines. After setting the global pre-delay, each line can be manipulated with classic controls like size and feedback. Everything you expect from a classic stereo delay, but you can also delve deeper.
The plugin also hosts a pitch shifter in each delay line with which you can pitch-shift the delay +/- 24 semitones and detune it (+/- 100 cents). Then, it also allows you to create cross feedbacks between the two delays, opening up the space for wilder sounds. Plus, each stereo delay line can be reversed.
Furthermore, you can shape the signal with a filter. You can dampen it or add additional harmonics thanks to the available resonance. There is also a global drive to add juice to your timbres. And, of course, you can dial in the perfect amount with independent dry and wet controls.
Another very creative plugin from Daniel Gergely. I’ve had a lot of fun with the Emergence granular plugin, as it is very inspiring, especially because of its quick and straightforward workflow. I’m sure this is no less inspiring.
Spirals by Daniel Gergely is available now as a beta version. You can name your own price to support the developer or download it for free. It runs as a 64-bit VST3 and AU plugin on macOS and Windows.
More information here: Daniel Gergely
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