Lese Smear is a new spectral multi-FX plugin for macOS and Windows, featuring 12 distinct colorful processors.
You don’t always need new synthesizers to create novel sounds. Often, exciting effects that turn sounds on their head are enough to achieve new results. It’s even better if the effects are of a high standard and don’t rely on the bread-and-butter formula.
A good example, in my opinion, is spectral processors that allow for rapid exploration of new sonic territories. A new plugin of this type is available from Lese called Smear.
Lese Smear
Smear is a new spectral multi-FX plugin for macOS and Windows. According to Lese, Smear takes all the processors they’ve made and expands them with more extensive layering and spectral mixing options, using their own signature Factor Band system.
It consists of interchangeable FX slots, in which you can load one of 12 distinct spectral processors.
- blur (spectral reverb),
- contrast (accentuate/hide different peaks that show up in the signal),
- cross (a processor that uses the side-chain functionality),
- delay (spectral delay system),
- fragment (spectral granular processor)
- gate
- harmonic (adds harmonics to a specific region)
- interp (interpolate) adds spectral attack to the entire spectrum
- pulse (it uses time-varying functions to change the volume of the different sections of the spectrum over time)
- resonator processor
- shift (simple pitch shifter)
- warp (changes the frequency where bins are distributed)
Like other spectral plugins, it converts audio into the frequency domain (FFT) and decomposes the signal into its constituent frequencies at a given moment as a first step.
This reveals the sound’s “spectral content”, which is a two-dimensional map of frequencies over time. Once the snapshots are taken, they are processed and turned back into sound. The way you can use the processor is very flexible and exciting in Smear.
It uses the Factor Band System, where you can specify which areas of the spectrum get an effects infusion. Smear’s spectral mixing system is represented in each effect slot with its own factor band controls.
Additionally, some effects can swap between spectral mixing and using the Factor Bands to control other frequency-specific aspects of the processing (such as adjusting the delay time of every section of the spectrum in our delay processor).
Animated Effects
Each of the processors has its own character and transforms sounds in different ways. All five share, however, the same modulation system that features up to four syncable modulators that can animate parameters.
The DAW’s playback state can also retrigger the modulators. Further, you can map multiple parameters to one of two macro controls. Lese Smear ships with factory presets, showcasing the plugin’s capabilities.
First Impression
A very appealing new plugin from Lese. I like the concept of combining different spectral effects and applying them in various ways. The sounds I heard in the official video are intriguing and make me want more.
I suspect it doesn’t necessarily spark immediate interest in every music producer. It’s more likely to appeal to sound designers who are constantly seeking new ways to manipulate sound, as well as to experimental musicians. I will download the demo because it has piqued my interest.
Lese Smear is now available for $55 USD and runs as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows. Plugin Boutique has announced a 50% OFF Black Friday sale on all Lese plugins except Smear.
More information here: Lese
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