Smiarx ÆLAPSE is a new free multi-FX plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows, featuring a tape delay and a spring reverb.
There are a lot of delay and reverb plugins available. Many are free and can easily compete with commercial plugins. I’m a big fan of the new Tiagolr QDelay open-source delay. Open-source is also a topic right now.
ÆLAPSE is a new open-source delay and reverb plugin you shouldn’t miss.
Smiarx ÆLAPSE
ÆLAPSE is a new free, open-source multi-FX plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows. Smiarx ÆLAPSE consists of two sections: a tape delay and a reverb inspired by spring reverbs.
These can be used together or independently, thanks to independent dry/wet mix controls in each section.
On the left side, you have the delay unit. It’s based on tape-delay mechanisms. You can choose between three modes: normal (classic echoes), back & forth, and reverse.
Next, you can adjust the delay time from 10ms to 5 seconds and the feedback, giving you a wide range of results. It can run freely or in sync with your DAW’s BPM.
Just below, you can shape the delay with lowpass and highpass filters, add drive for extra spice, and infuse tape-speed modulation (aka wobble) with the drift parameter.
Springs And More
Then, we move on to the reverb. It’s inspired by spring reverbs, but it’s not limited to these. You have just one mode, but you can customize it nicely. First, you can set the reverb decay, length, and damp. The three parameters already offer considerable flexibility.
At the second level, you can further customize the reverb springs. Shape controls the frequency dispersion in the springs, while scatter defines how different the properties of the individual springs are. You set the latter higher, you get a more diffuse result.
The chaos parameter introduces some weird behavior into the springs. It defines how stochastic and unpredictable the strings’ behaviour becomes. Increasing the parameter results in behavior similar to random modulation. Plus, there is a filter, aka tone.
Further, you have a stereo width control that lets you control how wide or narrow the sounds are after the multi-FX is sent to the stereo field.
Smiarx says that ÆLAPSE is designed for a variety of applications, from subtle spring-reverb guitar tones to dreamy synth pads, as well as dub-style snare sounds.
First Impression
A great new delay and reverb plugin that sounds great and offers many customization options. A big plus is that it runs on Linux and is open-source.
Smiarx ÆLAPSE is available now as a free download from GitHub. It runs as a VST3, AU, and LV2 plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows.
More information here: Smiarx (GitHub)
Be the first to comment