Avi Bortnick released EchoSketch, a new AUv3 delay & reverb plugin for iOS and macOS that you can play like an instrument.
Delays and reverbs are popular and indispensable effects in music production. You set them once, and then you let them do their job.
Avi Bortnick, a guitarist who played with jazz musician John Scofield for many years, is also a developer and released EchoSketch, a delay and reverb for iOS/macOS which is made to play with it
Avi Bortnick EchoSketch
EchoSketch is a new AUv3 delay & reverb plugin for iOS and macOS. Avi Bortnick pursues with EchoSketch the idea of playing both effects in a highly performative way, like an instrument
The plugin consists of two effects: a four-mode delay and a stereo convolution reverb. EchoSketch’s delay has four modes: digital (inspired by 80s rack delays), analog (warm, with tape-style pitch glide), reverse, and ping-pong.
Each mode offers controls for delay time, feedback, dry/wet, modulation, and more. Feedback comes with delay-dependent tone shaping, so short delays stay bright while longer ones darken naturally, just like classic hardware.
The delay is also syncable to host tempo by note value, or you can dial in free milliseconds. Modulation is classic analog-style, unlocking chorusing and drifting echoes. The tilt tone lets you darken or brighten the whole effect from one control.
A stereo convolution reverb runs in parallel with the dry signal of the delay, with three types: spring, plate, and hall, enveloping the echoes into lush space without washing out the repeats.
Perform It
One unique feature of EchoSketch, compared to classic delays, is how you can control it. Yes, you can control it with sliders like any other. But you can also play it like an instrument.
Avi Bortnick has implemented in EchoSketch an X/Y pad to which you can assign any parameter – one or multiple at the same time. You can do this simply by using the X and Y buttons next to each parameter.
Set the range for each parameter independently, then morph between them in real time. Creative modes are also available. Hold/lift lets you do two things: leave the cursor where you drop it, or let it spring back for stutter and momentary gestures.
Further, you have Freeze, which locks the current wash into an infinite loop and plays over it. And there is Motion, where you can record a gesture on the XY pad and loop it hands-free.
The ability to morph from one set of parameters to the next, or even automate these movements, enables unusual, creative delay/reverb effects.
First Impression
At first glance, EchoSketch looks like a fun effects processor that lets you explore delay and reverb more organically.
Avi Bortnick EchoSketch is now available for $ 4.99 on the Apple App Store. It runs as an AUv3 plugin on iOS (iPhone and iPad) and macOS (native Apple Silicon).
More information here: Avi Bortnick / App Store
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