Strange Audio DSP maniFold Omega is a new micro-looper and granular-based texture effects processor for macOS and Windows.
Nowadays, we have more ambient-focused effect plugins than ever before. These are often based on various combinations of delay and reverb. Some even use granular or spectral synthesis.
The maniFold Omega plugin multiple concepts in one powerful texture FX plugin. Yes, granular and spectral are also onboard.
Strange Audio DSP maniFold Omega
maniFold Omega is a new hybrid real-time effects processor plugin for macOS and Windows. It uses micro-looping, granular, and other techniques to creates all-kinds of textures.
Strange Audio DSP says that maniFold Omega is designed for experimental sound design, ambient layering, glitch textures, and abstract time-based transformations.
At its core is a micro-looper and granular FX engine with 16 playheads, each playing from a shared variable-size audio buffer. It’s the point where the processor captures and plays back the audio.
Alongside classic playback, there is also a random option for the position, length, pannning and pitch of the audio. Neat, it has a real-time visualizer that gives you a live view of the active heads and playback positions.
The buffer where audio is stored is also flexible. It can range from 1 to 60 seconds (1 minute), allowing for everything from tiny glitches to big ambient loops. The audio buffer state is saved directly with your DAW project, so the sounds are fully recallable.
ManiFold Omega also includes a freeze/lock function, enabling infinite looping. In case you need a refresh, there is also a buffer clear option.
Part of the micro-looping/granular texture engine is also a delay cluster with 16 delay lines, using all-pass filter topology. It gives you not the usual delay effects but distinct comb-filtering, pitch smearing, and spectral-like time dispersion.
The delay cluster also includes a recirculation setting that feeds the delay network back into itself for evolving, chaotic textures. It functions similarly to a high-end reverb tank or modular feedback loop, says the developer.
Further, you can set an amplitude envelope for each play head as well as its minimum playback size.
First Impression
At first glance, this is an exciting multi-FX plugin that allows you to quickly create very ambient, oriental sounds. I like the compact UI, which is very inviting for tweaking. From the linked demo, it sounds lovely and makes you want to explore further.
Strange Audio DSP maniFold Omega is available now for 29€. It runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. A demo and a free version are also available.
More information here: Strange Audio DSP
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