Applies low-pass and high-pass filtering to the input signal. Drag the nodes in the filter graph, or adjust the dials below the graph, to adjust the cutoff frequency and resonance of each band.
DELAY TAB
The Delay Tab of the BLEASS Tides plugin allows users to apply low-pass and high-pass filtering to the input signal, visualize the incoming and repeating sounds spectrally while interactively shifting frequencies, and adjust delay time, inertia, ping pong effects, feedback, and dry/wet balance, with options to freeze or kill the delay signal.
INPUT FILTER
TIDES VISUALISATION
This panel provides a lightweight spectral readout of the sounds entering and being produced by BLEASS Tides. The incoming signal’s spectrum is represented by white dots, and repeats are represented by light blue dots.
Touching or clicking on the visualisation activates a frequency shifter within the feedback path (note that this is independent of the optional Frequency Shifter insert processor).
- Touching/clicking on the left side of the visualisation produces a negative frequency shift.
- Touching/clicking on the right side of the visualisation produces a positive frequency shift.
- The further from the visualisation’s centre that you touch/click, the larger the frequency shift.
- The frequency shift updates as you drag your finger or mouse across the panel. This means you can interactively adjust the frequency shift in realtime.
- Remove your finger / release the mouse button to disable the frequency shifter.
INERTIA
Inertia governs the time it takes for any change in delay time to be applied, as well as the way in which the change will be applied.
- Crossfade applies a volume crossfade between repeats of different lengths when the delay time changes. The Inertia dial determines the length of the crossfade
- Tape applies a tape-style slow-down or speed-up in response to delay time changes. The Inertia dial determines the rate at which the (virtual) tape speed changes.
TIME
Use the main Time dial to set the desired delay time.
- In Free mode, the delay time is set in terms of milliseconds and seconds.
- In Sync mode, the delay time is synchronised to your DAW or host software, and set in terms of note divisions (I.E. 1/4 = crotchet, 1/8 = quaver, etc.).
The Offset dial modifies the selected delay time. This is particularly useful when you want repeats to be synchronised to the beat in a natural, non-robotic way.
PING PONG
When Ping Pong is enabled, successive repeats alternate between two channels, with the stereo spread of those channels controlled by the Ping Pong dial.
- In Classic mode, the overall number of repeats created is the same as when Ping Pong is disabled.
- In Symmetric mode, each channel produces the same number of repeats as when Ping Pong is disabled, resulting in twice the number of repeats overall.
FEEDBACK
Determines how much signal is fed back to the beginning of the delay processor. Higher values result in more repeats being produced. A setting of 100% will repeat indefinitely.
FREEZE
When this momentary button is pressed, the current delay signal is held and repeated, and the incoming signal does not create any new echoes.
KILL
Press this momentary button to instantly mute the delayed signal and reset the delay processor. Once released, delay processing will resume in the normal way.
FEEDBACK FXs TAB
The Feedback tab provides five insert slots for processing BLEASS Tides’ feedback signal. The impact of these processors accumulate across successive repeats.
Click on a slot to open a list of processors, and click the processor name to assign it to the slot. Enable or disable a loaded processor using its power button, and reposition it by simply dragging it to a new slot. Note that only one of each processor can be inserted.
The available processors are:
DISTORTION
Applies any one of three distortion models. Use the selector at the top of the panel to choose the type of distortion, turning the dial to adjust its strength.
Be aware that, by boosting the feedback signal’s strength, this processor can cause a runaway feedback loop. The plugin includes a 0dB limiter on the wet signal that will protect your speakers and equipment, but to stop such a loop simply hit the Kill button.
DUST
Adds random digital noise to the feedback signal for a grittier and dirtier sound. Use the Density fader to control the frequency of the noise, and the Gain fader to control its prominence.
BITCRUSH
Simulates the effects of applying sample rate and/or bit-depth reduction. Use the Downsample dial to reduce the sample rate, and the Bit Depth dial to reduce the sample resolution.
FREQUENCY SHIFTER
Applies a frequency-based pitch shift of up-to ±1kHz to the feedback signal.
PITCH SHIFTER
Applies a granular semitone-based pitch adjustment of up-to ±1 octave to the feedback signal. Lower Grain Size settings work best for short and percussive sounds but produce a more processed/less natural sound than longer settings. Use the Pitch dial to set the amount of shift in semitones.
RING MODULATOR
Applies a ring modulation effect to the feedback path. Use the Frequency fader to set the pitch of the carrier (that is, the sound that will be modulated by the feedback signal). The Amount fader controls the overall strength of the effect.
DELAY
Adds a simple secondary delay line within the feedback path. In Sync mode, delay time is set in terms of note length; in Free mode, delay time is set in milliseconds and seconds.
Be aware that this processor can cause a runaway feedback loop that can get louder and louder. If this happens, hit the Kill button to stop the loop.
HIGH PASS FILTER, LOW PASS FILTER, BAND PASS FILTER
Adds filtering to the feedback path. Drag the filter graph’s node, or use the dials, to adjust the filter’s cutoff frequency and resonance.
PEAK FILTER
Adds a peak filter to the feedback path. Drag the filter graph’s node, or use the dials, to adjust cutoff frequency and gain. The Resonance dial controls the bandwidth of the peak curve.
ROUTING PANEL
Each of BLEASS Tides’ modulators can be routed to up to four destination parameters. The details of each routing is controlled from a modulator’s routing panel. This panel works identically for each modulator.
NUMBER BUTTONS
Selects each of the four possible routings for the modulator.
DESTINATION
Specifies the parameter that will be modulated via the routing.
AMOUNT
Determines how strongly the modulator will impact on the destination parameter.
X0.01 BUTTON
Reduces the strength of modulation being sent to the destination by a factor of 100. This makes it easy to create very small fluctuations in the destination parameter’s value.
MONO/STEREO BUTTON
- In Mono mode (single circle), the modulator’s output is applied equally to both left and right channels.
- In Stereo mode (double circle), the left and right values are 180° out of phase with each other. This means that when the left channel’s value is rising the right channel’s value will be falling, and vice versa.
POLARITY BUTTON
- In Unipolar mode (arrow facing right), the modulation is summed with the destination parameter’s value. When in Stereo mode, the left channel receives a positive value and the right channel receives a negative value (this can of course be reversed by using a negative Amount value).
- In Bipolar mode (arrow facing in both directions), the modulation fluctuates around the destination parameter’s value.
MODULATION METER
The meter shown on a Routing Panel visualises the actual strength of modulation being sent to the destination parameter, taking into account all of the routing’s settings.
LFO TABS
BLEASS Tides features three LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) for creating repeating, cyclic modulations.
WAVEFORM
Specifies the waveform that the LFO will use.
MODULATION METER
Visualises the LFO’s output.
CURVE FADER
Warps the shape of the LFO’s waveform.
- Has no effect when in the central position.
- When in an upper position, slows the LFO waveform’s onset phase and accelerates its falloff phase.
- When in a lower position, accelerates the LFO waveform’s onset phase, and slows its falloff phase.
SYNC MODE
- Free uses internal timing for the LFO.
- Sync synchronises the LFO to the host DAW’s tempo.
- Beat synchronises the LFO to the host DAW’s tempo and bar position.
NO TRIPLETS
When enabled, any triplet value selected for the LFO Rate (1/3, 1/6 etc.) will be ignored. Not available in Free sync mode.
SYNC RATE
Sets the time taken for the LFO to complete one cycle of its waveform. The Rate is expressed as milliseconds and seconds when in FREE sync mode, otherwise it is expressed in terms of note length.
PHASE
Creates a phase offset between the left and right channels of the LFO.
OFFSET
Creates a global phase offset for the LFO.
SMOOTH
Smooths the rate at which the LFO’s output value changes. This is most useful when used with square, sawtooth and sample-and-hold LFO waveforms.
ENVELOPE FOLLOWER TABS
BLEASS Tides includes two Envelope Follower modulators that produce envelope curves in response to transients in the incoming signal.
MODULATION METER
Visualises the Envelope Follower’s output.
CURVE FADER
Warps the shape of the Envelope Follower’s attack and release stages.
- Has no effect when in the central position.
- When in an upper position, accelerates the attack stage and slows the release stage.
- When in a lower position, slows the attack stage and accelerates the release stage.
GAIN
Controls the sensitivity of the Envelope Follower’s transient detection.
ATTACK
Sets the rate of the envelope’s attack stage.
RELEASE
Sets the rate of the envelope’s release stage.
