Description
Dive into a mesmerizing world of sound experimentation with Refractions, a unique audio plug-in that samples and re-sequences audio in real-time. This innovative tool, available in VST, VST3, AudioUnit, and AAX formats for both Mac and Windows, revolutionizes the way you experience audio. Refractions takes your incoming audio and chops it into fragments, before resequencing these fragments to create a captivating, shimmering effect that is nothing short of hypnotic.
Refractions opens a gateway to infinite sonic experimentation. Whether you’re producing electronic music, scoring for films, or exploring experimental audio landscapes, this plug-in allows to transform ordinary sounds into extraordinary, ethereal compositions. The meticulously crafted algorithms within Refractions ensure seamless audio slicing and reordering, allowing you to craft complex rhythmic patterns or smooth ambient textures with unparalleled ease.
Key Features:
- Intuitive User Interface: Refractions boasts an intuitive interface, allowing you to dive right into the creative process without any steep learning curves.
- Customizable Pattern Editor: The patterns that come bundle with Refractions will give you a taste of what it can do, but the real fun starts when you create your own sequences using the built in pattern editor. The pattern editor is very flexible: not only is there a piano roll view, but you can also edit the raw underlying sequence data, which allows you to use fractional note values.
- Gorgeous Rippling Delay: Once you have a sequence going, you can give it even more shimmer by engaging the stereo delay.
- Stability and Compatibility: Designed with stability in mind, Refractions seamlessly integrates into your favorite digital audio workstation (DAW) without compromising your system’s performance. Its compatibility with various formats ensures that you can incorporate its magic into any project seamlessly.
- MIDI Input: At its core, Refractions is actually a sample-based synthesizer. It takes incoming audio, turns it into a sound which then gets played by the sequencer. But here’s the thing: you don’t actually have to use the built-in sequencer. If you want, you can actually hook up external MIDI input and use that instead.
Experience Sonic Brilliance:
Refractions elevates your audio productions to new heights, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue to your compositions. Whether you’re crafting ambient soundscapes, experimental tracks, or mesmerizing beats, Refractions invites you to explore the vast realms of sound, transforming your creations into sonic masterpieces. Unleash the shimmering magic of Refractions and let your music journey into uncharted territories of creativity and innovation.
Video
Sound Demos
So How Does It Work?
As you can see, the basic user interface is quite simple:
You choose a pattern, you set a mix level, and you let the effect do the rest. But, of course, there are way more controls. The advanced view shows all of the underlying options:
Each of these allows you to further customize the way that the effect operates. Finally, the pattern editor lets you fully sequence the incoming audio:
Release Notes
v1.1.0
- Added a randomize button that lets you randomly generate patterns
- Presets now store their editor view type and filter type so that when you switch presets you are shown the view that was used to create the preset.
- When you reload a session within the DAW, it should preserve the preset name and open to the same tab you were previously using.
- If “MIDI Synth” is turn on, this state now gets saved across DAW reloads.
- Fixed a bug that was causing patterns in the pattern list to get duplicated each time a new preset was loaded.
- Fixed a bug that was preventing some users from setting the BPM even when host sync was turned off
- The AudioUnit of Refractions should now be able to receive MIDI input. Important note for Logic Pro users: In order to allow the AudioUnit version of the plug-in to receive MIDI input correctly, I had to change its effect type from “Audio Effect” to “MIDI-controlled Audio Effect”. If you have DAW sessions that made use of the earlier versions of Refractions, Logic may claim that it can’t find the plug-in. If this happens, you will have to re-select the plug-in from the menu and re-set your settings. This is a one-time problem that will not happen again with future updates (it has to do with the way Logic works).
v1.0.0
- The preset selector now displays the name of the currently selected preset
- There are now previous and next buttons that let you cycle through the presets
v0.9.9
- The plug-in now accepts mono input as well as stereo. Note: Regardless of what the input is, it always outputs stereo.
- Fixed a bug in the Mac Installer that was preventing the Factory Presets from showing up
- Added ASIO support to the Windows stand-alone version
v0.9.8
- Fixed a bug introduced in v0.9.7 that prevented any of the non-VST versions from working (oops!)
v0.9.7
- Adds reverb
- Adds a low-pass filter
- Fixes a bug that was causing the engine to sometimes drift out of sync with DAW clock
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I absolutely love this VST and it pairs nicely with the decent samples VST.
dopplerlover-gmail-com (verified owner) –
Just bought it. It’s great. The UI is intuitive and the possibilities are awesome. Get it you wont regret it.
It need some tweeks here and there but I’m sure David will fix it in no time.
shalonecason (verified owner) –
Just bought this after I saw David Hilowitz video and Oh My Goodness is this plugin insane and a medicine for writer’s block. I just turn this thing on and load up any plain vst instrument…and…well magic begins to happen.
E-piano instantly becomes something other worldly with reflections, and reverb, and variations that I simply never thought were possible with the flick of a button.
This has to be one of my favorite plugins of all time, easily.
Buy it! It’s worth every penny. It’s underpriced.
Thank you so much David!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
This new plug-in was immediately inspiring to use, let alone very easy to understand quickly. Well done!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Interesting.
😉
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Hey Dave! Amazing job on the plug in! I’ll send something along that I used it on soon
Decent Samples (store manager) –
Thanks!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Haven’t had much time to play around with it, but I can already tell that for live applications, this will really shine. (Studio applications for this are also very exciting). The versatility and possibilities seem endless, and I can only guess at what cool things may be in store for the plugin in the future!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Simple and effective
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Really enjoying the software – very cool indeed! Thanks! DR
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I had lots of fun and created a beautiful shimmery chord track. Dave you are a very good programmer. Being a programmer for 40 years, I know what it took and it’s very cool.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Love it! Amazing product with lots of great functionality!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Not the same old grain tricks – Took me a minute to realize it needs to be fed. Which makes it weird for standalone. Once inserted on a track it’s a gas. the secrets are all over, not just the knobs but the grid as well. Change the grid gating and pitch, assign a controller to a knob – It gets crazy in a hurry. And, remarkably, it’s one of those rare devices where a little can be a lot and a lot is too much. Right off the bat I turned a straight drum loop into a syncopated ring modulated sample and hold rhythm “thing” that was completely useable as an electronic “top” to other drum and percussion loops. Whatever you want, this is genre destroying, possibly genre defining and a lot of fun. Pick it up at the intro price and it’s like stealing a pass to fun land. I hate to post this as anonymous, but that’s what I got. But I’d stand up and own this review with my name on it.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Refractions is a wonderful option expander, and for me personally a possibility to get instant Enoesque sonic landscaping without tape tricks and a gazillion layers – Dave is a genius! If you port it to IOS I am going to have to.. You get the idea 😀
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
One of the best deals ever on a plug-in… sale or not!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
It’s simple and cool plugin, that gives you opportunity to discover new sound in so interesting ways!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Really inspiring plugin. The design doesn’t feel geared towards a single “right” way to use it, so I find myself experimenting and regularly discovering new uses and sounds. Fun!
익명의 (verified owner) –
unique funny
Eilrach The Mad (verified owner) –
Thanks David for this. I’ve only had a little time to play with Refractions but it is fun and I feel I’m going to get some interesting, if not slightly bizarre pieces done with this. As someone already mentioned, a little is all you need to come up with some fascinating sounds and if you’re not careful you can overcook things. Simple enough for me to go into and twiddle with. I’m looking forward to creating some of my own patterns at the weekend. Thanks again, especially the introductory price!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Super cool plugin. I wanted to support the channel, and also snag it before it went up to $99 bucks. It’s really intuitive and easy to use, I tried it on guitar and it was WILD!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Perfect. Thank you
Anonymous (verified owner) –
What a simple but professional way to add that ‘missing something’! Hoodie
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I love the Decent Sampler vst and use a lot of the sampled images in my compositions. Deeply grateful!
tymenbergman (verified owner) –
Great creative plugin, instant flavour in your compositions. Very use-full plugin.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
A wonderful plugin with many possibilities!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
This plugin is so awesome
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Came here from Dave Hilowitz’s YouTube channel. Was not disappointed. Amazing plugin, like a Hologram Microcosm. Works perfectly well with my old MacBook and GarageBand. Highly recommended.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
john_ghadimi (verified owner) –
I believe this is now my favorite Vocal plugin!! Amazing results with this super creative and intuitive effect. What are you waiting for?? Grab it. 🙂
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Still learning, but sounds great so far. Happy to support an independent developer. Bought at a reduced price and worth it.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I just sit here playing a few notes and smiling
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I use Studio One and I dropped it in on some guitar tracks and worked like a dream. Yes. I was stupid enough and intrigued enough to use it on a live project straight out of the box. It worked like I hoped it would and the client loved the new ambient backdrop they didn’t know they were getting. Seriously best 29 bucks I have spent on a plugin. I have already sent David a thank you
Thatch
Anonymous (verified owner) –
An intriguing development from David Hilowitz. 👍
Lots of fun.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Love it! Still exploritn what I can do with it.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
So easy to use and an inspiring plugin!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
A very useful plugin with a wide range of uses (for me eg fine pitch sequencing that allows sequences in alternate tunings).
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Very nice and inspiring!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Interesting plugin and I’ve only been experimenting with it for a short time. Looks like it has lots of potential and fun to play with.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Very fun to use this just as a guitar-pedal/effect as well. Love it!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Very nice plugin, very nice effects !
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Absolutely LOVE it! I have spent almost a week now turning all kinds of sample instruments into grainy, arpeggiated pads and adding harmonized rhythmic elements to my music.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Inspiring tool for Sound creation
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Paid the money, got the thing. Sounds amazing – as advertised. No-brainer 5-star.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Great plug-in.