Hey Patrons, I’ve updated Fräs with a few magic additions:

New Features & Improvements

• Magic – Certain parts of the signal path will utilize Mid/Side processing. Sometimes, this works like magic. Other times… not so much.

• The Messitte Filter, again… – After spending some time with v1.11, I realized that my previous tweaks to the Messitte Filter could unintentionally turn the plugin into a high-shelf booster. What was once a darkening effect had now evolved into a high-frequency lift. The culprit? The built-in loudness compensation, which constantly adjusts for perceived loudness. If the distortion attenuates low frequencies, the loudness compensation counteracts by boosting the signal, mimicking a high-shelf EQ. This has now been corrected.

• Global Loudness Compensation – Fräs has always incorporated loudness compensation for the distortion part of the signal—it’s part of its core design. However, since the Below control modifies gain when the signal falls below the threshold, and the Makeup gain adjusts levels when the signal exceeds the threshold, both of these impact perceived loudness after the distortion stage. You can now compensate for these interactions by pressing Loud-C. Use an intense part of the song and let the music play for about 3 seconds before you lock the value by pressing the button.

About Fräs

Fräs (or Fras, as it will appear in your DAW) is a new approach to saturation with an analog feel. The saturation algorithm isn’t that special, I mean, I like the sound of it and I spent a fair amount of time tweaking it to my liking. But, it’s not the sound of the saturation that makes this plugin stand out, it’s how it is applied dynamically to the audio that makes a difference. Fräs is built on the same frame as Shape2 Advanced. They’re both based on waveshaping and how they apply the effect dynamically is based on the same concept (you’ll recognize the layout and look from Shape2 Advanced). But the similarities stop there. Especially the dynamic bypass section can be used creatively in Fräs to place the distortion in the signal as you wish, while in Shape2 Advanced, it’s there to bypass the plugin in sections without low-end or less energy. The dynamic bypass used together with the ‘Below’ and ‘Makeup’ gain will also turn Fräs into a dynamic processor well suited for what you normally use a compressor for in mastering. I don’t mean the type of compression you add to keep a signal in control, I mean the kind of compression you do to make the music live. Fräs shines at this; Do the control of dynamics with the compressor of your choice, and then bring back life using Fräs.

Fräs is only available as VST3 for now. AU will be added as soon as I find the time to go through Apple schnapple’s crazy process for signing and notarizing stuff.

Complete walkthrough using v1.00:

https://youtu.be/bYc_i7irm60?si=ylRNsUW-wC9UnzBr

Manual:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tSWYAJNHF5m-Lzwh6J4a3mOcmRhmPbbWVUQFn_anCNk/edit?usp=sharing

Available as VST3 for macOS and Windows

Download for Patreon’s:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/74683988

Hey,

Here’s a short but effective Reaper script to automatically create a V-shaped volume automation curve (6ms wide) at the cursor position for the selected track. I wrote it for a project to edit out clicks but you do you!

Key Features:

• Dynamic Volume Adjustment: The script inserts three automation points:

  • Point 1: 3 milliseconds before the cursor, set to the current volume level.

  • Point 2: At the cursor, reduced to silence (0% volume).

  • Point 3: 3 milliseconds after the cursor, returning to the original volume level.

• Automation Lane Management: If no automation lane exists, the script will create a volume automation lane. When executed on an existing automation lane, it applies the V-shaped curve to that specific lane.

• Exponential Curve: The automation follows an exponential curve, ensuring smooth and natural transitions that effectively suppress clicks without compromising the surrounding audio quality.

How to Use:

• Select the Target Track: Choose the track where you want to apply the automation.

• Position the Cursor: Place the play cursor precisely at the point of the unwanted click or noise.

• Run the Script: Execute the script to automatically insert the V-shaped automation curve at the cursor’s position.

Hey Patrons!

Alpha 010 takes things deeper. In previous versions, you could enhance upper harmonics—now, you can blend in a new fundamental one octave down. Perfect for recovering overly high-passed material or sculpting your low-end just the way you like it.

What’s new in Alpha 010?

🔹 Fundamental – Bring back what’s missing! This control lets you blend in a “copy” of your audio an octave down. Whether you’re restoring lost low-end from excessive high-pass filtering or just beefing up your sound, this gives you more control than before.

🔹 Loudness Match – Now featuring the same loudness compensation algorithm found in Fräs! It continuously measures short-term loudness and automatically adjusts perceived volume for a more consistent listening experience.

🔹 Bug fixes & tweaks – Various minor bug fixes and tweaks

____

What is Shape2 Advanced?
Shape2 Advanced is an extreme low-end shaper/compressor that gives you 100% control of the lowest part of the spectrum. It’s based around a waveshaper that reshapes your low-end to use all available headroom without causing issues, maximizing your bass without affecting the upper frequencies.

The first stage in Shape2 Advanced mirrors the Shape2 module in SubBB, running the low-end through a waveshaper for a compressed effect. Next, an algorithm removes any distortion created. Up to this point, it’s similar to SubBB. But Shape2 Advanced takes it further: you can reintroduce some of the original envelope to the processed signal with the Envelope controls, set the allowed max peaks with the “Low Peaks” control, add a burst of sub noise at he transients for a greater impact, and blend in a synthesized first harmonic to the signal.

Complete walkthrough:

If you’re new to the plugin, you may need this complete walkthrough using Alpha 005. It lacks the bits and pieces added in Alpha 010 but overall it works the same: https://youtu.be/EUjTphHMz2E?si=WeAhyzlBMqtFdE4W

 I’m still holding back with AU builds, there’s just VST3 for now.

Download for Patrons:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/download-hub-74683988

The demo is still at Alpha009.

If you’re reading this on Patreon, you’re already seeing the full post.. If you found this post elsewhere, click here for the full post!

New in v2.53: Shortcut Toggle Feature

This update introduces the SHORT button from the FOCUS script! You can now assign a shortcut that closes the script when pressed. The idea is to use the same key you assigned to open the script in Reaper’s Action List, allowing you to toggle it on and off seamlessly—no matter what’s in focus. Simply put, the script now behaves like a proper toggle function with your shortcut.

About the Script

This script lets you set a virtual zero position in your Reaper project and displays the time at your cursor relative to that position. I originally created it for situations where clients reference specific times in a song, but the song doesn’t start at Reaper’s default zero position (e.g., when mastering an album). Since then, I’ve received messages from users who have found all kinds of creative uses for it—and I’ve started using it for more tasks myself!

With this script, you can place a new virtual zero at the start of a track and use the built-in timer to quickly locate the desired position.

Core Features

✅ Time at Cursor – Displays the time at your cursor relative to a custom zero point.
✅ Dynamic Timer – Tracks playback time relative to the zero point in real-time.
✅ Easy Reset & Navigation – Quickly reset the zero point, navigate to it, or play from it.
✅ NEW: Shortcut Toggle – Assign a key that both opens and closes the script for faster workflow.

How to Use

• Download the script (attached).

• Load it into Reaper:

  • Go to Actions > Show Action List > ReaScript > Load and select the script.

• Set a shortcut (a single letter, symbol, or number. More than one symbol won’t work. for example; SHIFT + t will equal T, not a key combination).

• Run the script – Launch it to display the timer and new controls.

• Learn the shortcut toggle:

  • Press SHORT followed by your shortcut to link it to the toggle function.

Download for Patrons

🔗 Download here

Do you have feedback or suggestions? Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Enjoy!