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: