Noisebud Binvert: Invert Phase, Fix Bass, and Experiment with Sound!
In modern production, high-quality track mixing isn’t just about balancing the volume of instruments, but also about precise work with phase relationships. This is especially true for low frequencies, where incorrect phase can lead to a loss of “punch” and clarity, making the bass sound muddy or even disappearing. Phase problems can also occur in the mid-high frequency range, affecting the transparency and attack of instruments.
There’s often a need to invert the phase, but simply pressing a button on the whole track can solve one problem while creating new ones. For example, inverting the phase for the bass can negatively affect the cymbals or vocals. What to do in this case? Noisebud Binvert offers an elegant and flexible solution, allowing you to work with the phase selectively.
What is Noisebud Binvert?
It’s a unique VST effect from Noisebud, designed to solve complex phase issues in your mix, while also providing opportunities for creative sound experiments. The plugin takes an incoming audio signal and splits it into two independent frequency bands.
- Low-frequency band
- Mid-high frequency band
The crossover point between these bands is fully adjustable, allowing you to precisely customize where the signal is divided. The adjustment range for the crossover point is from 20 Hz to 400 Hz, which covers the entire critically important bass range and the beginning of the mids.
Flexible phase control
After splitting the signal into two bands, Noisebud Binvert gives you independent control over the phase of each band separately. This is the main “feature” of the plugin for solving problems:
- Independent phase inversion: You can invert the phase of the low-frequency band without affecting the phase of the mid-high frequency band, and vice versa. This gives you the ability to correct phase conflicts in the bass range while maintaining the integrity and attack of the higher frequencies. The bass remains tight and weighty, while the transients of the mid and high frequencies retain their clarity and “catchiness.”
This approach allows you to avoid the compromises that often arise when working with the phase of the entire signal. You get a precise tool for “surgical” intervention in phase problems, achieving a cleaner, more focused, and powerful sound.
More than just a correction tool
But Noisebud wouldn’t be Noisebud if they created just a boring correction tool. The developers added something unexpected that transforms Binvert from a purely utilitarian plugin into an interesting tool for sound design and experiments.
Resonance that shouldn’t be here
Resonance control has been added to the band-splitting filter. At first glance, this may seem strange, because the main function of the plugin is phase correction. However, it is this element that opens up new possibilities:
- Self-oscillation at low frequencies: At high resonance values, the filter can begin to self-oscillate, generating a sinusoidal tone at the crossover frequency. This can be used to create or enhance sub-bass frequencies, adding weight and “ground” to the mix.
- Replacing or enhancing the kick drum: This self-oscillation can act as a kind of “substitute” or enhancer for the low-frequency component of the kick drum. You can use Binvert to add consistent sub-bass to the drums, even if the original kick drum recording doesn’t contain it or has phase problems that weaken it. This opens the door to interesting textures and a dense low end.
- Creative sound effects: By experimenting with the crossover point and resonance, you can create a variety of unexpected sound effects, from “humming” and “booming” to more melodic resonant tones (although this is not a synthesizer in the full sense).
This additional functionality makes Noisebud Binvert significantly more versatile than it might seem at first glance. It not only helps solve technical problems but also inspires creative explorations and adds a unique “flavor” to your sonic arsenal.
Who is this plugin for?
Noisebud Binvert will be useful for:
- Sound engineers and producers who strive for perfect phase coherence, especially in the bass register.
- Musicians who record instruments with multiple microphones (e.g., bass guitar with DI and microphone, or drums), where phase problems are a common occurrence.
- Sound designers who are looking for non-standard tools to create new textures and low-frequency effects.
- Anyone who likes to experiment with sound and go beyond standard processing tools.
Noisebud Binvert is not just another correction plugin. It’s a tool that solves specific, often-ignored mixing problems, and at the same time opens the door to exciting creative possibilities thanks to its unexpected functionality. Try it, and let your basses sound tighter, and your mix become more focused and professional.
