Audio Damage Phase Two: Rebirth of the Legendary Mutron Bi-Phase
In the world of music equipment, there are instruments that have forever left their mark on the history of sound recording. One of these is undoubtedly the Mutron Bi-Phase – a vintage phaser that has become a true Holy Grail for many musicians and producers. Its unique liquid, voluminous, and extremely musical sound has shaped the sound of entire eras and genres. Today, finding the original device in good condition is no easy task, and its cost often reaches exorbitant heights. That’s why the release of the Audio Damage Phase Two plugin has been a real gift for everyone who wants to touch the magic of this unique effect without going broke.
Audio Damage Phase Two is not just another digital imitation. It is a carefully recreated copy of the legendary Mutron Bi-Phase, preserving all the key features and nuances of the original sound. The developers at Audio Damage have put in maximum effort to convey the same depth, transparency, and “liquidity” of phase modulation that made the Bi-Phase so desirable. This plugin is ideal for creating refined stereo panoramas, adding movement and volume to guitars, keyboards, vocals, or any other instrument.
Perfect Reconstruction of Vintage Sound
At the heart of Phase Two lies an architecture that precisely replicates the original. The plugin is equipped with two completely independent 6-stage phasers. It is the presence of two separate modules and the possibility of flexible routing between them that is the main difference of the Bi-Phase and the thing that gives it its unique character. Each of the phasers has its own set of controls, allowing fine-tuning of modulation parameters separately for the left and right channels or for different stages of processing.
The use of a two-stage structure allows for more complex and richer phase effects compared to traditional single-stage phasers. This manifests itself in a smoother, “wavy” phase movement and the ability to create a deep immersion effect or a wide stereo image, depending on the settings.
- Two independent, fully controlled 6-stage phasers, modeled on the legendary Mutron Bi-Phase.
- Incredibly accurate reproduction of the signature “liquid” and refined stereo phasing that became the hallmark of the original.
Routing and Modulation Flexibility
Like the vintage original, Phase Two offers two main modes of phaser routing: series and parallel. In series mode, the signal passes first through one phaser and then through another. This allows for more intense, deep, and sometimes extreme effects, perfect for psychedelic sounds or pronounced modulation. In parallel mode, the signal is split, processed by both phasers simultaneously, and then mixed. This approach is ideal for creating wide, voluminous stereo effects and adding subtle but noticeable movement to the mix without excessive aggression.
Phaser modulation is performed using two built-in low-frequency oscillators (LFOs). Each LFO has dual waveforms, which expands the possibilities for creating a variety of rhythmic and smooth modulation patterns. The speed and depth of modulation for each phaser can be adjusted independently, opening up space for experimentation with complex, asymmetric, or synchronized effects.
Special attention should be paid to the CC function. The original Mutron Bi-Phase had the ability to connect an external pedal controller (Opti-Pedal) for manual control of the phasing frequency. Phase Two reproduces this ability, allowing you to assign control over the phase shift frequency to any MIDI controller, such as the modulation wheel or aftertouch. This gives a unique opportunity to interactively control the effect in real-time, making the performance more expressive and dynamic.
- The same routing mechanism as in the original hardware device, for serial or parallel phaser operation.
- Two low-frequency oscillators (LFOs) with a choice of dual waveforms for versatile modulation.
- CC function, replacing the original “Opti-Pedal”, allowing manual control of the phasing frequency using a MIDI controller (modulation wheel, aftertouch, etc.).
Intuitive Interface and Modern Features
Audio Damage developers have not limited themselves to only accurate sound modeling. The visual part of the Phase Two plugin also fully corresponds to the original device. The interface is made in the “cel-shaded” style and exactly replicates the location and appearance of the Mutron Bi-Phase controls, down to the imitation of the foot switch. This not only gives the plugin aesthetic appeal but also makes it extremely intuitive for those familiar with vintage equipment. Even if you’ve never seen the original, the logical arrangement of the controls will quickly allow you to master the plugin.
Despite its vintage appearance, Phase Two is a modern plugin with all the conveniences expected of a modern digital instrument. It has extremely low CPU consumption, which allows it to be used even in large projects without significantly straining the system. Each object in the plugin’s interface supports Audio Damage’s standard MIDI Learn function (in the VST version; in AU, this is implemented by the host), which means you can easily assign any parameter to an external MIDI controller and control it with physical knobs, faders, or buttons. This greatly improves the ease of use and expands the possibilities for live improvisation or automation.
- User interface in the “cel-shaded” style, imitating the original Mutron Bi-Phase hardware device for maximum convenience and familiarity.
- Full support for MIDI Learn mode to assign any parameter to an external MIDI controller, allowing full control of the plugin from hardware devices.
- Very low CPU resource usage, making it efficient for use in any project.
- Support for popular VST and AU plugin formats.
- Compatibility with Windows (32/64-bit) and macOS operating systems.
Audio Damage Phase Two is more than just a phaser. It is a time machine that takes you to the era of classic rock, funk, and psychedelia, providing access to one of the most musical modulation effects in history. Whether you need subtle movement for a panorama, a juicy effect for a guitar solo, or a deep space sound, Phase Two will easily handle this task, becoming an indispensable tool in your plugin arsenal. This is the perfect choice for both fans of vintage sound and modern producers looking for high-quality and unique effects.
