In the world of music production, innovative tools constantly emerge, allowing for experimentation with sound and the discovery of new horizons. One such interesting and unique plugin is Rectiplyer by Liquidclear. This VST effect is specifically designed for guitarists, but its creative potential extends far beyond a single instrument. Rectiplyer is not just another distortion; it is an octave distortion, offering a completely new way to shape rich and unpredictable timbres.
What is Rectiplyer?
Rectiplyer by Liquidclear is a distortion effect plugin that uses a unique approach to sound processing by applying octave shifting. Instead of simply adding harmonics or clipping the signal, Rectiplyer simultaneously transposes the input signal one and two octaves up, as well as one and two octaves down. This process is achieved using rectifiers (rectifiers) and a special zero-crossing modulation technique.
The result of such multi-layered octave shifts is a sound far from clean or smooth. It deliberately creates harsh, distorted, and “fuzzy” timbres that are ideal for creating expressive lead guitar parts, experimental bass lines, or processing synthesizers. This distinctive “dirty” fuzz tone is the hallmark of Rectiplyer and distinguishes it from many other distortion plugins.
Features and Sound Control
One of the key advantages of Rectiplyer is the ability to fine-tune and blend all the components of the processed signal. The plugin provides the user with flexible control over the level and panning of each of the five components: the original signal and four octave-shifted copies (original, +1 octave, +2 octaves, -1 octave, -2 octaves). This allows you to create complex, multi-layered sound textures, where you can highlight specific octaves or distribute them in the stereo field to achieve maximum volume and width.
The Rectiplyer control panel is intuitive and offers a set of useful parameters:
- Power: The main plugin switch. When the effect is off, the signal passes through in stereo.
- Tone: Adjusts the cutoff frequency of a single-pole low-pass filter (1p LP filter). Turning this control to the left allows you to reduce the number of high frequencies and the overall harshness of the sound, making it more “dark” and soft.
- Octave Levels/Pan: A set of controls and panning knobs for each of the five signal components (original, +1, +2, -1, -2 octaves). This is the heart of the plugin, allowing you to individually adjust the volume and position in the stereo field of each octave.
- Drive Amount: Adjusts the intensity of the internal distortion effect that is applied to the input signal before octave shifting. This allows you to further saturate the sound with harmonics and enhance the distortion effect.
- Drive: Turns the internal distortion on or off.
- Volume: The main output level of the plugin.
Who is Rectiplyer for?
First of all, Rectiplyer will be interesting for guitarists who are looking for new, unusual fuzz and distortion sounds for their solos or riffs. Its ability to create “fat,” multi-layered timbres with clearly defined octave harmonics makes it an excellent choice for genres such as rock, metal, stoner, psychedelic, and experimental music.
However, the application of Rectiplyer should not be limited to the guitar. It can become a powerful tool for electronic musicians who want to add aggression and unique character to synthesizer basses, leads, or drum machines. Bassists can also find interesting opportunities in it to create rich, roaring timbres with deep sub-octaves.
Conclusion
Rectiplyer by Liquidclear is a fresh look at the distortion effect, offering a unique combination of octave shifting and flexible mixing capabilities. Its characteristic “dirty” sound and the ability to create complex, multi-layered timbres make it a valuable addition to the arsenal of any musician or sound engineer who strives to experiment and create truly original sounds. If you are tired of standard distortion pedals and plugins and are looking for something new and unexpected, Rectiplyer is definitely worth your attention.
