Introduction: The music world is constantly evolving, and with it, the approaches to sound processing are changing. Sometimes, the perfect clarity of digital sound can seem too sterile, and there’s a desire to add graininess, warmth, or even aggression, imitating analog devices or creating unique digital artifacts. This is where plugins designed for sound “degradation” come to the rescue, and Regressif by Inear Display is a prime example of this type of effect.
Regressif: Sound Degradation as Art
Regressif is a powerful VST/AU plugin, developed by Inear Display, which specializes in the targeted degradation and transformation of your audio signal. It doesn’t strive for transparency or correction; its goal is to take a clean sound and turn it into something completely different, filled with digital artifacts, the warmth of an analog filter, or devastating distortion. If you’re looking for a tool to create experimental textures, aggressive basses, or simply want to add a unique character to your tracks, Regressif will become an invaluable addition to your plugin collection.
Key Modules and Features
At the heart of Regressif lies a flexible combination of effects that can be used separately or together to achieve impressive results.
Analog Filter
The plugin is equipped with an analog filter that offers four different types: lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch. This filter allows you to shape the timbre of the signal before or after applying digital degradation effects, adding warmth and dynamics characteristic of analog circuits.
Digital Distortion and LoFi Effects
The heart of Regressif is its digital degradation effects. Here you’ll find a powerful digital distortion module, which can be placed before or after the filter. Additionally, the plugin offers sample rate reduction and bitcrusher effects. These effects allow you to introduce characteristic digital artifacts, imitating the sound of old digital devices or creating entirely new, devastating textures.
For LoFi effects, there are three routing modes: serial (Chain), parallel (Parallel), and Ringmod. This gives you complete control over how these effects interact with each other and the original signal.
Modulation and Dynamics
To liven up the degradation process, Regressif includes two independent LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) modules. Each LFO offers seven classic waveforms and can be synchronized with the tempo of your host (DAW). An additional LFO mixer allows you to combine the outputs of both LFOs, creating more complex and interesting modulation signals.
An intuitive modulation routing system using “patch-cords” makes it easy to assign LFOs or their combinations to various plugin parameters, opening up endless possibilities for dynamic and evolving sounds. There is also control over the amplitude of the processed signal and a classic Dry/Wet control for mixing the processed and clean signals.
Key Features of Regressif:
- Analog filter with 4 types: Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Notch.
- Digital Distortion with position selection (before/after filter).
- Sample Rate Reduction and Bit Crusher effects.
- 3 routing modes for LoFi effects: Chain, Parallel, Ringmod.
- Control over the amplitude of the processed signal.
- Dry/Wet control for signal mixing.
- 2 LFO modules with 7 waveforms each.
- Optional LFO sync with the host tempo.
- LFO mixer for creating complex modulations.
- Convenient modulation routing system using “patch-cords”.
- Randomization function for generating new, unexpected settings.
- 40 factory presets for quick start and demonstration of possibilities.
- Clean interface with color-coded elements.
- Ability to define your own default patch for loading.
- Cross-platform presets for ease of work on different OS.
Whether you’re working on electronic music, hip-hop, industrial, or just want to add a unique character to any sound, Regressif by Inear Display provides the tools to bring the boldest ideas in the field of sound degradation and experimentation to life.
