Transmutator - JMG Sound/United Plugins

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joeyluck
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10 Sep 2020

This type of plugin is right up my alley. Similar in ways to Endless Smile, but instead of risers, this effect focuses on transitions (morphing/blending/crossfading).

Sure, you can build many of these transition type effects manually or with a Combinator, but I really like plugins like this that make it simple to switch between presets in order to quickly hear the difference in transition types to figure out which approach is best for that moment.

It's got 16 different modes and an invert switch that technically makes it 32 different types of transitions.

I own Zynaptiq's Morph, which is better in terms of the morph mode, but this one is pretty good.

It's currently on sale for $23/€19 until the end of September.

https://unitedplugins.com/Transmutator/


MODES

Filter - A high-pass filter is applied to "A" and a low-pass to "B". The transition from 0% to 100% is the frequency of both filters increasing from 20Hz to 20kHz. This makes it sound like the transition is moving upwards. If "Invert" is enabled, then "A" has low-pass and "B" has high-pass, which sounds like the transition is moving downwards.

Spectrum - This uses spectral processing to separate the tonal and noise elements from the inputs. From 0% to 50% the noise from "A" is crossfaded with the noise from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the tone from "A" and the noise from "B". From 50% to 100% the tone from "A" is crossfaded with the tone from "B". In other words, the noise is transitioned first and the tone second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the tone will be first and then the noise.

Morph - Uses an advanced spectral algorithm to blend the two inputs. The processing is not symmetrical, so "Invert" will flip the signals, which will give a very different result.

Stereo - Splits the inputs into their mid and side components. From 0% to 50% the mid from "A" is crossfaded with the mid from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the side from "A" and the mid form "B". From 50% to 100% the side from "A" is crossfaded with the side from "B". In other words, the mid is transitioned first and the side second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the side will be first and then the mid.

Pan - Splits the inputs into their left and right components. From 0% to 50% the left from "A" is crossfaded with the left from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the right from "A" and the left form "B". From 50% to 100% the right from "A" is crossfaded with the right from "B". In other words, the left is transitioned first and the right second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the right will be first and then the left.

Transients - Splits the inputs into their transient and tail components. From 0% to 50% the tail from "A" is crossfaded with the tail from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the transient from "A" and the tail form "B". From 50% to 100% the transient from "A" is crossfaded with the transient from "B". In other words, the tail is transitioned first and the transient second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the transient will be first and then the tail.

Dynamics - Splits the inputs into their quiet (below the threshold) and loud (above the threshold) components. From 0% to 50% the quiet from "A" is crossfaded with the quiet from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the loud from "A" and the quiet form "B". From 50% to 100% the loud from "A" is crossfaded with the loud from "B". In other words, the quiet is transitioned first and the loud second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the loud will be first and then the quiet.

Follow - Measures the amplitude shape of both inputs. From 0% to 50% the amplitude information from "B" is applied to "A". So at 50%, you will hear the sound of "A" with the amplitude shape of "B". From 50% to 100% there is a simple crossfade to "B". If "Invert" is enabled then, from 0% to 50% the sound crossfades from "A" to "B" while keeping the amplitude shape from "A". Then from 50% to 100% the amplitude shape is transitioned from "A" to "B".

Liquid - Splits the inputs into 64 spectral bands. From 0% to 50% the odd bands from "A" are crossfaded with the odd bands from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the even bands from "A" and the odd bands form "B". From 50% to 100% the even bands from "A" are crossfaded with the even bands from "B". In other words, the odd bands are transitioned first and the even bands second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the even bands will be first and then the odd bands.

Multi - Splits the inputs into 6 frequency bands. From 0% to 50% the odd bands from "A" are crossfaded with the odd bands from "B". So at 50%, you will hear the even bands from "A" and the odd bands form "B". From 50% to 100% the even bands from "A" are crossfaded with the even bands from "B". In other words, the odd bands are transitioned first and the even bands second, however, if "Invert" is enabled then the even bands will be first and then the odd bands.

Diffuse - Uses spectral processing to create random variations in each frequency. The transition from 0% to 100% increases the randomness of "A" and decreases for "B". If "Invert" is enabled there is an additional spectral smearing effect added to the randomness.

Wash - Uses reverb to make "A" seem to get further away as "B" gets closer. The transition from 0% to 100% simply increases the reverb for "A" and decreases for "B". If "Invert" is enabled the reverb time will be very short.

Blur - Uses spectral freezing and blurring. The transition from 0% to 100% increases the effect for "A" while decreasing for "B". If "Invert" is enabled the spectral window is much shorter, creating a more artificial effect.

Pitch - Uses pitch shifting to slide up or down by 2 octaves. The transition from 0% to 100% decreases the pitch of "A" from 0 semitones to -24 semitones, while fading to "B" that decreases pitch from +24 semitones to 0 semitones. If "Invert" is enabled the pitches will increase not decrease.

Shift - Uses frequency shifting to slide up or down by 1000Hz. The transition from 0% to 100% decreases the frequency of "A" from 0Hz to -1000Hz, while fading to "B" that decreases frequency from 1000Hz to 0Hz. If "Invert" is enabled the frequency will increase not decrease.

Redux - Uses digital distortion to degrade the audio creatively. The transition from 0% to 100% degrades "A" while fading to "B" that is becoming less degraded. The standard mode uses rate reduction while "Invert" uses a sample and hold effect.

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guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

10 Sep 2020

I kind of don’t really get why this would be very appealing (particularly in a Reason context). the Shift one sounded pretty unique, but other than that, it sounds like 85% of this stuff could be done with Pulveriser or Scream or ART, just automating one wet/dry knob or other control—no combi needed.

of course if it works, go for it. just not seeing the need, myself. also, I’m biased, because creating unique and interesting transitions is super fun for me, so maybe using stock sweeps just isn’t my thing.
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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joeyluck
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Posts: 11029
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

10 Sep 2020

guitfnky wrote:
10 Sep 2020
I kind of don’t really get why this would be very appealing (particularly in a Reason context). the Shift one sounded pretty unique, but other than that, it sounds like 85% of this stuff could be done with Pulveriser or Scream or ART, just automating one wet/dry knob or other control—no combi needed.

of course if it works, go for it. just not seeing the need, myself. also, I’m biased, because creating unique and interesting transitions is super fun for me, so maybe using stock sweeps just isn’t my thing.
I'm with you, I like creating these things myself as well. But it's very convenient to be able to load up a single plugin to try out different transitions. These are morphing between, so it's not just a single effect applied to one source, so you can't do it with a single instance of what you mentioned.

For me, it's particularly handy because when I design for theatre, and we're in tech week, I may want to try something different on the fly or there might be a request from the director to try something else, and I need to be able to do those things quickly. And this gives the convenience to flip through options. And with this being a single plugin, it can be used and cued live.

For me, it's also about the price. Of course we can all recommend Combinator solutions for everything like we did even before Rack Extensions or VSTs. There's another thread here about Waves' new plugin, Kaleidoscopes, which is a handful of the usual effects used creatively in a nice package. Someone may have all of those types of effects...or they may find that those individual effects are better in ways than what they have.

There is a trial for Transmutator available. I'm getting some cool results and the demo video doesn't do every model justice using the same sound sources over and over, as well as the inversion of the effects.

With these types of plugins it comes down to the sound, convenience, presets, and the price. So at its sale price, I like it.

User avatar
guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

10 Sep 2020

joeyluck wrote:
10 Sep 2020
guitfnky wrote:
10 Sep 2020
I kind of don’t really get why this would be very appealing (particularly in a Reason context). the Shift one sounded pretty unique, but other than that, it sounds like 85% of this stuff could be done with Pulveriser or Scream or ART, just automating one wet/dry knob or other control—no combi needed.

of course if it works, go for it. just not seeing the need, myself. also, I’m biased, because creating unique and interesting transitions is super fun for me, so maybe using stock sweeps just isn’t my thing.
I'm with you, I like creating these things myself as well. But it's very convenient to be able to load up a single plugin to try out different transitions. These are morphing between, so it's not just a single effect applied to one source, so you can't do it with a single instance of what you mentioned.

For me, it's particularly handy because when I design for theatre, and we're in tech week, I may want to try something different on the fly or there might be a request from the director to try something else, and I need to be able to do those things quickly. And this gives the convenience to flip through options. And with this being a single plugin, it can be used and cued live.

For me, it's also about the price. Of course we can all recommend Combinator solutions for everything like we did even before Rack Extensions or VSTs. There's another thread here about Waves' new plugin, Kaleidoscopes, which is a handful of the usual effects used creatively in a nice package. Someone may have all of those types of effects...or they may find that those individual effects are better in ways than what they have.

There is a trial for Transmutator available. I'm getting some cool results and the demo video doesn't do every model justice using the same sound sources over and over, as well as the inversion of the effects.

With these types of plugins it comes down to the sound, convenience, presets, and the price. So at it's sale price, I like it.
I hear you—that’s a pretty good price, and even if you only fall in love with one or two of the models, it’s still a great deal. and it sounds like with your use cases, it’s a pretty solid option. I’m not working in a situation where every second matters like it sounds like you are, so a few extra seconds routing a couple of devices isn’t as big a deal for me.

the new Waves thing looks cool too, and for me, that would be slightly more appealing, mainly because it’s emulating famous pieces of gear. but when it comes to modulation, I don’t get as excited over emulations, so it’s not something I’d be likely to get unless I really felt I couldn’t get something done with the new modulation stuff in Reason 11.
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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Arpeg
Competition Winner
Posts: 201
Joined: 31 Oct 2021

08 Jan 2023

joeyluck, I've Just picked this up at PiB and I'm not quite sure how to wire it up to get the best results from it tbh. I presume it is the same as Trackspacer in this regard?
Could anyone show me a pic on how to set this up effectively, please. If it is the same as Trackspacer then no worries, I'm good to go but my confusion really is with the comment in the video below

I was just checking out one of the Transmutator tutorial videos from W.A. Production and they mention that GarageBand and Reason do not support sidechaining?? No option given, Eh? The video is from Jul 2021

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joeyluck
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Posts: 11029
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

08 Jan 2023

Arpeg wrote:
08 Jan 2023
joeyluck, I've Just picked this up at PiB and I'm not quite sure how to wire it up to get the best results from it tbh. I presume it is the same as Trackspacer in this regard?
Could anyone show me a pic on how to set this up effectively, please. If it is the same as Trackspacer then no worries, I'm good to go but my confusion really is with the comment in the video below

I was just checking out one of the Transmutator tutorial videos from W.A. Production and they mention that GarageBand and Reason do not support sidechaining?? No option given, Eh? The video is from Jul 2021
They had simply overlooked the sidechain capability in Reason (because the sidechain inputs were somewhat hidden under the "CV Programmer"). I contacted the dev to explain and they updated the notes on the site (I guess videos haven't been updated).

The Reason 12.5 update has moved the sidechain inputs up on the back panel of the VST proxy device, so they are immediately visible and easily accessible. Also on the back panel, the button to expand is now labeled "optional inputs and outputs".

I am not familiar with Trackspacer. The way Transmutator works is you give it two signals and crossfade between them (one attached to inputs 1&2 and the other attached to inputs 3&4). If using mono sources, you still use the individual sets of inputs, 1 for one source and 3 for the other. Hope that helps!

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Arpeg
Competition Winner
Posts: 201
Joined: 31 Oct 2021

08 Jan 2023

Yes, great quick and understandable response, thank you so much. This is the same or similar to Trackspacer.. nice nice.
I will check the site now just to browse.

Cheers joeyluck

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