Chris Hooker has announced an updated to the Octaver OC-D2 plugin, a free octave divider effect for Windows.
Based on the Boss OC-2, this plugin generates signals one and two octaves below the original. Version 1.2 comes with two distinct modes.
Mode A (old version) flips the polarity of the key signal directly at the positive zero-crossings. This abrupt change in direction causes additional harmonics, and results in a brassy tone (although can be filtered out).
Mode B is a more complex circuit, and a more accurate simulation of the original Boss OC-2 pedal. A different version of a flipper circuit is used for this mode. Here, the key signal is DC-offset so that negative peaks sit at zero amplitude. The signal is then flipped in polarity when the peaks hit zero. Since the peaks/crests of the sine(ish) waves of the filtered key signal slow their rate of change at the point where they begin to change direction, crossing at this point instead of at the quick zero-crossing of the original waveform results in smoother transitions with less harmonics.
Changes in OC-D2 v1.2
- Polarity Multiplier now has the option of two modes: A and B.
- Added hidden controls that affect the tonal characteristics and harmonic structure of the Polarity Multiplier modes.
- Rearranged signal flow closer to that of the original Boss OC-2 pedal: Dynamics/Function section now comes before Octave Filtering. Filters can now be applied to Polarity Multiplier Function.
- Polarity Multiplier Modes now have the ability to sound both Octaves simultaneously.
- Improved Envelope tracking and Attack/Release times, as well as Output Limiter release time to reduce intermodulation distortion.
- Improved meter ballistics: reduced flickering, provides more usable visual reference.
- Metering on Threshold indicator now more closely matches level of knob at Open/Close of Gate.
- Improved Clip LED detection.
- Phase Multiplier renamed to Polarity Multiplier, to more accurately describe the process (multiplies key signals by the +/-polarity of the flip-flop outputs).
- Provided display of wet/dry percentage values on Mix knob (while changing).
- Corrected automation and Preset handling on some controls.
- Reduced memory consumption.
- Minor graphics changes (small knobs, meter colors now correspond to scope colors, faceplate color, title, Listen LED buttons).
- Inactive controls in the Dynamics/Function section are now transparent, indicating that they are not in use. This is in an attempt to reduce confusion.
- Internal Preset system: 20 Factory Presets, 20 User slots. “Save Program to Disk” option allows the user to save/load their own settings between plug-in instances.
- Moved Output Volume knob and Limiter outside of Mix section, since they are always active while plug-in is engaged.
- Separate Mono and Dual-Channel interfacing versions of the plug-in are provided for compatibility with hosts that do not properly support mono VSTs (list the plug-in as unsupported, or output processed signal on one side, and dry signal on the other side).
Octaver OC-D2 is available as a free download as a 32-bit VST plugin for Windows.
More information: Chris Hooker
