FRCTL Audio has announced a major update to its real-time granular effect plugin for Windows, macOS and Linux. Version 3.0.0 of GRN pairs a ground-up interface redesign with several new modulation and workflow features, including envelopes, step mode, filter Q, A/B, undo, and more.
GRN transforms your audio into evolving pads, atmospheric soundscapes, and otherworldly textures. Musical defaults, intuitive controls, instant results.
Changes in GRN v3.0.0
- Redesigned Interface: A ground-up redesign: a larger, lighter raised-panel canvas with one unified top bar — settings, INIT, presets, randomize, A/B, undo and redo. The combined MOD row puts LFO 1 / 2 and ENV 1 / 2 side by side. SPREAD is now STEREO, REVERSE is a rotary knob, and FREEZE sits on the waveform bar.
- Envelope Modulation: Two ADSR envelopes join the two LFOs in the MOD row. Drag an envelope onto any knob to assign modulation, with AUDIO (fires when the input crosses a threshold) or GRAIN (fires on every grain) trigger modes. ENV 1 green, ENV 2 magenta; one-shot and one-sided.
- Step Mode: Turn the grain visualizer into a rhythm sequencer — 4, 8, or 16 steps with note divisions down to 1/128, per-step subdivisions, and right-drag painting across steps. Works alongside EVEN / DOT / TRIP for swung patterns.
- A/B Compare: Two independent slots in the top bar — click A/B to switch between two versions of your sound. Each slot keeps its own preset and edits; loading a preset or hitting INIT only affects the active slot. Right-click for Copy A to B, Copy B to A, or Swap.
- Undo / Redo: Ctrl/Cmd+Z to undo, Ctrl/Cmd+Y (or Shift+Z) to redo — up to 64 steps covering knob moves, FX rack changes, modulation routes, rhythm edits, A/B flips, preset loads, RND and INIT.
- 140+ Presets & Favorites: 140 factory presets across 14 categories — including two new ones, Evolving and Modulated, that use LFO and envelope modulation. Star your favorites, browse by category in the new preset panel.
- Main Filter Q + Slope: The main HP/LP filters now have resonance and a 12 / 24 dB-per-octave slope switch. Use the new Q knobs under the cutoffs, or drag vertically on the spectrum ring to set Q.
- A 6th Knob on Every FX: All 10 FX gain a 6th control — Bitcrusher TILT, Chorus / Reverb / Delay WIDTH, Phaser STAGES, Flanger STEREO, Distortion OUTPUT, Tremolo SKEW, Utility TILT, Filter SLOPE. Defaults are neutral, so existing presets sound identical.
- Hover Help: Hover any control for a moment and a short contextual description appears — replacing the old tooltips and info-card buttons. Toggle Hover Info off in the settings panel.
- Settings Panel: Redesigned with a new GUI Size option (snap to 75 / 100 / 125 / 150%) and a Visualizers toggle that turns off animations to save CPU.
A free update for existing owners, new customers can purchase GRN (VST3, AU, and CLAP) for the intro price of $29.99 USD until July 1st, 2026 (regular $34.99 USD). A free GRN Lite version is also available.
More information: FRCTL Audio
