Flux BitterSweet V3 takes this week’s free plugin of the week slot. I’m only surprised that it took me this long to get to it. I’ve had BitterSweet in my arsenal since long before we could have it in Reason and despite having other options, it still comes out of its box on a regular basis.
I’m pretty sure that most will already be familiar with this plugin but if you’re not, let’s see what it’s all about.
What Is Flux BitterSweet V3:
This plugin literally has one job, to manage your transient. Most of its management comes from a single control, you can’t miss it, it’s the big knob in the middle. Turn it to the sweet side and it reduces the transient, turn it to the bitter side and it does the opposite.
Although installation is now handled via their installer, there are no signups required. Simply install the installer and hit the install button for the plugin.
Not only have I been using it for a number of years, but I also use it for more than just drums. Sometimes a lead instrument needs a little help to poke through a dense mix. Sometimes EQ is the right call, sometimes distortion, and sometimes despite both it’s not quite where you want it. Maybe give this plugin a shot.
I’ve used this plugin more than once on a guitar solo, it can give each note a little more definition and bite and if used sparingly, it won’t alter the character of your tone. I’ve paid for plugins that I’ve barely used, but this free plugin keeps on giving.
At A Glance:
- Up to 8 channels Input/Output
- Output Gain
- Controls the Output Gain at the end of the processing (-/+ 12 dB).
- Link to Output Gain – Compensates the Output Gain depending on the Transient Amount in order to achieve unity gain.
- True bypass control routing the incoming signal direct to the output for a smooth transition between clean and processed signal
- Transient Amount – Adjusting the Bitter/Sweet setting for decreasing or increasing the transients.
- Transient Integration – Provides three different modes of transient processing; Fast, Medium and Slow
- Period – For setting the range of the time window used to detect the transients that will be processed.
- Three different Operation Modes (Main, Center, Stereo) offering versatile transient processing.
- Available as; AAX, VST, VS3, AU, and also WPAPI.
- Available for Mac and also Windows (32 and 64bit versions).
Installation Video:
Regardless of the other similar tools that you might have, this is still a good pick up.
I won’t list all of its intricacies, that’s best gotten from its product page. With that in mind, for more information and to download, visit the Flux Audio website.