Polar Distortion Polar Distortion

Polar Distortion

Minimal Audio Support Minimal Audio Support

Overview

Polar Distortion is a multi-mode distortion effect featuring acclaimed algorithms from our Rift plugin. Choose from 30 wave-shaping, wave-folding, noise, bit depth, and sample reduction effects, and blend them using the multi-polar engine for unique harmonic effects. Further refine your sound with the tone channel strip and multi-band controls.

Both the standalone plugin and effect rack versions come with presets that range from unique filters to animated effects, and more.

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1. Drive & Multi-Polar Controls

INPUT DRIVE: Adjust the gain of the input signal to drive the distortion. Increasing the level creates a more intense distortion effect.

AUTO GAIN: When active, gain compensation will be applied to the signal after it passes through the distortion stages. This allows the distortion to be driven with a less noticeable change in volume.

SQUASH: Adjust the level of upward compression that is applied before the distortion. This can be used to intensify distortion in a different way than using DRIVE.

BLEND: Control the point in the waveform where one distortion type ends and the other begins. Turning BLEND to the left will mix in more of the POSITIVE distortion type while turning it to the right will mix in more of the NEGATIVE type. This is represented by a horizontal line on the oscilloscope.

BLEND MODE: Choose between two methods for combining the positive and negative distortions:

  • HARD: Sum the positive and negative signals together, with an immediate cut between the two waveforms. This usually results in a brighter sound with more definition between the two distortion types.
  • SMOOTH: Smoothly interpolate between the positive and negative waveforms. This typically results in a warmer sound with less definition between the two distortion types.

TWO-STAGE: When activated, the distortion effect will be applied twice, to create a more heavily distorted signal.

 


2. Waveshape Controls

NEGATIVE/POSITIVE TYPE: Select the effect to be applied to the bottom part of the waveform:

  • WAVESHAPE: Soft clipping and similar distortions that create a saturated or over-driven sound.
  • WAVEFOLD: Wave folding distortions that result in a harmonically complex signal.
  • NOISE: Distortions that dynamically generate noise and saturate the signal.
  • BIT DEPTH: Effects that reduce the signal's dynamic resolution, resulting in bright harmonics and amplitude effects.
  • SAMPLE RATE: Distortions that reduce a signal's frequency resolution, leading to aliasing and inharmonic effects.

NEGATIVE/POSITIVE SHAPE: Adjust the depth and style of distortion for the positive algorithm. For more intense distortion, use the DRIVE control.

SHAPE LINK: Link POSITIVE and NEGATIVE SHAPE controls so that they can be easily manipulated together. Note that this does not include modulation.

 


3. Tone Channel Strip

TONE: Activate the tone channel strip to further sculpt the distortion. Note that these effects are applied before the multi-band crossovers. Therefore, regardless of the multi-band settings, they will always affect the entire signal.

BASS BOOST: Adjust the amount of low-end gain applied to the signal before distortion. This utilizes a custom low-shelf filter that maintains a natural low-end, even with extreme settings.

RESONANCE: Adjust the gain of a specialized peaking filter that emulates filter resonance and drives the distortion. Negative settings can be used to create notch-like effects.

RESONANCE FREQUENCY: Adjust the frequency of the resonant peaking filter to further distort specific frequencies in the input signal.

RESONANCE TUNE: When active, the resonant peaking filter's frequency is set using precise note values.

DAMPING FILTER: Adjust the depth of a smooth low-pass filter that is applied after the distortion. This is generally used to warm up your sound after heavy processing.

 


4. Multi-Band Controls

MULTI-BAND ACTIVE:Turn the multi-band processing on or off.

SOLO BAND: When activated, the distorted band will be soloed. This is useful for isolating the part of the signal that is being affected.

REFILTER MODE: When activated, the distorted band will be filtered to produce a warmer sound.

 


5. Utility Controls

INPUT GAIN: Adjusts the gain sent into the effect.

INPUT SEND BUTTON: When active, the input gain will only affect the signal being sent to the effect, leaving the dry signal unaffected. Try combining this with automation or modulation to send only specific parts of your input through the effect.

Try combining this with automation or modulation to send only certain parts of your input through the effect.

DRY WET: Adjusts the balance between the processed (wet) signal and the unprocessed (dry) signal.

OUTPUT GAIN: Adjusts the gain at the end of the effect's processing chain, useful for compensating gain changes or adding creative effects.

OUTPUT SOFT CLIP: Enables a soft-clipping "glue" limiter that prevents output levels from exceeding 0 dB, with the following modes:

  • OFF: Limiter is disabled.
  • PURPLE: Gentle limiting and saturation, useful for preventing overs while keeping a smoother sound.
  • ORANGE: Punchy soft clipping, ideal for more aggressive sounds.

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