Mini Reviews
Billed as an “audio melting multi-FX unit”, EchoMelt is an extension of the effects section from Psychic Modulation’s Phonec synth. Bringing five processors together in a single plugin, it’s designed to warp, wobble and generally transmogrify source signals of all kinds in an organic, retro-futuristic kind of way. The modules comprise Melt, Chorus, Echo, EQ and a Master section, and each has its own presets, On/Off switch and wet/dry Mix control, making them easily usable in any combination or singly.
The first module in the chain (but reroutable to the third slot, post Echo), Melt emulates the wow and flutter of old tape, applying variable pitch and amplitude modulation via a pair of LFOs – one fast, one slow, with a slider mixing between them. Located within it is the Snag section, wherein the frequency, envelope, randomness and duration of periodic pitch and amplitude jumps can be defined in great detail, recreating the effect of tape ‘catching’ in the deck.
Next comes Chorus, modulating the pitch of the left and right signals with its own LFO and/or the output of the Melt module, even if the latter is turned off. Chorus also features left/right offset of both LFO rate and channel delay.
For us, Echo is the highlight. A feedback delay with independent L/R delay times and ping pong option, it incorporates independent left and right pitchshifters into the feedback circuit (with, ingeniously, adjustable phasing of the shifted and unshifted signals), as well as high- and lowpass filters and a limiter, for spectacular rising and falling dub delays.
The five-band parametric EQ has switchable low and high bands (peaking or HP/LP filters), and is routable pre or post the three other main modules; and the Master section houses a Saturation algorithm with input Drive control.
Constantly surprising in its character and individuality, yet reassuringly familiar in terms of core concepts, EchoMelt is a triumph. It sounds awesome, flows beautifully and is one of the sickest plugins we’ve seen this year.