D16 GODFAZER
Combining two multi-mode filters and a chorus/ensemble module, Godfazer may be the only modulation effect you’ll ever need
Pitched as the ‘Swiss Army Knife of modulation effects’ Godfazer builds on the groundwork laid by D16’s highly-regarded Fazortan phaser and Syntorus chorus plugins. As with those effects, this latest plugin combines a hardware-style GUI with multiple modulation tools, making it a powerful device for adding complex movement to tracks, all while keeping the control layout fairly straightforward. Despite the similarity in their names though, Godfazer does considerably more than just ‘all-pass’ phase shifting.
In actual fact there are three processing modules on offer with Godfazer, which are a chorus/ensemble plus two powerful multimode filters that can act as various filter, phaser and EQs types. These also come coupled with a pair of modulators, which can be routed to either or both of the filters to add more movement to the effect. Although their positions are fixed in the GUI, these three processor modules can actually be moved around in the signal path, and then rearranged to run in a variety of different orders as well as the more standard serial or parallel configurations.
Ensemble piece
The Ensemble effect has a total of 22 modes, covering chorus, ensemble, stereo panning and rotary speaker emulation. There’s a definite hardware influence here, with the bulk of the list aiming to emulate the sound of a specific analogue processor. These include a variety of BBD-chip choruses – each with both narrow and wide stereo variations – along with emulations of the Elka Synthex chorus, ARP Solina’s ensemble and Yamaha RA-200 rotary speaker. There are a few more generic modes too, such as a fat, detuned chorus, a basic tremolo and an auto-panning effect. A couple of modes combine multiple effect types too, offering two flavours of combined chorus and tremolo.
For the most part, parameter controls are the same for all Ensemble modes. There are Rate and Depth rotaries for tailoring each mode’s modulation, along with a Wet/Dry control – specific to the Ensemble module, although Godfazer has a global Wet/Dry too – plus a Volume control. The only notable exception is in the case of the Synthex emulations, which ditch the Modulation controls to match the fixed preset modes of the original hardware.
The two Multi Filters share space in the GUI. Each filter offers 40 modes and, unlike the Ensemble section, most of these aren’t direct hardware emulations, instead focussing on different filter or EQ configurations aimed at creating a variety of effects. At the more vanilla end of things, these include low- and high-shelf EQs, a resonant 24dB high-pass filter and ‘plus’ or ‘minus’ peak EQs for cutting or boosting a specific frequency. On the filter front, these are joined by band-pass and band-reject
“It’s a powerful device for adding complex movement, all while keeping the control layout straightforward”
“This is the kind of effect that often inspires creativity by simply dropping it onto a track”
configurations, a formant filter, plus a trio of different low-pass designs labelled 24dB, Analog and Double.
More than a phase
The rest of the list is taken up with a wide variety of phasers. These are broken down into Peak, Pole and Stage types, offering variety on the style of filter applied to create the effect. Each of these has multiple variations with up to 8-peaks/ poles/stages available, plus close and wide modes dictating their spacing. There are also several modes modelling classic phaser designs, including the Maestro MP-1, EHX Small Stone and others.
Controls remain the same for all modes, with Frequency and Resonance/Gain, Volume and Depth controls for each of the two modulators [see: Get Things Moving]. There’s also a Pan Position control, for offsetting the position of the left and right channels. This can be switched into M/S mode, allowing users to apply the effect by different amounts to mid and side signals.
Across all the processing modules and modes, Godfazer sounds excellent; these are some of the best chorus and phaser sounds we’ve tried in the software realm, and with multiple modes combined, the plugin can breathe life into even the dullest of sounds. There’s a nice balance of analogue emulation and adventurous flexibility on offer here too, allowing Godfazer to capture everything from 70s-style drifting pads to modern formant filtered percussive effects.
A solid preset browser makes selecting sounds easy, by categorising patches by both effect type and complexity. There’s a wealth of extremely usable effect types offered by the stock presets too, which really comes in handy – this is the sort of effect that can often inspire creativity by simply dropping it onto a track and scrolling aimlessly through presets.
There are some weak elements to the plugin. The Modulator modes could be enhanced with a few extra features, such as the ability to adjust sequencer step lengths or route a sidechain into the envelope follower. Moreover, it’s a disappointment that there aren’t more routing options for the modulators themselves; having both attached to cutoff frequency is undoubtedly the most obvious choice, but it would be great to be able to modulate resonance or pan position too.
That aside though, this is an excellent sounding, well-priced effects processor, which lives up to its ‘Swiss Army Knife’ claim. Add this one to your plugin arsenal and it’s sure to come in handy.