Clockworks Bundle

Since 1971, the name Eventide has stood for high-end studio effects. The first product from the American manufacturer, which, at that time, still operated under the name Eventide Clockworks, was the Instant Phaser. This was, on the one hand, the world‘s first studio phaser and, on the other hand, the first rack effects unit. This software replica of the analog device also knows how to impress with a warm and soft sound that always sounds musical and organic. At the same time, you can smoothly adjust the age of the emulated device to determine the drift and crosstalk of the components, making the sound more lively and dirty. Like its colleague, Instant Flanger Mk2, Instant Phaser Mk2 brings life to guitar, keyboard and synthesizer signals in an extremely melodious way, and vocals and drums can also benefit from processing. The Omnipressor replicates the 1974 signal processor of the same name, combining Compressor, Limiter and Expander. It sounds relatively neutral and is capable of subtle dynamics processing, as well as pumping and aggressively distorting processing. Parallel processing is also possible.

With the H910 Harmonizer, the bundle also includes a software variation on the first digital effects unit from 1976, which combines pitch shifting, feedback, modulation and delay. Here, you should definitely tweak the controls while playback is running. In addition to lively pitch and echo effects that are equally suitable for vocals, acoustic and electronic instruments, all kinds of unique special effects can be achieved. In 1977, the second product from the Harmonizer family followed with the H949. Like its hardware counterpart, the H949 sounds somewhat less unstable and, therefore, more predictable than the H910. The range of functions is significantly larger than that of the H910, which also makes the sound palette more versatile. For example, Chorus, Flanger effects and Reverse Delays are also feasible. For stereo processing, there are dual versions of both harmonizers, where the right and left channels can be edited separately.

The SP2016 Reverb plug-in offers three reverb algorithms from the legendary 1981 reverb effect: Room, Stereo Room and Hi-Density Plate, each in two versions. With their dense and lively sound, these do a great job on vocals and instruments, as well as on drums and synthesizers. The vintage version faithfully emulates the sound of the original, while the modern version sounds richer in overtones, more diffuse and finely resolved. The plug-ins from the Clockworks Bundle do not overwhelm the user with a variety of parameters, but score points with manageable setting options.

Verdict

With its Clockworks Bundle, Eventide impressively proves how much fun sound engineering history can be! The character, as well as the sound behavior of the early hardware devices from the manufacturer was convincingly recreated. With their distinctive and musical sound, the modulation effects make the hearts of vintage fans beat faster; and the versatile dynamics processor, as well as the extremely dense sounding reverb effect, know how to impress all around. As usual from Eventide, the plug-ins shine with excellent sound quality and intuitive operation. In view of what is offered, the price is quite reasonable.