Effectrix iPad Edition
MANUAL
ABOUT
Effectrix is a professional multi-effect tool embedded in a step-
sequencer matrix.
You can use Effectrix to completely mash up your tracks, turn them into
grainclouds or just do some minor alterations to your beats. Effectrix iPad
Edition offers the full functionality of the macOS/PC version.
Effectrix supports the Audio Unit V3 standard making it possible to load
multiple instances into any DAW that supports AUv3.
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MAIN INTERFACE
HEADER
SEQUENCER MATRIX
EFFECT PARAMETERS
PATTERN KEYS
ABOUT SCREEN/SETTINGS
HEADER
TRANSPORT CONTROLS
Play: Plays or pauses the current track.
Loop: Repeats the played track in an endless loop.
Record: Starts audio recording.
Disc: Exports or deletes audio files.
Settings: Opens the About Screen.
BPM CONTROL
Effectrix requires tempo information in order to synchronize loopers, slicers or
delays to the beat:
Tap the BPM-control panel or swipe left/right to set the tempo.
The tempo of loops up to a length of 32 bars will be analysed automatically.
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LEVEL METER
Shows Effectrix’ output level.
GLOBAL PRESETS
You can access the global-preset options by tapping the name of the current
preset in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. They recall/store all
settings, including all sequences, subsequences and effect settings.
The top line shows the current preset name and offers different file operations:
Step through the presets, forward or backwards.
Deletes current setup.
Loads a random preset.
Opens a save dialog.
You can save your own presets into the folder “User”.
There you can also manually load a preset via the iOS file browser.
Swiping a preset name to left gives you the option to delete your preset files
(factory presets excluded).
See also: MIDI Program Change
AUDIO PLAYER MENU
Current track is displayed, click into the menu to load another track.
Load files through File Import or Audioshare or select of file from your music
library.
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SWING
Swing control lets Effectrix swing along with your host. The swing actually
delays each second note, so using swing only makes sense when tempo
control is set to the resolution of your host sequencer.
MIX
Defines the mix between input and output signal.
BYPASS
The Bypass button deactivates Effectrix.
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SEQUENCER MATRIX
The effects are running in series, from top to bottom, so first X-LOOP works your
audio, feeding its output to the LOOP, then to SCRATCHLOOP, etc.
This gives you crazy possibilities from relooping looped stuff up to creating
obscure grainclouds which leave no clue what the initial material sounded like.
TEMPO
Effectrix runs at your host's BPM. Using the tempo controls you can determine
the actual resolution of the 32-step sequencer, so that Effectrix runs at /32,
/16 or even at triplet speed.
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LOOP BAR
Use the Loop Bar to define your own playback loop. Slide the edges to resize,
swipe to move.
SEQUENCER TRACKS
Each effect has its own sequencer track. The little cross erases the sequence
on each track. The little circle switches the effect on/off.
Step Handling
Draw
single sequence steps or longer bars into the sequencer matrix.
Erase
bars with a double tap.
Move a step/bar by grabbing its center. Steps cannot be moved between
different effect tracks.
Resize a step by expanding/reducing its ends.
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MODULATION SEQUENCER
Each effect has two modulation sequencers (Track A/B).
These can be assigned to all Effect Parameters adding yet another dimension
within your effect sequences.
You can record to the knobs via actual movements.
A/B
Use the A/B button to select one of the two sequencers.
ASSIGN
The ASSIGN menu is used to assign a knob for being modulated or recorded
to the selected modulation track (A or B).
SMOOTH
The SMOOTH control will turn the stepped modulation into a smooth
modulation curve with a lag time of up to one second.
REC
The REC button activates recording on the assigned knob.
When REC is enabled, the assigned knob will not receive modulations.
RANDOM
The dice button creates a random sequence.
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EFFECT PARAMETERS
Below the sequencer matrix you’ll see the parameters for the individual effects.
The parameter section always displays the effect currently selected.
Nearly all effects have a MIX knob to adjust the DRY/WET level. There’s an
envelope (triggered by the sequencer step) and controls for ATTACK and
RELEASE. When a sequencer step is reached, it fades in according to the ATTACK
time, then stays at the MIX level. When the step has ended, the effect fades out
according to its RELEASE time.
DELAY and REVERB use a slightly different approach. Here you have a dedicated
DRY control, the MIX control will define the WET amount.
The BYPASS button deactivates the selected effect.
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EFFECT PRESETS
Each effect has its own preset folder, so it is very easy to store and recall your
favorite settings for individual effects.
Steps through the presets, forward or backwards.
Opens a save dialog.
Swiping a preset name to left gives you the option to
delete your preset files (factory presets excluded).
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PATTERN KEYS
USING PATTERN KEYS IN YOUR WORKFLOW
When you create patterns in the matrix, they are saved to the active pattern
key. Switch to another key to draw a new pattern. You can save up to 12
patterns to the individual keys. These can then be triggered by MIDI notes.
MIDI TRIGGER
Activate "MIDI Trigger” to fire up Effectrix with a MIDI note.
Deactivate "MIDI Trigger” to let the sequencer of Effectrix run in sync with your
mobile DAW.
COPY/PASTE
You can transfer patterns from one key to another.
Hit the COPY icon to put the active sequence into the clipboard. Change to
another pattern key, to PASTE the contents via the icon.
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ABOUT SCREEN
Click on the Effectrix logo to check the current version installed and to
adjust the way Effectrix operates in certain MIDI and Audio connections.
Enable or disable Ableton link and iCloud synchronization.
GENERAL
Equal power law:
Choose between a linear and equal-power law model.
Retrigger On Wraparound:
If a sequencer step goes over the sequence length, the effect will be
retriggered at the first step.
Using this feature, internal envelopes, loops’ start points, etc. will be
retriggered.
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Audio Buffer
The “Audio Buffer” allows you to change the audio latency of Effectrix.
If you experience crackles in the audio signal, increase your buffer size.
Run Audio in Background
Switch ON to keep Effectrix playing even if you’re working in another app.
MIDI
This list shows all MIDI devices currently connected to your iPad.
Supported MIDI Types are Virtual, Network, External & Bluetooth MIDI.
Effectrix can receive MIDI from other apps via Virtual Input.
Switch on Virtual Input and select Effectrix in the sending app.
The following MIDI input settings are available:
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MIDI Program Change
All presets in the MIDI Programs Folder can
be called with MIDI Program Change
messages.
Press “Copy to Midi Programs” at the bottom
of the Preset Browser and select the presets
you want to copy MIDI Programs folder.
Confirm by clicking “Copy to Midi Programs”
again. Now you should see the presets under
MIDI Programs.
MIDI LEARN
Long-press any control to assign incoming MIDI CCs.
Tap Clear to delete the assignment.
Within a mobile DAW Effectrix’s MIDI Learn settings will be saved with the song.
RECORDING
Here (Standalone only) you find all settings related to recording audio:
Determine how to start and stop the recording and create loops with the record-
length feature.
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ICLOUD SYNCHRONIZATION:
Through iCloud, you'll be able to share your saved presets across multiple devices
including your desktop computer.
This feature is disabled by default. To sync Effectrix across your devices, launch
the About Screen. There choose iCloud, tap iCloud and set iCloud to On. Once
activated, presets you save in the Effectrix iOS version are synced automatically
to your iCloudDrive.
To share a preset from your Effectrix iOS version to your computer,
you’ll need to drag and drop or copy/paste the preset from
iCloudDrive/Effectrix/Presets/User
into
~/Documents/Sugar Bytes/Effectrix/Presets/User
To share a preset from your computer to your Effectrix iOS version,
you’ll need to drag and drop or copy/paste the preset from
~/Documents/SugarBytes/Effectrix/Presets/User into
iCloudDrive/Effectrix/Presets/User
The presets will then automatically appear in the Presets User folder of Effectrix.
Please note that creating and then reading out a subfolder is technically not
possible.
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ABLETON LINK
Hop on to the same network and jam with others using multiple devices running
Ableton Link-enabled software. Anyone can start and stop their part while others
keep playing. And anyone can adjust the tempo and the rest will follow.
You can activate Link via Effectrix’s About Screen under Ableton Link.
When activated, Ableton Link will sync tempo across apps.
Find out more about Ableton Link here.
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EFFECTRIX AS A PLUGIN INSIDE YOUR FAVORITE PORTABLE DAW
Effectrix supports the Audio Unit V3 standard. It will be up to the host app
on how it implements the AUs menu, but in most host apps you’ll find the
menu where other effects or editing tools can be applied.
Here is how to add Effectrix in...
AUM: Tap the Inserts & Effects slot of a Channel and load Effectrix from
the list of Audio Unit Extensions.
Beatmaker: Tap the “Add Effect” button from the FX panel, go to Audio
Unit / IAA Effect and select Effectrix from the list of Audio Units V3. 19
Cubasis: Select the track you wish to add Effectrix to. Open the track
Inspector and select the Insert or Send effects panel. In the effects menu
tap one of the slots and select Effectrix from the Audio Units category.
GarageBand: Select Plug-ins & EQ from the mixer panel on top left and
tap the Edit button.Tap the plus button of a free FX slot to select Effectrix
from the list of Audio Unit Extensions.
Auria: Press the "FX" button on a track to open the “ChannelStrip” window
and load Effectrix as an AU effect (green fond).
Audiobus: Press on the + button on an empty effect slot of Audiobus and
select Effectrix from the list of Audio Units Modstep: Tap the “Browser”
button, go to Effects and select Effectrix from the list of AU effects.
WHY ARE THERE TWO DIFFERENT INSTANCES AVAILABLE FROM THE AUDIO
UNITS CATEGORY, "EFFECTRIX" AND "EFFECTRIX MIDI"?
You can let the sequencer of Effectrix run in sync with your mobile DAW or
start/stop the sequencer via MIDI and use the pattern keys (Please check
the "MIDI Trigger” options.) but some host are not able to send MIDI to a
simple insert effect. So in order to fire up Effectrix with a MIDI note and to
assign CCs to Effectrix parameters by using a MIDI controller or the DAW’s
virtual keyboard/Performance view, we implemented "Effectrix midi"
which is a midi controlled effect then.
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THE EFFECTS
CONTACT
X-LOOP
LOOP
SCRATCH LOOP
REVERSE
STRETCH
VINYL
TONAL DELAY
STUTTER
CRUSH
FILTER
PHASER
CHORUS
DELAY
REVERB
X-LOOP
X-LOOP is our advanced looping algorithm developed for Effectrix. It changes
loop size and pitch and includes an envelope for shortening.
Size
Defines the size of the looping buffer in tempo values.
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Envelope
Cuts the loop short, so that only the beginning of the loop remains and
silence takes over.
Size Change
A bipolar control. Negative settings make the loop size getting smaller over
time. Positive settings let the size grow over time.
Pitch Change
A bipolar control increasing (positive) or decreasing (negative) pitch.
LOOP
A Looper repeating its buffer according to the defined loop size.
Size
Defines the size of the looping buffer. It works in tempo values, so you can
easily decide how long the loop will be.
X Fade
Fades the ends to create smoother loops. Higher values create weird and
super-smooth sound.
Decay
Fades out the loop at the time given. Using this feature you can make the
sound vanish before the step end is reached, giving you the possibility to
create stuttering loops using several short steps.
Direction
The Direction knob defines the speed of LOOP.
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SCRATCH LOOP
Another innovative looper developed specifically for Effectrix.
It plays the loop forward and backward like scratching a vinyl record. You can
define the speeds for forward and backward spin and individual slopes for the
spinning change between forward and backward and vice versa.
This a very complex effect where all parameters interact with each other,
opening new worlds of scratching your audio signals.
Size
Defines the size of the looping buffer. It works in tempo values, so you can
easily decide how long the loop will be.
Fwd Spin
Controls the FWD playback speed.
Fwd Slope
Controls the FWD playback speed curve. Actually this setting emulates the
different acceleration styles of the scratching hand.
Bwd Spin
Controls the BWD playback speed.
Bwd Slope
Controls the BWD playback speed curve. Actually this setting emulates the
different acceleration styles of the scratching hand.
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REVERSE
A reverse looper: your audio will play backwards.
Size
Defines the size of the looping buffer. It works in tempo values, so you can
easily decide how long the loop will be.
X-Fade
Fades the loop ends to create smooth loops, higher settings mix so much
material that the sound becomes weird and supersmooth.
Decay
Fades out the loop at the given time. Using this feature you can make the
sound vanish before the step end is reached, giving you the possibility to
create stuttering loops.
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STRETCH
This is Effectrix’ time-stretch unit.
Speed
Turn down to slow.
Tempo-Relative
Syncs stretching relative to your BPM.
Grainsize
Defines the size of a time window used for granulizing the audio signal. This
control provides you with different granular flavors.
Fade
Smoothes the granulizing effect giving you a range between a rather harsh
or softer sound.
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VINYL
This effect gives you the sound of scratching or stopping a record with your
hands: you get that classic chicky-wicky sound!
Speed
The actual scratching speed / the time needed for slowing down the record
until it stops.
Size
Determines how much room is taken for scratching. Smaller values just
scratch a small range of the audio material, larger settings scratch more,
resulting in a more aggressive scratch sound.
Slope
Determines the deceleration of the stop curve.
Stop Mode
Changes the VINYL Effect so that it stops the record. The SIZE parameter is
not required here and so it’s greyed out.
Since no looping is used here, the current audio signal becomes scratched
and is not repeated.
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TONAL DELAY
One of the most innovative effects created by Sugar Bytes.
A short delay is used to tonalize/synthesize anything fed into it.
You can make your drums play melodies, re-pitch harmonic signals and create
stunning mutations out of anything.
Tune
Determines the note applied to your signal. It really makes sense to remote
this knob with the internal modulation.
Feedback
Controls the intensity and sustain of tonalization. Higher values give you a
clearer tone and a stronger signal.
Width
Introduces stereo imaging for a larger sound.
High pass
Cuts off lower frequencies to avoid rumble and create a rather light tone.
Level
Higher feedback settings raise the output level, so this control can be used
to adjust the output level.
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STUTTER
An amplification effect, useful for enveloping, gating and panning effects.
Two sequencers are running along your clock. The upper one starts an envelope
at the given amplitude, the lower one controls the stereo pan.
Tempo
Determines the playback speed of LEVEL and PAN sequencer.
Attack
Belongs to the amplitude envelope, triggered by the Level sequencer and
controls the level-fade-in-time when a sequencer step starts the envelope.
Decay
Belongs to the amplitude envelope, triggered by the Level sequencer and
controls the level-fade-out-time of the step.
Edit
Just click on the edit button or the setp sequencer to edit the values of the
pan and amp sequencer.
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CRUSH
Made to destroy: A first-class sounding bit crusher, sample-rate reducer and
distortion effect.
Bitcrush
Reduces the bitdepth and so introduces silver rain and crushed ice.
Samplerate
Reduces the sample rate using an advanced technique: new flavors and
octaving effects.
Distortion
Warm and deep, strong and wild.
FILTER
The essence of Sugar Bytes’ filter technology: four filter types known from our
WOW Filterbox, including the notorious Vowel Mode which makes your audio
talk. Also an AR envelope and envelope follower are included for classic filter
sweeps.
Cutoff
Determines the filter frequency: In Vowel Mode this control selects vowels (A,
A:, AE, E, I, O, OE, UE, U).
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Reso
Controls the Filter resonance, in Vowel Mode higher settings give you a
clearer vocal sound.
Env Peak
Determines the target-value of cutoff-modulation introduced by the internal
envelope and envelope follower.
Modulation starts at the Cutoff frequency, reaches the Env Peak value and
goes back to the Cutoff frequency.
Attack
Fade-in-time of the envelope/envelope follower.
Release
Fade-out-time of the envelope/envelope follower.
Filtertype
Choose from four filter types. The classic HP/BP/LP are included in 24db
depth. Also a strong COMB filter is included for stunning vowel- and micro-
delay sounds.
Vowel Mode
Use that mode to make your audio talk. The cutoff control is then used to
select the vowel frequencies.
Env Mode
Select the envelope used for modulating the cutoff frequency according to
Env-Peak, Attack and Release settings.
Envelope is a classic AR envelope started when a sequencer step is reached.
Env Follow creates an envelope from the transients of your audio signal.
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PHASER
The good old 70s sound, deep and wide phasing at its best.
Rate
Phasing speed, always in sync to your song tempo.
Stages
Number of Phaser stages, running in series.
Depth
Intensity of the actual phasing sound.
Feedback
Introduces a stronger sweeping.
Width
Stereo widening and left/right phasing offset.
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DELAY
A typical delay with synced delay times.
Time
Delay time: always in sync with your host tempo.
Feedback
Determines how long the delayed signal will decay until it ends.
Diffusion
Introduces a slight mix-up between left and right channel, for 3D feeling.
Width
Stereo imaging.
Dry Level
Determines your DRY level.
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EFFECTRIX | 35
APP STORE
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WOW FILTER BOX
Need some state-of-the-art filtering
on your iPad? Go for WOW2. Use 3-
fingerXY pads to control filters,
distortions and modulations. With
audio recorder, AudioBus and Auria
Plugin, ready for each and every
situation.
FACTORY
Modular Synthesizer for complex and
organic sounds. Choose from the most
particular synthesis methods, let
yourself be charmed by the Matrix and
morph between the most improbable
variations of your sound. Four
sequencers are pulling the strings
behind the curtain. Factory is
polyphonic supersonics!
TURNADO
We crafted Turnado for massive real-time
audio manipulation. It combines unique and
dynamic effects with a most intuitive and
immediate control. Just turn it on and crank it
up.
EGOIST
Egoist is a groove instrument. Load
any audio file and squeeze the groove
out of it! Try your mp3 library and use
it as a source! The additional onboard
bass, beat and fx units make Egoist
the perfect track sketch tool in the
studio and on the road.
THESYS
Thesys is a MIDI stepsequencer
plugin, giving you control over just
about all aspects of your favorite MIDI
devices. Use Thesys to create varied
and organic bass lines,
screaming leads, pulsating chords
and organic pad sounds in the studio
or on stage.
CYCLOP
Twisted Bass Synthesizer.
Monophonic, raw and unbelievably
versatile, packed with tools for the
bass of the future and beyond.
Wobble Knob FX Sequencer and a
hilariously versatile sound engine will
give you endless joy.
UNIQUE
Unique specializes in state-of-the-art
vowel sounds and mighty analogue
sounds from the Golden Age of
synthesizers.
Her assertive sound should not be
missing in your mobile studio.
APARILLO
Aparillo is an advanced 16 voice FM
synth tailored for complex sound
structures , majestic motions, moving
and evolving soundscapes and
atmospheres that are perfect for film,
TV or games. It‘s not limited to the
conventional fm sounds but also
delivers a huge range of styles from
basses to brasses, pads to leads to
even percussion.
