AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X: A Creative Convolution Reverb/Processor Plugin for Sound Designers
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X Review
If you are looking for a creative convolution reverb plugin that can add depth, dimension, and character to your sounds, you might want to check out AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X. This plugin is a true stereo convolution processor that allows you to load any audio file as an impulse response and apply it to another sound in real-time. You can use it to create realistic or surreal reverbs, special effects, textures, and more.
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X
In this article, we will review AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X and see what it can do for your music production. We will cover:
What is AudioThing Fog Convolver?
How does convolution work?
How to use AudioThing Fog Convolver?
What are some creative uses of AudioThing Fog Convolver?
What are the pros and cons of AudioThing Fog Convolver?
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X is worth buying or not.
What is AudioThing Fog Convolver?
AudioThing Fog Convolver is a creative convolution reverb/processor plugin that lets you load any audio file (WAV or AIFF) as an impulse response and apply it to another sound in real-time. You can use it to add reverberation, create special effects, and apply an acoustic impulse captured from audio equipment.
The plugin features a lightweight real-time convolution engine that can handle up to 10 seconds of stereo impulse response length. It also has a built-in browser that lets you easily drag and drop your own impulse responses or choose from over 660 factory presets made from spaces, analog and digital equipment, organic sources, and more.
AudioThing Fog Convolver also AudioThing Fog Convolver also gives you the ability to adjust the parameters of the convolution, such as the length, start, offset, and reverse of the impulse response. You can also add modulation and effects to the convolved sound, such as LFOs, filters, and EQs. You can even mix the dry and wet signals with a crossfade control.
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X is the latest version of the plugin, released in June 2023. It has some new features and improvements, such as:
A new resizable interface with a dark theme
A new preset manager with categories and tags
A new undo/redo system
A new randomize button
A new option to lock the impulse response length
A new option to bypass the convolution engine
Improved CPU performance and stability
Fixed compatibility issues with some DAWs and hosts
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X is compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 or later (64-bit only) and supports VST, AU, and AAX formats. It costs $65 USD and you can buy it from the official website or from other online retailers.
How does convolution work?
Convolution is a mathematical operation that combines two signals into one. It can be used to model the effect of one signal on another, such as how a sound is affected by the acoustics of a room or by an audio device.
In audio processing, convolution is often used to create reverb effects. Reverb is the sound that reflects off the walls, floor, ceiling, and objects of a space after a sound source stops. It adds a sense of space and depth to the sound.
To create reverb using convolution, you need two signals: a source signal and an impulse response. The source signal is the sound that you want to process, such as a voice, a guitar, or a drum. The impulse response is the sound that captures the characteristics of a space or a device, such as a room, a hall, or a speaker.
The impulse response is usually created by recording a short burst of sound (such as a clap or a gunshot) in the desired space or device and capturing how it decays over time. Alternatively, it can be synthesized using software or hardware.
The convolution process then multiplies every sample of the source signal by every sample of the impulse response and adds them together. The result is a new signal that sounds like the source signal was played in the space or device represented by the impulse response.
How to use AudioThing Fog Convolver?
Using AudioThing Fog Convolver is very easy and intuitive. You just need to follow these steps:
Install the plugin on your computer and activate it with your license key.
Load the plugin on an audio track or a bus in your DAW or host.
Load an impulse response from the browser or drag and drop your own audio file into the plugin.
Adjust the parameters of the convolution, such as the length, start, offset, and reverse of the impulse response.
Add modulation and effects to the convolved sound, such as LFOs, filters, and EQs.
Mix the dry and wet signals with the crossfade control.
Enjoy the results and experiment with different impulse responses and settings.
Let's take a closer look at each step and see how to use AudioThing Fog Convolver in more detail.
Loading impulse responses
The first thing you need to do is to load an impulse response into the plugin. An impulse response is the sound that defines the characteristics of the space or device that you want to apply to your source signal. You can load an impulse response from the built-in browser or from your own audio files.
The browser lets you access over 660 factory presets that are organized into categories and tags. You can browse by type, such as spaces, equipment, organic, etc., or by genre, such as ambient, cinematic, electronic, etc. You can also search by name or keyword. To load an impulse response from the browser, simply click on it and it will be loaded into the plugin.
You can also load your own impulse responses by dragging and dropping any audio file (WAV or AIFF) into the plugin. You can use any sound as an impulse response, such as recordings of rooms, halls, instruments, vocals, noises, etc. The only limit is your imagination. However, keep in mind that some sounds may work better than others depending on the source signal and the desired effect.
Adjusting parameters
Once you have loaded an impulse response, you can adjust the parameters of the convolution to shape the sound to your liking. The plugin has four main sections for this purpose: Convolution, Envelope, Stretch, and Reverse.
The Convolution section lets you control the length, start, and offset of the impulse response. The length determines how long the impulse response is applied to the source signal. You can shorten or lengthen it by dragging the handles on the waveform display or by using the knob below it. The start determines where the impulse response begins. You can move it forward or backward by dragging the handle on the waveform display or by using the knob below it. The offset determines how much the impulse response is delayed relative to the source signal. You can increase or decrease it by using the knob below it.
The Envelope section lets you control the volume envelope of the impulse response. The volume envelope determines how the impulse response fades in and out over time. You can adjust it by dragging the handles on the envelope display or by using the knobs below it. The attack determines how fast the impulse response reaches its maximum volume. The decay determines how fast the impulse response drops from its maximum volume to its sustain level. The sustain determines how long the impulse response maintains its sustain level. The release determines how fast the impulse response fades out after the source signal stops.
The Stretch section lets you control the pitch and time stretching of the impulse response. Pitch and time stretching are processes that change the frequency and duration of a sound without affecting its quality. You can adjust them by using the knobs below them. The pitch knob lets you transpose the impulse response up or down in semitones. The time knob lets you stretch or compress the impulse response in percentage.
The Reverse section lets you reverse the impulse response. Reversing a sound means playing it backward in time. You can reverse the impulse response by clicking on the button below it.
Adding modulation and effects
Besides adjusting the parameters of the convolution, you can also add modulation and effects to the convolved sound to make it more dynamic and interesting. The plugin has three sections for this purpose: LFO, Filter, and EQ.
The LFO section lets you modulate the volume, pitch, or time of the impulse response using a low-frequency oscillator. An LFO is a periodic waveform that can vary in shape, speed, and depth. You can use it to create rhythmic or random variations in the sound. You can adjust the LFO by using the knobs and buttons below it. The shape button lets you choose from six different waveforms: sine, triangle, sawtooth, square, random, and sample and hold. The rate knob lets you set the speed of the LFO in hertz or synced to the host tempo. The depth knob lets you set the amount of modulation applied to the target parameter. The target button lets you choose which parameter to modulate: volume, pitch, or time.
The Filter section lets you apply a high-pass or a low-pass filter to the convolved sound. A filter is a process that attenuates or boosts certain frequencies of a sound. You can use it to remove unwanted noise or to emphasize certain tonal characteristics of the sound. You can adjust the filter by using the knobs and buttons below it. The type button lets you choose between a high-pass or a low-pass filter. The cutoff knob lets you set the frequency at which the filter starts to affect the sound. The resonance knob lets you set the amount of feedback or peak around the cutoff frequency.
The EQ section lets you apply a three-band equalizer to the convolved sound. An equalizer is a process that adjusts the volume of specific frequency ranges of a sound. You can use it to balance, enhance, or correct the sound. You can adjust the EQ by using the knobs below it. The low knob lets you boost or cut the low frequencies of the sound. The mid knob lets you boost or cut the mid frequencies of the sound. The high knob lets you boost or cut the high frequencies of the sound.
What are some creative uses of AudioThing Fog Convolver?
AudioThing Fog Convolver is a very versatile and creative plugin that can be used for many different purposes and genres. Here are some examples and tips on how to use it:
Adding reverb and space
One of the most common and obvious uses of AudioThing Fog Convolver is to add reverb and space to your sounds. You can use it to create realistic or surreal reverbs and ambiences that suit your needs. For example, you can use it to:
Add natural reverb to dry sounds by using impulse responses of real spaces, such as rooms, halls, churches, etc.
Create artificial reverb by using impulse responses of synthetic sources, such as noise, sine waves, etc.
Create hybrid reverb by using impulse responses of mixed sources, such as instruments, vocals, etc.
Create spatial effects by using impulse responses of stereo or surround sources, such as binaural recordings, quadraphonic recordings, etc.
Create atmospheric effects by using impulse responses of ambient sources, such as rain, wind, fire, etc.
To add reverb and space to your sounds using AudioThing Fog Convolver, you can follow these tips:
Choose an impulse response that matches the mood and style of your sound and music.
Adjust the length and start of the impulse response to control the size and distance of the space.
Adjust the offset of the impulse response to control the pre-delay of the reverb.
Adjust the envelope of the impulse response to control the shape and decay of the reverb.
Adjust the pitch and time of the impulse response to control the tone and texture of the reverb.
Adjust the filter and EQ of the convolved sound to control the brightness and warmth of the reverb.
Adjust the crossfade between the dry and wet signals to control the balance and blend of the reverb.
the effect.
Applying acoustic impulses
A third creative use of AudioThing Fog Convolver is to apply acoustic impulses that emulate the sound of different audio equipment and devices. You can use it to create effects such as:
Cabinet and speaker simulation by using impulse responses of guitar or bass cabinets, speakers, microphones, etc.
Amp and pedal simulation by using impulse responses of guitar or bass amps, pedals, effects, etc.
Vinyl and tape simulation by using impulse responses of vinyl records, tape machines, hiss, crackle, etc.
Radio and telephone simulation by using impulse responses of radio or telephone speakers, filters, noise, etc.
Convolution synthesis by using impulse responses of synthesizers, samplers, oscillators, etc.
To apply acoustic impulses using AudioThing Fog Convolver, you can follow these tips:
Choose an impulse response that has a similar or complementary frequency range and dynamic range to the source signal.
Adjust the length and start of the impulse response to control the fidelity and detail of the effect.
Adjust the offset of the impulse response to control the alignment and phase of the effect.
Adjust the envelope of the impulse response to control the transient and sustain of the effect.
Adjust the pitch and time of the impulse response to control the tuning and timing of the effect.
Adjust the filter and EQ of the convolved sound to control the tone and balance of the effect.
Adjust the crossfade between the dry and wet signals to control the level and blend of the effect.
What are the pros and cons of AudioThing Fog Convolver?
AudioThing Fog Convolver is a powerful and creative plugin that can enhance and transform your sounds in many ways. However, like any plugin, it also has some pros and cons that you should consider before buying it. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of AudioThing Fog Convolver:
Pros
It has a high-quality and lightweight convolution engine that can handle up to 10 seconds of stereo impulse response length.
It has a built-in browser that lets you easily access over 660 factory presets or load your own impulse responses.
It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you adjust the parameters of the convolution, modulation, and effects with ease.
It has a resizable interface with a dark theme that is easy on the eyes.
It has a preset manager with categories and tags that lets you organize and find your presets quickly.
It has an undo/redo system that lets you revert or repeat your changes.
It has a randomize button that lets you generate new and unexpected sounds.
It has a lock option that lets you keep the impulse response length constant when changing presets.
It has a bypass option that lets you turn off the convolution engine without affecting the modulation and effects.
It has improved CPU performance and stability compared to previous versions.
It has fixed compatibility issues with some DAWs and hosts.
Cons
It can be CPU-intensive and cause latency when using long impulse responses or high sample rates.
It can be hard to find or create suitable impulse responses for some sounds or effects.
It can be difficult to control or predict the outcome of some impulse responses or settings.
It can be overwhelming or confusing for beginners or users who are not familiar with convolution.
It can be expensive compared to some other convolution plugins on the market.
Conclusion
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X is a creative convolution reverb/processor plugin that can add depth, dimension, and character to your sounds. It lets you load any audio file as an impulse response and apply it to another sound in real-time. You can use it to create realistic or surreal reverbs, special effects, textures, and more.
The plugin has a high-quality and lightweight convolution engine that can handle up to 10 seconds of stereo impulse response length. It also has a built-in browser that lets you easily access over 660 factory presets or load your own impulse responses. It also has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you adjust the parameters of the convolution, modulation, and effects with ease.
AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X is the latest version of the plugin, released in June 2023. It has some new features and improvements, such as a resizable interface with a dark theme, a preset manager with categories and tags, an undo/redo system, a randomize button, a lock option, a bypass option, improved CPU performance and stability, and fixed compatibility issues.
However, the plugin also has some drawbacks, such as CPU-intensive and latency issues when using long impulse responses or high sample rates, difficulty in finding or creating suitable impulse responses for some sounds or effects, unpredictability of some impulse responses or settings, complexity for beginners or users who are not familiar with convolution, and high price compared to some other convolution plugins on the market.
Therefore, we recommend AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X to anyone who is looking for a creative convolution reverb/processor plugin that can enhance and transform their sounds in many ways. However, we also advise them to be aware of the potential issues and limitations of the plugin and to try the demo version before buying it.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X:
What are the system requirements for AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X?The plugin requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later (64-bit only) and supports VST, AU, and AAX formats. It also requires an internet connection for activation and updates.
How much does AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X cost?The plugin costs $65 USD and you can buy it from the official website or from other online retailers.
Can I use AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X on multiple computers?Yes, you can use the plugin on up to three computers with the same license key.
Can I use AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X in live performance?Yes, you can use the plugin in live performance, but you should be careful about the CPU usage and latency issues that may occur when using long impulse responses or high sample rates.
Where can I find more impulse responses for AudioThing Fog Convolver 1.5.0 MAC OS X?You can find more impulse responses on the internet from various so