HD Instruments has released Spectdrum, a rhythmic spectral gate plugin for Windows and macOS. The plugin splits any incoming sound into four frequency bands. Each band then plays as its own rhythmic voice. No samples are added. No synthesis is used. Every hit is carved from the audio you feed it.

What Makes Spectdrum Unique?

Spectdrum divides sound into Sub, Low-Mid, High-Mid, and Air bands. Each band has its own frequency range, filter, pitch, stereo width, and drive. As a result, the groove keeps the color and texture of the source material. For instance, a pad becomes a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm. Similarly, a vocal turns into an industrial texture. Meanwhile, a noise layer becomes a full groove.

Polyrhythmic Sequencing

The built-in sequencer offers 1 to 32 steps per band. Independent pattern lengths allow polyrhythmic interplay. Therefore, a 7-step Sub pattern can roll against a 16-step Air pattern. The groove evolves for bars before repeating. Moreover, patterns respond to MIDI input. You can trigger them from a keyboard like an instrument.

Hand-Drawn Envelopes and Effects

Volume, filter, pan, and pitch are drawable per band as free curves. This gives producers precise control over each hit. In addition, per-band reverb and delay sends add depth. A master strip includes filters, distortion, EQ, and a maximizer. Consequently, the plugin covers sound design to polished groove in one window.

Features

• Four spectral bands with frequency range, filter, pitch shifter, stereo width and drive
• Polyrhythmic step sequencer: 1 to 32 steps per band, independent lengths, velocity, accents and swing
• Hand-drawn volume, filter, pan and pitch envelopes per band
• Per-band reverb and delay sends with pitch shifting in feedback loops
• Master section with compression, distortion, EQ and look-ahead maximizer
• Learn function for automatic band placement
• Resizable interface with light and dark skins

Pricing and Availability

Spectdrum is available at an introductory price of $69. The regular price is $99. It runs as VST3 on Windows and macOS. Mac users also get an Audio Unit version for Logic and GarageBand. The license includes free updates for version 1. One-time online activation enables offline use forever.

Price
Intro: $69.00 (USD)
Regular: $99.00 (USD)

The plugin was developed by Hagai Davidoff, a composer and sound designer with three decades of experience. It is the result of months of daily use in real productions. Spectdrum is therefore a practical tool built by a working musician.

More info: HD Instruments | Spectdrum