CRQL has announced the release of CRUMPETS, a new plugin that takes a cepstral approach to formant shifting and gating. This tool is designed for producers who want precise control over the formant and harmonic content of their audio. The name CRUMPETS is an anagram of “CEPSTRUM,” which is the domain it operates in. Essentially, the cepstrum is “the spectrum of a spectrum,” allowing the plugin to separate formant and harmonic information as two distinct signals.

What Is Cepstral Processing?

Cepstral analysis is a technique used in audio processing to isolate the periodic and spectral components of a signal. By working in this domain, CRUMPETS can manipulate formants independently from harmonics. This is particularly useful for vocal processing, sound design, and creative effects. Moreover, it offers a fresh alternative to traditional FFT-based methods.

Key Features of CRUMPETS

CRUMPETS comes with several notable features that set it apart. The cepstral cutoff allows direct control over the separation between formant and harmonic information. Additionally, the mid/side shift enables independent formant shifting for mid and side channels, complete with a link toggle. The cepstral gate is another unique element, gating only the harmonic content for a distinctive spectral effect. Finally, the auto/MIDI mode lets you control the cutoff via monophonic fundamental tracking or MIDI input, offering maximum formant resolution.

Features

• Cepstral cutoff – Directly control the cepstral-cutoff between formant and harmonic information.
• Mid/Side shift – Separate mid/side formant shifting, with a link-toggle.
• Cepstral Gate – Gate only the harmonic content, providing a unique take on a “spectral” gate.
• Auto/MIDI mode – Control the cepstral-cutoff with monophonic fundamental tracking, or MIDI input, for as much formant resolution as possible.

Pricing and Availability

CRUMPETS is available as a VST3, CLAP, and AU plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The price is set at £13, which is approximately $17. This makes it an affordable option for those interested in exploring cepstral processing. Consequently, it is accessible to a wide range of producers and sound designers.

In summary, CRUMPETS offers a novel approach to formant shifting with its cepstral engine. Its mid/side capabilities and unique gate function provide creative possibilities. Therefore, it is worth considering for anyone looking to expand their toolkit with experimental audio tools.

More info: CRQL | CRUMPETS