Sprite

Name: Sprite
Price: 79 USD
Author: AIR Music Technology

by AIR Music Technology · Multi-FX · Multi-effect

Not rated yet

Sprite is a multi-effect with nine distortion models, two modulation slots, reverb, BPM-synced delay and a pitch shifter.

An envelope follower can drive the delay and reverb; it costs $99.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Guitars, Vocals, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Lo-Fi, Pop.

Keywords: simple, electric guitar, modulation matrix, pitch-shifting, spacious, synths, tempo-synced, samples & loops, chorus, wide, airy, auto-pan, creative, drums, dual-mono, flanger, flutter, lo-fi, macro controls, mixing, phaser, room, sound design, tremolo, vocals, wobble.

What it does

Sprite is AIR's multi-effect: distortion, two modulation slots, delay and reverb in a fixed series chain, with a macro page up front and an Edit mode underneath. AIR calls it "as simple, or as complex as you like."

Distortion: nine models with smoothing, high- and low-pass filtering and mix.
Modulation slot 1: flutter, wow, tremolo and auto-pan, with rate, drift, stereo and depth.
Modulation slot 2: chorus, multi-chorus, phaser and flanger, with rate, depth, feedback and mix.
Delay: BPM-syncable Single, Dual and Cross modes, independent left and right times, 24 feedback setups, width and mix.
Reverb: eight room characters with pre-delay, damping, time and level.
Pitch and EQ: a pitch shifter (depth, interval, algorithm, mix target), high and low cuts and shelving, and an output EQ with 31 character presets or a manual mode.
Output tools: an envelope follower that can drive delay feedback or reverb mix, plus width, balance, gain and a limiter.

The current version is 1.0.0.3, and a 10-day demo is available.

Source: AIR Music Technology product page

When to use it

Sprite is the quicker choice when you want to add character to a synth, guitar or loop in seconds. Compared with Infiltrator 2 and Multipass, it has a fixed effect order and no modular routing, but that makes it faster to set up. Unlike Effectrix2, it is not built around step-sequenced effects, so it suits tone and space more than rhythmic glitching. Compared with Soundtoys Effect Rack, it is a single preset-driven chain rather than a rack of separate processors.

Best for: fast character chains on synths, guitars, drums and loops, and finding sounds from presets.
Genres: electronic, lo-fi, pop and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you want to reorder or route effects freely (Infiltrator 2 or Multipass) or sequence effects in time (Effectrix2).
Tip: start from a preset on a percussive loop, then refine it in Edit mode.

What producers say

MusicRadar found its simplicity to be its main strength, with only small gripes.

MusicRadar (Stuart Adams, 2023) praised the varied sound palette, the very easy interface, the extra depth in Edit mode and good presets, saying "that is its strength" about its simple look.
Criticisms: no master bypass, a fixed effect order, and reverb type names that don't say what kind of reverb they are.

MusicRadar review

Where to buy

PluginFox: $79
Best Service: $99
AIR Music Technology: $99 (list price from KVR Audio; airmusictech.com shows prices only in its shop)
AudioDeluxe: $99
Plugin Boutique: $99

Tutorials and reviews

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