BLEASS Phase Mutant

Name: BLEASS Phase Mutant
Price: 39 USD
Author: BLEASS

by BLEASS · Multi-FX · FM effect for audio

Not rated yet

BLEASS Phase Mutant applies frequency modulation to any input signal for complex, metallic textures.

It runs as a VST3 or AU plugin on Windows and macOS for $39, with a separate iOS version.

Best for: Sound Design, Bass, Drums. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: bass, drums, rhythmic, creative, metallic, musical, punchy, sound design, tracking, AUv3/iOS, eerie, experimental, extreme, flat UI, gritty, mixing, simple, synths, tempo-synced, vocals, wide.

What it does

BLEASS Phase Mutant takes the idea of FM synthesis and applies it to audio instead of oscillators. The developer says it "harnesses the principles of frequency modulation" on any input signal, which gives distortions and tones that ordinary saturation or modulation effects do not.

Three FM routings: the input modulates itself, a built-in oscillator modulates the input, or the input modulates the oscillator.
Pitch-tracking oscillator: it follows the pitch of the input (left, right or both channels), with a lag control for legato-style smoothing and a tracking response setting.
Waveform and ratio: the oscillator morphs from sine through triangle and sawtooth to square, and a ratio multiplier changes the harmonic character. A pitch offset adds up to ±50 cents of detune.
Intensity: light, medium and extreme intensity settings with an Amount dial set how hard the FM bites.
Stereo and tone: a left/right phase offset widens the image, and a simple low-pass filter and wet/dry mix shape the output.
Modulation: two LFOs with six waveforms (free or synced to the host), an attack-release envelope triggered by transients with a gain sensitivity control, and a step sequencer with curved steps.

Source: BLEASS product page

When to use it

BLEASS Phase Mutant does one thing: it frequency-modulates the incoming audio, so the results range from subtle movement and harmonic richness to metallic, bell-like and openly dissonant tones. That is narrower than Infiltrator 2 and Multipass, broad creative racks with many effect types, or Effectrix2, which is built around sequenced glitch effects. Because the oscillator tracks the input's pitch, it tends to stay musical on bass lines, leads and other pitched parts, which a plain distortion or ring modulator often does not. Its LFOs, envelope and step sequencer make the FM amount move over time, so it also works as a rhythmic effect. It is a cheap way to get a sound that most multi-effects lack.

Best for: adding FM grit, punch and movement to bass, synth leads, vocals and drums.
Genres: electronic, hip-hop and experimental sound design.
Look elsewhere if: you want a general creative rack with many effects; Infiltrator 2 or Multipass cover more ground.
Tip: try it on bass first; Computer Music found it can add depth, character and punch to bass parts.

What producers say

Reviewers liked the unusual sound and the price; their complaints were small.

MusicTech (Adam Crute, 2022) gave it 9/10, calling it "exceptional value for money" and praising the expressive movement and distortions unlike other plugins.
Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2022) said it creates a "fascinating range of different distortions", from musical to very dissonant, and liked the clean interface.
Criticisms: both reviews wanted a wider oscillator pitch offset than ±50 cents and a free-running mode for the step sequencer.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

Similar plugins

Reformer Pro by Krotos · Performable audio-replacement tool · $399
Looperator by Sugar Bytes · Loop mangling effect · $129
Time by Lunacy Audio · Time warp and buffer shuffler · $29
Textra by The Producer School · Texture and noise processor · $24.99
R.A.M.S.E.S. by XILS-lab · Rhythmic filter and effects processor · $29
Effectrix2 by Sugar Bytes · Multi-effect sequencer · $129
Parrot by Klevgrand · Live-sampling step repeater · $29.99
MRhythmizerMB by MeldaProduction · Multiband sequenced time effect · $56
Red Bass by UnplugRed · Audio-triggered sub oscillator · Free
Cataract 2 by Glitchmachines · Segment multiplexer glitch · $39

All multi-FX & creative