ADSR

Name: ADSR
Author: Florian Mrugalla

by Florian Mrugalla · Utility · MIDI-to-envelope modulator

Not rated yet

ADSR is a free utility from Florian Mrugalla that turns incoming MIDI notes into an ADSR envelope as audio output, for use as a modulation source.

It is free and open source (GPL 3), as VST3 for macOS and Windows.

Best for: Sound Design, Keys & Synths. Genres: Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: MIDI-controllable, free, open source, sidechain input, utility, creative, sound design.

What it does

ADSR is a free modulation tool that turns MIDI notes into an envelope. KVR describes it as a plugin that "transforms MIDI input into an ADSR modulator audio output," so a DAW or plugin that accepts audio or MIDI CC as a control source can be driven by played notes.

MIDI trigger: incoming notes start the attack, decay and sustain stages, and note-off starts the release.
Direct Out mode: outputs the envelope itself as an audio signal, for sidechain inputs or audio-rate modulation.
Gain mode: multiplies the incoming audio by the envelope, so it works as a MIDI-controlled gate.
MIDI CC mode: sends the envelope as MIDI CC data to control parameters of other plugins.

Version 1.0 is free and open source under the GPL 3 license, with the source and a tutorial video linked from GitHub.

Source: Florian Mrugalla product page

When to use it

ADSR is useful when you want played MIDI notes to shape something that has no envelope of its own, such as an effect parameter, a sidechain input or a plain audio track. Compared with ShaperBox 3, it is free and only offers a standard four-stage envelope rather than drawn shapes and built-in effects, but it can output that envelope as audio or MIDI CC for any other plugin to use. Its Gain mode gives a simple MIDI-triggered gate, a narrower job than a full trance-gate tool. It fits modular-style setups where you route control signals between tracks.

Best for: triggering envelope-shaped modulation, gating or sidechain signals from MIDI notes.
Genres: electronic and experimental music.
Look elsewhere if: your DAW or synth already has MIDI-triggered envelopes you can route, or you want drawn shapes and effects in one plugin (ShaperBox 3).

What producers say

There are no user reviews yet; coverage is limited to release news.

Bedroom Producers Blog (James Nugent, December 2022) covered its three modes and liked the developer's approach, saying "outside-the-box" designs tend to encourage creative use.
KVR users have not rated it yet.

Bedroom Producers Blog news

Where to buy

Florian Mrugalla: Free

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