Shade

by UVI · Filter · Creative filter and EQ

Not rated yet

A combined EQ and creative filter with 35 filter shapes, from standard peak, shelf and pass filters to comb, phaser, flanger-style and analog-modelled non-linear shapes, several of which can run at once.

Nine modulator types (LFO, envelope, envelope follower, MSEG, Figure, XY, random, macro and stereo spread) are assigned by drag and drop. It works both as a static EQ and for animated filter effects on synths, drums and vocals.

Best for: Sound Design, Keys & Synths, Drums, Vocals, Mix Bus. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic, Pop.

Keywords: creative, drums, vocals, synths, analog-sounding, flanger, macro controls, phaser, sidechain input, static, wide, sound design, built-in analyzer, beginner-friendly, bus processing, cinematic, creamy, full mix, mid/side, mix bus, mixing, modulation matrix, modular, musical, preset-driven, smooth, pads, surgical, tempo-synced.

What it does

Shade is UVI's creative filter and EQ: a semi-modular plugin where you stack filter shapes and animate them with drag-and-drop modulators.

35 filter shapes: low-pass, high-pass, shelf, notch, band-pass, peak, phaser, flanger and comb filters, plus analog-modelled non-linear and multi-resonant shapes. Several can run at once, colour-coded on the display.
Nine modulators: LFO, envelope, envelope follower (with sidechain), MSEG, Figure (animates points across an X-Y field), XY, random, macro and stereo spread.
Triggering: envelopes can be synced to the host or triggered by audio or MIDI.
Processing: stereo, mono, left/right and mid/side modes, a spectrum analyser, an output limiter and multichannel support.

It comes with 150+ presets.

Source: UVI product page

When to use it

Shade sits between an EQ and a creative filter. Unlike Volcano 3 and Filterverse, which are filter effects first, Shade can also do precise, static EQ work, then add movement to any band. Its Figure modulator is unusual among the rated filters.

Best for: animated EQ and filter effects on synths, pads, drums and vocals; sidechain-driven filtering; one plugin for both tonal shaping and movement.
Genres: electronic, ambient and cinematic sound design, and pop production.
Look elsewhere if: you want warm, driven analog resonance (FilterFreak, The Drop) or a quick one-knob sweep.

What producers say

Reviews at launch were positive with few complaints.

MusicTech found the filters smooth and musical ('indulgently creamy') and the drag-and-drop modulation easy to learn, singling out the Figure modulator.
MusicRadar called it a powerful next-generation EQ that is also an excellent static EQ, with 'not much' to criticise.
Produce Like A Pro included it in its best filter plugins list.

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $29 (regular $99)
Sweetwater: $99
AudioDeluxe: $99
UVI: see store (Price not shown in the fetched page; $129 after the 2020 launch offer)

Tutorials and reviews

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