apShaper

harmonic distortion plugin
analog modelled waveshaping
deep modulation options
Overview
apulSoft apShaper is an audio effect plugin to add harmonic distortion to audio signals. It combines a waveshaper with three filter bands and various modulation options - two LFOs, two dynamics detectors (with sidechain option), and user-configurable knobs.

apShaper can simulate multiple types of distortion, including tape and tube saturation, wave folding, and analog bit crushing.

The three filter bands offer high-quality filtering without high-frequency squeezing. The variable-slope low-pass filter type provides smooth slopes not possible with traditional filtering - ideal for gently shaping signals with large amounts of distortion applied. Multiple tone control filter types modelled after classic circuits allow classic bass/mid/treble tone shaping.

Distortion without digital artifacts
apShaper uses sophisticated algorithms to reduce the main problem of digital distortion - unwanted inharmonic noise. It performs analog waveshaping using integration, applying the distortion to a continuous model of the audio signal. This reduces digital artifacts more effectively than traditional oversampling, especially when the transfer curve is not smooth (hard clipping/wavefolding/bitcrushing).

Main Features

  • Demo version! Download and try in demo mode.
  • Five high-quality waveshaping engines: harmonic, tube, saturation, steps, wavefold.
  • Extremely low aliasing.
  • Three multi-type filters can be applied before and/or after waveshaping.
  • Four types of guitar amp tone stack simulations included.
  • Multiple types of saturation soft-knee: tape, classic, distortion, hyper and clip.
  • The steps engine allows continuous adjustments of the number of bits.
  • The wavefold engine provides symmetrical and asymmetrical user-editable breakpoints.
  • The variable-slope low-pass filter type is ideal for use with harmonic distortion.
  • The direct channel can be independently filtered and dry/wet mixed with the shaped sound.
  • Graphical editing of filter parameters on the spectrum display.
  • Factory presets + a collection of 72 presets by Yendo Starritz.
  • Zoomable frequency spectrum and f0-synced waveform displays.
  • Built-in input/output meters.
  • DC offset removal filter.
  • Modulation system with up to 16 modulation rules with independent gains.
  • Internal modulation sources: two LFOs, two dynamics detectors, and three user-definable knobs.
  • Side-chain input for the dynamics detector.
  • MIDI input using the modulation system.
  • A low processing latency of 6 samples (minimal phase mode) allows real-time performance.
  • Unlimited undo/redo for all actions.
  • Plugin formats: AudioUnits/AAX/VST/VST3 on macOS/Windows/Linux 64-bit.
  • Built-in system-wide preset management with import and export of preset files, compatible across platforms and hosts using an XML file format.
  • Bright & dark color schemes and support for user-defined color schemes.
Yendo Starritz
“apShaper does not emulate hardware, it outdates hardware. Engineers back then would have gone crazy by the pristine quality and precise applications.”
Yendo Starritz
Ghost Producer, Remixer, Mixing and Mastering Engineer - Switzerland
Max Sokoleski
“I live and swear by apShaper, it has replaced a whole bunch of other plug-ins and is used on pretty much every channel.
Extremely good sounding and versatile....AND kind to the CPU!”
Max Sokoleski
Producer/Sound Designer/DJ - Stockholm
System Requirements
  • macOS 10.13 or newer on a 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon CPU.
  • Windows 10 or newer running a 64-bit host on an x64 CPU.
  • Linux 64-bit VST3 host on an x64 CPU.
  • AAX, AU or VST3 host application.
  • AAX: Pro Tools 11 or newer.
Demo Limitations
  • After 4 minutes, faded bursts of random noise are added to the plugin output.
  • Presets cannot be exported/saved to the preset menu.
  • When the plugin interface is opened, a demo welcome dialog is shown for 5 seconds.