Eventide has released Crystals, a powerful new effect plugin that brings the legendary H3000 Harmonizer® technology to modern producers and sound designers.
The Magic of Reverse Granular Processing
Crystals combines twin reverse pitch shifters with reverse delays and reverb to create truly unique sonic textures. This iconic H3000 Harmonizer effect excels at producing:
- Climbing and cascading pitched delays that seem to defy gravity
- Otherworldly reverbs with impossible characteristics
- Granular textures that transform ordinary sounds into cinematic experiences
The plugin features two reverse granular delays with independent length and pitch manipulation. Whether you're working with synths, guitars, or vocals, Crystals adds dimension and majesty that makes sounds appear larger than life.
From intricate sound design to otherworldly solo performances, Crystals serves as both an effect and an instrument of inspiration.
Creative Applications Beyond Traditional Effects
Crystals transcends typical plugin categories, functioning as both an effect and a creative instrument. Beyond its signature granular processing, it excels at creating massive, enveloping reverbs. Here are some inspiring applications:
Vocal Transformation
- "Drunk" vocal character – Pitch down a full octave for instant attitude and grit
- Ethereal harmonies – Create floating, angelic vocal textures
Rhythmic Enhancement
- Snare integration – Pitch-shift snares down an octave to help them sit perfectly in dense mixes
- Drum ambience – Add space and dimension to percussion elements
Ambient Soundscapes
- Extended ambient loops – Utilize delay times up to 4 seconds per voice with high feedback for evolving textures
- Cinematic swells – Perfect for film scoring and atmospheric production
Musical Harmonization
- Perfect 4th intervals – Micro-pitch around 500 cents for rich harmonic content
- Perfect 5th intervals – Set voices to 700 cents for power chord-like thickness
- Octave doubling – Use 1200 cents for massive, unified sounds
Dynamic Ribbon Control – Play Crystals Like an Instrument
Eventide's signature dynamic Ribbon control transforms Crystals from a static effect into an expressive performance tool. This fluid interface allows real-time morphing between two completely different parameter configurations.
Performance Possibilities
- Instrument-style pitch manipulation – Play Crystals like a melodic instrument during recording
- Dynamic feedback sweeps – Gradually increase feedback to create signals that "explode into infinity"
- Expressive automation – Record ribbon movements for evolving, organic effects
- Live performance control – Perfect for real-time manipulation during performances
Smart Preset Management
The comprehensive preset library offers instant access to professional configurations, while the Mix Lock function maintains consistent wet-dry balance when auditioning different presets – allowing you to focus on the creative aspects without losing your mix balance.
Technical Specifications
Core Processing
- Dual pitch-shifters with four-octave range (two octaves down to two octaves up)
- Two independent delays with up to four seconds of delay time each
- Advanced smoothing control for seamless delay grain manipulation
- Independent feedback control for each delay voice
Built-in Reverb Engine
- Extended decay times up to 100 seconds
- Integrated reverb processing that works in harmony with the delay and pitch effects
- Seamless blending between delay and reverb characteristics