Reason 13.1 Operation Manual
DAW | Rack Plugin
Audiomatic Retro Transformer
The Audiomatic Retro Transformer Rack Extension effect device was designed mainly with focus on spicing up dull mixes. The Audiomatic Retro Transformer is inspired by the Hipstamatic picture editing app - but designed for audio.
By selecting one of the 16 presets you can instantly change the character of your sound - almost like applying a “magic skin”.
At moderate levels the Audiomatic Retro Transformer can breathe life into your individual tracks, as well as into your final mixes, by adding a subtle “shimmer” to your sound. Used to its extremes, it can provide hard-edge and aggressive sounds as well. You can easily control the mix between dry and processed signal with the Dry/Wet knob on the front panel.
In Reason the Audiomatic Retro Transformer Rack Extension device can be found on the Effects palette.
The Audiomatic Retro Transformer is designed to be used mainly as an insert effect, on individual tracks as well as in the Master Inserts section. Another very nice application is to use the Audiomatic Retro Transformer as an insert effect in Parallel Channels in the Reason Mixer. Then, you can sculpt the effect sound even further using the channel EQ and Compressor, for example. Refer to “Parallel Channels” for information about working with Parallel Channels.
The front panel layout is very simple and straight-forward: the device features 16 Preset buttons, a Transform knob, an input Gain knob and a Dry/Wet knob.
#Gain
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Set the input level Gain.
Range: - INF to + 12 dB.
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Use the Gain control cautiously when using Audiomatic Retro Transformer on the whole mix. It is easy to get unwanted distortion in some of the Presets, e.g. Tape, when the input signal is loud.
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Don’t be afraid to push the gain up - especially in presets that feature built-in compression! High input Gain settings can also render very interesting distorted sonic results. You can always compensate the level by lowering the Volume, see “Volume”.
#The Presets
The 16 Preset buttons are arranged in a four by four matrix. The upper row of presets contains subtle effects, the second row a little less subtle and so on all the way down to the fourth row, which contains the most far out effects.
The display shows a picture which reflects the selected effect Preset.
The following Presets are available:
#Tape
This simulates the character of an analog tape recorder.
#Hi-Fi
This simulates the classic Loudness compensation function, which was very popular in numerous consumer class hi-fi systems in the 70s and 80s.
#Bright
This preset adds brightness to the sound, and removes bass.
#Bottom
This preset tightens up and enhances the low frequencies in the sound.
#Spread
This preset is a spatial effect, which spreads the stereo width of the sound and also changes the frequency characteristics.
#Radio
This simulates a small transistor radio.
#VHS
This simulates sound recorded with a VHS camera.
#Vinyl
This simulates the background sound and noise from a somewhat scratchy vinyl record.
#MP3
This simulates the sound of a poorly encoded/decoded MP3 file.
#Psyche
A psychedelic sound experience. “Turn on, tune in, drop out”, sort of.
#Cracked
The effect of a broken speaker with lots of distortion.
#Gadget
A hollow “robotic” type of effect.
#Circuit
A “circuit-bending” type of effect with bit-crushing on top.
#Wash
A washing machine on sound check at an open air venue?
#PVC
A pretty far out sci-fi preset.
#Eerie
A very nice and scary waterphone effect.
#Transform
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Transform the effect with the Transform knob.
The knob usually controls a combination of different (hidden) parameters in each of the Presets. This makes it behave more like a “morph” control rather than an “amount” control.
#Dry/Wet
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Set the balance between the dry input signal and the transformed (effect) signal with the Dry/Wet knob.
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If you want only subtle effects, turn the Dry/Wet knob more towards the Dry position. For more prominent effects, turn the Dry/Wet knob towards the Wet position.
#Volume
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Set the output volume with the Volume knob.
Range: - INF to + 12 dB.
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Use the Volume knob in combination with the “Gain” knob, to compensate for high input Gain settings.