Bitwig Studio 4.3

plugin. With synced or free time operation,
lexible control for triplets, dotted notes and so
on, plus onboard ilters, this has the basics well
covered. But the addition of mono, stereo and
ping pong modes and the left/right micro delay
ofset help in creating a whole host of complex
efects. Add in some nested devices in the
feedback signal path and you can get really
creative, and if you want to capture a speciic
moment in the delay, you can simply hit the
freeze button.
For us, Delay+ has a couple of further
standout aspects. Ducking is an adjustable
ducker that helps keep the delay signal
suppressed when the source is still present, and
this is particularly useful when you want to
maintain clarity with lead instruments or vocals.
Meanwhile, Blur is a difusion control. Choose
from ive types and use the knob to adjust
depth. This is great for smearing the delays or
adding some richness, and helps move things
away from the core vanilla delay efect.
Bitwig’s excellent synth, Polymer, now has
two new analogue-inspired modules. First up is
a new oscillator, Union. This comprises a blend
of up to three wave shapes (square, saw and
triangle) and features a small combined
waveform display which you can also use to
adjust the pulse width. The second addition is a
Moog emulating low pass ilter, Low-pass MG,
which includes cutof, resonance and drive. Both
sound great and you’ll ind the excellent new
ilter is now the default selection in Polymer.
Being Bitwig, both modules are also available as
Grid modules. Finally, it’s worth mentioning
CLAP, which is a new MIDI 2.0 ready plugin
standard developed by u-he and Bitwig, and is
now supported by Bitwig.
B i t w i g
Studio 4.3
€399
Verdict
For Highly lexible new delay plugin
Excellent new convolution reverb
Great analogue-inspired oscillator and
ilter additions (Polymer/Grid)
New Note Grid feature
Against Subs model won’t appeal to all
This latest update adds some great new
processing options and continues to
expand the musical and creative aspects of
Bitwig’s feature set.
9/10
Alternatively
Ableton Live 11
294 » 9/10 » From £69
For the creative producer and
performer producer, Ableton Live 11
remains a formidable package
Steinberg Cubase 12
308 » 10/10 » From £85
Excellent MIDI remote integration
and improved programming
features make this a creative DAW
For Bitwig’s 4.2 update the attention
turned primarily to more traditional
efects with three excellent new
modulations (Chorus+, Flanger+,
Phaser+). Each efect ofers four
lavours inspired by diferent hardware
processors, and as an example,
Chorus+ includes a synth inspired
mode, CE. You’ll ind the three new
modulations are also available as
modules inside Bitwig’s Grid. Talking of
Bitwig’s Grid, v4.2 also added a new
Note Grid device. Much like FX Grid and
Poly Grid, this provides a modular
environment where you can get
creative. However, rather than sound
generation or efects creation, Note
Grid is all about generating notes, and
this works either from an initial MIDI
note input, like an arpeggiator, or even
on its own using the various Data
generating modules. Finally, to help
showcase the Note Grid and the
recently expanded Note FX, version 4.2
also added the Notes In Motion sound
pack, with over 30 presets.
Version 4.2
Convolution is a new convolution reverb that ofers up to 270 ready made impulses
“Add in some nested
devices in the
feedback signal path
and you can get
really creative”
Bitwig’s organic development may not suit
everyone, but this highly usable DAW continues
to add impressive new features ideally suited to
music and sound creators.
Web bitwig.com
Info Full version €399; Upgrade plan €169
The new Note Grid provides a great way to generate notes
October 2022 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 67
bitwig studio 4.3 / reviews <
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