iZotope

R
eleased back in
2011, the original
Stutter Edit saw
iZotope team with
US electronic music
heavyweight BT to
create a plugin that
offered an easy route to capturing the
producer’s distinctive, detailed,
glitchy effects. It wasn’t the first
‘glitch’ multi-effect out there, and in
the near decade since its launch
many similar tools have appeared, but
its popularity has endured thanks to
an impressive balance between power
and ease-of-use.
This long-awaited second version
expands upon, rather than drastically
changing the design of the original.
As before, the core of Stutter Edit 2
lies in the Stutter and Buffer
modules. Between them, these
control the parameters dictating how
the effect captures and triggers
incoming audio, with an assortment
of tools for shaping the rhythm and
timing of the effect. Results range
from rigid, trap-like repeats to chaotic
IDM glitches, and even audio-rate
effects when cranked to max speed.
Beyond these core stutter tools,
the plugin offers a selection of effect
modules to further mangle and
modulate sounds. It’s here that
Stutter Edit 2 gets its biggest
overhaul – the original’s effect types
have each been overhauled and a
further four have been added,
bringing reverb, chorus, comb filtering
and a limiter into the mix. These
modules are powerful throughout, but
the comb filter and reverb are
highlights, allowing for wonderfully
weird pitched effects and spacial
movement that pops in and out. Great
for weird percussive lines and turning
samples into warped textures.
Throughout this effect section,
iZotope have introduced a system of
new ‘Time Variant Modifiers’. These
are essentially customisable LFOs
that can be applied to any effect
parameter. Modulation is shaped
using an expandable curve editor
window, which lets users have full
custom control of how effects
progress over the course of an edit.
It’s an excellent addition, which adds
a considerable amount of extra depth
to its sound design potential. My only
slight complaint is the lack of preset
curve shapes, as found in similar
tools like Cableguys ShaperBox.
As before, overall processes within
Stutter Edit are referred to as
make this a wonderfully creative if, at
times, time-consuming, mangling
tool. Other multi-effects can compete
with or even outflank Stutter Edit –
but it remains a deep, powerful well
of sound design potential.
Gestures – each effectively a one-shot
rhythmic effect preset. These are
stored in the library in banks, each
laid out across an individual MIDI
notes, the idea being that these can
be live triggered using a controller or
automated from a MIDI track. A
smart addition for v2 is a new Auto
mode, where gestures automatically
loop without the need to be triggered.
This really speeds up the process of
auditioning and editing sounds.
At its most basic, Stutter Edit 2
can feel like something of a cheat
button – load a Gesture and you
instantly add complex, BT-style sound
design, with none of the work. That’s
not necessarily a bad thing: cinematic
designers in particular will like the
expanded crop of effects on offer.
For those who want to dig deeper,
the additional effects and modulators
THE PROS & CONS
+
Comb filter and
reverb are both
great additions
Auto mode makes
auditioning/editing
considerably easier
Tons of great presets
-
Creating your own
Gestures can be
time-consuming
FM VERDICT
8.2
Stutter Edit faces more
competition than it once
did, but it remains a winning
source of complex, glitchy
multi-effects
Its popularity has endured
thanks to its balance
between power and ease
iZotope Stutter Edit 2 | Reviews
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FMU362.rev_izotope.indd 79 07/09/2020 10:17