Superbooth 22: Bitwig 4.3 Adds Convolution, Delay Freeze

US And more - 15/05/22

Dave Linnenbank takes Nick through some of the exciting new updates for Bitwig 4.3.

Convolution, can take any sound anywhere -- even places that don't exist. All convolutions imprint your sound with an "impulse," and ours comes ready-made with 270 of them, ranging from 12th-century cathedrals and legendary studio effects to more abstract "environments." Using the impulse of a room or hall creates a realistic reverb, but Bitwig's Convolution and content offers so much more.

You can easily adjust color and tone, or draw your own envelope to reshape the impulse itself. Plus, since we support "true stereo" (four-channel) files as well as loading any audio as an impulse, you can drag and drop anything onto Convolution and see what impossible space you land in.

With the help of Bitwig Impulse Responses, the companion package for our Convolution device, your sounds are going places. There are 270 options, so you can take your sounds to locations around the world with reverbs professionally recorded in ancient train stations, French cathedrals, monk meditation halls and private attics. You could also use Convolution and these Impulse Responses to imbue your tracks with the tones of iconic hardware studio gear like vintage spring reverbs, pedals and digital FX units, or for more experimental purposes.

Delay+ is Bitwig's latest boutique audio effect. By balancing familiar controls along with a few thoughtful new ones, Delay+ can either add a little character or fully transform your sound as it ping-pongs along.

Set the delay in seconds or beats, then nudge each channel a few milliseconds for instant stereo. Pick from five Blur options to go from a lightly animated feedback to a full, blown-out reverb. A Ducking control keeps things under control by quieting your delay cloud when strong signals arrive.

Bitwig's nested structure allows you to drop our Pitch Shifter, or Flanger+, or any VST plug-in into the feedback loop. So whether you just need a little slapback or a colorful wash of sound, Delay+ has you covered.

Polymer and The Grid use the same modules, so when something new comes along, everybody wins. For Bitwig 4.3, some analog-inspired goodies have arrived.

Two modules are new. Union is an oscillator that plays it straight, blending three waveshapes into one pleasant, drifting output. And for filtering, Low-pass MG honors Mister Moog by imitating both his classic filter and mix buss.

But plenty of other features have also arrived. Low-pass SK filter is now Sallen-Key, with 16 modes on tap. Our Comb filter gained a Damping control for a touch of finesse. ADSR and two other envelopes now have added modes for Digital precision, or Analog simplicity and feel. Plus all filters get a Q Limit to rein in their resonance, and all oscillators have more phase mod range for more brittle, digital sounds. So whether starting a sound in Polymer or growing a world in The Grid, new sounds are at hand.

As always, a few more new features came along for the ride. For example, FX tracks now have sends of their own. And yes, direct feedback routings are available -- and clearly labeled (Achtung!). And the ADSR module gets a lot of use, so why not add a "bias" out port for a bipolar signal that centers around sustain? Good for pitch or anything that might want a little drift.

Whether it is recording settings, lyrics, or performance notes, comments can be freely added to tracks, layers, Arranger cue markers, and Launcher scenes -- just start writing in your language. And by switching our Linux build over to Flatpak and supporting PipeWire, many distros will have a smoother experience with Bitwig, including Ubuntu users. And maybe even Steam Decks?

Bitwig Studio 4.3 is now in beta and can be tested by anyone with a Bitwig Studio license and an active Upgrade Plan. You'll find the installers in your user profile here. We expect to release 4.3 in Q2 this year. As always, this is a free update for all license holders with an active Upgrade Plan.

https://www.bitwig.com/whats-new/

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