Air-G

Air-G MODS

User Manual

Version 1.0

Four classic modulators in a single plugin, based on Airwindows algorithms:
StereoChorus, AutoPan, Tremolo and GalacticVibe.
Original source code released under an open license (MIT) by Chris Johnson.

Table of contents

What is Air-G MODS?3
Common controls4
Chorus5
AutoPan6
Tremolo7
Vibrato8
Typical uses9
Credits10

What is Air-G MODS?

Air-G MODS brings together four modulators in one plugin: Chorus, AutoPan, Tremolo and Vibrato. A selector chooses which one is active, and only that effect processes the audio; the others stay on standby.

When you switch effects the background colour changes and that effect's own controls appear. Better still, each effect remembers its own settings: move from one to another and back, and everything is just as you left it. That lets you set up all four and compare them instantly.

Every effect has two parts: its own controls (the large knobs in the centre) and a set of common controls shared by all (TEMPO, SYNC, MIX, OUT and WIDTH), explained in the next section.

In a nutshell

Pick an effect with the MODE selector, set its centre knobs, and shape it with the common controls. The blue dot in the centre (the LED) pulses at the effect's rate, so you can read its movement at a glance.

Common controls

These controls work the same way across all four effects (with one exception in Vibrato, noted below).

MODE — Effect selector

The left-hand knob chooses the effect: Chorus, AutoPan, Tremolo or Vibrato. It has four detented positions. Only the chosen effect is heard; its name shows below the knob.

TEMPO — Synced rate

Sets the effect's rate in note values locked to the host tempo (1/4, 1/8, dotted 1/8, triplets, and so on). It takes over when SYNC is on.

SYNC — Free or tempo-locked

Switches between free and synced rate. Off: the centre speed knob (SPEED or RATE) drives it, by hand. On: TEMPO drives it, in note values. With SYNC on, the centre speed knob and TEMPO are linked: move either one and the other follows.

MIX — Dry / effect blend

Blends the unprocessed (dry) signal with the processed one. At centre, half and half.

OUT — Output level

Effect output level, from -12 to +12 dB. At centre, 0 dB (no change).

WIDTH — Stereo width

Adjusts the stereo width at the output. At centre nothing changes; toward one side it collapses to mono; toward the other it opens up the stereo image.

The blue LED

The blue dot in the centre pulses at the active effect's rate. In Vibrato, which has no adjustable rate, it stays lit steadily.

The plugin is resizable while keeping its aspect ratio.

Chorus

Air-G MODS — Chorus

The Chorus thickens and widens the sound with a gentle modulation that simulates several slightly detuned, time-shifted copies. Great for adding body and stereo movement to synths, guitars, keys or vocals.

SPEED

Rate of the chorus movement. Higher means a faster sweep. With SYNC on, TEMPO sets it.

DEPTH

How far it departs from the original pitch. Higher means a wider, more pronounced effect. At slower speeds the depth feels broader.

AutoPan

Air-G MODS — AutoPan

The AutoPan moves the sound from side to side across the stereo field automatically, with a slightly organic motion (not perfectly regular, on purpose). Perfect for bringing movement and life to pads, arpeggios and textures.

RATE

Speed of the left-to-right sweep. With SYNC on, TEMPO sets it.

PHASE

The relationship of the movement between the two channels. At centre it acts like a tremolo (level rises and falls together); toward the sides, a full side-to-side pan; in between, a circular motion that comes and goes.

WIDE

Cuts the centre of the image to emphasise the sides, opening the effect up further.

Note

In AutoPan, the common MIX control acts as its dry/effect blend.

Tremolo

Air-G MODS — Tremolo

The Tremolo raises and lowers the level rhythmically. It is not your average tremolo: it alternates between saturated and more "hollow" zones to give it a vintage, slightly strange character — very Airwindows.

SPEED

Rate of the tremolo. With SYNC on, TEMPO sets it.

DEPTH

Intensity of the effect. Near the middle the level dip is most pronounced; toward the maximum a characteristic double pulse appears.

Vibrato

Air-G MODS — Vibrato

The Vibrato (taken from Airwindows' Galactic reverb) applies a gentle pitch variation with a Leslie-like character. The left and right channels move in quadrature, producing a widening with movement. Unlike the others, it has no adjustable rate: the character comes from the "drift".

DRIFT

Amount of pitch variation. Higher means a more exaggerated, "swirling" effect, from a subtle widening to a pronounced vibrato.

Note

In Vibrato, TEMPO and SYNC are inactive (there is no rate to sync) and the LED stays lit steadily. The common MIX control acts as its dry/effect blend.

Typical uses

Widen a mono synth

Chorus with medium DEPTH and WIDTH toward the open side. Adds body and stereo without losing the centre.

Movement in a pad

Slow AutoPan (or SYNC at 1/2) with PHASE in between, for a circular sway that breathes.

Rhythmic pulse

Tremolo with SYNC on at 1/8 or 1/16, for a beat locked to the track's tempo.

Leslie-style air

Vibrato with medium DRIFT and MIX to taste, for a gentle swirl over keys or organs.

Tip

Since each effect keeps its own state, you can set up all four and compare them instantly with the MODE selector.

Credits

Acknowledgements

Air-G MODS uses four Airwindows algorithms by Chris Johnson: StereoChorus (Chorus), AutoPan, Tremolo and GalacticVibe (Vibrato). Thanks to Chris for sharing his work under an open license, which makes plugins like this one possible.

Air-G MODS v1.0 — Air-G Audio. The modulation algorithms are the work of Chris Johnson / Airwindows and are used under the terms of his open license (MIT).