ShaperBox 2 by Cableguys
ShaperBox 2 by Cableguys gets more use in my studio than any other plugin I own. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this to producers of any skill. This bundle is fantastic value for money and has a wealth of features and functionality beyond what you might expect. Everything from insane time-stretching and warping, bit-crushing, sidechaining, and even compression, this bundle is quite the swiss army knife.
Currently, the bundle contains 7 different plugins that are seamlessly integrated into ShaperBox 2. There used to be less but more have been added over time. Existing owners of the ShaperBox 2 bundle would get these extra shapers for free. Thanks Cableguys!
The shapers have a very intuitive user interface and share many of the same controls and features. This makes the overall plugin bundle very easy to use and has great visual feedback. Most importantly, they sound absolutely beautiful and don’t put much strain on your workstation.
They all have powerful multi-band control and incredibly intuitive, drawable LFOs. There’s a huge library of presets, with some handy gotos for sidechaining and other tasks. The interface is clean, crisp, easy to read, and resizable. The shapers can be MIDI triggered (check our vid on how to set it up) and have many of the controls you would expect from a plugin of this calibre.
For all ShaperBox 2 plugins:
http://bit.ly/Cg_SB2 (Plugin Boutique)
Watch Video:
ShaperBox 2 Breakdown:
- Interface resizable from 75% to 200%
- Redesigned interface with larger editing areas
- Retina/HiDPI support for crisper, clearer graphics
- Built-in help – hover over any control for description
- Set your own startup preset
- Expandable LFO for detailed editing
- Set LFO length in beats and bars, Hertz, or by MIDI note
- LFO loop length from 1/128 to 32 bars, with sample-accurate sync
- Audio-rate modulation up to 5.24kHz for extreme sound design
- Trigger LFO in any rhythm using MIDI notes
- Trigger Smoothing to reduce clicks when switching/triggering Waves
- MIDI Trigger activity LED to aid setup
- Large, precise oscilloscope view with Freeze option
- Oscilloscope Magnitude mode for easy Envelope Follower setup
- Smoother, more accurate spectrum view
- Dedicated selection tool for multinode editing
- 2x/3x button – double/triple patterns in a click
- Selection skewing, for easily increasing intensity over time
- Snap a single point, a selection, or each point within a selection
- Drag a Shaper’s parameter in the top bar to shift the whole LFO
- Flip/resize/move/randomize wave or selection
- Copy/paste waves between any Shapers
- Unlimited undo/redo for LFO wave edits
- 9 slots to store User Waves, saved with the patch
- Switch User Waves via MIDI
- Dry/wet mix in every Shaper, to balance the effect
- Band solo and sidechain solo, for easy setup
- Increased multiband split range, now from 20Hz-20kHz
- Easy 1-slider editing of Envelope Follower and Compressor
- External sidechain input for Envelope/Compressor
- Envelope/Compressor input filters, for frequency-conscious response
- Envelope Follower Threshold, so only loud signals trigger envelope
- Depth x2/x4/x8 for Envelope, to amplify modulation strength
- Adaptive Release mode for Envelope/Compressor
ShaperBox 2 plugins: TimeShaper 2
TimeShaper is a nifty tool that helps create a variety of time-stretching fx. I really like using it on drum loops, especially the percussive parts. You can rearrange the sound, half-time it, reverse it in parts or make tape stop fx. Use it on your whole track to create DJ-style scratch fx or just get experimental. Use this plugin in a more subtle way to create chorus/flanges or add some subtle, retro vinyl vibes to your sounds.
- Stutter, scratch, half-time, tape-stop, glitch, reverse, and more
- 72 Wave Presets covering all common uses
- Improved algorithm with 2x faster CPU performance
- Even better Smooth Step Mode, to avoid clicks in stepped patterns
- Fine Mode with 2.5, 10 and 20ms options
- Blend dry and Fine Mode for freeform chorus and flanger FX
- Quick Presets for Stutter, Scratch and Half-Time
DriveShaper
DriveShaper has to be one of the best sounding and controllable distortions I’ve ever used. It’s great for adding subtle character or saturation to your sounds, especially drums and bass. Use it to add some brightness and energy to your high end. Or just go crazy and create some awesome-sounding, overdriven basslines.
- For hard distortion patterns, extreme wavefolding and subtle reactive heat
- Wave Presets for patterns, sweeps, accents and more
- 10 Styles of distortion: Soft/Hard Clip, Soft/Hard Square, Soft/Hard Rectify, Skew/Sine/Triangle/Extreme Fold
- Visualisation of distortion with the Transfer Function Curve Display
- Grip and Push parameters for dynamic control and asymmetric FX
- Accent and Tone parameters to level and EQ the distortion
ShaperBox 2 Plugins: FilterShaper Core 2
FilterShaper helps you create all sorts of sweeps, textures, and even great sounding wobbles with ease. Experiment with the drawable LFOs or jump into the presets. This plugin can help you isolate drum hits, energise pads, and much more. This is a goto for me when trying to make my loops sound more evolving.
- Creative filter with 21 diverse filter types
- Independent LFOs and Envelopes for Cutoff and Resonance
- 43 Wave Presets, from classic analogue LFOs to complex rhythms
- Stereo Offset control, for incredible spatial FX
- 8 Phaser modes, with up to 8 peaks/notches, for juicy swooshes
- Zero-delay feedback (ZDF) DSP throughout, for analogue-like response
- Increased filter range, now from 20Hz-21kHz
- Multiband-enabled! Use three filters at once
- Quick Presets for Rhythm, Envelope Follower and Build-up
CrushShaper
CrushShaper is more than just a bit-crushing plugin. It can really add warmth and vintage character to your sounds. I love using it on vocals to make them pop out of the mix. This bit-crusher is one of the best you’ll hear. Use it to create some nasty basses and crunchy drums. Or use this plugin to add some lo-fi vibes to your productions.
- For rhythmic distortion patterns, lo-fi melodies and drums with attitude
- 3 bitcrushing modes: Crunch, Bits and Resample
- Dither, Jitter and Push controls, for custom digital character
- FX Mix dry/wet section with low-pass filter and gain control
- Dozens of Wave Presets covering all common uses
- Quick Presets for Stutter, Snare and Air
VolumeShaper 6
VolumeShaper covers all of your sidechain, gating, and stutter needs. In fact, this is my favourite way to sidechain my sounds, the result is unprecedented. It doesn’t stop there with more advanced functionality, you can even compress your sounds. This is a very flexible plugin you’ll find many uses for.
- Sidechain duck, compress, trim, gate, stutter and edit levels
- 40 Wave Presets, including professional sidechain curves
- Gain control for LFO – ideal for boosting transients
- Auto makeup gain for Compressor
- Quick Presets for Sidechain FX, Compress and Trim
PanShaper 3
PanShaper is a plugin that can add plenty of spice to your sounds. I love using it to really bounce my hi-hats and percussive sounds around the mix. You can create very precise panning automation, stereoise mono sounds, easily apply the Haas effect to your sounds, and lots of other crazy panning fx.
- Sidechain duck, compress, trim, gate, stutter and edit levels
- 40 Wave Presets, including professional sidechain curves
- Gain control for LFO – ideal for boosting transients
- Auto makeup gain for Compressor
- Quick Presets for Sidechain FX, Compress and TrimFor stereo sweeps, creative patterns and psychoacoustic panning
- 41 Wave Presets, from basic autopanning to creative stereo rhythms
- 5 Pan Modes: Balance (0/3/4.5/6dB) and Stereo Combined
- Haas mode for psychoacoustic panning effects
- Blend Haas with regular panning for the perfect stereo balance
- Quick Presets for Basic, Haas and Build-up
WidthShaper 2
WidthShaper is more than your average stereo imager. Using the multiband technology found throughout all of the shapers you can achieve some fantastic control over your sounds image. Modulate, tighten or expand your sounds. There’s even a Mid/side mode for greater functionality
- For wider risers, super-stereo tops and tight mono bass
- 44 Wave Presets for build-ups, accents and more
- Quick Presets for Mono Bass, Envelope Follower and Build-up
ShaperBox 2 Vids & Links
If you would like to grab ShaperBox 2 by Cableguys then please check it out using this link, which helps support Producer Life, thank you. Below are some videos from our YouTube channel that demonstrate some of ShaperBox 2’s potential.
http://bit.ly/Cg_SB2 (Plugin Boutique)
