In Summary

From instrument and effect veterans AIR Technology, Sprite sets out to do multi-effects differently. With two modes to keep both performers and tweakheads happy, we take Sprite’s clean lines and fresh sounds out for a spin.

Going Deeper

Who Needs Multi-Effects?

When it comes to effects, DAW natives are used to being able to find just about any audio plugin to complete any task covering delay, reverb, saturation, modulation, and more. Although this gives endless possibilities, choosing and stringing together the right tools can slow things down. Then comes the small task of actually knowing how to coax the right sounds from the right combination without getting lost in endless combos of ear candy. Step forward the multi-effects processor.

There was a time when several big names used to make multi-effects boxes that promised to do the work of several-in-one, however more recently a growing cohort of developers are now taking the idea back into the box.

AIR Sprite

The latest multi effects audio plugin comes from AIR Music Technology, a developer that knows a thing or two about getting sounds in the box. Injecting their DSP knowhow into Sprite, AIR have managed to squeeze five effects engines into their creation, which at first glance looks like a pretty simple dashboard with large demarcations for Distortion, Modulation (x2), Delay and Reverb. Each of the default Types can be swapped out from some well-chosen alternatives.

Clicking a button lets tweakheads go under the hood in Edit Mode for an extra layer of control that is comprehensive enough without Sprite losing its creative spirit. Fundamentally, even advanced users can stay in Perform Mode and get a sound, with Edit Mode there if needed.

In the video we add extra dimension to a treated synth’s sound, before adding movement and space to a lead vocal. We then show how even the most sterile of DI’d guitar sounds can benefit from Sprite’s one-window fairy-dust…

AIR Sprite Key Features:

• Intuitive GUI with macros page for immediate control of key parameters.

• Massive range of ready-to-use presets, organised by category.

• Distortion section featuring nine distortion models with smoothing, hi/lo pass filtering and mix control.

• Two modulation slots with eight classic modulation types. Choose between Flutter, Wow, Tremolo and Auto-pan in one slot, with rate, drift, stereo and depth controls as appropriate.

• In the second slot, choose between Chorus, Multi-chorus, Phaser and Flanger with rate, depth, feedback, depth and mix controls as appropriate.

• BPM syncable delay engine with Single, Dual and Cross modes, independent left and right time controls, feedback level and 24 feedback setups, width and mix control.

• Reverb with eight distinct room characters, pre-delay, damp, time and volume controls.

• Pitch-shifter with adjustable depth, assignable mix target, interval and algorithm.

• EQ section with high and low cut and shelving controls.

• Width and balance controls.

• Dedicated output EQ section featuring 31 character presets, plus a manual mode for detailed shaping of low, mid and high frequency content.

• Envelope follower to automatically control delay feedback and delay & reverb mix based on incoming audio levels.

• Final width, gain and limiter controls.

Final Thoughts

Sprite’s mythological name hints at something that might be able to transform anything into anything. Whether you’re looking for more subtle sauce, or crazy transformative adventures, it succeeds. With a GUI that manages to be both utilitarian and fun at the same time thanks to its clean lines and funky avatars for each effect slot, it’s certainly more fun than traipsing through your plugin folder for inspiration. For that AIR have done a great job creating something that will always spring to mind the next time you need to wave a wand to inject some final fairy dust into the mix.

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.