BEAM Review
Lunacy Audio, the creators of Cube, have released their first effects plugin, Beam. Beam is a node based multi-effects unit perfect for creating ambience, texture, and motion. Beam uses three main node types that you can combine in various configurations via a unique energy path connection system. The nodes and the connections and even the background all have a very stylized look to them, with nebulas, energy, portals, grain swarms, it’s quite a wild interface. If this style of playful design isn’t your thing I understand, but under the hood are some rather poweful effects.
Three node types can be arranged in nearly any configuration with various lanes of series and parallel processing being available. You’ll see everything laid out with the connecting path reforming to fit your needs. Each node opens up with their own set of controls that can all be modulated via two LFOs. You’ll be happy to see that each LFO has a full drawable vector curve system, allowing for custom pattern creation. Randomness is also available from these LFOs to give you even more motion and variety.
As for effects, you get three convolution reverbs, three grain engines, and four filters. The convolution reverbs have a wide variety of IRs available, from rooms, to spaces, to textures and experimental samples. Each reverb also has a motion control that modulates the reverb mix. The filter is quite simple, you get the option between lowpass, bandpass, and high-pass filtering and that’s it, I really think I’d rather see the extra motion option on the filters as this is a more common use for motion.
Finally the grain engine is the star of the show, a full on granular effects engine with all your standard grain controls, and a built in delay. Grain presets can be saved and loaded per node, meaning you can mix and match various granular methods and layer up or blend between multiple textures. A single grain engine could be an entire plugin on its own, albeit a simple one. Being able to combine these with filters different signal paths, and some nice convolutions makes for a surprisingly versatile multi effects system.
Beam is quite an interesting plugin, I’m really digging some of these new UI focussed plugins, where you get pretty graphics to go along with sound design controls. It’s somewhat unnecessary, but it’s a nice change of pace. It fits in quite nicely with Cube as well, giving a new layer of processing to Lunacy Audio’s excellent sample and preset collection.