Bitcrush

Snapins are isolated audio effect modules, each performing a specific task. The Kilohearts product lineup will allow you to combine these snapins in different ways in order to create interesting and unique combinations of effects.

Snapins can be loaded into your DAW as a standard VST or Audio Unit plugin, as well as into other Kilohearts plugins that can act as snapin hosts, for example Multipass.

When nostaliga hits, Bitcrush can bring you back to the digital hardware of times past. It simulates the audio being played back using a low quality sampler with limited sample rate and bit depth. Mm, crunchy.

The Bitcrush can be used to create distorting effects that sound like that of scraping analog radio, or inherently lo-fi sound sources, like old video games.

Rate display

Down sample the signal to a minimum of 200 Hz.

Bits knob

Quantize the amplitude of each sample of the signal.A lower value will result in a more distorted sound.

ADC Q knob

Quality of the analog-to-digital conversion. A lower value will add dissonant aliasing in the low frequencies.

DAC Q knob

Quality of the digital-to-analog conversion. A lower value will add dissonant aliasing in the high frequencies.

Dither knob

Adds noise to the signal in order to reduce distortion caused by quantization.

Mix knob

The dry/wet mix of this effect. A lower value will let some of the unmodified signal through.

Settings panel

Whenever you have your mouse cursor over a snapin theree is a small arrow at the top right corner (not visible in screenshot). It opens a settings panel where you handle presets. It also has a “randomize” button that can be useful. I guess…

Enabled checkbox

The small checkbox to the left of the plugin name is a checkbox that bypasses the effect when disabled.

Resize handle

The bottom right corner of all Kilohearts plugins is a resize handle for scaling the UI to any size. This allows you to get a good view of the controls whatever the screen resolution, and also comes in handy if you need big controls, e.g. when using Bitcrush as a real-time effect on a touchscreen monitor during a live set. (This is not available when the snapin is used inside a snapin host.)