Shift alters the frequency and formant of the incoming audio. Use it to create upward or downward frequency and timbre shifts, without changing the tempo of the incoming audio. The effect resembles the classic digital real-time pitch shifters introduced in the mid-1970s, which were often used to create otherworldly drum sounds. But Shift doesn’t emulate any existing devices; it is its own thing and offers unique possibilities to shape your drum sound.
The big knob determines the amount and direction of the frequency and formant shifting.
Freq/Formant
Adjusts the relative amount of frequency and formant shifting. In the center position, both processes move in tandem by an equal amount. Set it all the way to the left to only shift frequency but keep the formant content unaffected, and vice versa by moving it all the way to the right — and, of course, any blend in between.
Frequency Invert
In its default “off” position, the frequency shift follows the direction of the Shift module’s big knob, just as you’d expect. Activating Invert reverses the direction of the frequency shift relative to the big knob position, while the formant shift still follows the big knob. In other words, activating Invert causes the formant and frequency shifts to move in opposite directions. Things can get wonderfully whacky.
Frequency Stereo
Alters the stereo placement of the frequency shift. At noon, the left and right audio channels are processed equally. Turning the knob to the left gradually reduces the frequency processing amount on the right side, and vice versa. The difference in processing amount between the sides creates a sense of stereo widening.
Formant Stretch
Increases or decreases the frequency spectrum over which the format shifting is applied. This changes the character of the formant stretching. You could for example use it if you want to shift your audio upwards but don't want to lose the weight in the low end.
Formant Mix
Adjusts the blend between audio that has and hasn’t been formant shifted.
Target
The Shift module can separate the incoming audio’s transients — short initial sound peaks — from its more sustained parts. In the neutral center position, transients and sustained audio are treated equally. Move the slider to the left — towards the spiky transient symbol — to focus frequency and formant shifting on the transient part of the incoming audio, leaving sustained sounds less affected by the Shift processes. Move it to the right to achieve the opposite.
Focus
Adjusts the frequency range affected by the Shift process. Move the arrows to make the affected range wider or narrower, or click the selected area and drag your mouse up/down. Click and drag to the left or right to move the selected range. It can, for example, be cool to keep the very low end unaffected, while shifting the rest of the beat.