ShaperBox 3 Explained
Join Groove3 instructor Larry Holcombe for a comprehensive look at ShaperBox 3 from Cableguys! Consisting of nine modules designed to handle various mixing and production duties, this is a powerful plugin with incredible depth and sonic possibilities. Larry will take you through each module, explaining the features and demonstrating their sound with plenty of examples in context so you can hear exactly what it's capable of. These Shaperbox video tutorials are designed for new users of ShaperBox 3.
Videos
• Introduction (08:49) - First up, we discuss the ethos of this plugin and its editable LFO. We also demonstrate at a basic level the way in which we can set up effects chains in Shaperbox 3.
• Library Presets (09:01) - Next up, we cover the top bar and preset browser, allowing us to save, load, favorite, and filter presets.
• Wave Presets (03:23) - In this video, we discuss the wave presets, from which we can choose the pre-configured LFO shapes for our various shapers. We also add LFO shapes to our own wave preset slots so we can move between wave presets.
• Basic LFO Settings (05:01) - Next up, we explore the basic LFO settings so we can decide whether to have LFO speed locked to the DAW?s project tempo or free running. We also touch on the sync modes and the ability to have different LFO speeds for different bands.
• LFO Wave Editor (12:30) - Discover the ways in which we can use the LFO tools like the pencil, line, arc, and s-shape to draw in an array of different custom LFO shapes. We also discuss creating smooth, curved lines and the ways in which you alter your LFO shapes once they've been designed.
• VolumeShaper (09:51) - Learn about VolumeShaper next, where we demonstrate pumping, sidechain-style volume shaping to create a trance gate effect, chopping up and removing hits from breaks and also softening transients.
• TimeShaper (11:56) - Next up, we discuss TimeShaper, which allows us to create half time sections and also chop up and re-sequence our audio for rhythmically complex patterns. We explain how you can visualise this using the X and Y axis and offset display. We also demonstrate how to create scratch-style effects.
• DriveShaper (12:41) - In this video, we use DriveShaper to add static distortion of different types. We can select more processing for transients and sustains and also create movement in the amount of the effect using the LFO.
• NoiseShaper (14:59) - See how NoiseShaper generates noise of different types that can be added to our tracks. We can decide which part of the frequency spectrum will contain the noise and also use the Envelope Follower to either increase or decrease the noise level using transient information and also create noise sweeps using the LFO.
• FilterShaper (11:36) - Next up, we cover FilterShaper, focusing on modulating the filer and resonance controls independently. We apply filtering on a band-by-band basis and also investigate audio rate modulation.
• LiquidShaper (09:21) - This video concentrates on LiquidShaper, working with a flanger and phaser to create complex movement. This can be used for smooth whooping effects, robotic comb filtering-style effects, or anything in between.
• CrushShaper (09:47) - CrushShaper allows us to add digital sample and bit rate degradation for an old-school crunch effect. We can also add this more to transient or sustaining information and use jitter to change the colour of the effect.
• PanShaper (05:09) - Next, we look at the pan and Haas effect parameters of PanShaper. These enable us to either pan or stereo widen using our LFO. This could allow extra stereo information to be added to overly mono sections of our audio or be used as a static effect to move our sounds around in the stereo image.
• WidthShaper (06:13) - This video investigates how we can use WidthShaper to either make sounds mono or wide stereo by boosting the side signal whilst maintaining mono compatibility. We can do this to, for example, sweep a stereoizer effect, enhance the stereo image of certain parts of a loop, or create a simple, static stereo imaging effect.
• Compressor (08:13) - Next up, we cover the Compressor, including the standard controls while also demonstrating the bands control and creative side chain application.
• Scope (08:22) - We discuss the dedicated Scope module next, including a brief overview of when you might want to use an oscilloscope and how to visualise stereo, split, and left/right channels. We also cover zooming vertically on the waveform.
• Envelope Follower (13:23) - This video covers the parameters of the envelope including the AHR envelope to create our modulation trace from either the band in question, a specified frequency band, or a sidechain input. This can be used to modulate parameters in Shaperbox for some dynamic rhythmic movement.
• Envelope Follower Examples (07:10) - Next up, we use the envelope follower in side chain mode to generate a modulation trace from the side chain input. We also work through various examples of using the envelope follower within our shapers.
• MIDI Options in Shaperbox 3 (06:18) - Learn how to trigger a one-shot and looping LFO using MIDI in this video and also how to trigger our own custom LF preset waves using C# to A on a MIDI keyboard or controller.
• Audio Trigger Setup (06:46) - Finally, we investigate the Audio Trigger setup. With it, we can re-trigger the LFOs cycle using transients from sound passing through our Shaperbox 3 instance or alternatively from a sidechain input.
• New Features in 3.3 (03:49) - We demonstrate the ability to access legacy presets, randomise a selection of points and also modulate the pitch of the noise module in this Shaperbox 3.3 update video.