Inphonik have released a new freeware retro bitcrusher effect, the PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit.
Inphonik is a very small plug-in developer. By very small, we mean they’re two people. Their most famous work to date has been the RYM2612, which is an emulation of Yamaha’s YM2612 sound chip famously used in the Sega Genesis. Inphonik has taken the essence of that sound and condensed it into a small, easy-to-use plugin.
What Is The Inphonik PCM2612?
The PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit, is a free bitcrusher effect based on Inphonik’s previously released RYM2612 emulation.
Bitcrushing is a digital distortion effect that creates artificial aliasing and emulates vintage digital audio devices. Either in an analog or digital fashion, the induced sonic flaws give charm and character to a sound that’s otherwise too perfect, or too cold.
The PCM2612 is as simple as possible: one FX, one knob, yet, tonnes of character! It’s Inphonik’s tribute to the magnificence of the 8-bit sound.
The PCM2612 gives a distinctive 8-bit quantized and aliased effect to any sound you plug into it. On one hand, it adds distortion due to the 8-bit quantization, and on the other hand it adds aliasing due to the resampling.
Also, the PCM2612 can emulate the line-out circuitry of the Sega Genesis Model 1 (released in 1988).
Another great addition to this already quality plugin is the two-mode GUI. You can choose from box to rack graphic user interfaces. The box GUI is suited for vertical displays, while the rack GUI is logically at ease with widescreens.
Lastly, the availability and compatibility of this plugin can’t be understated. You can get the PCM2612 on Windows, Mac, Linux, as well as your iPhone and iPad, by utilizing the AUv3 format.
For a freeware plugin, Inphonik’s PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit is a great little effects module that can give your sounds a lot of character and grit.
The one-knob functionality, the variable GUI, and the fact that it is free, gives you one of the best free bitcrushers available on the market.
Key features
- 32-steps scalable 8-bit decimation
- Dry / Wet level knob
- Stereo / Mono switch
- Switchable output filtering between Legacy (modeled after the Sega Genesis Model 1 amp output circuitry) and Crystal Clear (purely digital)
- Graphical interface scaling options (1x, 1.5x, 2x)
- Switchable graphical form factor (vertical box or horizontal rack)
- Our first native Linux and Apple Silicon plug-in
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Toms is a music producer & DJ, born and raised in Post Soviet Latvia. Currently based in Brighton, Toms has had over 6 years of experience with all things production and in that time, he’s done a tonne of cool stuff! He’s played multiple festivals, had experience in the field with mixing & mastering and even become a freelance journalist in the music industry.
Toms currently creates music under the alias Sovereign. Producing music that’s intimate and subtle, while full of edge and energy, the young producer combines the artistic sounds of Trip Hop artists like Massive Attack, with the energy and youthfulness of producers like Flume, Jamie XX and Yaeji. You can check his stuff on Soundcloud.
