SMART EFFECTS
Version 1.0.0 | Windows 64-bit | VST3
Created by Andrea Di Tella
https://www.andreaditella.com

Smart Effects combines three algorithmic reverbs with a vintage-style tape
echo. Use it to add depth, space and musical repeats to harmonica, guitar,
vocals, keyboards and other instruments. It is free to use with no feature
or time limitations. An optional donation of any amount supports development:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/andreaditella

INSTALLATION

1. Close your DAW and extract this ZIP archive.
2. Copy the ENTIRE SmartEffects.vst3 folder into:
   C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
   Windows may ask for administrator permission.
3. Keep the folder's Contents directory and all of its files together.
   Do not copy only the inner SmartEffects.vst3 binary.
4. Open your 64-bit DAW and refresh or rescan its VST3 plug-ins if necessary.
5. Look for Smart Effects by Andrea Di Tella, under reverb or delay effects.
   Category names and scanning procedures depend on your DAW.

CHANNEL FORMATS

One plug-in supports mono input / mono output, stereo input / stereo output,
and mono input / stereo output. The DAW decides which format an insert may
use. A mono insert does not automatically turn its track into a stereo track.
For stereo ambience on a mono instrument, use a mono-to-stereo insert if the
DAW offers it, or send the instrument to a stereo effects bus.

The channel-format label reports the active configuration. In mono output
the wet stereo ambience is combined to mono.
In stereo, both effects process both input channels; the reverb creates
different left and right reflections. The tape echo is not a ping-pong delay.

QUICK START: INSERT

1. Insert Smart Effects on the desired audio track and select INSERT.
2. Start with PLATE, DECAY 1.8 s, PRE-DELAY 20 ms, TONE 50%, LEVEL 18%.
3. For a little echo, try TIME 320 ms, FEEDBACK 30%, CHARACTER 35%, LEVEL 15%.
4. Adjust the two LEVEL controls to balance the ambience with your instrument.
5. Watch the output peaks and leave headroom in your DAW.

The reverb and echo run in parallel. In INSERT mode your original dry signal
remains at its original level and timing, with one copy of each dry channel.
The LEVEL knobs add the effect returns; they do not reduce the dry signal.
Both levels at 0% give dry audio only. Combining dry audio and loud effect
returns can increase peaks: reduce the return levels or your DAW track gain
if necessary. Smart Effects does not include an output limiter.

QUICK START: AUXILIARY SEND

1. Insert Smart Effects on an effects return or auxiliary bus and select SEND.
2. Route an instrument to that bus using your DAW's send controls.
3. Set the reverb and echo LEVEL controls for the desired return balance.
4. Set the overall amount with the instrument's send and bus fader.

SEND mode removes the dry signal completely. The two LEVEL controls still
set their own effect return levels; SEND does not automatically turn them
up. With both levels at 0%, the plug-in is silent.

REVERB

ROOM: Short early reflections and a compact, natural sense of space.
PLATE: A dense, smooth plate-style tail for instruments and vocals.
HALL: Longer reflections and a wider, gently modulated space.

DECAY       0.2 to 10 seconds. Sets the approximate reverb decay time.
            Perceived length also depends on the algorithm, tone and input.
PRE-DELAY   0 to 100 ms. Separates the original sound from the reverb onset.
TONE        0 to 100%. Darker at 0%, brighter at 100%.
LEVEL       0 to 100%. Reverb return level.

The reverb ON switch stops new audio from entering that effect when off.
The existing tail continues to decay. Set LEVEL to 0% to fade its return
out, including an existing tail. Changing reverb type fades between modes.

TAPE ECHO

TIME        20 to 2000 ms. Sets the interval between repeats in manual mode.
FEEDBACK    0 to 90%. At 0% there is one echo; higher values add repeats.
CHARACTER   0 to 100%. Adds darker repeats, gentle saturation and subtle
            wow and flutter. At 0% the echo is cleaner, but still filtered.
LEVEL       0 to 100%. Echo return level.

The echo ON switch stops new audio entering the delay. Existing repeats
continue to decay. Set LEVEL to 0% to fade the echo return out immediately.
TIME changes glide smoothly and may briefly change pitch, as on a tape echo.
Higher CHARACTER values create a small left/right timing difference.

TEMPO SYNC

Enable SYNC to follow your DAW's tempo. Choose 1/16, 1/8, 1/8 dotted,
1/8 triplet, 1/4, 1/4 dotted, 1/4 triplet or 1/2.

The TIME knob is disabled while synced; its display shows the actual echo
interval. Turn SYNC off to restore the stored manual TIME setting.
If the DAW supplies no usable tempo, the plug-in uses 120 BPM and shows
DEFAULT. Times outside the 20-2000 ms range are limited to that range;
RANGE LIMIT appears when a synced division exceeds it. A change in tempo
glides to the new time and can briefly bend the repeats' pitch.

PEAK INDICATOR AND CONTROLS

The single PEAK lamp lights when either output channel reaches -0.5 dBFS
or above. A brief hold keeps short peaks visible. It also works in mono.
The lamp monitors sample peaks, not true peaks. If it lights repeatedly,
reduce the effect return levels or the input level and check your DAW's
track meter. The lamp is an indicator and does not limit or clip the audio.

Drag a knob up/down or left/right, or type a value into its readout.
Double-click a knob to restore its default setting. Hover over a control
for help. The interface can be resized while retaining its proportions.
Your DAW saves the settings with the session and can automate the parameters.

Host bypass fades to the dry signal in INSERT mode and to silence in SEND
mode when the host calls the plug-in's bypass processing. Some DAWs apply
their own bypass behaviour. For tails between phrases, leave the insert
active and use the individual ON switches to stop feeding an effect.

CHROMATIC HARMONICA EXAMPLE

For a clear, intimate sound, start with PLATE or ROOM, DECAY 1.2-1.8 s,
PRE-DELAY 15-25 ms and a low reverb LEVEL. Add a quiet echo around 100-160 ms
with low FEEDBACK for a short slap, or enable SYNC and try a quiet 1/8 note.
Increase CHARACTER for softer repeats. Keep the return levels restrained
so that the attack, breathing and phrasing remain clear. Use a stereo track
or stereo effects bus when you want stereo ambience.

ABOUT AND SUPPORT

ABOUT shows the version, author, clickable website and donation link.
DONATE opens the PayPal donation page in your default browser.
Donations are entirely optional and do not unlock additional features.

Website: https://www.andreaditella.com
Donate:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/andreaditella
