Audiority Polaris is a versatile echo and reverb plugin inspired by early digital reverb hardware from the late 1970s. It utilizes a single multitap delay line to generate a wide range of effects, from simple echoes to lush, shimmering reverbs. The plugin’s design philosophy centers around recreating the charm of vintage digital reverbs while expanding on their capabilities with modern features. Polaris offers a unique approach to reverb and echo effects, allowing users to craft custom room responses, resonant combs, and even Karplus-Strong-like tuned delay lines. Its interface is intuitive, featuring a main display for visualizing and editing tap patterns, alongside controls for fine-tuning various aspects of the sound. The plugin’s versatility extends beyond traditional reverb and echo, venturing into chorus, flanging, and vibrato territories, making it a powerful tool for sound designers and musicians alike. With its ability to produce both vintage-inspired and contemporary sounds, Polaris bridges the gap between classic hardware emulation and innovative software design.
Pros:
• Versatile sound design capabilities, from vintage-style reverbs to modern shimmer effects
• Intuitive interface with visual tap pattern editing
• Extensive modulation options for creating dynamic, evolving sounds
• Unique Swell feature for smooth, ambient textures
• Affordable price point compared to similar high-end reverb plugins
Cons:
• Limited preset library, with only 30 factory presets
• Sound can become grainy or harsh when pushed to extremes
• May be overwhelming for users seeking simple, straightforward reverb effects
Polaris boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart from many other reverb plugins. At its core is a single multitap delay line that forms the basis of all its effects. This delay line is divided into three main sections: Early Reflections, Diffusion, and Echo. The Early Reflections section consists of 8 programmable taps, allowing users to craft custom room responses. The Diffusion section expands on this with 16 programmable modulated taps, creating the dense, smooth tail characteristic of high-quality reverbs.
The Echo section is particularly noteworthy, offering multiple modes including millisecond-based, tempo-synced, tuned, and long echoes. This flexibility allows Polaris to function not just as a reverb, but as a creative delay unit as well. The Echo section also features its own modulation controls and a 3-band feedback equalizer, introduced in version 1.5, which provides precise tonal shaping of the repeats.
One of Polaris’s standout features is its Shimmer effect. This pitch-shifting reverb technique, popularized by ambient music producers, adds ethereal, otherworldly qualities to the reverb tail. Polaris implements this feature seamlessly, allowing users to dial in just the right amount of shimmer without overwhelming the original signal.
The plugin also includes a Sample Rate Reduction feature, which emulates the gritty, lo-fi character of early digital reverbs. This can be used subtly to add vintage flavor or pushed to extremes for creative sound design. The Stereo Width control, which essentially functions as a ping-pong delay, further expands the spatial possibilities of the plugin.
Another unique feature is the Swell function, introduced in version 1.3. This smooths the transients of the incoming signal, with its attack time automatically matching the delay time. It’s particularly effective for creating ambient guitar textures and lush, evolving pads.
Polaris also offers extensive modulation options. The LFO can be set to sine, triangle, or random waveforms, and can be synced to tempo or set to free-running mode. This modulation can be applied to various parameters, allowing for dynamic, evolving reverb and echo effects.
The plugin’s interface is well-designed, with a large central display for visualizing and editing tap patterns. This visual approach to reverb design is both intuitive and powerful, allowing users to craft unique spatial effects with ease. The addition of a Pre-Delay control and Modulation Boost in version 1.5 further refines the plugin’s capabilities, offering even more control over the reverb’s character and evolution.
When compared to similar plugins, Polaris stands out for its unique approach to reverb and echo effects. While many high-end reverb plugins focus on ultra-realistic room simulations or complex algorithmic designs, Polaris embraces a more creative, sound design-oriented approach. Its closest competitors might be plugins like Valhalla Shimmer or Eventide Blackhole, which also offer otherworldly, creative reverb effects. However, Polaris distinguishes itself with its multitap delay line architecture and extensive editing capabilities. Compared to more traditional reverb plugins like Lexicon PCM or Waves Abbey Road Plates, Polaris offers a different flavor. While it can certainly produce convincing room simulations, its strength lies in its ability to create unique, evolving spaces that go beyond simple emulations. In terms of price, Polaris is significantly more affordable than many high-end reverb plugins, making it an attractive option for producers and sound designers on a budget.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking unique spatial effects
• Ambient and experimental music producers
• Electronic musicians looking for creative reverb and delay options
• Producers wanting to add vintage digital reverb flavor to their mixes
• Budget-conscious users seeking a versatile reverb/echo solution
Audiority Polaris is a powerful and versatile reverb and echo plugin that offers a unique blend of vintage charm and modern flexibility. Its multitap delay line architecture provides a solid foundation for a wide range of spatial effects, from subtle room ambiences to expansive, shimmering soundscapes. The plugin’s strengths lie in its creative potential and intuitive interface, allowing users to craft custom reverbs and echoes with ease. The visual tap editing, extensive modulation options, and unique features like Shimmer and Swell set it apart from many other reverb plugins on the market. While it may not be the go-to choice for ultra-realistic room simulations, it excels in creating evocative, characterful spaces that can add depth and interest to any mix. The limited preset library and potential for harsh sounds when pushed to extremes are minor drawbacks in an otherwise impressive package. At its price point, Polaris offers exceptional value for producers and sound designers looking to expand their spatial effects toolkit. Whether you’re crafting ambient soundscapes, adding depth to a mix, or exploring new sonic territories, Audiority Polaris proves to be a capable and inspiring tool.