FabFilter Timeless 3 is a versatile and powerful delay plugin that builds upon its predecessors’ strengths while introducing new features and a redesigned interface. This third iteration of the popular Timeless series offers a comprehensive set of tools for creating everything from simple echo effects to complex, evolving soundscapes. At its core, Timeless 3 provides two independent, programmable delay lines that can be shaped and modulated in countless ways. The plugin’s interface has been completely overhauled, presenting a cleaner, more intuitive layout that streamlines workflow without sacrificing functionality. With up to six filters, 16 delay taps, and five new effects modules, Timeless 3 expands the sonic possibilities far beyond traditional delay plugins. The addition of a new interactive delay display and improved filter visualization enhances user control and creativity. Whether you’re looking for vintage tape delay emulation or cutting-edge sound design tools, FabFilter Timeless 3 aims to be a one-stop solution for all delay-based effects.
Pros:
• Intuitive, redesigned interface with improved workflow
• Extensive modulation options with easy drag-and-drop implementation
• High-quality sound with improved feedback and filter algorithms
• Versatile effects section for creative sound shaping
• Up to 16 customizable delay taps for complex rhythmic patterns
• Interactive delay and filter displays for visual feedback and control
Cons:
• Steep learning curve for beginners due to the vast array of features
• Relatively high price point compared to some competitors
FabFilter Timeless 3 boasts an impressive array of features that cater to both straightforward delay tasks and advanced sound design. The plugin’s delay section allows for precise control over timing, feedback, and stereo placement. Users can adjust the main delay time using a large central knob, with an outer ring controlling the relative delay time between left and right channels. This setup enables easy creation of ping-pong effects and wide stereo delays. The newly added ping-pong mode offers further flexibility, allowing users to choose which channel the delay starts in. Feedback controls include separate knobs for overall amount, panning, and cross-feedback mix, providing intricate control over the delay’s decay and stereo image.
One of the most significant additions to Timeless 3 is the expanded effects section. Five new modules – Drive, Lo-Fi, Diffuse, Dynamics, and Pitch Shift – allow users to shape and color the delayed signal in various ways. The Drive effect adds warm, vintage-style saturation, while the Lo-Fi module can degrade the signal for a range of lo-fi textures. The Diffuse effect blurs the delayed signal, creating reverb-like atmospheres. The Dynamics module offers both gating and compression, and the Pitch Shift effect can transpose the delayed signal up or down an octave, with the option to route it inside or outside the feedback path.
The filter section has been greatly enhanced, now offering up to six filters that can be either the classic non-linear, self-oscillating LP/HP/BP types or clean Bell, Notch, or Shelf EQ filters. This combination of filter types allows for both creative sound mangling and precise tonal shaping. The interactive filter display, complete with a spectrum analyzer, makes it easy to visualize and adjust filter settings.
Timeless 3’s modulation capabilities are truly exceptional. The redesigned modulation section features a 50-slot modulation matrix with easy drag-and-drop assignment. Modulation sources include XLFOs (now with up to 16 steps), envelope generators, envelope followers, MIDI sources, and XY controllers. The envelope generators now feature a curve control for more precise shaping, while the envelope followers include a new transient detection mode.
The new interactive delay display is a standout feature, providing a visual representation of the delay settings, input signal, and feedback. Users can directly manipulate delay taps within this display, adding up to 16 taps for complex rhythmic patterns. This visual approach to delay programming greatly enhances the creative process and makes it easier to achieve desired results. Other notable features include mid/side processing capabilities, a freeze function that can now be modulated, and improved overall sound quality in terms of feedback, filters, and internal saturation. The plugin also offers various interface sizes and a full-screen mode, making it adaptable to different workflow preferences and screen sizes.
When compared to other high-end delay plugins, FabFilter Timeless 3 stands out for its combination of sound quality, feature set, and user interface. While plugins like Soundtoys EchoBoy and Universal Audio’s EP-34 excel at emulating specific vintage hardware, Timeless 3 offers a broader palette of sounds and more extensive modulation options. In terms of creative potential, Timeless 3 is more akin to plugins like Eventide’s UltraTap or Unfiltered Audio’s Sandman Pro. However, Timeless 3’s interface is generally more intuitive and visually appealing than these competitors, making complex routing and modulation more accessible to users of all skill levels. Compared to its predecessor, Timeless 2, the new version offers significant improvements in terms of workflow, sound quality, and creative possibilities. The addition of the effects section and expanded filtering options puts Timeless 3 in a class of its own, blurring the lines between delay, multi-effect, and sound design tool.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking a versatile tool for creating complex, evolving textures
• Producers looking for a high-quality, all-in-one delay solution
• Musicians who want to explore beyond traditional delay effects
• Mix engineers requiring precise control over delay and modulation
• Electronic music creators in need of rhythmic and atmospheric effects
FabFilter Timeless 3 represents a significant evolution in delay plugin technology, offering a powerful and flexible toolset for a wide range of audio applications. Its redesigned interface strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, allowing users to quickly achieve classic delay effects while also providing the means to create unique, complex soundscapes. The addition of new effects modules and expanded filtering options greatly enhances the plugin’s versatility, making it suitable for everything from subtle mixing tasks to avant-garde sound design. While the learning curve may be steep for beginners, the intuitive layout and visual feedback systems help users navigate the plugin’s extensive feature set. The improved sound quality, particularly in the feedback and filter algorithms, ensures that Timeless 3 can deliver professional-grade results in any production context. Despite its relatively high price point, the plugin’s comprehensive feature set and exceptional sound quality make it a worthwhile investment for serious producers, sound designers, and mix engineers. FabFilter Timeless 3 sets a new standard for what a delay plugin can achieve, pushing the boundaries of creative audio processing and solidifying its position as a top-tier effect in the digital audio workstation ecosystem.