United Plugins Cyberdrive is a powerful and versatile distortion plugin developed in collaboration with JMG Sound. This comprehensive audio processing tool offers users a wide array of distortion types, effects modules, and routing options to shape and transform audio signals. At its core are three identical distortion modules, each featuring 64 distortion types across eight categories, ranging from classic analog-style warmth to modern digital destruction. The plugin’s interface is sleek and intuitive, with a modular design that allows for easy reordering of the signal flow. Beyond distortion, Cyberdrive includes additional effect modules for dynamics processing, tone shaping, modulation, and spatial effects, making it a multi-faceted sound design tool. The plugin also features an innovative feedback module and a randomization function to spark creativity. With its extensive feature set and flexible routing capabilities, Cyberdrive aims to be a one-stop solution for producers, sound designers, and musicians looking to add character, grit, and texture to their audio.
Pros:
• Extensive library of 64 distortion types across 8 categories
• Flexible signal routing with drag-and-drop module reordering
• Powerful feedback module for creating unique and evolving sounds
• Comprehensive set of additional effect modules beyond distortion
• Intuitive and visually appealing user interface
• Randomization feature for quick inspiration and preset creation
Cons:
• Potentially overwhelming number of options for beginners
• May require significant CPU resources when using multiple modules
Cyberdrive’s feature set is impressively deep, starting with its three main distortion modules. Each module offers 64 distortion types divided into eight categories: Classic, Modern, Shape, Pixel, Amp, Pedal, Doom, and Freak. This diverse palette allows users to craft everything from subtle harmonic enhancement to extreme sonic destruction. Each distortion module includes dedicated drive and mix controls, as well as a powerful filtering system with high-pass, low-pass, and multiband crossovers for precise tonal shaping.
The FEED module is a standout feature, enabling users to create feedback loops within the plugin. This module offers various delay modes, including synced, milliseconds, and pitched options, allowing for timed feedback effects that can range from subtle echoes to wild, screaming textures. The ability to route the feedback through other modules in the signal chain adds another layer of creative potential.
Cyberdrive goes beyond simple distortion by including a suite of additional effect modules. The DYNAMICS section provides compression, gating, and transient shaping tools to control the dynamics of the processed signal. Two TONE modules offer equalization and filtering options for further sound sculpting. The MOTION module introduces modulation effects such as chorus, flanger, and tremolo, while the PROFILE module includes resonant effects and cabinet simulations. Finally, the SPACE module rounds out the effects suite with reverb, delay, and diffusion processors for creating depth and ambience.
One of Cyberdrive’s most powerful features is its flexible routing system. Users can drag and drop modules to reorder the signal flow, enabling countless combinations of effects chains. This level of customization allows for the creation of unique and complex sound processing setups tailored to specific needs.
The plugin’s randomization feature is another noteworthy addition, allowing users to quickly generate new presets by randomizing parameters across the entire plugin or within specific modules. This function can serve as a source of inspiration or a starting point for sound design explorations.
Cyberdrive’s user interface is well-designed, with a clear layout that presents all modules and controls in an easily accessible manner. The visual feedback provided by the interface, including waveform displays and routing indicators, helps users understand and visualize the processing being applied to their audio.
In the realm of distortion and multi-effect plugins, Cyberdrive enters a competitive field with several established players. Compared to plugins like FabFilter Saturn 2, Cyberdrive offers a broader range of distortion types and additional effect modules, making it more of an all-in-one solution. However, Saturn 2 may have an edge in terms of its multiband capabilities and modulation system. When placed alongside Soundtoys Decapitator, Cyberdrive provides more versatility in terms of effect types and routing options, while Decapitator is renowned for its analog-modeled distortion character and simplicity. Ohmicide by Ohmforce is another plugin that shares similarities with Cyberdrive, particularly in its multi-band approach and variety of distortion types. However, Cyberdrive’s additional effect modules and flexible routing give it a broader scope. Compared to more recent entries like Arturia’s Dist TUBE-CULTURE, Cyberdrive offers a wider range of distortion flavors and additional effects, but may not match the depth of analog modeling found in Arturia’s offering.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking a versatile tool for creating complex, evolving textures
• Music producers looking to add character and grit to individual tracks or full mixes
• Electronic musicians wanting to craft unique, distorted synth sounds
• Mix engineers in need of a flexible distortion and coloration tool
• Audio post-production professionals requiring creative sound mangling options
United Plugins Cyberdrive is a remarkably comprehensive distortion and multi-effect plugin that offers an impressive array of sound-shaping tools in a single package. Its extensive library of distortion types, coupled with additional effect modules and flexible routing options, provides users with nearly limitless possibilities for audio manipulation. The intuitive interface and thoughtful design choices, such as the randomization feature and visual feedback, make it accessible despite its complexity. While the sheer number of options may be daunting for beginners, experienced users will appreciate the depth and versatility on offer. The inclusion of the innovative feedback module sets Cyberdrive apart from many of its competitors, enabling the creation of unique and evolving soundscapes. Although it may demand significant CPU resources when pushed to its limits, the plugin’s broad feature set and creative potential make it a valuable addition to any digital audio workstation. Whether used for subtle coloration or extreme sound design, Cyberdrive proves to be a powerful and flexible tool for a wide range of audio professionals and enthusiasts.