Zynaptiq PitchMap Colors is a creative audio plugin designed for sound design and music production. Developed in collaboration with music production prodigy Au5, this tool combines Zynaptiq’s popular pitch-mapping technology with additional transformation features, all packaged in a streamlined user interface optimized for real-time performance. PitchMap Colors allows users to conform audio to specific keys or scales, colorize basses and synths, and transform atonal elements into resonant harmonic textures. The plugin offers three distinct modes: SICK, INSANE, and WTF (Warp Those Frequencies), each providing increasing levels of sound manipulation. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, PitchMap Colors aims to bring unprecedented ease, quality, and fun to the process of pitch manipulation and sound transformation.
Pros:
• Intuitive user interface with easy-to-use controls and visual feedback
• Three distinct modes (SICK, INSANE, WTF) for varying levels of sound manipulation
• MIDI-controllable for real-time performance and automation
• Ability to save and recall multiple scale presets
• Powerful formant shifter with unique Formant Gamma function
• Transient Bypass feature for maintaining transient detail in extreme sound modes
Cons:
• May be resource-intensive on older or less powerful computer systems
• Learning curve for achieving precise, desired results in more extreme modes
PitchMap Colors offers a robust set of features designed to give users extensive control over pitch manipulation and sound transformation. At its core, the plugin works by separating input audio into distinct sounds based on their pitch, then shifting each one up or down to fit a user-defined pitch grid. This process allows for precise control over the tonality of any audio source.
The plugin’s three main modes – SICK, INSANE, and WTF – provide users with a range of sound manipulation options. SICK mode offers a more subtle, natural-sounding transformation, while INSANE mode creates gloriously resonant textures. The WTF mode, standing for “Warp Those Frequencies,” pushes the boundaries of sound design with mesmerizingly electric results. Users can easily conform audio to specific keys or scales by selecting notes on the plugin’s virtual keyboard interface. The ability to save and recall up to four different scale presets (A, B, C, D) allows for quick switching between different harmonic structures during performance or production.
The formant shifter in PitchMap Colors is particularly powerful, offering a two-octave range that can dramatically alter the perceived size of a sound. This feature is especially useful for creating everything from deep, demonic voices to high-pitched chipmunk effects. The formant shifter’s 0.01 semitone resolution ensures smooth automations for subtle, evolving effects. Complementing the formant shifter is the unique Formant Gamma function. This feature exaggerates formant peaks and troughs, resulting in complex, self-modulating filter-like effects. Formant Gamma adds movement and an alien-like quality to processed audio, opening up new possibilities for sound design.
For users working with more extreme sound modes, the Transient Bypass feature proves invaluable. This function allows users to dial in the amount of transients to exclude from pitch mapping and mix back in afterward. Users can even boost transients beyond their original level, all controlled by a single parameter. This feature ensures that users can maintain transient detail even when applying heavy pitch manipulation.
PitchMap Colors vst also includes a variety of presets, giving users quick access to a range of transformative effects. These presets serve as excellent starting points for further sound exploration and can significantly speed up the workflow for both novice and experienced users. The plugin’s MIDI-controllable nature makes it well-suited for real-time performance and automation. Users can map various parameters to MIDI controllers, allowing for dynamic, hands-on manipulation of sounds during live performances or studio sessions.
When compared to similar plugins, PitchMap Colors plugin stands out for its focus on creative sound design and real-time performance. While many pitch correction tools aim for transparent, natural-sounding results, PitchMap Colors embraces more extreme transformations. Its ability to add harmonic structure to atonal sounds sets it apart from traditional pitch shifters or harmonizers. Compared to Zynaptiq’s original PitchMap plugin, Colors offers a more streamlined interface and feature set, focusing on the most essential tools for creative sound manipulation. This makes it more accessible for quick, intuitive use in a production environment. Other plugins in the market, such as Melodyne or Auto-Tune, primarily focus on pitch correction and subtle harmonization. In contrast, PitchMap Colors is designed to push the boundaries of sound design, making it a unique offering in the pitch manipulation plugin space.
This plugin is best for:
• Electronic music producers looking to create unique, evolving textures
• Sound designers seeking to transform atonal elements into harmonic content
• Live performers who want real-time pitch and timbre manipulation
• Producers working with vocal effects beyond traditional pitch correction
• Musicians exploring unconventional approaches to harmony and tonality
PitchMap:Colors has an intuitive interface, coupled with its range of creative features, makes it an excellent choice for producers and sound designers looking to add unique textures and harmonies to their work. The plugin’s three distinct modes offer varying levels of sound transformation, from subtle pitch adjustments to extreme, otherworldly effects. The formant shifter and Formant Gamma function provide deep control over timbre, while the Transient Bypass feature ensures that users can maintain transient detail even in extreme sound modes. While there may be a learning curve to mastering its more advanced features, the included presets offer excellent starting points for exploration. The MIDI-controllable nature of the plugin makes it particularly well-suited for live performance and real-time automation. Despite potentially being resource-intensive on older systems, PitchMap Colors offers a unique set of tools that can significantly expand a producer’s sonic palette. Whether used for adding harmonic content to atonal sounds, creating evolving textures, or exploring new approaches to pitch and timbre, PitchMap Colors is a plugin that encourages creativity and sonic exploration.