IMPACT by Surreal Machines

Revolutionize your audio with Impact from Surreal Machines. More than just a typical transient shaper, Impact is a complete multi-band drum processing channel strip designed for in-depth sound shaping. While primarily built for drums, its versatility extends to synths, guitars, vocals, and even full mixes or groups.

Deeply Reshape Your Transient Signals
At its core, Impact gives you the power to deeply reshape the transient signals in your productions with intuitive controls. Transient shaping is the process of sculpting the initial burst of energy (attack) and the decay (sustain) of a sound. Unlike compressors, transient shaping is level independent and doesn't require a threshold, making it simpler to use for this purpose. Think of the Attack and Sustain controls as "contrast dials" for your sound. You can easily sharpen the attack on snares and claps, tighten the decay on boomy kicks and toms, add punch, make sounds more distant, take away reverb or rattle, or even create unique gated or mashed-up effects.

Multi-Band Precision
What sets Impact apart is its multi-band processing capability. Choose between 1, 2, or 3 bands of Transient Shaping, each with independent Attack and Sustain controls. This allows for surgical precision in shaping different parts of the frequency spectrum. For example, you can remove reverb from a drum loop by reducing sustain in the mid-band without affecting the high-frequency ride cymbals, or add boom to kicks in the low-band while decreasing sustain. The multi-band dividers are adjustable using horizontal sliders beneath the EQ display, and you can select between Wide (12dB, softer blend) or Narrow (24dB, more surgical) Linkwitz-Riley crossover filter types. Solo buttons are available for each band to help you hear exactly what's being processed.

Comprehensive Processing Chain
Beyond transient shaping, Impact offers a full suite of tools:

• Routable EQ: Shape your tone with up to 4 bands of EQ using zero-delay-feedback state variable filters. The EQ can be placed Pre or Post the Transient Shaping section, allowing you to remove frequencies that might influence envelope detection or carve out harmonics after processing. Bands 1 and 4 offer Shelf or Bell filter types, while bands 2 and 3 are always Bell filters. Adjust frequency, gain, and Q/Slope directly from the interactive EQ curve display.
• Four Characters of Saturation: Add color and drive to your sound. Choose from Console 1, Console 2 (analog clipping simulations), Folding (more aggressive distortion), or Trashed (very extreme damage). Saturation can be placed in three locations: in the EQ, before the Crossover, or uniquely, in the Bands for multi-band distortion.
• Powerful Dynamics Section: The final stage offers selectable dynamics processors. Choose Thru for unprocessed output, Clipping for adding edge to transients, a Limiter to control peaks without pumping, or the special Maximizer which can aggressively pull the signal towards 0dB for maximum loudness and unique effects.

Intuitive Interface & Workflow
Impact features a resizable UI. The interactive Spectral Display shows the frequency content and what each band is processing, alongside the adjustable EQ curve and crossover points. Controls are easy to use, with options for fine adjustments, double-click reset, and real-time modification without audio disruption. Presets are available, and you can store/recall user presets. The AB toggle allows for quick comparison between two different settings.

Surreal Machines Impact is available as a VST2, VST3, and AU plugin for macOS and Windows. System requirements are generally an Intel i5 CPU or higher, 4GB RAM, and compatible host software.

Unlock unparalleled control over transients, dynamics, and tone. Sculpt your drums, loops, and more with surgical precision and creative character.

Experience the power of Surreal Machines Impact!