Gross Beat Alternative For Mac 9,6/10 5989 reviews
I've noticed a lot of producers using gross beat in FL Studio to get that. I been looking for a gross beat alternative to use on Logic but I didn't.
Instant and powerful ..
Gross beat is perfect for real-time or rendered gating, glitch, repeat, scratching and stutter performances. Gross Beat stores audio in a 2-bar rolling buffer under the control of 36 user definable time and volume envelopes, giving you unlimited creative control.
Live or automated performance
Gross Beat Time and Volume presets can be linked to a keyboard, pad controller or automation source for on-the-fly changes to the preset. Preset slots can be set to momentary (key-held), return to base (slot 1) or hold mode on a per-preset basis. Preset-change synchronization can be set from immediate through to 4 beats (1 bar).
Let our FL Studio Guru explain you how to automate Gross Beat using automation clips or the FL keyboard piano roll.
Click the image to open the YouTube video.
Gating & volume effects
In addition to the gating possibilities afforded by the spline based envelope, Gross Beat is perfect for side-chain effects without the need to link to an audio source. Just select one of the ducking-style presets for instant side-chain pumping.
The TRON Legacy legacy ..
Gross Beat can be heard on Daft Punk's Tron Legacy soundtrack playing a major part in the rhythmic structure. Why not experiment with the same presets as were used in the soundtrack: Click here to learn more.
Click the image at the left to see how our FL Studio Guru recreates the effects using Gross Beat.
Key features:
- Powerful MIDI controlled envelopes
- 2 bar audio buffer
- Real time effect, perfect for live performance
- 36 volume/gating envelopes with user-controlled smoothing
- Linked or independent volume & gating slot operation
- A large number of creative presets ready to go
System requirements
Gross Beat in FL Studio
- Gross Beat works inside FL Studio both under Windows and macOS
VST plugin
- ATTENTION: NO macOS VST version available!
Can NOT be used in other DAW on Mac.
Use INSIDE FL Studio is possible on both macOS and Windows - WINDOWS: 7, 8, 10 or later
- 2Ghz AMD or Intel Pentium 3 compatible CPU with full SSE1 support
- 512 Mb RAM
- 130 Mb disc space
- DirectSound or ASIO compatible soundcard.
- VST2 compatible host.
Similar to Effectrix or the Kaossilator, Gross Beat can quickly apply rhythmic pitch-shifting and gating patterns to a channel’s output. Unlike most other major popular VSTs, though, Gross Beat is only officially supported for Windows machines.
Coincidentally, many trap music producers are Windows users. Since FL is a reasonably priced DAW, and since Windows devices tend to be less expensive than their Apple counterparts, the barrier to entry is much lower for a budding young producer without a fancy studio or a production budget. FL Studio 12 is well-suited to experienced producers as well; it’s a full-fledged DAW with serious horsepower and plenty of exclusive plugins.
FL Studio and Gross Beat have become synonymous with the sound of Atlanta trap music, whether it’s creating a gate effect (like Lex Luger’s signature riser), slowing down a sample (as heard on TM88’s beat for Lil Uzi Vert’s XO Tour Llif3) or as a tape stop (as heard here on Peewee Longway’s seminal Blue M&M tape). The sound is so ubiquitous that it’s almost difficult to find a trap song without Gross Beat touching some part of it!
This distinctive effect can be used in many different ways. There are plenty of examples where Gross Beat is used on the master bus, but it’s also commonly thrown on synth leads and pads to add intrigue to otherwise stagnant chords. Some even use it on FX, like Pluss of Ear Drummers. We asked him about how he deployed Gross Beat on the riser from Kendrick Lamar’s HUMBLE.:
“Gross Beat is a cool tool, man. You can do a lot of things with Gross Beat. I just automated the thing… you know, automated it to just chop and stop and go and have a rhythm to it.
And then when I put Gross Beat on it, it was… it was hard. It was hard. It was undeniable. It was, like, oh my god. I never tried that idea before. That was, like, my… I did it on the fly. You know what I’m saying? Like, how can I make a rise effect sound different and still keep it cool?”
How do I use it?
Despite its relatively simple and user-friendly GUI, Gross Beat is a versatile tool, capable of mangling audio beyond recognition or quickly applying subtle effects. The user interfaces with the plugin by drawing in modulation patterns on the XY pad, or by selecting a preset from the menu on the left.
Gross Beat’s ¼ Pitch Up preset
Gross Beat’s Trance Gate 3 preset
Gross Beat offers plenty of permutations to control both pitch and time simultaneously over a given period. While users can create extremely detailed patterns simply by drawing in their instructions, Gross Beat really shines when it’s automated. This can be done through automation clips, or using the Fruity Keyboard Controller, as explained by Image-Line themselves:
Availability
Windows producers are in luck, as FL Studio is an official Windows release. This means that if you’re on a PC you can enjoy using Gross Beat as part of FL, or as a ReWire plugin into another DAW of your choice.
Alternatively, Image-Line offer a standalone VSTi version of Gross Beat for use outside of FL Studio, and they have been kind enough to offer a discount of 40% off the Gross Beat VSTi for Splice blog readers. Use code SPLICE40GB Cyberphone w v654sk driver for mac. at Image-Line’s shop to take advantage of this deal.
Unfortunately for Mac users, though, macOS is not officially supported. You can download the beta version of FL 12, but be aware that this version remains a work in progress. In my experience, the beta runs well despite a few issues. For example, the GUI doesn’t always translate when using two screens, FL sometimes overrides macOS’s built-in audio interface’s volume control, and FL’s cursor can replace the default macOS cursor even when using other programs.
Honestly, I like this cursor way better.
Even if there are a few kinks left to work out, Mac users should give the beta a shot. If nothing else, you’ll be helping Image-Line improve an already fantastic piece of software. Plus, you’ll get a chance to try out Gross Beat using your own music! If you’re a non-FL user, you can try running your samples through Gross Beat’s modulation and exporting them back into your native DAW. You’ll soon realize why this “secret weapon” has gained such a devoted following in the trap community. Have fun, and make sure to purchase the full version once it becomes available for Mac.
March 28, 2018