Stutter+Hold

Stutter+Hold: a timbral tremolo effect, using the audioPlugin class

#aescomp 2020.

Stutter+Hold is a AU/VST timbral tremolo plug-in built with the MATLAB Audio Toolbox, designed by Julian Vanasse and Max Henry (McGill University, Music Technology Area). This is our submission to the 2020 AES Student Competition: Matlab Plugin.

Built on the skeleton of a from-scratch analysis synthesis framework, Stutter+Hold uses a phase vocoding base, combined with an amplitude follower, voiced/unvoiced detection and biologically inspired dynamic compression to create this unique creative tool intended for live or studio use.

A first plugin for both of us, this code is meat-and-potatoes DSP. Aside from the audioPlugin class itself, we don't make use of any built-in functions; everything is coded from scratch. It took on many forms over the months, but we hope this final form, a timbral tremolo, will inspire you in your creative endeavours.

Thanks and good luck to everyone.
Max + Julian