Cableguys have announced the release of PanShaper, an advanced stereo control utility with multi-band processing and all the awesome modulation features you’d expect to find in a Cableguys release (fully customizable waveforms, a variety of LFO triggering modes, you know the drill). We’re taking a closer look at this exciting new audio processing tool and giving away three completely free PanShaper licenses to three lucky BPB readers!
If you’re at all familiar with Cableguys’ previous work, you most certainly already know about the excellent PanCake stereo modulation effect. It’s easily the most powerful freeware stereo modulation utility around, however that concept is now taken even further with the new PanShaper plugin.
See also: FREE PanCake Stereo Modulation Effect By Cableguys!Unlike traditional auto-pan effects which are usually limited to a selection of pre-configured modulation curves (sine, pulse, ramp, etc.), PanShaper lets you draw a custom LFO shape which can be as simple or as detailed as you like. The LFO can then be synced to the host’s BPM setting or played in free mode, it can be triggered via MIDI or locked to your host, the options here are almost endless. For example, you can use PanShaper as a one-shot stereo effect that reacts to incoming MIDI notes, so as to make the modulation sequence run only once at a given time (like an envelope), instead of looping. The plugin also features a Pitch To Rate mode, which applies the pitch value of incoming MIDI notes to the LFO rate setting. This way, you can modulate the pan of the processed audio signal all the way up there in the audible spectrum, resulting in some quite amazing FM stereo effects.
But the coolest and craziest new feature in PanShaper is the multi-band processing, allowing the user to define up to three different frequency bands which can be treated completely independently. So, you can have a fast LFO for the highs, a slower LFO for the mids, and keep the lower frequencies centered.
With so many available modulation options, it’s necessary to have a well thought-out user interface, because things could get very confusing rather quickly. Thankfully, PanShaper delivers in this area as well, sporting a clean looking user interface with an intuitive control layout and a handful of bonus features to make the plugin easier to use. What I liked the most is the audio waveform display in the shape editor, which shows the incoming audio in real time. This makes the curve editing process incredibly easy, as you can clearly see a snapshot of the audio signal on the input, making it possible to align the modulation curve as precisely as you need it to be.
Waveform editing has been the central feature of all Cableguys plugins in the past, and it definitely shows. The waveform editor in PanShaper is as intuitive as they get, with all the necessary tools and shortcuts a user may need. The curve points can be hard or soft (right-click toggles curve mode), they can be dragged around together, as well as manipulated in smaller groups (SHIFT+drag activates the Lasso tool for selecting multiple points). In addition, the editor can operate in step sequencer mode, making it super easy to create stereo modulation sequences that are perfectly in sync with your audio. For more detailed info about the available control features, take a look at the excellent demo video embedded above. A great little tool tip display is also included in PanShaper (located in the bottom-left of the GUI), explaining the functionality of each control when you hover it with the mouse pointer.
Of course, you don’t have to draw new curves from scratch every time you want to use the plugin. PanShaper includes a set of preset modulation curves sorted into several categories for easier browsing. The curves in the Basic category cover the standard stuff like sine wave, triangle, saw wave and such, whereas the Rhythm, Edge and Creative curves include a set of rhythmic sequences that work great for adding a bit of groove to the processed material, as well as some more random curves that will make the stereo modulation less artificial sounding. Speaking of random curves, the position of all points can be randomized in the waveform editor, often leading to fun sounding results. And once you’re completely happy with the edited curve, it is possible to save up to six of your custom-made shapes for later use.
The Verdict
Stereo modulation effects don’t get any better than this. Cableguys have created a fun to use and incredibly powerful stereo processing tool, providing a more than welcome addition to their arsenal of modulation driven effects such as VolumeShaper and FilterShaper. If you want to take your stereo modulation game to the next level, look no further than PanShaper.
More info: PanShaper ($39)
The Giveaway
Our friends at Cableguys are giving away three PanShaper licenses to three lucky BPB readers. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below! We will pick the winners randomly on March 20th and announce them on this page. Good luck everyone and thanks for reading BPB! :)
UPDATE: Unfortunately, we’ve experienced a database issue which is causing the first 100 comments not to be displayed on this page. We have all of the comments (including the first 100) backed up, though, and they will be included in the draw, so don’t worry!
Giveaway Winners
As noted above, we’ve experienced a database bug which caused some comments to be deleted from the page. Luckily, we had a backup of all comments, so everyone who entered was included in the giveaway (even though you can’t see your comment below). We extracted the emails from all backed up and live comments, removed the duplicates, assigned a number to each email (207 valid entries in total) and generated three random numbers at random.org. Here are the three winners:
- Jayden*********[email protected]
- s****_b***@live.co.uk
- Cr**********[email protected]
Congrats to the winners (you will receive a confirmation email from Cableguys soon) and thanks to everyone else for joining in. We will continue using the post comment to enter format for the majority of giveaways in the future despite the technical issues that occurred this time, because we love hearing your feedback. We will do our best to avoid any bugs in the future (our web host has been notified and they’ve added more resources to our hosting account). Thanks for reading BPB!
Cableguys PanShaper Review
PanShaper is the perfect stereo processing tool, sporting a powerful and easy to use waveform editor, along with numerous modulation options. Stereo modulation effects don't get any better than this!
-
Features9
-
Workflow10
-
Stability10
-
Design9
-
Pricing10
122 Comments
Bleepblop
onSick one, just watched something on it
Juan
onYes!
Adam
onRandom pick
Fazil Irak
onIts so good.
Shannon McDowell
onThanks for this opportunity – I use their free version PanCake 2 all the time. Best to all, Shan :-)
Bertle
onCableguys never fails to amaze me with their plugins. Good luck to everyone here
Joccc Harder
onGreat!
Andrew
onNice stereo plug-in, with a great interface
Klaus-Juergen Chmiel
onNice One !
M Moody
onFingers crossed…
Beurk
onYo!
Terry
onI look forward to getting my copy
Roman
onWow, I did not expect to hear Dan Worrall in this video demo. It was a nice surprise, he’s awesome demonstrator.
Paweł
onWant!
Lucas
onNice one ! Good luck !
Tony
onI would use this daily. I love their VolumeShaper plugin too!
Thomas Ueber
on“To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below” they said.
“We will pick the winners randomly on March 20th and announce them on this page” they said.
Edward
onFantastic!
Gunar
onDamn! Great Idea!
Steve Green
onYes… I want this… :)
Icebender
onME WINNING IS INEVITABLE
BrianK
onI would love to have this plugin!
RC Studios
onThis vst look amazing.
U-o
onGood luck!
Ola
onHope I win this
Andreas
onCableguys are making some really intresting plugins :)
Steve H
onGood luck all.
Lautaro
onThis is awesome! Would love to get it :)
Jura
onGreat!
Brian C
onThanks for this!
Joseph
onCableguys puts out really cool stuff. Thanks for the offer.
soundexperts
onYou have the best blog with reviews of free plug-ins! Thanks guys!
Anzo
onI’ve got some pan that needs shaped. I could really use a new plug-in to take care of this :)
Derek D
onCool plugin!!
Archangel
onNice plugin. Very musical and creative.
Mikenom
onCableguys and bpb – Superstuffguys. Yes! :)
Pisces
onAll there plugins are solid, Use volumeshaper in every project.. Also the pancake which is free. Highly recommended.
Andreas Hygrell
onWow, I downloaded PanCake some time ago, and this looks even more awesome
Qrchack
onThanks guys!
Oskar
onUsually there are always like 1-2 comments but when there’s free stuff to win there’s 100’s :D
Jordan
onYummy!
Pablo Baico
onThanks!
Robert Stappert
onGreat Tool :-)
Peter
oni really like the gui of the cableguys plugins
ASTRALYATRA
onCool !!!
Digiconv
onNice !
Patrick
onNice and Cool !!!
Andrius
oncomm
Dionel
onthanks
ffx
onVery useful nextgen fx.
Juuso Luttinen
onNice work! :)
Andrey
onThank you, BPB!
Michael
onCableguys always has some amazing plugins, so looking forward to trying it out. Good luck to everyone else entering!
Mark
onNice one
andreas.
ongreat!
Carlos
onGreat!
Risto
onYay, would love it!
Ken Chase
onI’ve been toying around with the demo. It’s quite addictive.
JJ
onI dig PanCake 2 so this looks very interesting!
VIPER OFFICIAL
ona love all the plugins from Cableguys!
Tim Aaron
onlife is a lottery and this plugin looks very cool!:D
peter
oncool
Jean-Philippe
onNice, Good Luck!!!
Daniel S
onLooks and sounds like a great plug-in!
Drew Fitzgerald
onI would love to get my hands on the Panshaper!
Andrew LeFeve
onThis looks sick. Good luck everyone! May the odds be ever in your favor
Bouslama Samy
onGood luck everyone !!
But… I feel like it’s already mine :)
See ya
FLAndi
onThank you to BPB and Cableguys for the chance to win this great plugin!
Tapsa Kuusniemi
onWhy not. :)
Chris Walton
onHope to win this. Love Cableguys stuff.
MattG
onCableguys stuff has always been on form, would love to try this :)
DIYFuzz
onI’ll give it a try. Thank you! :)
ro
onI’d like to experience a not free plugin.
Patrick
onGreat modulations and nice review!
Alan Collins
onI like
it I
want it
Jaszko
onWhat a nice giveaway! I’m in! ;)
ATA Music
on`Great giveaway! :)
Andy
onVery creative panning tool from Cableguys and as usual a good informative video from Dan!
Andrei
onNice one ! Good luck !
Thommaz Kauffmann
onWant it!
aaron
onHead spinning already
Dee.P.Tree
onI am fan of pan cake. It’s my goto plugin in every music I create. I just love it. I would be very very happy if I win its big brother.
Thanks BPB, for this nice review and opportunity to win it. Of course, thanks to cableguys too…!
Dee.P.Tree
onI own pancake… I just live it. It’s my goto plugin in every music I create, if it suits the taste of track. I would love to have its big brother.
Thanks BPB for very nice review and opportunity to win this very useful plugin. Of course, thanks to Cableguys too for this giveaway.
Regards, Dee.P.Tree :bow:
Dee.P.Tree
onThe second comment was mistake because of mobile browser did not refresh the page. It did not show comment till I wrote it again, sorry. It was unintentional.
Ninja Mode
on:)
Simon
onMy initial comment was deleted, as well as over one hundred others too, according to the number at the top – what’s that supposed to mean?
Tomislav Zlatic
onIt is a bug. :(
But don’t worry, all entrant comments are saved (we have a backup) and will be included in the giveaway.
Jim
onSounds amazing
Cyrill Boss
onI’ve already got PanCake but this is way more powerful!
Krisse
onGreat!!!!
Martin
onGood luck, everybody :)
Michael
onLooks great to me.
Fred
onI want it!
Clark Cable
onCableguys sure deliver!
Andrei
onNice, Good Luck!!!
Sandi Paliska
onI would really need that seems great like a great plug to work with :D hope we get a choose on this one :)
Per ArnePer Arne
onLooks awesome, I think I would do something awesome with it, so I’m in on the contest :)
Bing Teng
onYeh, if only……….
I was just checking this plugin but my buget……..
Alexsandr
onPan it’s fun
Craig
onYay this is awesome!
yeeel
on:))))
Rodolfo
onI really want it!
Perhopes
onGood plugin, I would love to have it :)
B.J
onAwesome!! Love it :o)
Tony
onhell yeah gl
Adam Leggett
onPantastic.
Harry
onSounds Great.
Daniel with the Blue Vans
onVery impressed by this plugin!
Lucas
onI use PanCake plugin all the time! PanShaper would be a huge and awesome upgrade, which could take my production to a whole new level! :-)
Andrei
onGood luck!
Gabe
onId love a copy of this!
Erich
onThanks for the review!
Llucky
onon the video- is that man on xanax – is he panned out :) ?
ps i would love to be panned out too and get a free copy :)
Thomas
onI’d love to have a copy of this plugin :)
T3rtium Quid
onThis looks great. Hope it’s not too late to enter the giveaway.
Andre
onGreat! Hope I win!
Tony
onwho won ?
winner
onany sign of a winner?
Tomislav Zlatic
onThe winners were announced on Monday, actually! :D Please try refreshing the page in your browser.
Tim Aaron
ondid you forget to announce the winners? xD
Tomislav Zlatic
onHey Tim, the winners have been announced a few days ago! Please try refreshing the page in your browser (you’re probably seeing an old cached version).