Image-Line Gross Beat

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4.5 (107)

1 Critic Review

28 Reviews

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Page last updated Mar 31, 2026

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Description

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Step into the realm of dynamic sound manipulation with the Image Line Gross Beat, a versatile time and volume modulation plugin that's a treasure trove for musicians and producers alike. Whether you're aiming for real-time performance or intricate studio production, Gross Beat offers a palette of glitch, repeat, scratching, and stutter effects that will breathe new life into your tracks. This powerful tool stores audio in a 2-bar rolling buffer and is equipped with 36 user-definable time and volume envelopes, allowing you to sculpt sound with unparalleled precision.

Gross Beat isn't just about creating otherworldly effects; it's a strategic tool for performance artists. Seamlessly link time and volume presets to your MIDI controllers or automation sources, and watch your creativity unfold in real-time. Choose from momentary, return to base, or hold modes for each preset, giving you customized control over your performance flow. Plus, its gating capabilities make it an ideal candidate for achieving that signature side-chain pumping effect without the hassle of linking to an external audio source.

The Gross Beat has even graced the iconic Tron Legacy soundtrack by Daft Punk, showcasing its ability to anchor complex rhythmic structures. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an experimental novice, Gross Beat's intuitive interface and robust feature set will elevate your music production to new heights.

Key Features:

Time and volume manipulation for real-time or rendered effects
2-bar rolling buffer with 36 user-definable envelopes
MIDI and automation linking for dynamic performance control
Supports momentary, return to base, and hold presets
Built-in gating for side-chain effects without external linkage

Videos

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In The Mix

Gross Beat Tutorial - Everything You Need To Know - FL Studio 20

In The Mix

FL STUDIO | Gross Beat

FL Studio

Tour of Image Line's Gross Beat VST

Mark Mosher

FL Studio Basics 21: Gross Beat

SeamlessR

How to use gross beat in FL Studio 20 Everything you need to know.

Warrior Sound - Unders

Image-Line Gross Beat: Application and Tips

MusicMarketingTV

Sidechaining with Image Line's Gross Beat

MusicMarketingTV

Image-Line's Gross Beat Explained

MusicMarketingTV

Reviews

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PROS

Offers extensive control over time and volume manipulation
Excellent for creating glitchy effects and tape stops
Comes with a variety of useful and wild LFO preset shapes
Facilitates precise sidechaining with more control than traditional methods
Allows for creative volume manipulations with mouse-drawing capabilities
Seamlessly integrates with FL Studio, making it user-friendly for FL users
Can convert CV signals to MIDI, expanding its functionality with modern gear
Simplifies preset management by allowing drag-and-drop preset loading
Great for adding unique effects to kicks and soundscapes
Versatile for both complex and simple audio manipulation tasks

CONS

Limited to 4-beat loops, requiring automation for longer custom loops
Might not be the most pleasant effect for all users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Image-Line Gross Beat.

Use cases and applications

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Gross Beat is effectively used for glitch hop by routing kick and bass to a bus for glitch effects without altering mix progression.
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Applying Gross Beat to drum loops can create unique cuts and variations, especially beneficial for genres like drum and bass or breakcore.
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The plugin is popular for adding tape stop effects and gating, enhancing melodies and creating stuttery vocal effects common in house and techno.
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Standalone Gross Beat purchase allows usage across multiple DAWs, unlike the Signature Edition upgrade, which restricts it to FL Studio.
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Gross Beat can be used to manipulate playback time and volume, but requires automation for more complex implementations like turntable scratching.
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Features and functionality

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Users often employ Gross Beat's tremolo presets on synths and sound effects to reduce predictability in repetitive patterns.
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ShaperBox 3's external sidechain or envelope following features enable triggering effects based on song elements, enhancing track interconnectivity.
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The built-in Oscilloscope in ShaperBox 3 can be used for checking phase cancellation, providing additional utility beyond Gross Beat's capabilities.
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Comparisons

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Gross Beat is sometimes compared to ShaperBox, which provides more flexibility with grid-based design and simultaneous multi-effect processing.
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MRhythmizer is suggested as a cheaper alternative to Gross Beat, providing similar functionalities at a lower price point.
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ShaperBox 3 allows processing of lows, mids, and highs separately, offering more complex sound design compared to Gross Beat's all-or-nothing approach.
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Software and compatibility

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FL Studio native versions of Gross Beat are only available directly from Image-Line, but third-party retailers offer serials that unlock both Native and VST versions.
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dBlue Glitch, though unsupported and 32-bit only, offers a step sequencer for effect sequencing, which Gross Beat lacks.
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Value and pricing

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Individual plugins from companies with full suites are usually pricier; bundling and waiting for discount days are recommended for cost-efficiency.
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ShaperBox 3 is often on sale for $99, with frequent upgrades being affordable, making it a cost-effective alternative to Gross Beat.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users often export tracks to bypass limitations of Gross Beat's trial version, allowing use without purchasing the full plugin.
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Critic Reviews

Image-Line Gross Beat review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Summary: Image-Line's Gross Beat is a specialist tool offering convincing turntable-style effects with a focus on time and volume manipulation. Its customizable interface and live performance capabilities are standout features, making it popular among its niche audience. However, its singular focus means it lacks the glitch effects some competitors offer for free. At $99, it appeals to those who value its unique capabilities, but might not replace actual turntables for DJs. Overall, Gross Beat is a fun, reasonably priced plugin for those seeking specific audio-mashing effects.

positive

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