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Description

Elevate your mix with the Soundtoys MicroShift, the ultimate plugin for creating expansive stereo width with ease. Whether you're looking to broaden your vocal layers or give your lead guitar that larger-than-life presence, MicroShift offers a seamless solution with its trio of classic stereo widening effects. This plugin harnesses a unique blend of pitch shifting and time-varying delay to craft a rich, immersive soundscape that breathes life into any track.

Inspired by iconic hardware like the Eventide H3000 and AMS DMX 15-80s, MicroShift encapsulates the sought-after quirks and warmth of these legendary units. Revel in the same lush, wide sound of analog gear with the convenience of a refined digital interface. The plugin's simple yet powerful controls allow precise adjustments with the Delay, Detune, and Focus knobs, empowering you to tailor the width and character of your mix effortlessly.

Included with your purchase is Little MicroShift, a streamlined version that offers the same stellar effects with a minimalist interface. Perfect for quick enhancements when time is of the essence, this mini version still packs a punch, adding depth and dimension with a simple three-button, one-knob setup.

Key Features:

  • Three distinct stereo widening flavors inspired by legendary hardware
  • Simple, intuitive interface for quick and effective sound enhancement
  • Detune and Delay controls for precise pitch shifting and delay adjustments
  • Focus knob to target specific frequency ranges
  • Comes with Little MicroShift for fast, fuss-free widening
  • Supports macOS (Intel/Apple Silicon) and Windows, in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
  • Compatible with major DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and more

Product specs

Software Type Shift effects
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 32-bit, 64-bit
Format AAX Native, VST, AU, AudioSuite
Authorization Type iLok Account
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel processor
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel compatible processor
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.10 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 7 SP1 or later

FAQs

What is the primary function of the Soundtoys MicroShift plugin?

The Soundtoys MicroShift plugin is designed to provide stereo widening effects using a combination of pitch shifting and delay, enhancing the spatial dimension of vocals, guitars, synths, and other instruments.

Is Soundtoys MicroShift compatible with my DAW?

Soundtoys MicroShift is compatible with DAWs that support AAX Native, VST, AU, and AudioSuite formats, making it suitable for most popular DAWs on both Mac and PC platforms.

Can I use Soundtoys MicroShift on both Mac and PC?

Yes, Soundtoys MicroShift is available for both Mac and PC, requiring at least OS X 10.10 on Mac and Windows 7 SP1 on PC.

How does the Focus knob on MicroShift affect the sound?

The Focus knob allows you to add width to a specific frequency range, enabling precise control over which parts of the audio spectrum are affected by the widening effect.

Does Soundtoys MicroShift require an iLok account for authorization?

Yes, Soundtoys MicroShift requires an iLok account for authorization, although no physical iLok USB device is necessary.

soundtoys

soundtoys

Soundtoys MicroShift

Video thumbnail for Soundtoys MicroShift by soundtoys

Soundtoys MicroShift

soundtoys

soundtoys

Video thumbnail for Wide Vocals Send /// Soundtoys Microshift /// 2:00 Minutes Mixing Tip Tuesday E04 by 2probeats

Wide Vocals Send /// Soundtoys Microshift /// 2:00 Minutes Mixing Tip Tuesday E04

2probeats

2probeats

Video thumbnail for Fearless Gear Review:   Soundtoys Microshift by SpectreSoundStudios

Fearless Gear Review: Soundtoys Microshift

SpectreSoundStudios

SpectreSoundStudios

Video thumbnail for SoundToys Microshift Tutorial I Plugins Masters by Plugins Masters

SoundToys Microshift Tutorial I Plugins Masters

Plugins Masters

Plugins Masters

Video thumbnail for A Deep Dive to MICROSHIFT by Soundtoys- Guide tutorial by XNB

A Deep Dive to MICROSHIFT by Soundtoys- Guide tutorial

XNB

XNB

Video thumbnail for What is the FOCUS knob of Soundtoys Microshift? by Andrei Martinez Agras

What is the FOCUS knob of Soundtoys Microshift?

Andrei Martinez Agras

Andrei Martinez Agras

Reviews

PROS

  • Enhances stereo field and adds richness to flat vocals

  • Provides industry-standard vocal sound without expensive hardware

  • Excellent for widening and thickening vocals with Eventide-like harmonizing

  • Versatile on multiple instruments including bass, keyboards, and guitars

  • Offers precise control over frequency ranges for sound widening

  • Adds unique texture and spatialization to synths and pads

  • Inspires creativity with excellent and easily adjustable presets

  • Creates a professional, expansive sound, ideal for background vocals

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Soundtoys MicroShift.

Features and functionality

  • For stereo inputs, MicroShift uses phase inversion, high-pass filtering, delay, and pitch modulation to create its unique doubling effect.

    Source
  • With mono inputs, the plugin replicates a basic chorus effect by doubling the signal and adding pitch modulation and delay.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users inquire about potential alternatives or emulation using Ableton's native plugins, though no specific Ableton setups were confirmed.

    Source
  • Some users needed to bridge the MicroShift DLL to 64-bit using jbridger, as the Windows installer was not recognized by Ableton without it.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • MicroShift is praised for vocal production, particularly for effectively doubling vocals with a distinct algorithm compared to plugins like Waves Doubler.

    Source
  • Owners favor the 'II' algorithm for optimal sound on backing vocals, lead guitars, and bass synths, using it directly on the channel due to the effective dry/wet control.

    Source
  • Combining MicroShift with other time-based effects like reverb and delay is highlighted for achieving an expansive sound, particularly with clean guitar parts needing an 80’s tone.

    Source
  • Bass mids are often widened using MicroShift on a send, while synths and keys benefit from direct application for creative enhancement during production.

    Source
  • Little MicroShift is particularly effective for adding width and dimension when used on a bus, enhancing multiple tracks subtly without overwhelming mono compatibility.

    Source
  • The plugin is noted for enhancing claps, snaps, snares, and foley elements, adding a pleasing chorusing effect that works well for these background elements.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Mode 2 of MicroShift is modeled after Eventide H3000's famous preset 519, offering a similar widening effect.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Purchasing discounted Soundtoys plugins can reduce the full bundle price significantly, with one user reporting a $45 price drop after buying multiple discounted plugins.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Soundtoys MicroShift

soundonsound.com

Soundtoys MicroShift is a triumph in simplicity and effectiveness, transforming complex widening effects into an intuitive plug-in. With three styles of widening rooted in classic hardware, it offers versatility from subtle enhancement to dramatic chorus-like textures. The Focus control extends its utility, allowing precision application across frequencies. Despite its straightforward controls, MicroShift impresses with its depth and ease of use, making it a staple for any mix. While lacking any real downsides, its reliance on iLok might be a minor hurdle for some. Overall, it's a must-try for those seeking a robust stereo-widening tool.

positive

Review: SoundToys MicroShift by Zach McNees — SonicScoop

sonicscoop.com
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
G

This Plugin sounds nice and clean!

I used to just use the stock plugins to widen sounds, and it worked just fine. But this plugin gives me more control over what frequency range I want to widen, and which range do i want to leave untouched to keep the energy. This was the main reason why I bought this plugin. It works just great for me.

geovoc

excellent!

A great chorus plugin by sound toys! Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great chorus effect with multiple variations and tones.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Johnny Marr uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Mixonline

This article on the making of Marr's 2018 Call the Comet album by MixOnline.com touches on some of the gear used during the recording process. "'We used some Lexicon PCM91 outboard reverb and some EchoBoy, not necessarily timed to the track so it could bounce around a bit and fill space,' says [engineer] Doviak. 'I usually go for something slightly degraded, like a cheap Tape Echo--something with character that sits in the background, not distracting, but has some integrity. MicroShift Soundtoys is great for vocal doubling and widening effects. I’d often use Decapitator or Radiator for some dirt.'" (While the engineer is providing this feedback, the gear is housed in Marr's own Crazy Face studios, which contains gear he's collected over his decades in the music industry.)

See how Kendrick Lamar uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Kendrick Lamar

Rapper

Black Hippy

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on Lamar's vocals for "All the Stars" as stated by producer Matt Schaeffer in this May 2018 Sound on Sound interview.

Kendrick Lamar’s vocal audio tracks, named after his teenage stage name K.Dot, consist of his first verse rap track, ‘VS 1 LD’, and 10 tracks for three moments in the track where he sings the pre-hook in a robotic voice. The verse rap track only has the AIR Flanger on it, and is sent to the ‘Dot VS LD’ aux track, which has eight inserts and five sends. Nine of the 10 pre-hook tracks have Auto?Tune, while the top four have a number of plug-ins on the inserts, including the EQ3 seven-band, Waves RVox, UAD Galaxy Tape Echo, SoundToys Little AlterBoy, SoundToys MicroShift and Valhalla Vintage Verb. These four are sent to a ‘Hook Ref’ aux track higher up in the session with another four plug-ins on the inserts and five sends. The other six are backing vocals to the four other pre-hook tracks and have no other plug-ins, other than a Trim, and are sent to a ‘Hook Background’ aux, just below them, which itself also is sent to the ‘Hoof Ref’ track. It’s a pretty complicated vocal signal chain, as Schaeffer admits.

“The ‘Dot VS LD’ aux indeed has a lot of stuff on it! I did most of the processing on that bus. On the inserts there are the SSL E-Channel, Waves RComp, Waves Q10 EQ, Waves DeEsser, UAD LA2A, UAD Pultec EQP1A, SoundToys Decapitator and Pro?Q2. The SSL channel strip, Q10 and RCompressor remain from the tracking, and maybe the DeEsser as well, but I most likely messed with the settings more during mixing. The Q10 has a high-pass at 50Hz and I notched out a frequency that was bothering me around 8.5kHz with the Q2. I added the other plug-ins during mixing, and they all add something a bit different. I’m boosting 100Hz and 16kHz with the EQP1A. As I said, I like using several EQs on one thing.

“The sends go to a ‘FlangeVerb’ track, on which I put the RVerb and the UAD MXR Flanger, then the ‘Huge Verb’ with the [Audio Ease] Altiverb and EQ3, ‘Hook Valhalla’ with the Vintage Verb, and the SoundToys EchoBoy, the ‘EMT250’ aux with the UAD EMT250, Valhalla Plate and MicroShift, and then finally a send to the ‘Dot VS Delay’ track, with the EchoBoy, set to quarter note, the Reel Tape Flanger and the RCompressor. The EchoBoy is the main delay you can hear in the verse. The EMT250 is not set to a reverb, but to a phaser effect, which gives a cool stereo effect. The Valhalla adds a bit of reverb here, though it’s set to -12, so it only gives a tiny bit of ambience, and the MicroShift makes the whole thing a little wider. It probably still sounded a bit dry, which is why I sent the track to the ‘Huge Verb’ aux with the Altiverb, again taking out low end with the EQ3.

“In the pre-hook, Kendrick wanted that robotic sound with tons of effects. The main robotic effect comes from the iZotope VocalSynth, which gives it a vocoder-like sound. There also are some instances of the Little AlterBoy on the lead vocals in the pre-hook, with some formant adjusting and pitch-shifting. I think one of them is set to +12, so that’s an octave up, and another has a lower formant so it sounds pitched down, even though it remains in the same key. All that adds up to make the vocals sound robotic.”

Adding all inserts on audio and aux tracks together, Lamar’s verse rap is treated with a whopping 22 plug-ins! The ‘Hook Background’ aux, meanwhile, has the EQ3 seven-band, RCompressor, SoundToys Panman, a chorus, the MicroShift, the UAD MXR Flanger and the Valhalla Plate on the inserts and has sends to an aux track with the Waves Kramer Tape plug-in as well as the aforementioned ‘Hook Valhalla’ aux with the Vintage Verb, and Echoboy, and it then is routed to the ‘Hook Ref’ track, which has another four inserts and five sends. Phew.

See how Andrew Huang uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

Used on the deep vocals for "Sparkle Mountain", as shown in the project breakdown at 11:54.

See how Justin Bieber uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Justin Bieber

Singer, Composer

Young Artists for Haiti

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on "Purpose", as stated by Purpose mix engineers Josh Gudwin and Andrew Wuepper in this May 2016 Sound on Sound interview about the mixing of the title track and others.

Gudwin picks out a few other interesting tracks, beginning with a vocal track named ‘vcls’. “That track contains a vocal sample that Blood made of Justin’s vocal. I’m just touching that with the LFO Tool for a bit of pumping, I take out some high frequencies with the Pro-Q 2, and then use the SoundToys Microshift for a slight pitch-shift/chorusing effect. ‘Sry1V’ below that is the vinyl sound in the track. ‘$JBU’ is the main lead vocal bus, on which I have the UAD 1176, Waves De-Esser, Manley Massive Passive, Metric Halo Channel Strip. The sends are to the generic aux tracks at the bottom of the sesion: verb, ping-pong delay, Dimension D. Below the lead vocal bus is the print track of a Bricasti outboard.”

Wuepper: “There are two tracks called ‘Bric’ around the main vocal bus; the one above is the print from the Bricasti effect that was used on the percussion, and the one below is the print of the Bricasti reverb on the vocal. Next are Josh’s vocal delays. Putting delays on audio snippets [ie. copying short vocal clips to new tracks and applying delays as inserts, rather than automating a send from the main vocal track] is a pretty interesting way of doing things. I’ve not seen anyone else do this, but it makes it easier for Josh to manipulate these delays and to go deeper into the effect. He can really fine tune the delay times and decay lengths and so on. Sometimes the feedback you get with plug-ins can act a little weird, and this approach allows him to have more control.”

Gudwin: “The five green tracks are all vocal throws and delays. I don’t like to automate delay throws via aux tracks. The top green track is the master track for the delays, ‘JB Throw All’, and it has a compressor and an SPL Vitalizer. The ‘1147’ delay track has the UAD Cooper Time Cube, with a quick ping-pong-y flutter delay that I use to widen, and the track called ‘1167’ has a basic eighth-note delay from the Echo Boy. The ‘A’ insert is Auto-Tune, but it’s not working on these tracks. When needed, our vocal tuning is normally done by Chris ‘Tek’ O’Ryan in Melodyne. I sometimes do it myself, if I have the time do it, in the stand-alone version.

“The blue vocal tracks below the vocal delay tracks are the main lead vocal comp tracks, and on many of them I have the UAD SSL Channel Strip, UAD LA-2A, and the Waves C6 multiband compressor, and sometimes also the Pro-Q 2 EQ. The ‘DLYP’ track has a delay pan effect, with the SoundToys Primal Tap delay and Panman auto-panner, SSL Channel Strip and the P&M Vinylizer. ‘White’ and ‘Master’ are printed reverbs recorded in two rooms at Henson. They are my main plug-in vocal reverbs, and the green tracks below are pitched with the Elastic Audio X-Form [in Pro Tools] and effected with the Waves H-Compressor for a pumping effect. I pitched the reverbs up an octave or two, and I mixed them in very low. The ‘PCM’ and ‘PC1’ tracks are prints from ping-pong delays from the Lexicon PCM42 outboard.

“Justin’s backing vocal tracks all go to the group track called ‘JBG1’, on which I have a Waves De-esser, an SSL Channel and the C6 multiband compressor, plus there are a number of delays and reverbs via the sends. Trevon’s backing vocals all go to ‘JBTR’, which has similar effects. I wanted to fill the song up a bit more, and sometimes it’s not the most enjoyable process for an artist to sing all these background parts. Plus a different vocalist will add a different texture to the song, as long as it complements the lead vocal and the record. As I mentioned, Julia added her vocals during the final mix in New York, and her group track also has the De-esser, SSl Channel and C6. Right at the bottom are some effects tracks, with the Dimension D and group delay throws, and so on.

(...) 'Love Yourself'

(...) Next are Justin’s vocals, with I overdubbed in New York. Almost all the regular vocal tracks have the UAD SSL Channel, LA2 and the Waves C6 multiband compressor. These three plug-ins work great on his vocals, so I tend to stick with them. Each of the vocal tracks has slightly different settings from them. They all go to Justin’s lead vocal bus above them, which has the FabFilter Pro-DS de-esser and the Pro-2 EQ. Justin’s lead vocals also go through the Bricasti, and the effect is printed. My own four backing vocals went through a vocal bus on which I had the SSL Channel, and a compressor, but they didn’t do much, nor did the sends. These vocals are very much in the background, I just wanted to add some texture really quickly. Finally, at the top of the session everything went through a Master track, on which I had the UAD SSL channel, mainly for compression set to mid-attack and auto-release — without drums you don’t need the slow attack and quick release — a Massey EQ, boosting 100Hz and 16kHz, a FabFilter Pro-L for level, and the Sonnox Oxford Inflator to add some sheen.”

'What Do You Mean?'

(...) “There were a few more complicated vocal effects, like the ‘JG FX’ track, on which I used the Vitalizer doing some spatial expanding, a UAD Fatso to thicken it up, and I then cut some low mids with an EQ, and used a de-esser. This effect track gave more depth to the vocal and made him sound more like an angel! Underneath that are two ‘Radio’ tracks [which sound like they could have come straight from Peter Gabriel’s ’80s Fairlight experiments]. I used Auto-Tune to pitch the vocals up, and then put on a SoundToys AlterBoy, which changed the formant, and then I’m filtering 350Hz and below.

“Below the ‘radio’ tracks are all my vocal delay tracks, in green as usual, with the bus for all delay throws at the top. One delay track, ‘Splaater’, is a flutter delay with Auto-Tune and the Cooper Time Cube, and the other two have the Waves H-Delay and SoundToys Echo Boy. They’re both quarter-note delays, but with different feels. Below the delay tracks are some ad lib tracks, and all the actual lead vocals, pulled out over several tracks. Most of them have my regular trio of UAD SSL Channel, LA2 and Waves C6 plug-ins, and all vocals are sent to the ‘JB Buss’, on which I have the FabFilter DS de-esser, a Manley EQ doing light cuts at 330Hz, 560Hz and 3kHz, and then a whole bunch of sends to my regular aux tracks at the bottom: a hall reverb, a plate reverb, a light quarter-inch delay, a light ping-pong delay and a Dimension D.

“Further down are four Justin backing vocal tracks, which go to a bus above them, ‘JBG1’, on which I have the SSL Channel, boosting highs and cutting lows and doing some heavy compression, a UAD 33609 compressor, and then the Waves Enigma [phaser/flanger] on a Mutron setting, adding some sweeping sounds. The sends are once again hall and plate reverbs, a quarter-note and a ping-pong delay and a UAD Roland Dimension D. Once Justin had decided to go with my rough mix, I spent another half hour on it, doing some EQ adjustments, and that was it.”

See how Justin Meldal-Johnsen uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Bassist, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Photo

Justin Meldal-Johnsen highlights the creative potential of the Soundtoys MicroShift plugin on his Instagram, emphasizing its role in crafting limitless combinations by rearranging effects.

See how Lady Gaga uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Lady Gaga

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Lady Gaga uses the Soundtoys MicroShift plugin, as confirmed by her engineer who stated, "I have the Oeksound Soothe and Soundtoys MicroShift on those to widen things a bit," in the Sound on Sound article "Inside Track: Lady Gaga 'Rain On Me'."

See how AJRBrothers uses Soundtoys MicroShift

AJRBrothers

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Twitter

Can be seen at 0:26 on the upper monitor

See how Fox Stevenson uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Fox Stevenson

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

at 15:35 you can see his list of soundtoys plugins.

See how SZA uses Soundtoys MicroShift

SZA

Singer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on SZA's vocals for "All the Stars", as stated by producer Matt Schaeffer in this May 2018 Sound on Sound interview. An image of the settings can be found here.

There are 12 SZA vocal audio tracks in total: two for the main hook, one second verse lead track, and nine verse backing tracks, which in fact provide emphasis and overdubs of single words. All SZA audio tracks have the Antares Auto?Tune 8.1 plug-in, the two hook tracks each also have the FabFilter Pro?Q2 equaliser, and the main SZA verse track also has a de-esser, while the backing vocals have two instances of the Waves RVerb and one of the same company’s H-Delay. Apart from Auto?Tune, most of the processing is done on the ‘SZA ?’ aux, to which all SZA audio tracks are sent.

Schaeffer: “The inserts of the sum track for SZA’s vocals consist of the EQ3 seven-band, Waves RComp, UAD Pultec EQP1A, UAD 1176E, Waves De-Esser, UAD LA2A, another Waves De-Esser, the Pro?Q2, yet another Waves De-Esser and the SoundToys MicroShift. The De-Essers affect 11400Hz, 15032Hz and 2000Hz respectively. I like stacking de-essers set to different frequencies. It works like narrow multiband compression. Sometimes I will in fact use a multiband compressor, like the Waves C4, but if the vocals have very specific harsh frequencies, I prefer to use several de-essers. They also are helpful as I like boosting high frequencies in vocals; here, the EQP1A boosts 16kHz. The EQ3 has a high-pass at 216Hz and cuts at 695Hz, and the Q2 lowers the high end to some degree. When a frequency bothers me, I usually sweep through [with a band set temporarily to boost] to find the frequency and then I cut. The MicroShift provides a little extra width and a slight ambience with the delay parameter, without actually making the vocal sound too stereo.

“The sends go to auxes called ‘SZA Verb’ and ‘DVerb’, both of which have the DVerb and EQ3 seven-band, two ‘SZA Delays’ with the Waves H-Delay, and the ‘SZA Chamber’, which has the Waves RVerb and again the EQ3 seven-band. I put an EQ after the reverb, because I don’t like too much low end in reverb. You get a cleaner sound by taking it out, and you make space for actual instruments to take up that spectrum. The delays are both set to eighth note, and one of them is set to ping-pong delay and also is automated to only come in on certain places.”

See how Jonas Blue uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Jonas Blue

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

This plugin can be seen at 4:29 into this video

See how Yaeji uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Yaeji

Singer, Rapper

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Yaeji - Against The Clock" by 180 Fact on YouTube, Yaeji is shown using the Soundtoys MicroShift plugin.

See how Maddix uses Soundtoys MicroShift

Maddix

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 11:34 you can see Maddix open this plugin and says "MicroShift is a pretty cool chorus effect, makes the sound really wide"

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Soundtoys MicroShift, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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