We’ve spoken about some killer plugins before, but they just keep coming. This time around comes FabFilter’s Volcano 3 – the notorious filter plugin just got an upgrade, reports MusicRadar.

If you find yourself to be a user of Volcano 2 or 1, you’ll spot some big differences. From a new interface that’s vastly different from the last (one that brings so much more visualisation of what you’re doing to your input signal, to a multitude of new filter presets.

The new Volcano 3 interface is far more intuitive with its new visualization compared to the two previous versions. Volcano 3 features a new filter display that speeds up the workflow for any user as we can select up to four filters at once, a response curve with stereo separation and a spectrum display all get the perc of visualization!

The new filters we mentioned, as well as the classic High-, Low-, and Band-Pass filters, include a vintage-style Bell, High/Low Shelf, Notch, and All-Pass modes. As we mentioned, you can use up to four filters in one session, all are non-linear, and each filter also houses its own variable saturation circuit and a 6dB/octave slope option – not to mention individual volume and pan options that we can manipulate.

Each filter, whichever you use on any of your four options, has different modes including parallel, serial, and hybrid routing options in stereo, L/R, or M/S modes. This creates so many opportunities not just in mastering but also in sound design. Version 3’s filter core is analog-modeled which gives the new filter options some vintage character.

Volcano 3 is available for both Windows and Mac users, as well as iOS via the AUv3 plugin version that can be purchased on the Apple App Store. In the realm of PC/Mac, the desktop version is available in both VST/AU formats and can be purchased right now. If you would prefer a trial first, a 30-day free trial is also available.

FabFilter Volcano 3 features, as reported by MusicRadar:

• Up to four simultaneous filters, each drawing on an extensive range of modes and styles for an infinite palette of coloration
• Wide variety of parallel, serial, and hybrid routing schemes in Stereo, L/R, and M/S modes
• Fully redesigned, highly streamlined interface
• Rebuilt filter control panel, including selection and adjustment of multiple filters at once, integrated spectrum analyzer, and optional piano display
• Even better sounding filter algorithms
• Independent Drive control for each filter
• Vintage-style Bell, High/Low Shelf, Notch, and All-Pass filter modes, and extra 6 dB/octave slope option
• Per-filter level and pan controls
• Endless modulation options, with as many 16-step XLFOs, XY controllers, envelope generators, envelope followers, and MIDI sources as desired
• New real-time modulation visualization of both targets and sources, and floating slot panels on all targets
• High Quality (4x oversampling) mode
• Curve shaping of Attack, Decay, and Release Envelope Generator stages
• Envelope Follower transient detection mode
• Resizable interface with full-screen mode
• Carefully designed and curated factory presets, plus support for earlier Volcano presets
• All the usual features FabFilter users have come to expect: perfectly fine-tuned knobs and controllers, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample accurate automation, SSE optimization, and more

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