Does anyone know if there’s a variable real-time harmonic VST?

[Lion♡]

Same as the title:
If anyone knows of a VST3 that adds harmonics (or reverb) which vary continuously in real time rather than staying at a fixed value, I’d appreciate your recommendations.
It seems that pkharmonic doesn’t yet support VST3, and since it uses fixed values rather than variable modulation, I was wondering if something like this exists.

@pkane and pkane, Is there a planned VST3 release of pkharmonic? I think I saw “VST3” mentioned in a thread last year—was it in development?

 

[ppataki]

vary continuously in real time

Varying continuously based on what?
What would be the goal here with this plugin? I am just trying to understand what you are planning to achieve here

 

[kemmler3D]

There are lots and lots of plugins that fit this description, but as @ppataki says, depending on what you are trying to do they might or might not be suitable. What's the end goal here?

 

[Lion♡]

Varying continuously based on what?
What would be the goal here with this plugin? I am just trying to understand what you are planning to achieve here

depending on what you are trying to do they might or might not be suitable. What's the end goal here?

Thank you both for your responses.
I wasn’t looking for a specific goal so much as something that continuously varies (rather than using a fixed value). Calling it an “ultimate goal” feels a bit grand, but I was curious whether maintaining those unpredictable, subtle fluctuations over time might have a positive perceptual effect.
For example, just as convolution plus head-tracking imparts dynamic variability, I was curious whether a similar approach in the harmonic domain could produce perceptual changes. However, maybe I’m just not finding the right tool—most plugins seem to rely on setting a fixed slider value and that’s it. Honestly, I don’t even know how much variability would be required(Based on what?).

 

[digitalfrost]

Perfect Declipper has a Natural Dynamics function that could do what you want.

 

[kemmler3D]

Thank you both for your responses.
I wasn’t looking for a specific goal so much as something that continuously varies (rather than using a fixed value). Calling it an “ultimate goal” feels a bit grand, but I was curious whether maintaining those unpredictable, subtle fluctuations over time might have a positive perceptual effect.
For example, just as convolution plus head-tracking imparts dynamic variability, I was curious whether a similar approach in the harmonic domain could produce perceptual changes. However, maybe I’m just not finding the right tool—most plugins seem to rely on setting a fixed slider value and that’s it. Honestly, I don’t even know how much variability would be required(Based on what?).

Any VST can be set up to vary continuously based on control inputs (MIDI or otherwise) inside a DAW - reverb or otherwise. You could add random fluctuations to PKHarmonic this way.

I don't know of a lot of VSTs like PKHarmonic that allow you to dial in each harmonic individually.

But there are plenty of VSTs that introduce harmonic distortion that varies based on input by themselves, lots of them on this page actually: https://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/

 

[pkane]

Thank you both for your responses.
I wasn’t looking for a specific goal so much as something that continuously varies (rather than using a fixed value). Calling it an “ultimate goal” feels a bit grand, but I was curious whether maintaining those unpredictable, subtle fluctuations over time might have a positive perceptual effect.
For example, just as convolution plus head-tracking imparts dynamic variability, I was curious whether a similar approach in the harmonic domain could produce perceptual changes. However, maybe I’m just not finding the right tool—most plugins seem to rely on setting a fixed slider value and that’s it. Honestly, I don’t even know how much variability would be required(Based on what?).

What would be the purpose of continuously varying the distortion profile? Does any circuit vary its nonlinear behavior continuously with time? Maybe during warm-up or during overheating that might happen. But during normal operation? That would indeed be a poorly engineered audio circuit.

Varying distortion with frequency makes sense, lots of amplifiers do that. I've simulated this in an unreleased version DISTORT app. This was done to test for audibility of increased nonlinearity with frequency: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/are-tubes-more-musical.57579/post-2108605. Is that what you're asking?

And no, a VST3 PKHarmonic hasn't been in the plans, although a few folks did ask about it.

 

[kemmler3D]

Maybe during warm-up or during overheating that might happen. But during normal operation? That would indeed be a poorly engineered audio circuit.

If you look at the Variety of Sound blog, apparently certain vintage gear does have stateful / hysteretic behavior which contributes to a certain (euphonic, maybe?) "vintage" sound. I think this mostly manifests as different distortion profiles or dynamic compression behavior around peaks. Subjectively I can tell you his plugins sound really good considering the price.

 

[pkane]

If you look at the Variety of Sound blog, apparently certain vintage gear does have stateful / hysteretic behavior which contributes to a certain (euphonic, maybe?) "vintage" sound. I think this mostly manifests as different distortion profiles or dynamic compression behavior around peaks. You might find it interesting, he goes into some detail about it. Subjectively I can tell you his plugins sound really good considering the price.

Sure. DISTORT app itself has a bunch of compression-like effects pre-built into it. That's not the same as "harmonics which vary continuously in real time rather than staying at a fixed value", but maybe I misunderstood something.

 

[pkane]

By the way, here's a really neat implementation of a real-time audio circuit simulator that can also be used as a VST3 plugin. Draw the test circuit and then run audio from input to output to hear the result: https://www.livespice.org/

Very cool!

 

[Lion♡]

While I was eating, so many people replied—thank you. It was just a simple or strange question, and I didn’t expect it to lead to so many responses. thanks again.

Perfect Declipper has a Natural Dynamics function that could do what you want.

Thank you for letting me know. The software you mentioned seems a bit different from what I was looking for, but I appreciate the helpful information.

Any VST can be set up to vary continuously based on control inputs (MIDI or otherwise) inside a DAW - reverb or otherwise. You could add random fluctuations to PKHarmonic this way.

Thank you. I had never considered that. Right now I’m only using Hangloose standalone, but I’ll test it again in Reaper.

What would be the purpose of continuously varying the distortion profile?

It gives a similar impression to what kemmler3D said:
"If you look at the Variety of Sound blog, apparently certain vintage gear does have stateful / hysteretic behavior which contributes to a certain (euphonic, maybe?) "vintage" sound. I think this mostly manifests as different distortion profiles or dynamic compression behavior around peaks. Subjectively "
It’s not for the same purpose, though.

And no, a VST3 PKHarmonic hasn't been in the plans, although a few folks did ask about it.

If you’d consider a VST3 version, many people would once again be captivated by your harmonics. (Of course, I know you’re busy, but whenever you have time.)

Varying distortion with frequency makes sense, lots of amplifiers do that. I've simulated this in an unreleased version DISTORT app. This was done to test for audibility of increased nonlinearity with frequency: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/are-tubes-more-musical.57579/post-2108605. Is that what you're asking?

I hadn’t seen that link. It’s a different type than what I originally asked about, but it also looks interesting. I’ll take a closer look later.

"harmonics which vary continuously in real time rather than staying at a fixed value", but maybe I misunderstood something.

Perhaps I phrased my question strangely. Sorry

By the way, here's a really neat implementation of a real-time audio circuit simulator that can also be used as a VST3 plugin. Draw the test circuit and then run audio from input to output to hear the result: https://www.livespice.org/

Very cool!

Wow.

Announcing beta-test of PKHarmonic VST plugin

Are you serious? Phone sound quality would make this a pointless exercise.

audiosciencereview.com

It looks like a much more advanced implementation than the one I linked in your thread. That also seems very interesting. I’ll give it a try this afternoon.

 

[ppataki]

While I was eating, so many people replied—thank you. It was just a simple or strange question, and I didn’t expect it to lead to so many responses. thanks again.


Thank you for letting me know. The software you mentioned seems a bit different from what I was looking for, but I appreciate the helpful information.


Thank you. I had never considered that. Right now I’m only using Hangloose standalone, but I’ll test it again in Reaper.


It gives a similar impression to what kemmler3D said:
"If you look at the Variety of Sound blog, apparently certain vintage gear does have stateful / hysteretic behavior which contributes to a certain (euphonic, maybe?) "vintage" sound. I think this mostly manifests as different distortion profiles or dynamic compression behavior around peaks. Subjectively "
It’s not for the same purpose, though.


If you’d consider a VST3 version, many people would once again be captivated by your harmonics. (Of course, I know you’re busy, but whenever you have time.)


I hadn’t seen that link. It’s a different type than what I originally asked about, but it also looks interesting. I’ll take a closer look later.


Perhaps I phrased my question strangely. Sorry


Wow.

Announcing beta-test of PKHarmonic VST plugin

Are you serious? Phone sound quality would make this a pointless exercise.

audiosciencereview.com

It looks like a much more advanced implementation than the one I linked in your thread. That also seems very interesting. I’ll give it a try this afternoon.

I would also recommend taking a look at Fabfilter Saturn 2
You can kind of modulate every parameter dynamically
I think with that you could in fact achieve constantly variable harmonics
Just check out some videos and its manual, it can do pretty wild stuff

 

[2020]

Voxengo HarmoniEQ? Harmonics-based equalizer. I love this brand, and the developer is seriously knowledgeable.

Voxengo HarmoniEQ - Equalizer Plugin, Harmonically-Enhanced VST, AU, AAX

Harmonically-enhanced equalizer plugin. Offers you a premium sonic performance with smooth EQ sound, coupled with an extreme easiness of use. Great for bass and air boosts.

www.voxengo.com

They also have Shinechilla, which seems like it might be more up your alley. Claims to offer more radical results, whereas the last one is just an equalizer really, this one is geared towards harmonics first.

Voxengo Shinechilla - Spectral Harmonics Generator Plugin VST, AU, AAX

Harmonic generator sound effect plugin for creative sound design. Shinechilla allows you to generate 2nd, 3rd, and 4th harmonics and blend them with the original dry sound.

www.voxengo.com