GRN Review
FRCTL sent me a copy of their granular effect plugin GRN. GRN is a simple and minimal granular processor that really gets to the point using a minimal interface. You get controls for grain size, spread, pitch, density and spray, as well as a few other goodies throughout the interface. You can set the scale of the grains with some fun scatter options.
Clicking the feedback button opens up a hidden feedback panel with controls for drive, width, delay time, wobble, and tone. Feedback definitely gives this grain effect some unique character and color. While feedback is available in other grain effects like Portal and Efx Fragments, this feedback has a gritty quality that pairs up with some of the harmony scatter options very well.
GRN takes a very minimalistic approach to granular processing with a limited set of controls that cover the basics very well making it a good option for anyone looking to dip their toes into granular for the first time. But perhaps it will be a bit too limited for granular experts unless you can really apreciate the subtle differences between various grain effects engines. I like what they did with this grain effect and hope to see more from FRCTL in the future.
You can pick up GRN from FRCTL’s site here: https://frctlaudio.com/products/grn
Also a free version, GRN lite is available here: https://frctlaudio.com/products/grn-lite