Klevgrand has unveiled its latest innovation, Altitude, a real-time vocal processor plugin that promises to revolutionize the way we approach vocal production. While pitch correction is a familiar feature in vocal plugins, Altitude takes things a step further, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for enhancing and manipulating vocals in real-time. What makes Altitude truly stand out is its ability to blend pitch correction with harmonies, MIDI-playable vocals, and deep modulation, all within a single, user-friendly interface.
In my opinion, the development of Altitude is a significant milestone in the evolution of vocal processing plugins. It represents a shift towards more versatile and creative tools that can be used in both studio and live settings. The plugin's focus on natural-sounding corrections, coupled with its ability to handle harmonies and MIDI-playable vocals, makes it a valuable asset for producers and performers alike.
One of the key features of Altitude is its pitch engine, which has been in development for years. The formants-aware processing ensures that corrections sound natural even at more aggressive settings, making it ideal for both studio and live use. The zero-latency mode is particularly impressive, as it allows for seamless integration into live performances without the usual trade-offs. This is a game-changer for live performers who need to maintain high-quality vocal sound without the need for additional equipment.
The plugin also offers two doubler modes and a built-in widener, providing producers with a range of tools to create fuller, more dynamic vocal sounds. The ability to stack multiple plugins is a common practice in vocal production, but Altitude streamlines this process by offering all the necessary tools in one place. This not only saves time but also ensures a more cohesive and polished sound.
The Play module is another standout feature of Altitude. It allows users to treat the voice like any other instrument, either played live from a MIDI keyboard or triggered from DAW data. This level of control and flexibility is particularly appealing to producers who want to shape the tone of every note. The formant shifting, attack and release controls, width and doubler settings all contribute to a rich and versatile sound palette.
Modulation is where Altitude really shines. With three independent modulators, each with up to eight target parameters, users can create subtle or dramatic effects. The shape options, including sine, saw, and square waves, as well as the 16-step editor, provide a high degree of control and creativity. Pitch, formants, harmony intervals, pan, and volume are all fair game, allowing users to craft unique and captivating vocal sounds.
The smart scale system in Altitude is a game-changer for live performances. It allows users to disable individual notes for harmony voices independently of the lead, making it easy to navigate different keys. This is particularly useful for performers who need to adapt to changing keys on the fly. The micro-tuning support is an added bonus for those who require more precise tuning beyond standard intervals.
Altitude is available now for macOS and Windows in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats. I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you're looking to enhance your vocal production workflow. Whether you're a producer, performer, or audio engineer, Altitude offers a wealth of tools and features that can elevate your vocal sound to new heights. So, if you're ready to take your vocal production to the next level, Altitude is definitely worth exploring.
In conclusion, Klevgrand's Altitude is a powerful and versatile vocal processor plugin that offers a wide range of features for enhancing and manipulating vocals in real-time. Its focus on natural-sounding corrections, harmonies, MIDI-playable vocals, and deep modulation makes it a valuable tool for producers and performers alike. With its user-friendly interface and impressive feature set, Altitude is sure to become a go-to plugin for anyone looking to elevate their vocal sound.
