AudioQAM
Key Features
- Transform audio with quadrature amplitude modulation adapted from digital communications.
- Use a sine carrier for Bode-style frequency shifting.
- Explore triangle, square, and sawtooth carriers for different spectral combinations.
- Suppress the spectral inversion band with automatic input band-limiting.
- Shape the incoming and outgoing signal with high-pass and low-pass filters.
- Blend the processed and original signals with a wet/dry control.
Description
AudioQAM is a modulation effect by suzumushi that applies quadrature amplitude modulation to incoming audio. It turns a technique associated with digital communications into a creative tool for changing the spectrum of a sound.
With a sine carrier, the effect behaves like a Bode frequency shifter, moving frequency components by a fixed amount rather than transposing them like a conventional pitch shifter. This can produce inharmonic shifts that work well for experimental electronic textures and sound effects.
Triangle, square, and sawtooth carriers produce different spectral combinations, giving sound designers other ways to transform a source. The developer also describes automatic input band-limiting, which suppresses the spectral inversion band at low shifts and helps manage the results of the other waveforms.
The interface includes input and output high-pass and low-pass filters, carrier frequency controls, and a wet/dry balance. Try processing a drum loop, vocal, or synthesizer and blending the result with the original to explore the effect without replacing the entire source.
AudioQAM is a VST 3 effect for 64-bit Windows 10 and later and supports any sampling rate, according to the developer. It requires a compatible VST 3 host; the developer does not list a native macOS build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AudioQAM do?
It applies quadrature amplitude modulation to audio, changing its phase and amplitude to create new spectral combinations. With a sine carrier it behaves like a Bode frequency shifter.
Which operating systems and plugin formats does it support?
The developer lists VST 3 for 64-bit Windows 10 and later. A compatible VST 3 host is required, and no native macOS version is listed.
What do the different carrier waveforms change?
The sine carrier gives frequency-shifter behavior. Triangle, square, and sawtooth carriers create different combinations of the input and carrier spectra.
Why does AudioQAM use automatic input band-limiting?
The developer says it suppresses the spectral inversion band that can appear at low frequency shifts. It also helps optimize the spectral combinations produced by the other carrier waveforms.
