REQ: Eftilo Scirocco Dist o' Wave
The initial concept behind Scirocco was a LoFi effect that didn't aim to model anything specific but rather provided users with a canvas to achieve their desired LoFi effect through various alternatives.
Instead of incorporating switches dedicated to changing the entire unit's behaviour to mimic that of a tape cassette or a vinyl record, I chose to equip Scirocco with all the parameters necessary to achieve the desired LoFi effect, whether it be emulating a bucket-brigade or a mechanical device, and anything in between.
This initial idea developed over time, and Scirocco evolved into a highly versatile chorus/vibrato effect with a distorting, state-blendable tone control.
It features two distinct modulation sources: a periodic one (LFO) and an unpredictable one (RND). While one might associate them with the wow and flutter effect of an electro-mechanical tape machine, these sources are capable of much more. The LFO comes with a PHASE control, allowing you to smoothly transition from a mono to a stereo modulation effect, turning the plugin into a stereo widener that can be both subtle and extreme.
The RND module's SPEED and AMOUNT can be influenced by the amplitude profile (ENV) of the input signal, adding an element of unpredictability to the modulation. Gnarly phase distortion effects can be achieved by using the ENV to directly modulate the chorus and vibrato engine.
State-variable filters are a feature commonly found in synthesizer circuits. Scirocco comes with an analog-modelled state-blendable tone control that enables continuous transitions from low pass to high pass (COLOR) with four different SLOPE settings. The tone control algorithm is pushed to its limits and saturated to obtain the characteristic multi-stage dynamic distortion, which varies significantly depending on both the SLOPE and COLOR settings and can get you anything from a classic overdrive tone to a gated fuzz sound filled with sub-harmonics.
The MIX and LAG control can be used to blend everything from a chorus to a vibrato or a distortion unit.