LAYER IT

LAYER IT – the ultimate drum layering VST plugin

LAYER IT is a VST sampler designed for crafting drum, percussion, and effect one-shots through layering. It provides precise control over the time relations between samples, multi-stage envelope generators to shape parameters fundamental in sound design, and convenient visual feedback that facilitates swift workflow. Conventional drum layering methods utilising audio or MIDI clips are neither fast nor seamless. Audio clips restrain swapping or editing multiple samples, MIDI clips on separate tracks lack visual representation of waveform relationships, and a typical multi-sample drum rack requires separate MIDI notes to trigger each sample. These are just a few drawbacks, and additionally, copying and pasting stacks of clips is unhandy across all approaches.

LAYER IT integrates visual clarity of audio with flexible control of MIDI while avoiding limitations of each method. It visually resembles DAW’s arrangement view with waveforms displayed one beneath the other and the possibility to set standard parameters such as volume and pan for each layer. However, playback of the entire stack of layered samples can be triggered with an individual MIDI note or a single key press, while each sample’s time offset can be adjusted individually and synchronised with the session’s tempo.

Moreover, each layer's volume, pitch, filter frequency, and distortion amount can be defined by dedicated multi-stage envelope generators, allowing for unrivalled sound-shaping precision and enhanced sound design possibilities.

In essence, LAYER IT operates as a streamlined, self-contained DAW with MIDI-triggered playback, and additionally, the created drum stack can be exported as a single audio file to a folder or dragged directly onto the DAW’s timeline.

LAYER IT is intended for beatmakers who want to quickly add an extra layer to enhance their favourite drum sample, music producers who want to efficiently layer their drums in order to sound stylish but unique, and sound designers who want to create complex percussive textures as effortlessly as possible.

Features

• 155 presets
• unlimited number of layers
• user mono and stereo samples import in WAV, MP3, WMA, AIFF, FLAC, and OGG formats
• sample stack export as audio file to specified folder
• sample stack drag & drop as audio file to preferred location, including DAW’s timeline
• output level metering in dBFS and dBTP
• oversampling up to 16x
• global pitch setting
• A/B settings comparison functionality
• undo/redo functionality
• locking of MSEG X or Y axis movement
• waveform zoom controls
• automatic fitting of envelope length to sample length
• snap to zero-crossing functionality
• global middle C MIDI transpose toggle ensuring cross-DAW compatibility
• presets browser with randomisation feature
• convenient parameter control with mouse, scroll wheel, keyboard arrows, and keyboard input
• dedicated help bar with additional optional tooltips displayed on GUI
• scalable GUI size
• interchangeable layer positions
• DAW automation support

Per-layer features

• 1300 samples
• solo and mute, pan and width controls
• multiple filter types with frequency and Q controls
• multiple distortion types with drive and mix controls
• forward/backward, mono/poly and trigger/gate sample playback modes
• sample pitch controls, including root note, semitones, cents, and keytracking
• sample time offset with session time synchronisation and bypass option
• phase offset with polarity switch and bypass option
• adjustable sample start/end markers
• APDSR (attack-peak-decay-sustain-release) volume envelope with bypass option interchangeable with MSEG mode
• multi-stage envelope generators with bypass option controlling volume, pitch, filter frequency, and distortion amount
• MSEG shape copying and pasting between layers
• predefined applicable MSEG shape templates
• bipolar velocity mapping for volume, pitch, filter frequency, and distortion amount
• samples browser with randomisation feature
• layer-to-layer sample copy and paste
• automatic sample normalisation to 0 dB during import
• sample properties viewer with quick disk location access
• equaliser

More features, ideas and updates are under development and will be added in upcoming plug-in versions!