OTO Biscuit 8-bit Effects

OTO Biscuit 8-bit Effects

Vive Le Biscuit

Initially introduced in hardware in the late 00’s, the French-made OTO Biscuit quickly became a cult classic with DJs and electronic music producers around the world. Gritty bit-crushing, lo-fi multi-effects, a sweet and smooth analog filter, and a quality look and feel, made it a go-to awesome-sound-maker in clubs and studios alike.

Now it’s available in software, bringing those crunchy, dirty, edgy sounds closer to the DAW-based studio or laptop-based performance rig, and making it more intuitive than ever before.

The Biscuit offers incredibly detailed control of these essential sonic possibilities, with eight individually invertable or mutable bits, control of sample rate, waveshaping, delay, even pitch-shifting, and analog filtering (controllable manually or with a built-in step sequencer) to round off sharp edges and make even the harshest digital screech sound alive and organic.

Try it on a drum loop for gentle lo-fi digital distortion, or complete screaming chaos, and everything in-between. Take synth sounds to the next level, creating arcade game blips and bloops, adding insane aliasing and overtones, making pads move and swell with the filter. Even apply to vocals or guitars to turn analog sounds into electronic, robotic, futuristic fantasies.

We’ve modeled both the digital and analog parts of the Biscuit, with unrelenting detail, and the plug-in features a low-latency mode that makes live use possible – a particularly popular way to play with the Biscuit is to mangle drums or drops in a DJ set, or create seemingly studio-bound sounds live on stage.

And it’s simpler than ever before with the plug-in, as the added visualisations of the lower ‘brain’ section make working with the digital effects on board far easier and more enjoyable. See the shapes of the 8 different waves as you apply them to your signal. Drag delay time and feedback around with their own dedicated knobs, and sync to the DAW tempo or tap in your own. Pitch-shift and blend with your dry signal for ringing bell overtones or super-fat sub-bass.

At first, the Biscuit can seem like a novelty, only for crazy once-in-a-while sounds, a totally optional cherry on the cake. But dive in a little deeper and you’ll find it’s its very own confection, sweet and moreish. Before long you’ll be using it on pretty much every project and wondering if it’s good for your teeth.

In short

• Lo-fi 8-bit magic in a fun and easy-to-use package.
• Take control on a bit-by-bit level.
• Slow the sample rate and hear that aliasing glitter fall.
• Smooth analog filter.
• Built in digital effects – waveshaping, delay, pitch-shifting.
• 8-step sequencer to drive the filter.
• Very distinctive sound, but good for many styles.
• Turn any run-of-the-mill electronic track into a vibrant classic.

System Requirements

• Mac OS X 10.13 up to OS 12 (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only).
• Windows 10 (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (Windows 11 Pending) (64-bit only).
• Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - Full Apple silicon support (M1 or higher).
• Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
• Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
• Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
• 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
• A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
• An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
• Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
• iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
• In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
• The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.

However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met..

Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com​