Bitwig Blur Device - Smear, Reverb and Stereo Widening

Bitwig Guide | Nov 17, 2022

The Blur device in Bitwig Studio uses All-Pass delays on both left and right channels, allowing you to control both delay time and feedback through interactive dots for creative sound shaping. The feedback parameter uniquely blends feedback gain and dry signal, with 0 percent giving only the delayed signal and 100 percent giving only the dry signal, making it possible to find sweet spots for blending effects. This setup is ideal for creating reverb and stereo widening effects, smearing or blurring the signal for rich spatial textures.

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Short Overview #

In Bitwig Studio, I use the Blur device to create unique reverbs and stereo widening effects by manipulating delay times and feedback amounts for each channel. The feedback control here works differently; it's a percentage that changes both the feedback gain and the mix of the dry signal. At 0 percent, I only hear the delayed signal, while at 100 percent, I get only the dry signal with inaudible feedback building in the background. By finding a balance, usually around 50 to 75 percent, I can blend feedback and the dry signal for a lush, smeared effect that works wonderfully for reverb.

• The Blur device in Bitwig Studio features two All-Pass devices on the left channel and two All-Pass delays on the right channel.
• Each All-Pass allows independent control over delay time and feedback amount.
• The feedback parameter is a percentage, not a typical gain control, affecting both feedback gain and dry signal blend simultaneously.
• At 0% feedback, you hear only the delayed signal with no feedback buildup.
• At 100% feedback, you hear only the dry signal with complete feedback in the background, but it is inaudible.
• The sweet spot is typically around 50% to 75%, where both feedback and dry signal mix effectively, creating rich spatial effects.
• Changing delay times at different feedback percentages reveals the interplay between dry and delayed signals.
• The device is used for creating reverb, stereo widening, and blurring effects.
• Adjusting all All-Pass devices simultaneously can smear the signal, creating a reverb-like effect.

Introduction to the Blur Device in Bitwig Studio #

In this video, I walk through the features and unique workflow of the Blur device in Bitwig Studio, a creative effect that allows for reverb shaping and stereo manipulation. I describe how it functions and clarify the uncommon controls, especially regarding its feedback and delay system.

Structure of the Blur Device #

The Blur device consists of two All-Pass devices on the left channel and two All-Pass delay devices on the right channel. Each All-Pass allows you to adjust:

• Delay Time: How long it takes before the signal is repeated.
• Feedback Amount: Dictates how much of the delayed signal feeds back into the input, typically creating a repeating echo.

Moreover, there are interactive dots in the device interface. By moving these dots, you can simultaneously change both the delay time and feedback setting for each All-Pass, giving intuitive hands-on control.

Applications of the Blur Device #

This device excels at generating reverb-like effects and creating stereo widening. Its main utility is to "blur" or "smear" an audio signal, adding depth, movement, and width. You can use it for creative sound design, broadening simple audio or subtly enhancing a mix element.

Understanding Delay and Feedback in Blur #

Delay Time #

Delay time is a familiar concept: it sets the interval between the original and repeated sound. Longer delay times result in slower repeats, while shorter times create a denser, more immediate feedback texture.

Unique Feedback System #

What sets the Blur apart is its feedback control. Unlike traditional delay devices, where feedback is typically expressed in decibels or as a simple volume gain, here it is a percentage with a dual function:

• Increasing the feedback percentage not only raises the feedback gain but also dials in more dry (original) signal back into the mix.
• At 0%, there is no feedback at all; you hear only the delayed signal, with no repeats building up.
• At 100%, the feedback is maximized, but paradoxically, you only hear the dry signal, none of the delay effect is audible, even though intense feedback is occurring silently in the background.

Interaction Between Dry and Feedback Signals #

These two behaviors result in a form of signal cancellation at 100%. While feedback is technically engaged, the full dry signal "covers" or cancels out the delay effect. By experimenting, such as adjusting the delay time while at 100% feedback, you notice that the effect is inaudible. Conversely, at 0% feedback, manipulating delay time simply changes the character of the audible delay, with no tail or build-up.

The sweet spot is typically found at an intermediate percentage, around 50-75%, where you blend some amount of both feedback and dry signal, opening up textural sound design possibilities.

Practical Use and Sound Design Tips #

When combined across multiple All-Pass devices, each with unique settings, you can:

• Smear the incoming signal: Creating a lush, diffuse texture.
• Simulate reverb: By stacking delays and feedback in this novel way, the Blur can effectively serve as a reverb unit, adding ambience and space.
• Widen stereo signals: The independent channels for left and right invite experimentation with phase and time differences, increasing perceived width in the mix.

For convenient recall, double-clicking parameter knobs resets them to 50%, generally offering a balanced mix of feedback and dry signal that sounds musical and useful in many contexts.

Conclusion #

The Blur device in Bitwig Studio offers a non-traditional, experimental approach to delay and feedback-based effects. By blending unique feedback routing with spatial control, it stands out as a creative tool for sound design, reverb creation, and stereo enhancement. The interaction between dry and feedback signals, controlled via a percentage rather than straightforward gain, enables nuanced textural changes beyond what is typically possible with standard delay and reverb devices.

Full Video Transcription #

This is what im talking about in this video. The text is transcribed by Whisper, so it might not be perfect. If you find any mistakes, please let me know.
You can also click on the timestamps to jump to the right part of the video, which should be helpful.