PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit is a free bitcrusher effect available in VST, AU, AAX, and Rack Extension formats. It also has a version for your iPad and iPhone.
This bitcrusher is born from Inphonik’s RYM2612 Iconic FM Synthesizer, which captures the essence of the Sega Genesis sound chip. If you’re new to the world of effects plugins, especially bitcrushers, let’s just say they add a touch of grit and distortion to your sound, think of it as a musical spice!
The PCM2612 has a simple layout. There’s a central knob to control the amount of 8-bit decimation (fancy term for the distortion effect), a mono switch, a dry/wet mix knob, and an output filtering switch. The filtering switch lets you choose between a Crystal Clear digital output or the Legacy line output of the Sega Genesis Model 1.
You can also rescale it up to 2X without losing much resolution. And there’s an option to switch between a box and rack form – it’s like having different flavors for your sound.
I’ve given it a spin on synths, drums, and even on the mix bus, and I must say, the results are quite pleasing. When using it on the mix bus, I tend to lean towards a subtle lo-fi sound rather than full-on distortion. Using it on synths gave me this nostalgic Sega vibe, taking me back to the good old days.
The PCM2612 is a cool plugin, and the download process was smooth with no issues to report. Thumbs up to Inphonik for this one!
Download: PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit
