Crystallizer is a granular echo and pitch-shifting effect from Soundtoys that reverses, slices and shifts incoming audio into shimmering textures.
Crystallizer at a glance
| Developer | Soundtoys |
|---|---|
| Type | Effects / Echo |
| Formats | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.12 or later |
| Apple Silicon | Native |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Copy protection | iLok |
| Hosts named by the developer | Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper, Studio One, Bitwig |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €143.79 |
What Crystallizer does
The plugin is based on the Reverse Shift algorithm of the Eventide H3000, which the developer describes as the basis for its granular echo slicing. Simple melodies and chords can be turned into textured soundscapes, and guitar, bass and drum loops can be transformed into something different. The effect combines pitch shifting with reversed echo, and the developer frames it as a tool for crystalline and otherworldly sounds from the 80s and beyond.
The plugin contains a built-in Gate Duck feature that adds dynamic control over when echoes are triggered, and low- and high-cut filters shape the sound from bright, shimmery blooms to dark, rich beds. Tempo can be locked to the project, and MIDI sync and automation are included for precise control. Searches often pair the name with keygen and serial key, and the release is typically packed as a .rar or .iso, with the VST crack and AAX crack builds listed alongside the win/mac crack variants.
Key features
- Granular reverse echo. The effect combines granular echo slicing, pitch shifting and reversed echo to produce evolving textures from a single source.
- Gate Duck. A built-in Gate Duck control gives dynamic control over the triggering of echoes.
- Filters for tone shaping. Low-cut and high-cut filters shape the processed sound, moving it between bright shimmer and darker, denser beds.
- Tempo lock and automation. The effect’s tempo can be locked to the project, and custom automation is supported.
- MIDI sync. MIDI sync was added to give precise creative control over timing.
Who it is for
The plugin is aimed at creative sound designers and producers who want granular, reverse and pitch-shifted echo effects for melodic and rhythmic material.
Crystallizer compared with similar plugins
Outer Space 2 from AudioThing is also an effects and echo plugin, offering VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and CLAP formats for Windows and macOS. Stardust 201 Tape Echo from Cherry Audio is an echo plugin that adds a Standalone build alongside VST3, VST2, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystallizer | Soundtoys | Echo | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €143.79 |
| Outer Space 2 | AudioThing | Echo | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS | €68.43 |
| Stardust 201 Tape Echo | Cherry Audio | Echo | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone | Windows, macOS | €18.84 |
Price and availability
Crystallizer was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €143.79. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
Crystallizer FAQ
Does Crystallizer run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. The developer lists native support for Apple Silicon, on macOS 10.12 or later.
Which hosts does Crystallizer work with?
The developer names Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper, Studio One and Bitwig.