Time by Lunacy time stretch and buffer shuffler effect plugin interface

Time: Time Stretcher and Buffer Shuffler Effect by Lunacy

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (1,170 ratings)

Time is a multi effect plugin by Lunacy that works as a creative time stretcher and buffer shuffler. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS

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01Overview

Time is an effect plugin from Lunacy that was originally built for BEAM, the developer's multi-effects engine, and is now also offered as a standalone plugin. It is aimed at producers who want to reshape audio in time, from tape-stop style slowdowns to shuffled and reversed buffers. Lunacy says its tempo-synced sequencers and stretching algorithms are designed for real-time manipulation. The plugin runs in VST3, AU and AAX formats on Windows and macOS.

Best for

Tape stop effects
Drum warping
Vocal splicing
Buffer shuffling
Arpeggiated textures
Sound design

Developer: Lunacy
Category: Multi-Effects
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Standalone Time plugin in VST3, AU and AAX formats
Up to 16 sequencer sections for speed, position and pitch
Resample mode for classic pitch and speed stretching
Texture mode for independent pitch and speed control
Freeze holds incoming audio in the current cycle
Four loop modes: Stop, Repeat, Reverse and Free
Up to 3 Time nodes in serial or parallel inside BEAM
50 Time presets included with the plugin

03In depth

Time stretching, sequencing and pitch control

Time uses up to 16 sections of sequencing to draw patterns for the speed, position and pitch of incoming audio over time. Its Resample mode handles classic pitch and speed stretching, where pitch and speed move together, as on tape. Texture mode lets you control pitch and speed independently, which Lunacy describes as useful for arpeggiated tonal sequences and timbral stretch effects.

The Freeze control holds the incoming audio in the current cycle, and four loop modes (Stop, Repeat, Reverse and Free) set how the plugin handles speeded-up audio.

Using Time with BEAM and presets

For BEAM owners, the Time effect is available inside BEAM, where up to three Time nodes can be chained in serial or run in parallel with other BEAM effects. Lunacy also lists a 100-preset BEAM pack called Time Warp, which pairs the Time effect with other BEAM effects and includes work from sound designers such as Dash Glitch, Databroth, Alckemy and K/V.

The standalone plugin comes with 50 Time presets, giving you starting points for stretching drums, vocals and synths before you build your own sequences.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Lunacy
Type	Plugin
Category	Multi Effect
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Time by Lunacy?

Time is a multi effect plugin by Lunacy that works as a time stretcher and buffer shuffler. It was first made for BEAM and is now also sold as a standalone effect.

What formats and operating systems does Time support?

Time is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats, and the developer lists support for Windows and macOS.

What do I need to run Time?

Lunacy lists 8GB of RAM as required and 16GB as recommended, at least 250 MB of free disk space, and a stable internet connection for downloading and activating the product. On macOS, 10.15 or later is listed, with M1 or M2 recommended for AU, VST3 and AAX, and Windows 10 or later is listed for VST3 and AAX.