Use Logic’s Phat FX Powerhouse Tool Kit For Detailed, Multiband-Style Processing Of Any Instrument

 

Logic’s plugin selection has skyrocketed both in visual appeal and innovation. And one of my favorite plugins is the Phat FX.

Phat FX is billed as a “powerful ‘coloring’ multi-effect designed primarily for use with drum, bass, and guitar parts” in Apple’s own documentation.

But I use the Phat FX for just about everything. I love it for two reasons:

1. For its huge array of distortion types
2. For its ability to process only a *specific* part of your signal, much like a multiband plugin

Take for example a drum loop. Maybe your drum loop has a kick drum, snare drum, and some hi-hats. And you’re feeling like that kick needs some extra “oomph.”

But since we’re working with a drum loop, we can’t necessarily add that punch and vibe to only the kick…

Or can we?

Often overlooked, but Phat FX has an amazing Bandpass section for exactly this purpose:

1. Bracket the low end of the kick drum using the low and high pass filters in the Band Pass section of Phat FX
2. Add distortion, compression, and anything else to give that kick oomph or knock
3. Dial up the Reject Mix knob to bring back everything you didn’t want to process

The result? A kick drum that punches holes through the trunk of your car without overcooking the rest of the loop.

Now of course, maybe you’re not looking for such an intense effect for your instruments 🙂

The strategy remains the same. Band Pass to focus on the element of an instrument that needs more vibe and color. Reject Mix to bring back everything you didn’t want to process.

Phat FX isn’t only for hip hop or electronic. Let’s dig into Phat FX’s amazing and versatile workflow.