Cableguys VolumeShaper

Active

Country: Germany (DE)
Founded: 2008
Developer: Cableguys
Pricing: Paid ($49 standalone; bundle options)
Open source: No
Platforms: Windows, macOS

Indexes

Audio/Music Production

Overview

VolumeShaper is an audio plugin for shaping volume levels of signals using drawable LFOs triggered by beats, MIDI, or audio transients across up to three frequency bands. It supports effects from sidechain ducking and gating to rhythmic modulation and sample shaping, operating within DAWs or as part of the ShaperBox 3 bundle. Targeted at music producers for precise dynamic control in mixing and sound design.¹²³

Key Features

Drawable Volume LFO - Edit LFO waveforms visually for precise volume automation across beats, MIDI, or transients.
Multiband Processing - Apply separate curves to bass, mids, and highs with adjustable crossover slopes.
Audio Triggering - Reset LFOs on transients for targeting attacks and sustains on drums, loops, or mixes.
MIDI Triggering - Control LFO patterns using MIDI notes from a sequencer.
Spectrum View - Visualize frequency content during multiband editing.
Preset Waveforms - Load categorized presets for trimming, ducking, and rhythmic effects.
Tempo Sync - LFO lengths from 1/128 to 32 bars with sample-accurate alignment.
Oscilloscope Display - Shows input/output waveforms for precise node placement.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
VolumeShaper 7 Standalone	$49	Full plugin with all features and presets.
ShaperBox 3 Bundle	$99 (intro offers vary)	VolumeShaper plus other Shaper plugins for layered effects.

Platforms & Requirements

Available as VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugins for Windows and macOS, compatible with major DAWs. Requires macOS 10.10+ or Windows 7+; 64-bit only in recent versions. No mobile or web support; runs as insert effect within host software.¹³

Integrations & Ecosystem

VST/VST3 hosts
AU hosts (macOS)
AAX (Pro Tools)
MIDI input from DAW
Tempo sync with host
ShaperBox 3 bundle stacking
Audio transient triggering
Preset sharing across Shapers

Alternatives

App	Difference
Xfer OTT	Free multiband upward/downward compression without drawable LFO editing.
FabFilter Pro-L 2	Limiter with advanced metering but less focus on rhythmic volume shaping.
iZotope Neutron	Full mixing suite with dynamic EQ; broader but less specialized in LFO volume control.
Soundtoys Decapitator	Saturation plugin with some ducking; lacks multiband LFO precision.

Reputation

VolumeShaper is regarded as a versatile, precise tool for sidechain effects, multiband shaping, and creative modulation, frequently used on multiple tracks per project. Strengths include intuitive waveform editing, visual feedback, and workflow speed via presets and MIDI/audio triggers. Criticisms note limited presets in older versions, lack of detailed manual, and fixed GUI scaling in some releases.²⁴⁵

Sources (9)