Vintage Chorus & Reverb Magic for Your Mixes
Looking for a free effect that adds shimmer, depth, and character to synths, guitars or vocals? Gloss by RemainCalm is exactly that kind of tool. With vintage ensemble chorus plus lush reverb, it’s built to breathe life into sterile mixes. And yes, it’s totally free.
What Is Gloss?
Gloss is a free modulation effect built around two classic ensemble chorus models inspired by vintage ’70s hardware, plus a reverb that adds ambience and roundness. It’s designed to add space, texture, and sheen to your productions without complicating your workflow. Every control is visible on the interface, optimized for fast tweaking and creative results.
It works as VST3, AU, and AAX on Windows and macOS.
Key Features & Controls
Here are the standout features Gloss brings, and how you can use them:
| Feature | What It Lets You Do |
|---|---|
| Two Vintage Chorus Models / Crossfade | Blend between two distinct chorus flavors — one inspired by a classic late-’70s Japanese string synth, the other from an early ’70s European circuit. This gives flexibility in how “lush” or “characterful” your chorus is. |
| One-Knob Reverb | Adds ambience ranging from tight room vibes to synthetic cathedral spaces. Helps your sound sit in a mix more naturally. |
| Tone, Grit, Mode Controls | Adjust the tonal balance, add character with grit (saturation and noise), and shift between chorus models. Great for dialing in anything from subtle warmth to bold shimmer. |
| “Faulty Mono” / Broken Output Jack Mode | A quirky mono mode that adds character—slightly broken, a bit lo-fi, perfect for experimental textures. |
| Presets Included | A collection of presets to get you started fast—great for inspiration, experimentation, or saving time. |
How to Use Gloss Creatively
To make the most of what Gloss offers, here are ideas and workflow suggestions:
- Enrich Synth Pads: Run a pad through Gloss, increase the chorus, add reverb, and use tone control to shape how bright or dark it feels. Let it sit behind lead parts for texture.
- Guitar Atmospheres: Apply Gloss on clean electric guitar with reverb up — creates shimmering, dreamlike atmospheres.
- Vocal Layers: Use Gloss subtly on backing vocals or doubling to add width and depth without losing clarity.
- Transition Effects: Automate the reverb knob or mode switch for transitions (e.g., from verse to chorus) to create sweeping, evolving texture.
- Parallel Mix Trick: Mix a dry signal and a Gloss-processed signal, then blend — you get clarity (dry) + color & depth (wet) without overwhelming the source.
System Requirements & Download Info
- Formats: VST3, AU, AAX
- OS: Windows & macOS
- Download: Free from the official site. You’ll need to join the mailing list to access the installer.
- Works well with most DAWs that support those plugin formats.
Why Gloss is a Must-Have
- Adds vintage character: chorus + reverb combo lends warmth and space often missing in modern digital mixes.
- Simple yet powerful UI: controls you need are visible and sensible; no buried menus.
- Free quality: you get boutique sound design without spending money.
- Versatility: works with synths, guitars, vocals, pads — across genres.
- Great for both beginners (easy to dial in) and seasoned producers (for texture & depth).
Conclusion
Gloss by RemainCalm is a gem. If you want your mixes to go from sterile to lush, from flat to immersive, this is one of the free tools you’ll reach for again and again. Vintage chorus, ambient reverb, tasteful grit — all in one easy-to-use plugin.
👉 Download Gloss now and start making your sound shimmer.
