Gneiss by Hvoya Audio is a free VST plugin built for producers who want filtering, saturation and unpredictable digital destruction inside one creative effect.
Created for the KVR Developer Challenge 2026, it combines two resonant pre-filters with a saturating ladder filter, wavefolding, bitcrushing, randomization and a performance-oriented morphing system.
Gneiss is available for Windows and macOS in VST3 and CLAP formats, with an additional Audio Unit version for macOS.
What Is Gneiss?
Gneiss is an audio effect designed for heavy filtering, distortion and experimental sound design.
The signal passes through two resonant state-variable pre-filters before reaching a nonlinear transistor ladder filter. These stages can add movement, resonance, saturation and aggressive tonal changes to drums, basses, synths, vocals and noise textures.
Morph Between Complete Plugin States
The Morph section allows users to place complete parameter snapshots across an XY field.
Moving across the pad blends between those different states in real time. The XY control can also be mapped to MIDI for live performance or recorded as DAW automation.
This makes it possible to move between clean filtering, heavy distortion and unstable textures with one gesture.
Filters and Chaos Processing
Gneiss combines resonant SVF pre-filters with a zero-delay feedback transistor ladder filter.
The filters can be stereo-detuned, creating wider and less symmetrical movement between the left and right channels.
A dedicated Break engine introduces nonlinear processing such as wavefolding, bitcrushing and clicks directly into the filter structure.
The result can range from subtle analog-style coloration to heavily broken digital textures.
MIDI-Controlled Filters
The filter cutoff frequencies can respond to incoming MIDI notes.
Each filter stage offers channel selection, glide and note-relative pitch shifting, allowing the effect to behave partly like a playable resonator or sound-design instrument.
Most controls also support MIDI Learn with absolute and relative modulation modes.
Randomization and Custom Interface
Gneiss includes coherent randomization and mutation tools that generate related variations rather than completely unrelated settings.
A custom interface builder allows users to arrange selected controls into a simplified personal layout.
This can make complex presets easier to perform and automate without displaying every available parameter.
Oversampling and Presets
The plugin supports oversampling up to 8x, which can improve the behavior of its nonlinear filtering and distortion at the cost of additional CPU usage.
A collection of factory presets is included for drums, basses, pads, noise and more extreme sound-design processing.
Best Uses for Gneiss
- Distorted drum buses
- Heavy bass processing
- Talking and resonant filter effects
- Industrial vocal textures
- Glitch and noise processing
- Animated pads and drones
- Transition effects
- Creative resampling
Compatibility and Formats
- Windows: Windows 10 or later, VST3 and CLAP
- macOS: macOS 13.5 or later, VST3, Audio Unit and CLAP
- Mac processors: Intel and Apple Silicon
A compatible DAW or plugin host is required. No VST2, AAX, LV2, Linux or standalone version is officially listed.
Installation and Registration
Gneiss can be downloaded from the official Hvoya Audio product page or through the KVR Developer Challenge page.
No account, serial number or license manager is indicated. KVR lists the plugin as having no copy protection.
Important Limitations
Gneiss is designed for creative processing rather than transparent mixing.
Its feedback, resonance and distortion settings can produce major volume changes, so users should monitor the output carefully.
The interface and modulation system may also require some experimentation before the signal flow becomes familiar.
Official Download
Official website: Visit Hvoya Audio
Official product page: Download Gneiss for free
KVR product page: View Gneiss on KVR Audio
Final Verdict
Gneiss is a distinctive free filter VST3 plugin for producers who enjoy unpredictable and heavily processed sounds.
Its combination of resonant filters, ladder saturation, wavefolding, bitcrushing and XY morphing makes it especially useful for drums, basses, vocals and experimental textures.
It is not subtle, predictable or particularly interested in good manners. For this kind of plugin, that is very much the point.
