Sugar Bytes’ Effectrix 2 is a plug-in that arranges 14 effects on a 32-step sequencer to make glitch and chopping effects. It has more than 400 presets (ready-made settings).
A creative effect plug-in moves a sound in time with the rhythm, or turns it into a completely different sound.
In this article we compare Effectrix 2 with 9 creative effect plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SoundBounty may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and sale information are as of the date we checked them and can change.
Score 4.0 / 5 (average of the 9 products compared: 2.9)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/27
- Number of effects
- 14 types
- Ways to create movement
- Steps, random, MIDI
- Reacting to sound
- Envelope follower
- Price (store, date)
- $129 [PB, checked Oct 26]
Summary
Among the 9 creative effect plug-ins, Effectrix 2 is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for the three criteria (out of 5) gives 4.0.
Strengths
- Number of effects (5 points): many kinds of effects are included.
- Ways to create movement (4 points): there are plenty of ways to create movement freely.
Who it suits: people who want to add lots of scratch, loop and glitch changes to a beat.
Main features of Effectrix 2
14 effects you draw on a grid
Effectrix 2 is a plug-in in which you draw effects on a 32-step grid to rework the sound on the spot. It has 14 effects, including looper, grain, ring modulator, vinyl, spectral, tonalizer, crush, phaser, delay and reverb. Stopping a snare or turning a hi-hat into a roll takes only seconds.
Modulation for each step
There are several ways to move a parameter step by step. You can choose from From To, which moves a value from one to another, a step sequencer, an envelope follower that reacts to loudness, an LFO and Steptrain for stutters.
Randomization and live playing
You can randomize a whole pattern, one effect or the parameter settings at three levels of strength. Twelve patterns can be saved in one preset and switched by MIDI or a keyboard to play live. It can also be used as a standalone app.
Video: “Effectrix2 Overview” (official Sugar Bytes YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube
Where it is useful
- Turning a drum loop into a breakbeat with stutter and tape stop
- Adding a strange effect to a vocal with the looper or grain
- Switching patterns by MIDI live to develop a song
Rating by criterion
Number of effects: 5 / 5
We look at the number of kinds of effects included.
It has 14 effects, including looper, grain, ring, vinyl, spectral, filter, delay and reverb.
Ways to create movement: 4 / 5
We look at how many ways there are to move a sound over time (movement you draw yourself, randomization and so on).
It has a 32-step sequencer, modulation for each step, randomization at three levels of strength and switching by MIDI (performance data that says which note was played and how hard). It also has an LFO.
Reacting to sound: 3 / 5
We look at whether the effect can be moved by the incoming sound or the sound of another track.
You can move parameters with an envelope follower that reacts to loudness.
How we score (Creative effect plug-ins)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of effects | Number of kinds of effects included | 12 or more | 8 or more | 5 or more | 2 or more | 1 |
| Ways to create movement | Which of drawable LFOs, a step sequencer, randomization and MIDI triggering it has | All four | Three | Two | One, or the kinds are not stated | None |
| Reacting to sound | Whether the effect can be moved by the incoming sound or another track (sidechain and so on) | Both an external sidechain and retriggering on the attack of the sound | Many parameters can be moved by the incoming sound | One feature that reacts to sound, such as an envelope follower | — | Not mentioned |
Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: adding movement and change to loops, synths and vocals. Scores follow the conditions in the table above. "Reacting to sound" is a criterion that answers the common search for "sidechain". The basis is the manufacturer's product description on the Plugin Boutique product page. Sound quality has not been compared by ear, so it is not scored. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.
Effectrix 2 screens and images
Effectrix 2 system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows 7 or later / Mac (macOS 10.13 or later) |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | Windows: VST2, VST3, AAX / Mac: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX |
| Standalone | Yes |
| Trial | Demo available |
| OBS (streaming) | Works as it is (VST2 is listed) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026. How to use plug-ins in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.
Compared with other creative effect plug-ins
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Number of effects | Ways to create movement | Reacting to sound | OBS (streaming) | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OutputMovement | B 3.3 | 6 types | LFO, steps, random | Sidechain on anything | ○ | $149 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| OutputPortal | C 2.3 | Granular + 7 types | Humanize and more | No feature that reacts to sound | ○ | $149 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| CableguysShaperBox 3 | A 4.0 | 11 types | Drawable LFO, MIDI | External SC + Audio Triggering | ○ | $89 (sale; regular $99) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Sugar BytesEffectrix 2 | A 4.0 | 14 types | Steps, random, MIDI | Envelope follower | ○ | $129 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Sugar BytesTurnado | A 3.7 | 24 types | LFO, steps | Envelope follower | ○ | $129 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| iZotopeStutter Edit 2 | B 2.7 | 11 types | Drawn curves, MIDI | Not listed | × (VST3 only) | $199 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| SoundtoysEffect Rack | B 2.7 | 14 types | Tempo-synced rhythmic effects | Not listed | ○ | $299 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| SoundtoysCrystallizer | C 2.0 | 1 type | MIDI sync | Gate, duck | ○ | $149 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| CableguysHalfTime | C 1.0 | 1 type | None | Not listed | ○ | ≈$13.45 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 27, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- ShaperBox 3: features and rating (rank A)
- Turnado: features and rating (rank A)
- Movement: features and rating (rank B)
- Portal: features and rating (rank C)
Comments