Sugar Bytes’ Turnado is a multi-effect from Sugar Bytes in which each of eight knobs is assigned a different effect, so you can reshape sound in real time. In Expert mode you can set 24 effects in detail.
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 Turnado with 9 creative effect plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.
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Score 3.7 / 5 (average of the 9 products compared: 2.9)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/27
- Number of effects
- 24 types
- Ways to create movement
- LFO, steps
- Reacting to sound
- Envelope follower
- Price (store, date)
- $129 [Official, checked Oct 26]
Summary
Among the 9 creative effect plug-ins, Turnado 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 3.7.
Strengths
- Number of effects (5 points): many kinds of effects are included.
Who it suits: people who want to add dynamic changes to beats and vocals just by turning knobs.
Main features of Turnado
Assign a different effect to each of eight knobs
Turnado is a multi-effect in which you assign an effect to each of the eight knobs on screen, and just turning a knob changes the sound. One effect moves per knob, so you can operate several effects at once, almost as if you were touching a mixer.
24 effects
In Expert mode you can adjust 24 effects in detail. Besides the standards such as delay, reverb, amp and filter, it also includes modulation, transformation, loop and DJ-style effects. You can also tie five parameters together to a knob on the main screen.
Eight effects on one fader with Dictator mode
In Dictator mode, a single fader operates eight effects at once. You can decide when and how much each knob turns, so it could be used to build excitement, such as changing the sound gradually before a break.
LFO, step sequencer and envelope follower
Each slot has two modulators that can work as an LFO or a step sequencer, and an envelope follower that reacts to the loudness of the sound, and they can be assigned to any effect parameter. For the order in which the signal passes, you can choose between serial (in order from 1 to 8) and “Dynamic Signal Flow”, in which effects pass in the order they were turned on.
Video: “TURNADO Mainpage Tutorial” (official Sugar Bytes YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube
Where it is useful
- Changing a filter or delay by knob on part of a cover vocal
- Adding break and build-up effects to a drum loop in real time
- Adding movement to a synth phrase with modulation
Rating by criterion
Number of effects: 5 / 5
We look at the number of kinds of effects included.
You can use 24 effects in eight slots, from standards such as delay, reverb, amp and filter to modulation, transformation, loop and DJ-style effects.
Ways to create movement: 3 / 5
We look at how many ways there are to move a sound over time (movement you draw yourself, randomization and so on).
Each slot has two LFO / step sequencer modulators.
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 the loudness of the sound.
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.
Turnado system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows 7 or later / Mac (macOS 10.13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel) |
|---|---|
| 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 October 17, 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)
- Effectrix 2: features and rating (rank A)
- Movement: features and rating (rank B)
- Portal: features and rating (rank C)
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