FACChorus – Review

FACChorus by: Frederic Corvest 

Available in the iTunes App Store and the Mac App Store


FACChorus (Fred Anton Corvest) is a stand alone, versatile Chorus effects app designed to emulate classic physical modules of day’s past. Not unlike the analog Roland Juno Chorus effects (and others) from decades ago. 


FACChorus sports a simple and clean interface resembling a rack mount style with realistic, responsive knobs. The no fuss look may seem a bit dated to some, but fits right in all the same. It mirrors the actual signal path from left to right (input to output) making it quite intuitive. Not that there could really be much to confuse anyone, anyway. Plus, who cares about looks when what really matters it how it sounds.


So how does it sound? Well, it sounds really good, even through an iPads built in mic. Of course better with a plug in mic, USB or in a AU (Audio Unit) setting.  This Chorus unit has a wide range of possible effects from clean and subtle to clinically insane. Most iOS synths and iDAWs have a built in Chorus but lack any real versatility and often even with the most subtle settings, sound overly wobbly. FACChorus can be manipulated to suit any need for vocals, guitars, and of course iOS instruments. Lush, rich and wide. Spacey or water logged, FACChorus gets you there. 

The properly named presets offer a nice range of ready to go effect parameters suitable for most situations. There is now the ability to save custom presets added. 

While this great sounding effects unit supports Audio Unit V3, it does not support Inter-App Audio or Audiobus. Considering that most iDAWs (like Cubasis and GarageBand Mobile) support Au V3, it’s hardly any real concern. Au V3 basically works the same as IAA. 

It’s early still, and it’s already progressing thanks to a dedicated developer. 

That all said, for three bucks you get an incredible sounding Chorus unit that would’ve cost far more in the physical world. 

Keep an eye out for an OSX version that works very nicely with Logic Pro X, and GarageBand for Macs. 

22 comments

    1. That’s a good question. I have nothing but praise for anything by VirSyn, but the two are different styles. I think it’s more subjective in some ways and perhaps if you’d like, I could send you a promo code to compare and make up your own mind. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts afterward.
      Just email me at SmiteMatter@comcast.net so I can privately send you a FAC code. How’s that sound?

      Reply

    2. They are both great apps! There is a little overlap in what they do, but by and large, they are different beasts, and both are excellent to have in one’s sonic arsenal. The way that they work are different from each other, and their usage likewise would be different. The thing to remember is that FAC Chorus is an excellent emulation of classic gear used by countless famous artists over the last 30+ years. Those who want to recreate these classic sounds on their own projects are now able to do so at a tiny fraction of the cost of the hardware. FAC Chorus emulates the chorus of a Juno-106 (as well as other classic gear). Try running this Chorus after a dry instance of DRC synth. It’s about as close as you are going to ever get to having a Roland Juno 106 on your iOS device!! Analog heaven!!! Emo Chorus, on the other hand works especially well with vocals and experimental sounds. Like I said, while there is some sonic overlap between the two, they are both very different beasts and serve different but very complementary purposes. I see them both as essentials to my personal sonic toolbox. 👍🏼 I hope this helps!!! 😎✌️

      Reply

Leave a comment