55.2 F
Houston
Friday, November 15, 2024
Facebook Instagram Mail Soundcloud Twitter
AffiliateMusic Software Bundles from Pluginboutique.com
Home Blog Page 29

Audified DW Drum Enhancer

By
Bryan
-


Audified have cooked up a brand new All-in-One solution to processing drums with the DW Drum Enhancer. This plugin was developed in conjunction with DW Drums to tame and enhance the entire drum experience.

BOSKOVICE, CZECH REPUBLIC: audio software and hardware effects developer Audified is proud to deliver DW Drum Enhancer — an aptly-named, all-in-one drum processing plug-in par excellence evolved in close collaboration with DWe (DW Electronics), a acclaimed brand belonging to family-owned American professional drums, pedals, and hardware manufacturer Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW®), designed to enable users to significantly speed up their work with wonderful results workable within seconds, thanks to carefully-crafted combinations of parameters provided by a true doyen of DW® content, Chris Denogean — as of January 22…
Arising as a result of a creative combination of Audified’s tried-and-tested technology and acknowledged DW® know-how, DW Drum Enhancer is billed as being the only drum processing tool that anyone would ever need to get the drum sound of their dreams, designed to process the basic drum sound spectrum. Put it this way: without DW Drum Enhancer, achieving any drum sound worth its weight in (musical) gold almost always necessitated the now-unnecessary utilisation of several different plug-ins to gate, compress, and EQ it to the heart’s content — clearly easier said than done. After all, when all is said and done, we’re talking about having to carefully match levels between the various plug-ins involved in doing so while fine-tuning the overall sound via several simultaneous windows, which is surely something of an audio headache. However, it definitely doesn’t have to be like that, thanks to DW Drum Enhancer.
Easing the drum processing pain by effectively simplifying and streamlining the effects processing chain, DW Drum Enhancer is not simply one effect. Far from it, in fact. For DW Drum Enhancer encompasses several EQs and compressors (including a model of classic solid state compressor circuits) when getting its musical mojo working. When working with DW Drum Enhancer users can choose their desired Drum type settings using the 12-position selector that includes three types of drums (SNARE, KICK, and TOMS), each with three (Modern, Heavy, and Vintage) variations. The remaining three (OTHER) positions are arranged as follows: OH (overheads); Bus, for servicing the whole set (usually in a mixing console group); and Room, intended for processing whole drum kits recorded by two microphones. Meanwhile, each selection automatically applies appropriate settings, such as EQ type, slope, and frequency; Comp (compressor) type, attack, release, and knee shape; noise Gate attack and release, and sidechain filter. Fortunately, this makes for a speedy, straightforward workflow while also allowing for further fine-tuning through the use of easily accessible additional controls courtesy of a stunningly-photorealistic GUI (Graphical User Interface) that’s as easy on the eye as it is easy to use.
Usefully, oval buttons are perfectly positioned at the top of DW Drum Enhancer’s Gate, Comp, and EQ ‘modules’ to turn them on and off. Of course, each module makes several standard controls readily available to the tweaker-happy user, with the exact parameter of whatever is being changed clearly visible in the left-hand display. Gate is armed and ready to remove unwanted audio material below a certain threshold (turning the signal off when only hum or noise is present); Comp limits the dynamic range of the incoming signal (applied once the volume of the incoming signal exceeds the Threshold control setting, while the Mix knob adjusts the parallel mixing level and adjacent Make-up knob compensates for average volume); EQ adjusts the Hi, Mid, and Low frequency amounts (alongside an EQ Position switch to set it before or after the compressor, while HP and LP buttons switch high-pass and lowpass filters on or off).
On top of that, DW Drum Enhancer embraces an advanced model of real valve saturation circuitry. The oval Sat button turns saturation on or off while the big saturation knob adjusts the amount of saturation being applied with higher levels adding harmonics to the incoming signal. Similarly straightforward, specific buttons change the tube circuit, affecting the point at which it kicks in and also its frequency response. The following selections are available: Presence (higher amount of signal on mid-high frequencies to best facilitate cutting through the mix), Vintage (smoother highs and more even harmonics), Brown (an almost flat frequency response with only light high frequency rolloff and higher harmonic punch), White (higher amount of signal on higher frequencies and a balanced ratio between the even and odd harmonics), and LoFi (less low and high frequencies). All add colour, warmth, and sonic character based on Audified’s precise circuit modelling technology. This imbues any drum track with a true-to-life feel and an all-natural analogue sound, without shying away from its side effects — exactly the same as with all Audified plug-ins.
Putting DW Drum Enhancer to work… well, it clearly couldn’t be easier: one click sets up the system, then the dream drum sound-seeker conceivably only needs to think about applying some fine-tuning and gentle saturation to their sound, saving time, insert slots, and CPU (Central Processing Unit) load.
Little wonder, though, that DW Drum Enhancer’s provided presets for almost all occasions are an even speedier, sure-fire way of achieving a dream drum sound since they were professionally prepared to the highest standard in DW®’s dedicated studio by trusty audio engineer Chris Denogean. Duly responsible for almost all DW® content, having also recorded some of the world’s best drummers, DW Drum Enhancer users of all abilities further benefit from his specialised skills since there is no need to search for EQ sweet spots when working with the plug-in as its EQ section has helpfully been carefully crafted in collaboration with the talented DW® engineer, enabling the associated Hi, Mid, and Low frequencies and HP and LP filter behaviour to be dependent on the Drum type selected. Similarly, compressor type, knee, and times are also dependent on the Drum type selected while the tweak-able, intelligent Gate helps remove the unwanted signal from the material being recorded.
Reality reasons, then, that DW Drum Enhancer effectively lives up to its appellation as a time-saving complete drum chain with tube simulation. So, thanks to Audified’s close collaboration with a true doyen of DW® content, achieving a dream drum sound has never been easier — or sounded better… just ask Scott Donnell, Vice President of Marketing for DW®’s umbrella of brands (including DW Drums, Gretsch Drums, DW Electronics, and more)!
DW Drum Enhancer is available to purchase at an introductory promo price of $149.00 USD until February 15, 2018 — rising to $199.00 USD thereafter — from Audified’s online shop here: https://shop.audified.com/products/dw-drum-enhancer
DW Drum Enhancer can be directly downloaded as a multi-format (AAX, AU, VST2, VST3), 32- and 64-bit native plug-in for MacOS (10.9 and above) and Windows (7 and above) — alongside a fully-functional, 30-day trial version — from Audified here: https://services.audified.com/download
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated DW Drum Enhancer webpage here: https://shop.audified.com/products/dw-drum-enhancer
DW Drum Enhancer can be seen and heard in this informative introductory video here: https://youtu.be/CRjKxf8ummU

Waves Scheps Omni Channel

By
Bryan
-


Andrew Scheps needs no introduction. The new Omni Channel plugin, however, does.

Waves Audio, a leading provider of processing solutions, announces the Scheps Omni Channel plugin. Designed with GRAMMY®-winning mixer Andrew Scheps (Adele, Jay-Z, Metallica), this flexible channel strip delivers Andrew’s time-tested combinations of compression, EQ, saturation colors and more – all crafted to work together seamlessly and cohesively.
Mixers choosing which channel strip to work with often face a dilemma: Channel strip plugins based on vintage mixing consoles can sound amazing but tend to tie you down to a very specific and limited sonic color. Modular channel strip plugins let you mix and match diverse processors with flexibility, but the different processors might not work together cohesively and won’t necessarily interact as a true channel strip.
Scheps Omni Channel gives you the best of both worlds. Through years of mixing diverse music genres, Andrew Scheps has perfected certain combinations of go-to processors – some based on classic hardware units, some being innovative modules developed from scratch – each with its own unique character. They are all now provided to you in one flexible yet fully cohesive channel strip plugin.
Scheps Omni Channel features six modules that you can use in any order you like:
The Pre-module provides three types of analog saturation, letting you add diverse colors of harmonic distortion as well as filters and thump (resonance) controls.
The Compression module features three completely different compressors ranging from fast to slow and smooth, with a unified control set so you can quickly compare them.  A Wet/Dry control allows you to parallel compress within the module.
The EQ module is a four-band equalizer; each band providing a distinct musical sound that holds up on its own or can be switched to fully parametric if surgical EQ is required.
The DS2 module is so much more than a de-esser, with two full-range bands and four filter types allowing it to “de-anything” – remove any offending frequencies on any source, not just S’s or T’s.
The Gate module gives you all the standard controls (threshold, attack and release) for gating/expansion, but also lets you adjust the maximum noise reduction to maintain a consistent noise floor.
The Scheps Omni Channel also features an insert slot that can be positioned anywhere in the chain, where you can insert an additional Waves plugin of your choice, including an extra instance of any of the Scheps Omni Channel modules.
For live sound, Scheps Omni Channel offers zero latency and fullest discrete control over each stereo channel. Select controls of the compressor, EQ and filters are mapped conveniently to the eMotion LV1 live mixing console, serving as the console’s channel strip.
A set of Andrew Scheps’ “Focus” presets, created for different sources, highlights the most important controls you should be focusing on to achieve your current task. Also included are presets from top mix engineers, including Tony Visconti, Dave Darlington, Brad Divens, Billy Bush, Jacquire King, Ken “Pooch” Van Druten and Eddie “El Brujo” Caipo.
No matter what musical genre you are working with, the Scheps Omni Channel plugin enables you to quickly audition sonic flavors, helping you stay focused while you mix.
Waves Audio Scheps Omni Channel features:
– Designed with GRAMMY-winning mixer Andrew Scheps (Adele, Jay-Z, Metallica)
– Flexible channel strip plugin based on Andrew’s tried and tested processing combinations
– Pre, compression, EQ and gating modules, each with diverse options for sonic flexibility
– DS² module with 2 full-range bands and 4 filter types
– Insert slot: Load an additional Waves plugin anywhere in the channel strip
– Drag and drop any module anywhere in the channel strip
– Internal MS/Duo/Stereo routing per module
– Stereo component provides full discrete control over each channel
– Flexible shaping of internal or external sidechain input
– Zero latency

 
Price: (intro) $49.99 (reg) $149.00
To learn more: http://www.waves.com/plugins/scheps-omni-channel

Antelope Audio EDGE Strip

By
Bryan
-


The hot new item out lately has been modeling microphones. Combined with the right preamp and software, a relatively flat microphones can take on many shapes and forms. Antelope Audio have released a combo Preamp / Microphone EDGE Strip to emulate many classic and boutique mics and preamps

SANTA MONICA, CA, USA, JANUARY 25, 2018: high-end professional audio equipment manufacturer Antelope Audio is proud to announce that EDGE Strip — a breakthrough bundle comprising its DISCRETE MP Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp and already-available, trailblazing EDGE modelling microphone (for which the all-new, all-analogue dual-input microphone preamplifier itself is specifically designed) — will be making its debut during a must-see showcase at The 2018 NAMM Show, January 25-28 in Anaheim, California…
Antelope Audio’s talented team of engineering experts, led by capable company CEO Igor Levin, designed DISCRETE MP to perfectly match the frequency response of the already-available, trailblazing EDGE, a large-diaphragm modelling microphone featuring dual edge- terminated capsules for a smooth/natural sound, reproducing the expressiveness and character of costly classic microphones — albeit without excessive expense. Elsewhere, the EDGE Strip-bundled DISCRETE MP dual-input microphone preamplifier places the same transistor schematic that beats at the state-of-the-art heart of the aptly-named DISCRETE 8 ThunderboltTM & USB Interface with 8 Discrete Mic Preamps and DISCRETE 4 ThunderboltTM & USB Interface with 4 Discrete Mic Preamps series siblings — released to critical acclaim late last year — at its user’s fingertips.
Furthermore, the EDGE Strip bundle comes complete with a package of microphone emulations, bringing field-tested microphone classics destined to make musical inroads into studio setups the world over. Developed in close collaboration with world-renowned experts, these must-have microphone emulations are available in native formats, facilitating lightning-fast workflow. Preamp emulations are also included in the package, together with the STAY-LEVIN compressor, personally designed by Igor Levin at Antelope Audio.
Antelope Audio has always collectively prided itself in coming up with technologies that unite the digital and analogue audio worlds. While both DISCRETE MP and EDGE are all-analogue devices, making them fully compatible with any audio interface and A/D converter central to any studio setup anywhere, DISCRETE MP allows users to explore the full potential of EDGE in both Antelope Audio-centred setups or other audio systems. Saying that, thanks to its 1kHz hardware calibration OSC (oscillator), DISCRETE MP easily adapts to any studio setup.
Still deeper, DISCRETE MP masterfully makes available Antelope Audio’s signature sonic footprint of pristine audio quality. The unique discrete design of its preamp allows Antelope Audio to modify each individual aspect of the preamp, putting total control over colouration, clarity, and character in the hands of discerning users.
Ultimately, then, DISCRETE MP powerfully punches well above its (950g) weight while packing a lot into its diminutive (190mm W x 46.5mm H x 157mm D) dimensions, as evidenced by its impressive technical specifications: two INPUTS on MIC-XLR and LINE-USE 1/4” JACK, offering 20dBu max balanced @ 2kΩ (XLR only) and 29dBu max balanced @ 13K to ground (TRS only); two TRS OUTPUTS (22dBu max); USB CONTROL I/O (USB 2.0 Full-Speed Type B for remote control only); and a mic preamp pushing out an accomplished gain range of 0dB to 61dB (in 1dB steps) alongside 48V phantom power.
Put it this way: when taken together as the EDGE Strip breakthrough bundle, Antelope Audio’s all-new, all-analogue DISCRETE MP Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp and already-available EDGE modelling microphone make for a killer combination!
Clearly not to be missed, EDGE Strip will be showcased by Antelope Audio on booth #15914 at The 2018 NAMM Show, January 25-28 in Anaheim, California. Come check it out!
EDGE Strip — a breakthrough bundle of Antelope Audio’s all-new, all-analogue DISCRETE MP Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp and already-available, trailblazing EDGE modelling microphone — is shipping in March 2018 with a projected price of €1,295.00 EUR.
For more in-depth info, please visit the dedicated EDGE Strip webpage here: https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/edge-strip/
Watch Antelope Audio’s cutting-edge EDGE modelling microphone demonstration video here: https://youtu.be/ZE-aiemDI58

Spitfire Olafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions

By
Bryan
-
 Spitfire releases a new virtual instrument soundset for Native Instruments Kontakt in collaboration with Olafur Arnalds.
LONDON, UK: Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS, effectively exploring what was possible with a chamber ensemble when working with BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award-winning Icelandic composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer par excellence Ólafur Arnalds — famed for his original score to Broadchurch, the top-rating television series from ITV (operators of the largest commercial family of channels in the UK), as well as several standout studio albums, including Island Songs (seeing him travel to seven very different locations in Iceland over the course of seven weeks to record several new compositions) — as an all-star ensemble performed his latest set of evolutions, executed with time-tested Spitfire sampling savoir faire as its musical must-have, notable namesake library latest, as of January 19…
By way of brief background, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, Ólafur Arnalds’ approach to sound and composition has incontestably inspired a new generation to enjoy and create orchestral music. Following in the successful sampling footsteps of his own OLAFUR ARNALDS EVOLUTIONS and OLAFUR ARNALDS COMPOSER TOOLKIT libraries, Ólafur Arnalds became the clear choice with whom to create …CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS. After all, Spitfire Audio was collectively keen to explore what was possible with a chamber ensemble ensuing the well-received release of SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC STRINGS EVOLUTIONS (where pristine symphonic sampling meets Spitfire Audio’s alternatively progressive Producer Portfolio range to create an evolutionary experience by applying the company’s cutting-edge Evo Grid technology to the same no-expense-spared session recordings responsible for its sought- after 60-star-string-player-performing, blockbuster-sounding SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC STRINGS library like no other); obviously this translated to the driving musical motivation factor behind bringing on-board Ólafur Arnalds again as an accomplished creative collaborator.
Clearly capturing the delightful detail of individual players — performing as a 4, 3, 3, 3, 3 (Violin I + II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) ensemble of best British players led by fellow Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, composer, conductor, and longterm Ólafur Arnalds associate Viktor Orri Árnason, OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS exudes greater intimacy than its above-stated symphonic sibling, but beautifully balances that with enough excitement to still hold its own in scores and compositions alike.
As has been the case with so many precedent-setting Spitfire Audio libraries that preceded it, the top-tier OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS production saw ‘Spitfire & Co.’ returning to the much-lauded Lyndhurst Hall within London’s legendary AIR Studios founded by Beatles-producing genius George Martin. There the ensemble in question was creatively captured with only the best classic high-end microphones and pres — piped through the world’s largest Neve 88R large-format console, no less — to Pro Tools and quarter-inch tape with several user-selectable mic mixes making their way to the finished article as C (Close), St (Stereo), T (Tree), and A (Ambient) to great effect. “You can feel the history; there’s something special, and the players can hear it and feel it,” observes Ólafur Arnalds himself.
However, being best described by Ólafur Arnalds as “…a sample you can play for three minutes that’ll never sound the same,” and readily reflected in the titling of OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS, even, those thrilling evolutions themselves have become widely adopted amongst the composer community as the most effective means of easily writing music that is able to subtly change over time without variation in melodic content. Creativity continues still further in the case of OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS (and also the likes of SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC STRINGS EVOLUTIONS), thanks to an ability to generate randomised evolutions, enabling unexpected results that are truly inspirational in their own right. Recording a number of very long notes that change or mutate over time across the entire range of the keyboard cleverly results in different evolutions. End users can create profound end results in hitherto unheard ways. What’s more, those note lengths are different across each Evo — ‘Spitfire-speak’ for evolution — to increase the randomness of what the user creates.
Assigning an evolution to a note range is straightforward: simply place a (virtual) peg in the relevant hole on the Evo Grid itself — inspired by the breakthrough British EMS VCS3, which made musical history upon its introduction in 1969 by being the first commercially portable synthesiser available anywhere in the world, thanks to its innovative modular matrix-based patchboard dispensing with the telephone exchange-like cabling of other (much larger) modular systems in favour of making space-saving connections with (removable) coloured pegs.
Pushing the concept onwards, OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS includes innovative evolutions, courtesy of Ólafur Arnalds: Feathering, so that only half of the players are performing at any given time — this allows users to play different chords and still hear the detail of the players, while Waves represents one of Ólafur Arnalds’ signature sounds — crescendo-diminuendos, so a range of prerecorded Waves have been included for instant satisfaction, saving the user from having to manually draw in or perform with a fader. “I’ve been using them on every single thing that I’ve done for film since we recorded this with the ‘alpha’ version of the library,” reveals its instigator, before concluding, truthfully: “They’re just magical and so inspiring; it’s a good writing tool.”
There it is… Ólafur Arnalds’ closing comment clearly sums up OLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS. This latest library makes it easy to create sophisticated chamber strings music from the most simplistic of arrangements — just a few sustained notes is all that’s needed to write inspiring dynamic textures!
ÓLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS can be purchased and digitally downloaded (as 30.5 GB of uncompressed .WAV files, featuring 15,156 samples) for a time-limited introductory promo price of £189.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$219.00 USD/€219.00 EUR (inc. VAT) until February 8, 2018 — rising thereafter to an MSRP of £249.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$299.00 USD/€299 EUR (inc. VAT) — from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/olafur-arnalds-chamber-evolutions/
ÓLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS needs Native Instruments’ free KONTAKT PLAYER (5.6.8) — included in the purchase — to run as a fully NKSTM (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) supporting plug-in instrument for Mac (OS X 10.10, 10.11, or macOS 10.12 — latest update) or Windows (7, 8, or 10 — latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit), while Spitfire Audio’s free Download Manager application allows anyone to buy now and download anytime.
For more in-depth information, including a superb-sounding audio demo from Ólafur Arnalds himself, please visit the dedicated ÓLAFUR ARNALDS CHAMBER EVOLUTIONS webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/olafur-arnalds-chamber-evolutions/

Mackie Launches New Line of Audio Tools

By
Bryan
-


Mackie really has come out swinging toward the end of last year with the new Big Knob Series and continues through 2018 with three new products.

Mackie today announces a new line of affordable, high-quality, audio tools for studio and live sound. With the MDB Series Direct Boxes, the MTest-1 Cable Tester and M48 Phantom Power Supply, Mackie now offers essential tools for studio and live sound applications with their proven Built-Like-A-Tank™ construction and premium analog circuitry.
“Mackie has always been about creating audio solutions that sound great, are easy to use, and reliable,” says Ryan Cassady, Mackie Product Manager. “The new line of audio tools is our continuation of giving customers the capability they need with the Mackie sound and build quality they trust.”
The MDB Series Direct Boxes consists of four different models. The MDB-1P Passive Direct Box, MDB-2P Stereo Passive Direct Box, MDB-1A Active Direct Box, and the MDB-USB USB Stereo Direct Box. Each model features premium analog circuitry, Built-Like-A-Tank design, and professional-grade performance.
“Direct boxes are essential for ensuring the best sound quality and lowest noise possible,” remarks Cassady. “Providing an optimal audio path to front of house or a recording rig ensures the instruments sound the way the artist intended.”
The MDB-1P Passive Direct Box is perfect for instruments like guitars, basses and more on stage or in the studio. The MDB-2P Passive Stereo Direct Box offers the same great performance, but with dual inputs and outputs for stereo sources. The MDB-1A Active Direct Box features active circuitry for ultra-low distortion and noise. Last but not least, the MDB-USB USB Stereo Direct Box features a USB input and dual XLR outputs for maximum audio quality direct to front of house from a laptop.
In addition to the series of direct boxes, Mackie introduces two audio tools perfect for any musician or engineer to have in their tool belt. The battery-powered MTest-1 Cable Tester and M48 48v Phantom Power Supply.
The MTest-1 features a simple 5-way switch to test every pin, even with mismatched connectors, for all common connector types and more. Whether you have a few in your gig bag or multiple crates filled with cables, you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a performance when the last strand of wire gives out during a guitar solo or the vocal performance of a lifetime. What about troubleshooting a system? No problem. Powered by a 9v battery, the MTEST-1 can go with you when you explore beneath the stage or behind an imposing stack of speakers.
The M48 48v Phantom Power Supply allows you to use your devices and microphones that require external power in any setup. It can also provide an easy solution when the phantom power being supplied from a venue is inadequate. With the M48 you will always get a clean, full 48v of power for the best sound and low-noise performance. Perfect for home and professional studios, live sound, podcasters, content creators, and more.
With a full line of affordable direct boxes and useful audio tools, Mackie fans can now turn to their favorite pro audio brand for even more of the essential gear they need, with the quality they expect, for their live sound or studio setup.
Mackie audio tools include the MDB-1P, MDB-2P, MDB-1A, MDB-USB, MTest-1, and M48, and are available worldwide on February 1, 2018. Sold individually, the US MSRP pricing is $69.99 for the MDB-1P, $83.99 for the MDB-2P, $83.99 for the MDB-1A, $209.99 for the MDB-USB, $41.99 for the MTest-1, and $69.99 for the M48.
For more information, visit

Nugen Audio Updates MasterCheck Pro Updates to 1.5

By
Bryan
-


With so many different mediums out there, proper levels have never been more important. Nugen Audio has added a few new tricks to MasterCheck Pro to accommodate the ever changing landscape.

LEEDS, UK: innovative, intuitive professional audio tools creator for high-end music producers, post- production engineers, and broadcasters NUGEN Audio is proud to update its award-winning MasterCheck Pro loudness, dynamics, and codec toolset to Version 1.5 — with enhancements embracing support for the Apple AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) iTunes Plus native OS X codec and also the PSR (Peak to Short-Term Loudness Ratio) measurement update to AES Engineering Brief 373 — as of January 23…
The term codec is an acronym for coder/decoder. Music streaming services such as Apple Music® and Spotify use codecs to reduce the data bandwidth required to stream audio to the consumer. Codecs affect audio quality, so it is important to be able to audition them in realtime in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) in order to mitigate side effects caused by intersample clipping and bit depth reduction.
Rescue from this sorry situation is always at hand, however, thanks to NUGEN Audio’s award-winning MasterCheck Pro, perfectly positioned as an essential mix optimisation toolset for mixing and mastering for streaming services.
Ultimately, Version 1.5 of MasterCheck Pro places two important improvements in the hands of eager-eared engineers keen to tackle advancing audio frontiers. Firstly, now that MasterCheck Pro supports the Apple AAC iTunes Plus native OS X codec, people producing to the MFIT (Mastering for iTunes) standard can take advantage of real-time monitoring of the native Apple codec in OS X — and all from within the comfort of their chosen DAW.
Delving deeper, by way of brief background, NUGEN Audio joined a panel of experts, together with the AES (Audio Engineering Society), to write an engineering brief — AES Engineering Brief 373 (Measuring Micro-Dynamics — A First Step: Standardizing PSR, the Peak to Short-Term Loudness Ratio) — on PSR, pushing to encourage consistency and adoption amongst manufacturers and engineers, and harmonise usage. Usefully, Version 1.5 of MasterCheck Pro updates its PSR measurement in line with the resulting AES panel recommendations contained within that brief — available for download in the AES E-Library, where the following excerpt from its introduction makes for fascinating reading: “The ‘loudness war’ still rages, but with major digital streaming services switching to loudness normalization by default, its end is near. Since absolute loudness is no longer effective at making music ‘stand out,’ engineers are finding it much more effective to optimize micro-dynamics instead. The overall PLR (Peak to Loudness Ratio) of an audio track is widely recognized as a useful metric to assess the overall micro-dynamics of a section of audio and the likely results of normalization. However, short-term variations are also important, especially when judging the results of compression and limiting on audio quality, and these can be usefully assessed by a real-time property known as PSR (Peak to Short-Term Loudness Ratio). PSR is found to be straightforward and intuitive to use…”
Updating MasterCheck Pro to Version 1.5, NUGEN Audio are advancing this essential mix optimisation toolset for mixing and mastering in accordance with today’s increasingly streaming serviced-society so that the likes of GRAMMY® Award-winning mix engineer Dave Pensado can continue to deliver music mixes safe in the knowledge that their work will work… wherever it is being streamed.
Straightforward and intuitive to use, Version 1.5 of MasterCheck Pro will be showcased by NUGEN Audio on booth #14005 at The 2018 NAMM Show, January 25-28 in Anaheim, California. Come check it out!
MasterCheck Pro is available to purchase as a 32- and 64-bit-supporting AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.7 and above) and Windows (Vista and above) directly from NUGEN Audio for £126.00 GBP (ex. VAT)/$199.00 USD/€155.00 Euro (ex. VAT).
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated MasterCheck Pro webpage here: https://www.nugenaudio.com/mastercheckpro-playout-loudness-dynamics-codec-metering-aax-au-vst_60
Watch GRAMMY® Award-winning mastering engineer Howie Weinberg wax lyrical about mastering for the internet age with MasterCheck Pro here: https://youtu.be/gT4wKgx-0NI

Tone2 Releases Atmosphera Soundset for Electra2

By
Bryan
-


Everything Recording is a big fan of Tone2’s line of synths. We also like presets and Tone2 has released a new soundset for Electra2 called Atmosphera.

TONE2 releases Atmosphera soundset for Electra2
This set is an atmospheric weapon which utilizes Electra’s powerful multi-layer capabilities. As a result you can create deep soundscapes with very little effort.
Highlights

  • 123 sounds
  • Includes the album ‘Arent i bric’ as free bonus
  • Created by a professional sound designer and artist (Mac of BIOnighT)
  • Comfortable installation
  • Seamless integration into the user interface
  • Uses the new features introduced with Electra v2.5
  • All sounds are properly programmed – they are no samples. This results in more dynamic expression and the highest possible sound quality

Genres: Ideal for Ambient, Atmospherics, Berlin School, New Age, Cinematic and all kinds Electronic Music.

Price: €29 / $39
For more info please visit the  product page: https://www.tone2.com/atmosphera.html
MP3 demo: https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2_Electra2_Atmosphera.mp3

Mackie Releases New Big Knob Series

By
Bryan
-


The Mackie Big Knob is the perfect centerpiece to a studio. Now there are three different versions to choose from: the Big Knob Passive, which is just a monitor controller / USB playback device; the Big Knob Studio which features Mackie Onyx Preamps, 3 sources and 2 monitor pairs, a 2 in 2 out interface with talkback, and Big Knob Studio+ that has everything the Studio has plus a 2 in 4 out interface with expanded talkback.

Woodinville, WA – October 2017…  The next generation of Mackie’s highly acclaimed Big Knob monitor controllers is now shipping worldwide. The newly expanded Big Knob series includes three models -Big Knob Passive, Big Knob Studio and Big Knob Studio+.
For more than a decade, Big Knob’s professional source/monitor selection and precise level control has been at the heart of studios large and small. The new Big Knob series delivers all that and more, with the addition of high-resolution Onyx™ USB recording and playback delivering a powerful, hybrid solution that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Both the Big Knob Studio and Big Knob Studio+ offer high-resolution USB interfacing, with dual Onyx mic preamps to deliver an ultra-wide 60dB of gain range and award-winning sound quality.

“Big Knob has been the number one monitor controller for project and professional studios for more than a decade,” remarks Matt Redmon, Mackie Director of Product Marketing. “These new Big Knob models take that concept to a completely new level, integrating a range of essential features for today’s project or professional studio.”

The Big Knob Passive is a rock-solid monitor control solution that’s compact, low-profile, and affordable. With switchable selection for two sources and two monitors, its no-power-required passive design ensures pristine sonic integrity for any home studio application or for integration into a large studio or group of editing suites. Big Knob Studio adds USB recording/playback and expands the I/O routing to three sources and two monitor pairs. It also incorporates essential studio features like integrated talkback and dual headphone outputs. Big Knob Studio+ adds even more features, with three selectable monitor outputs and four input sources, including a USB playback from a DAW with 192kHz / 24-bit audio conversion. Other tools like a dedicated, amp-driven studio out for a headphone distribution system are ideal for project and professional studios.

“With Big Knob Studio, you not only get a great-sounding USB interface, you get all the benefits of a premium monitor controller,” comments Redmon. “With the expanded lineup and comprehensive feature set, the new Big Knob series offers flexible solutions for any type of setup. Big Knob will truly be the nerve center of your studio.”
Big Knob Passive, Big Knob Studio, and Big Knob Studio+ are all shipping now worldwide. Big Knob Passive has a U.S. MSRP of $89.99, Big Knob Studio has a U.S. MSRP of $259.99 and Big Knob Studio+ has a U.S. MSRP of $389.99. For more information, visit www.mackie.com/BigKnob.

Plugin Alliance and Dear Reality dearVR Music and Pro

By
Bryan
-


Before recently, we only had to worry about Stereo and Surround mixes. Now with 360 cameras and Virtual Reality coming to the forefront, there is a new frontier. Dear Reality has just the tool to take on the emerging technology or Augmented and Virtual Reality.
SANTA CRUZ, CA, USA: Plugin Alliance, a new ‘Über-standard’ supporting all major plugin formats and uniting some othe best-known international audio companies under one virtual roof, is proud to partner with Dear Reality announcing availability of dearVR pro and dearVR music — making the German spatial audio technology and virtual acoustics software specialist’s state-of-the-art audio algorithms available as two plugins providing all the tools needed to create stunning, immersive 3D (three-dimensional) audio for VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) films, games, and video from within their favoured DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) workflow — as of October 17…
Thanks to the comprehensive dearVR pro and streamlined dearVR music, producers, mix engineers, and musicians need not burden themselves with expensive middleware, unwieldy software bundles, and complex routing schemes to create totally immersive 3D audio for films, games, and video since all essential tools are now conveniently contained in a single plugin interface for direct processing of tracks from within their favoured DAW workflow.
As a complete 3D audio toolkit, dearVR pro is the ultimate solution for professionals working with VR and AR needing no-compromise, state-of-the-art performance with all the workflow advantages of a self-contained plugin. Its powerful, yet intuitive, GUI (Graphical User Interface) allows producers to position an audio track anywhere in a 3D soundstage — both behind or in front of the listener, above or below their head, to the left or right, closer or farther away… and all by simply dragging an icon representing the track in the plugin’s XYZ pad, or by using separate sliders for adjusting the sound’s ELEVATION, AZIMUTH, and DISTANCE from the listener. Producers can choose from 46 vivid VIRTUAL ACOUSTICS, featuring true-to-life 3D imaging and depth, in which to place an object’s sound and move it around in real time, with full automation support. Selections to choose from are abundant and include concert halls, car interiors, variously-sized rooms (Church, Cellar, Staircase, Bathroom, Booth, Warehouse, and Live Arena), and Outdoor Street, and Live Stage, to name but a few. Each environment is instantly and independently recallable per plugin instance, letting the producer place each object’s sound in a different space.
Still further, the shape, dimensions, and texture of each virtual space can be modified using controls that adjust its SIZE, DAMPING, and balance of early REFLECTIONS and diffuse REVERB. In REALTIME AURALISATION mode, turning six knobs respectively adjusts the distance from the listener of the four walls, ceiling, and floor to match onscreen visuals. As the user moves a sound around to match the corresponding onscreen object’s movement, the delay times and directions of arrival for early reflections bouncing off these virtual boundaries change — just like in real environments. An OCCLUSION control adjusts the sound of the object to realistically match its being blocked by another virtual object in line of sight to the listener. And if a track’s sound doesn’t move in perfect sync with its corresponding visual element, other controls can be used to scale parameter ranges for azimuth (AZIMUTH SCALE) and distance (DISTANCE SCALE) to make picture and sound match up flawlessly.
Furthermore, dearVR pro outputs the highest-quality 3D audio in seven different delivery formats (including 360-degree videos on YouTube and Facebook), meeting all professional requirements for any AR or VR productions. In addition to two-channel binaural format (for immersive playback using conventional headphones), producers can choose four-channel first order, nine-channel second order, or 16-channel third order Ambisonics output in either AmbiX or FuMa (Furse Malham) format. The plugin’s 46 stellar VIRTUAL ACOUSTICS can also be used like conventional reverbs in 2D (two- dimensional) stereo mixes, making them indispensable for music production.
Purchasers can, conversely, choose dearVR music, a streamlined version of the plugin for entry-level 3D audio applications — perfect for those who don’t need the full firepower on offer with dearVR pro. While dearVR music makes available the same XYZ pad, ELEVATION, AZIMUTH, and DISTANCE sliders asdearVR pro, other controls respectively adjust the SIZE, DAMPING, and balance of early REFLECTIONS and diffuse REVERB in its 18 VIRTUAL ACOUSTICS, including Concert Hall, Church, Live Stage, Drum Room, and more besides.
Better still, dearVR music outputs the highest-quality 3D audio in binaural or four-channel Ambisonics format (used for 360-degree YouTube videos). As such, it’s the perfect vehicle for musicians and audio engineers wishing to attract more listeners and gain more traction on social media by incorporating immersive 3D audio into their mixes. And, as with dearVR pro, dearVR music’s VIRTUAL ACOUSTICS can be used like conventional reverbs in stereo format, but with less fuss — mouse-dragging a track inside a virtual space is much faster, easier, and simpler than setting up an aux, effects send, pan controls, and wet/dry balance for a reverb plugin.
Whether working on cutting-edge VR and AR productions or immersive music mixes, Dear Reality’s pioneering plugins put the power of its state-of-the-art 3D audio algorithms in the hands of discerning DAW users for the first time to devastating effect… just ask Simon Franglen!
dearVR pro and dearVR music are respectively available for purchase — as AAX AudioSuite, AAX Native-, AU-, VST2- and VST3-supporting plugins for Mac OS X (10.8 through 10.12), Windows (7 through 10), and Pro Tools 10.3.10 (or higher) — exclusively from Plugin Alliance at an introductory promo price of $299.00 USD and $149.00 USD through to October 31, 2017, respectively rising to $349.00 USD and $199.00 USD thereafter.
Fully-functional, 14-day trials are available to anyone registering for a free Plugin Alliance account here: http://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/registration.html
Note that the proprietary Plugin Alliance Installation Manager means users can select, download, and install only the products and formats needed for their system.
For more in-depth information, including several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated dearVR pro webpage here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/dearvr_pro.html
For more in-depth information, including several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated dearVR music webpage here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/dearvr_music.html
Headphones highly recommended while watching Plugin Alliance’s demonstrative dearVR video with 3D immersive sound for DAW here: https://youtu.be/WFCTMg0_e_o

Kemper Release Free Modern Metal Rig Pack by Lars Luettge

By
Bryan
-


Kemper has really upped their game in the last few months, first by offering a free Michael Britt Rig Pack and now a Modern Metal Rig Pack by Lars Luettge. This one features all of the greats used for high gain mayhem.

Kemper GmbH released a modern metal Rig Pack by Lars Lüttge for the Kemper Profiler. This new free Rig Pack for all owners of the acclaimed Kemper Profiler features 50 profiles of the most sought-after guitar amps for metal and rock.
All the amps were profiled utilizing the direct profiling method (merged(*) profiles) that captures the sonic behavior of the amp and the cabinet independently catering for the possibility to later vary the cabinets used between profiles and also for using the powered Profiler in conjunction with the corresponding cabinets in the studio or on stage.
Here is the list of the profiled amplifiers*:

  • Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier – 1992 Rev F
  • Diezel Hagen
  • Diezel VH4 EL34
  • Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head
  • Diezel Herbert Mk1 EL34
  • Engl Extreme Agression
  • EVH 5150III 50 Watt
  • Marshall JCM800 KK
  • Laney Ironheart 60
  • Marshall DSL100H
  • Peavey 6534+
  • PRS Archon 100
  • Marshall MR2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue
  • Soldano Hot Rod 50+
  • Suhr Badger 35
  • Engl Invader 150 EL34
  • Marshall JCM800 2205
  • Marshall JVM410
  • Laboga Mr. Hector MK2
  • Peavey Triple XXX
  • Orange Rockerverb 50 MK3
  • Randall V2
  • Randall Diavlo RD45
  • Mesa Royal Atlantic RA-100
  • Marshall AFD100 Slash Signature

*All product names and company names are trademarks of each respective holders. Kemper GmbH is not associated or affiliated therewith. These product names are used solely for purpose of identifying the specific products, Kemper Profiler has been operating with.
About Lars Luettge
Profile creators Lars Lüttge and his partner Frank Kölbl are known for “in your face” Metal and Rock profiles. Lars and Frank were the first commercial Profile sellers releasing merged(*) Profiles that work equally good in recording and live situations. The Amp packs they release usually cover anything a specific Amp can do. All channels in various Gain stages, unboosted + boosted with various cabs. That´s one of the reasons they are so popular and have been used by many famous Metal acts over the years like Katatonia, Eskimo Callboy, Benighted, Any given Day and many more.
about merged(*)profiles / direct profiling
Direct Profiling captures the sound of a tube-amp including its power-amp separately from the cab – even when the cabinet load is active. This works by tapping the sound exactly where it hits the speaker cabinet: The speaker output! As high voltage and high wattage are present, a dedicated DI is required. This specialized DI box is capable of scaling down the tube power amp voltage to a line-level signal, suitable for the Profiler, on a XLR output jack. The high-power signal is forwarded to the speaker cabinet through a different output jack.
The purpose is to capture the amp including the complex impedance behavior of the speaker. This method captures those often discussed interactions between the power tube-amp and the connected speaker cabinet. When the Profile is played back through the Profiler’s built-in class D amp, or an external solid state power amp, it will recreate the same impedance situation to the connected speaker-cabinet. This is the key to making the built-in power-amp sound like a real tube power-amp.
The Direct Amp Profile can later be merged with the respective cabinet portion of a Studio Profile. Alternatively, Direct Amp Profiles can be paired with arbitrary cabinet impulse-responses, imported by the CabMaker software. The result is a complete Profile that can run a physical guitar- cabinet onstage for monitoring, and simultaneously feed the virtual guitar-speaker sound to the main PA.

The free Kemper modern metal Rig Pack by Lars Luettge is available at:https://www.kemper-amps.com/downloads/10/Rig-Packs

1...282930...117Page 29 of 117

Most Recent Reviews