Another piece of software to help me build my audio time machine has been announced at Musikmesse 2011. Universal Audio and Lexicon are bringing the 224 to the UAD-1 platform. Wash the snare and spray your hair.
“The result of UA’s acclaimed modeling expertise, the Lexicon 224 plug-in for UAD-2 precisely captures all eight reverb programs available in original 224 firmware version 4.4, including every tunable parameter, with unique fader-style controls — inviting easy experimentation and sonic exploration. In UA’s exhaustive modeling tradition, the Lexicon 224 emulation also incorporates the original unit’s input transformers and early AD/DA converters — nailing the entire signal path right down to the last detail.” – sonicstate.com
For more info: uaudio.com
via sonicsstate
This entry was written by , posted on April 6, 2011 at 3:33 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged Lexicon, plug-in, reverb Lexicon 224, UAD-1 Universal Audio. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Native Instruments have teamed up with Berlin based electronic musicians Errorsmith and created a new software synthesizer called Razor. Besides the wobbling sound you can hear in the video above it has a nifty animated graphic display that lead Chris Randal to post on Twitter, “Man, the UI on NI Razor is really fucking nice. #jealous #gonnastealthatstyle #watchme”. I personally haven’t been touching software synths that much lately but this NI promo is cool enough to make me want to try Razor out. More discussion about Razor: kvraudio
“Razor is a synthesizer i developed in collaboration with Native Instruments. It’s programmed in Reaktor, a modular software synthesizer. You don’t need to own Reaktor in order to use it. Razor can be loaded in the free Reaktor Player software.” – razor.errorsmith.de
For more info: native-instruments.com
This entry was written by , posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:10 am, filed under plug-ins, synthesizer and tagged Errorsmith, native instruments, plug-in, Razor, soft synth, synthesizer. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Audio Damage’s new synthesizer plug-in Phosphor is a recreation of an 80s synth called the alphaSyntauri that required an Apple IIe. Herbie Hancock and Keith Emerson both used alphaSyntauris. I remember seeing them but I don’t think I ever used one. I’d like to make a track using only Phosphor and Lindrum. Available now for $59. Anyone buying this one? Please let me know if you like it.
“Phosphor is a VSTi/AU instrument modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but we’ve gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your DAW of choice.” – audiodamage.com
For more info: audiodamage.com
photo credit: Jason Scott
This entry was written by , posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:23 am, filed under plug-ins, synthesizer and tagged Audio Damage, Chris Randall, Phosphor, plug-in, synthesizer. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
The Slate Digital Virtual Console is a set of plug-ins that model the character of both mixer channels and an analog summing engine. There has been a huge discussion of this plug-in set on various forums including Gearslutz. I’m not 100% convinced using the VC will get you the same sound as outboard gear however I do believe it will give you a new color. I often use microphone impulse responses on a few channels so they sound like they have been recorded through say a Neuman and 15″ away. I know that definitely adds something unique and interesting to my mixes so plug-ins like the Slate have my interest. The Beta is available now for $199. iLok required.
“What it aims to do is precisely emulate the sound of mixing through a legendary analog desk. We’ve worked very hard on the algorithms and we’re happy to say that in our testing, it was extremely difficult to pick out the real desk verse the emulation in an blind A/B test. Fabrice Gabriel implemented modeling techniques that capture the entire dynamic response of the desk, meaning that the sound of the desk, (depending on the emulation), can change as you drive it harder.” – Steven Slate
For more info: slatedigital.com
This entry was written by , posted on October 1, 2010 at 5:02 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged ITB, mixing, plug-in, Slate Digital, software, Virtual Console. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
The XILS Lab XILS 3 is a recreation of the EMS VCS synthesizer. It comes in two flavors. There is a LE version for $37 and a version with more features for $181. There is a demo. All versions including the demo require an iLok. There is an extended review of the XILS 3 in the August issue of Sound on Sound: click here. Basically they say it’s not a spot on emulation but a very interesting plug-in. Hardware lust and purism aside is the XILS 3 in the realm of the TimewARP 2600, UHE ACE and the Korg Legacy Collection?
“Given the DSP power available nowadays, you might think that it would be possible to emulate the VCS3 in software. You could imitate its unstable oscillators, model its unpredictable filter, recreate its loopy envelope generator and all its other facilities, iron out its idiosyncrasies, add a few enhancements, and then stick a pretty GUI on the front that forces players to approach it in the same way as the original. So, what is XILS 3? On the surface, it’s a soft synth designed to look, feel and sound like a VCS3. However, as we delve deeper, we’ll find that it’s much more than that.” – Sound on Sound
For more info: xils-lab.com/pages/XILS-3.html
photo credit: The Standard Deviant
This entry was written by , posted on August 30, 2010 at 3:15 am, filed under plug-ins, synthesizer and tagged analog, EMS VCS, EMS VCS3, plug-in, synthesizer, XILS 3, XILS Lab. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
PSP Audioware from Poland was one of the early great VST plug-in makers. One of their plug-ins Nitro is in my top 10 of all time. They have updated there very good delay plug-in the 84 up a number to 85. $39 upgrade until August 8th then it jumps to $99.
“PSP 85 successor of the PSP 84 which became the favorite delay plug-in for some of you. PSP 85 is the product of our eternal fascination with the endless possibilities offered by variable sample rate delay lines. PSP 85 benefits from aggressive algorithm optimization and adds numerous significant new features while retaining full preset and bank compatibility with our renowned PSP 84 delay. The plug-in comes with sixty wild and twisted new presets designed to highlight its exciting new attributes, in addition to a supplementary bank containing more ‘bread and butter’ PSP 84 factory programs.” – pspaudioware.com
For more info: pspaudioware.com/plugins/delays/psp_85/
This entry was written by , posted on July 26, 2010 at 4:02 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged delay, Lexicon, plug-in, PSP 85, PSP Audioware. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Years ago I owned a Lexicon MPX1. I was amazed to see they still sell the unit! Today I use Lexicon reverb impulse responses inside Altiverb. It gets me a good retro 80s reverb sound I like. I didn’t try the new native LXP bundle so I can’t tell you if it has that Lexicon sound. Honestly I doubt it but if anyone has tried these and they are “it” let me know. The main obstacle here as will be the $750 price. Many of the old hardware units are still around and operating. Will this software still be up and running in 15 years?
“Lexicon’s LXP Native Reverb Bundle provides your music with an engaging aura that brings it to life by placing it in the perfect resonant space.” – lexiconpro.com
For more info: lexiconpro.com
This entry was written by , posted on June 9, 2010 at 4:05 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged Lexicon, plug-in, reverb. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Sonic Charge’s MicroTonic is one of the best software drum machines. Now you can browse patterns and drum sets on their website in the Patternarium. You can thumbs up or down patterns, save patterns and if you have MicroTonic running simply copy the pattern with a few clicks. I think it’s a pretty interesting web meets sequencer diddy!
“What you are experiencing above are computer generated patterns for µTonic created through principles of evolution. All the sounds and rhythms you are hearing are produced by algorithms running on our servers (even the names are made up by random). Think of Patternarium as a giant collaborative patch randomizer. Our servers are regularly spawning new generations of a thousand unique patterns, each one being the cross product of two other patterns picked at random. The higher votes a certain pattern receives, the more likely it is to get picked and bear offspring into the next generation. This means that you may participate and influence the outcome of Patternarium simply by voting.” – soniccharge.com/patternarium
Check out the Patternarium: soniccharge.com/patternarium
This entry was written by , posted on June 7, 2010 at 3:54 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged drum machine, MicroTonic, Patternarium, plug-in, software, Sonic Charge, µTonic. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Chris Randall has released an updated version of his nice stereoizing delay, pitchshifter, modulator named Discord. This plug-in always reminds me of the effect Meat Beat Manifesto used on breakbeats on their early albums.
“The pitch-shifter consists of three separate algorithms: a “vintage” mode (the original Discord algorithm, modeled on the Eventide H910 and H949), a “clean” mode for more modern shifting sounds, and a “granular” mode for experimental effects. Each mode has its strengths, depending on the input material, and Discord3 has a broad palette of capabilities as a result. The P1 and P2 algorithms have full control over the buffer (window) size of the shift effect, for fine tuning the shift to the input signal, or for stranger sound effects. At the extremes of the six-octave shift range, some truly strange aliasing and artifacts can be had with this control. Now, to be clear, if you’re looking for a nice, clean diatonic pitch shifter for fine surgery and re-pitching the full program, you need to look elsewhere. Discord3 is a tool for sound design, barberpole shifting delays, and special effects; think Eno, Visconti, Bowie, or Dirty Mind-era Prince and you’ll be on the right track.” – audiodamage.com
You can read the Discord 3 manual: click here
Available for instant download for $59: audiodamage.com
This entry was written by , posted on May 29, 2010 at 4:11 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged Audiodamage, delay, Discord, Discord 3, pitch shifter, plug-in. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Dutch based Fabfilter plug-ins are some of the coolest looking. However, it can take you a bit to get used to the futuristic interface. Here’s some videos to get you going with Twin 2. FYI my personal favorite and highly recommended plug-in from Fabfilter is Timeless.
For more info: fabfilter.com
This entry was written by , posted on April 30, 2010 at 4:59 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged audio unit, fabfilter, plug-in, synthesizer, tutorial, Twin 2, vst. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
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