UA's Studio Upgrade Special

I've been a big supporter of the UAD platform since the beginning​ and recently mixed songs for Amy's album using their UAD-2 Satellite extensively. They are currently running a special wherein you get a free free UAD-2 Satellite when you purchase the LA-610 Tube ChannelStrip. The special lasts till Dec 31st.:

Ready to upgrade your sound, fast? Purchase a new LA-610 MkII Classic Tube Recording Channel before Dec. 31st and Get a UAD-2 DUO PCIe Card or UAD-2 DUO Satellite Firewire Package FREE — an $899 Value!
There are plenty of analog channel strips on the market, but only one that can significantly upgrade your studio's analogand digital sound. From October 1st through December 31st, purchase our best-selling LA-610 MkII Classic Tube Recording Channel and UA will give you your choice of a UAD-2 DUO DSP Accelerator Package (PCIe card) or UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator Package (Firewire unit) — an $899 Value — absolutely FREE!
The LA-610 MkII Classic Tube Recording Channel is the world's most popular professional channel strip, combining an all-tube, vintage mic preamp design with authentic Teletronix T4 opto-compression circuitry. The UAD-2 DUO DSP Accelerator Package, on the other hand, is a workhorse of modern mixing, giving you unrestricted access to award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins on your Mac and PC.
How it works: Purchase a new LA-610 MkII Classic Tube Recording Channel from an Authorized UA Dealer by December 31st, 2011. Then complete the Mail-In Rebate card, and send it along with a copy of your receipt, to: UA's Total Studio Upgrade Offer, c/o Universal Audio, Inc., 1700 Green Hills Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066. We'll then send you your choice of a FREE UAD-2 DUO (PCIe card, core model) or UAD-2 Satellite (Firewire unit, core model). See complete details and limitations below.
Got questions on this promotion? Drop us a line at info@uaudio.com. Or call us at 1-877-698-2834 (US).
Click here to learn more about the UAD-2 Platform.

US and Canada Customers - Promotional Details and Limitations: Offer applies to UAD-2 DUO PCIe or UAD-2 Satellite DUO Firewire "core" models only. Qualifying LA-610 MkII product must purchased new, from an Authorized UA Dealer. Offer valid to U.S. and Canadian residents only, while supplies last. This promotion expires 12:00am, January 1st, 2012. By submitting your mail-in rebate form you will automatically be added to our webzine mailing list. Note that UAD-2 units will not be shipped to P.O. boxes. A secure residential or commercial shipping address in the U.S. or Canada is necessary for redemption. You must include proof of purchase via a sales receipt that clearly indicates the name of the Authorized UA Dealer. All forms must be received by January 31st, 2012. Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing.

Phone Support:

• USA: 877-MY-UAUDIO
•           [877-698-2834]
• Int'l: +1-831-440-1176
• FAX: +1-831-461-1550

Available from 9am - 5pm
Monday through Friday, PST

Online Support:

• General Inquiries
• info@uaudio.com
• Technical Support
• & Webstore Issues
• Support Request

Mailing Address:

• Universal Audio, Inc.
• 1700 Green Hills Rd
• Scotts Valley CA 95066-4926

​

AEA releases RPQ500 preamp for API 500 series

AEA (Audio Engineering Associates) has a well earned reputation for making products that provide the ultimate in sonics and build quality.

They recently released a 500 series version of their RPQ Ribbon microphone Preamp:

From the website:

"The new RPQ500 module is based on the successful design of the full-rack RPQ preamplifier and provides the same ultra-clean, high-gain signal path that has earned

AEA preamps their great reputation. The RPQ500 has been enhanced with additional features, turning it into a workhorse tool for any API 500 compatible rack.

The RPQ500 delivers the bandwidth and quietness needed for high resolution 

recording. JFET circuit topology delivers all the dynamics, subwoofer bass, and 

fast transients that your microphones can record. No Load™ input impedance 

above 10,000 Ω means the RPQ500 will not load down a mic and change its sound. 

Low Energy Storage™circuit design instantly recovers from overloads for superior 

dynamic performance.

The CurveShaperTM offers a natural option for sculpting your sound right at the start 

of the signal path. Switchable and tunable low frequency (LF) and high frequency 

(HF) contour controls allow you to tame proximity problems and provide HF 

extension and slope control. The high-frequency CurveShaperTM excels at adding a 

touch of air or presence, and the low-frequency control can remove boxiness and 

boominess in a fast and unobtrusive way. The bottom line is a versatile channel strip 

that will deliver an unadulterated performance in any application."

FEATURES:

• 80 dB of quiet JFET gain
• High-impedance No LoadTM inputs
• CurveShaperTM EQ for extended highs and articulate lows
• Line-level input mode for using the EQ during mixdown
• Output level control
• VPR alliance application pending

The first 100 units of the RPQ500 preamp will ship by Christmas 2011 at a list price of $649.00

Pensado's Place: #43 - Brent Paschke

"In the 43rd episode of Pensado's Place, Brent Paschke, guitarist for The Neptunes, NERD, Katy Perry, Tricky Stewart, and many others joins Dave and Herb in studio to talk about recording and playing guitar in the studio."

TITAN Class A Compressor-Limiter by Dave Hill Designs

Dave Hill Designs is known for making great sounding, well built, practical gear.
His latest incarnation the TITAN is compressor-limiter that not only continues this tradition but steps it up a notch with a LCD color display that shows knob values allowing for complete recall.
The TITAN will be available Jan-Feb 2012 for approximately $1700.

From their website:
Titan is an analog compressor-limiter with a very large range of color and control choices with recall. The main audio path is a discrete class A design. Resetability is attained by using stepped controls and encoders that have their values displayed on Titian's color LCD display. Titian is a digitally controlled analog device in design with a very high speed dsp side chain that allows the design to push the limits beyond what is possible in the design of an analog side chain.


FEATURES:


The compressor-limiter controls are the normal; Threshold, Attack, Release, Shape, Bypass-In-Link, Meter Select, and make up Gain.  These controls have their settings displayed on a color LCD display.  The Shape control shows the knee of the compressor. With the knee characteristic being graphically drawn on the LCD to allow the user to see the knee's shape. The graphical display updates with the changing of the Threshold and Shape controls.  When stereo linked the unit selected as control master will control all functions on the second channel. 

In addition there are controls that can provide color choices; 

VCA COLOR 

The VCA COLOR control provides a mix between a very clean PWM gain control device and a vintage gain control element.  The vintage gain control element is a diode type compressor circuit.  There are 16 steps in the cross fade-mix control for a wide range in choices

PARALLEL MIX

The PARALLEL MIX control blends the unprocessed audio with the compressed audio, a parallel compression function.  There are 16 steps in the cross fade-mix control for a wide range in choices.

DYNAMIC COLOR

The DYNAMIC COLOR control is a control that provides harmonic content that is opposite in nature of the harmonic content that the vintage gain control element generates.  The effect of the Dynamic Color control can be described as making the sound "bigger".  This function has 16 steps to provide a wide range of sonic control.

FAT - AIR

The FAT - AIR switch that will add air or fatness to the compressed audio

Titan is a single rack space 100 to 240 Volt switchable   50, 60 Hz

GarageBand now available on iPhone and iPod touch

Apple announced the immediate availability of Garageband for the iPhone 3G and later and third and fourth generation iPod touch. If you've already paid the $5 entrance fee to GarageBand for the iPad, the upgrade to your other iOS devices is free.


FEATURES:
- Universal app designed for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
- Create custom chords for Smart Instruments
- Support for 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures
- Reset song key without transposing original recordings
- Transpose songs in semitones or full octaves
- Additional quantization options for recordings including, straight, triplet and swing
- New audio export quality settings for AAC and AIFF (Uncompressed)
- Arpeggiator available in Smart Keyboard
- Adjustable velocity settings for Touch Instruments
- Numerous enhancements, including automatic fade out and improved audio import options


via GIZMODO.

UAD v6.1 software introduces Little Labs VOG and MXR Flanger

UAD introduces the Little Labs VOG and MXR Flanger/Doubler with their v6.1 software.

The MXR unit was an engineer's favorite in the past and the VOG is an indispensable tool

in anyone's arsenal. Look forward to using these UAD emulations on my next project.

Take a look at the videos below and visit UA's site for more info.

UAD Powered Plug-Ins software v6.1 is here, featuring the classicMXR® Flanger/Doubler, the Little Labs® Voice of God (VOG) Bass Resonance Tool, plus enhancements to Pro Tools workflow and the Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder plug-in.

New 6.1 Software Features:

New! MXR Flanger/Doubler Classic Electronic Flanger

• Produces unmistakable electronic bucket-brigade flanging and short-delay doubling effects
• Exacting circuit emulation with all the rich analog tone of the original hardware — licensed and approved by Dunlop Manufacturing
• “UAD Exclusive” features include Single/Dual switch, Mono, and LFO Tempo Sync
• Perfect for use on guitar, bass, keys, drums and more
• $199 from UA's Online Store

New! Little Labs Voice of God (VOG) Bass Resonance Tool

• Little Labs-authenticated, UA-modeled bass resonance tool for drums, bass, vocals, and more
• Adds heft and precision to low-end source material — far beyond a simple EQ
• Simple two-knob operation for dialing in the target frequency and effect amount
• Dedicated “Flat” button allows for quick A/B comparison
• $149 from UA's Online Store

Click here to download the free UAD v6.1 software, and check out the MXR Flanger/Doubler and Little Labs VOG today!

 

Phone Support:

• USA: 877-MY-UAUDIO
•           [877-698-2834]
• Int'l: +1-831-440-1176
• FAX: +1-831-461-1550

Available from 9am - 5pm
Monday through Friday, PST

Online Support:

• General Inquiries
• info@uaudio.com
• Technical Support
• & Webstore Issues
• Support Request

Mailing Address:

• Universal Audio, Inc.
• 1700 Green Hills Rd
• Scotts Valley CA 95066-4926​ 

​ 

Amy Winehouse's Third Album, 'Lioness,' Coming in December

Island Records plans to release Amy's 3rd Album on Dec 5. The album titled "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" is produced by Grammy winning producers and longtime friend Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson. I will give more insight into the mixing process in a future post.


Here's an excerpt from the Billboard article:

"A new album of recordings by the late soul singer Amy Winehouse will be released in December, Island Records said Monday. It said "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" will contain 12 songs - previously unreleased tracks, alternative versions of existing hits and brand new songs - recorded by the beehive-wearing singer who died at her London home on July 23.

The label said Winehouse's longtime musical partners Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi had spent time since her death listening to recordings of the singer, who many said never sang or played a song the same way twice.

Island Records said the duo quickly realized that they had "a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend."

The album - Winehouse's third after "Frank" and "Back to Black" - will be released on Dec. 5. Ronson and Remi compiled the tracks in collaboration with Winehouse's family, management and the label.

Winehouse's final studio recording - a cover of "Body & Soul" sung with Tony Bennett - will be included in the album."

Read the rest of the article here.

Safe Sound Audio Tracking ToolBox

The Tracking ToolBox from Safe Sound Audio makes an excellent mic chain for both studio and live use. 
Its wide open range combined with tons of gain, an expander, "Peakride" compression and a limiter makes it very easy to record good  levels in your DAW without squeezing the life out of the signal. The Tracking Toolbox can be used as a D.I. via the Instrument input on the front. (The ground lift is on the rear. See pic.). Use the insert to add your favorite EQ to the chain.
The top notch build quality and ruggedness makes it an easy choice for recording on the go and the Tracking ToolBox also provides zero latency monitoring with a built in mix monitor and headphone amp.

FEATURES:

Front end: 

• Class A discrete transistor mic pre feeding a servo IC second stage. 
• Wide open sound with more than 70dB of gain available.
• Front panel access to a High Impedance instrument input.
• Balanced Line Input: Really easy to use single gain knob for all three inputs.
• Switchable 80Hz hi-pass filter with 18dB/octave slope.
• Balanced Insert allows the insertion of EQ pre dynamics if required OR record direct from the mic amp output (insert send) and use the insert return to make the dynamics section available to a different channel source.

Expander

A studio quality expander that's really easy to use. Beautifully smooth noise reduction on voice overs or use it as a gate to kick some life into a drum track.

Compressor

This is the SMOOTHEST compressor on the planet. If you love compressors which distort and pump, then SORRY this is not for you. The Tracking Toolbox compressor is super smooth using a multistage design called peakride. Very fast when required to be but always in control and never bad tempered! Fully adjustable THRESHOLD, RATIO and ATTACK. 'Follow audio' controlled release time and automatic gain make-up complete the picture.

Limiter

Switchable fixed threshold limiter for ultimate protection.  The limiter design combines programme related elements of 'look ahead' dynamic threshold control with dynamic adjustment of attack time. Another great tool with a dual personality; very fast clipping protection when tracking but also very useful as a creative tool in its own right when pushed into heavy levels of limiting.

Output stage

Balanced output stage with +27dBu drive capability.

Zero latency monitoring and personalized mix while tracking

The Tracking Toolbox features a stereo mix section and high quality headphone amp. This enables the artist to blend their own signal within the stereo monitor mix and find a comfortable level while tracking.

Quality components and build

Composite Steel and Aluminum Extruded Case which is both physically very rugged and provides very effective screening from other gear and RF.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Frequency response : -0.5dB points at 5Hz and 60kHz
• Distortion : < 0.01% at 1kHz (typically 0.007%) main signal path working at 0dBu
• Maximum input levels (input gain set to minimum)
  Microphone : +20dBu
  Line input : +27dBu
  Instrument : +18dBu
• Input impedances
  Microphone : 2k4 ohms
  Line input : > 10k ohms
  Instrument : 1M ohms
• Equivalent input noise figure
  Microphone : 128dB (max gain with 150 ohms source)
• Output Noise
  -91dBu RMS unweighted, measured 22Hz to 22kHz
  -93dBu RMS A-weighted, measured 22Hz to 22kHz
• Maximum Output Level (post limiter): > +27dBu
• Output impedance: 50 ohms
• Input Gain Ranges
  Microphone input : -5dB to +70dB
  Line input : -10dB to +20dB
  Instrument input : +4dB to 35dB
• Expander
  Threshold range : -60dB to 0dB
  Attack time : typically 3ms
  Release time : variable between 90ms and 900ms (tracks the natural audio decay)
  Ratio 1:2 with a small degree of ‘soft knee’ at the threshold point
• Peakride Compressor
  Threshold range : 0dB to -40dB
  Attack time range : 60ms to 1ms
  Release time : variable from 90ms to 500ms (tracks the natural audio decay).
  Ratio 1:1 to 30:1
  Make-up gain : automatically set in proportion to the threshold and ratio settings.
  Gain reduction meter : calibrated in dBs.
• Limiter
  Threshold : fixed internally to +7dBu (nominal)
  Attack time : 100us
  Release Time: programme related from 100ms to 500ms
• Monitor Output
  For highest quality monitoring use headphones with an impedance of 600 ohms or above.
• Quality precision aluminum control knobs.
• 100% Neutrik audio connectors.
• Audio switching by sealed au-alloy contact relays.
• 100% analogue power supply unit with a super high quality toroidal power transformer feeding three 100% linear power voltage regulators. No nasty wall-warts or switched-mode power stages here we promise!
• Size : 220mm wide by 44mm high (1U) by 225mm deep (excluding cable connectors)
• Weight : 2.2kg (4lb 10oz)
• Power requirements : AC power to the voltage indicated on the rear panel ±10%, 50/60 Hz.  Internally switchable between 115VAC and 230VAC
• Mains Cord Fuse (UK only): 3A
• Rear Panel Fuse : 20mm fuse, 250mA 250V (MUST BE ANTISURGE SLOW BLOW TYPE)
• Power Consumption : 15W

$999 at ZenPro Audio

A Must Read by Bob Lefsetz

"The blackest despair that can take hold of any society is the fear that living honestly is futile." Italian journalist Corrado Alvaro, quoted in the Sydney Australian Via "The Week" This is what bothers people. The belief that the game is rigged, that if they play by the rules they just can't win. And winning doesn't mean a private jet and an island vacation but the ability to put food on the table under your own roof after doing a hard day's work. It's not that we believe rich people should cough up all their dough, but how is it that hedge fund management fees are taxed at capital gains rates when they're guaranteed? Oh yeah, they own Congress, that's what money buys you. Same deal with the copyright police. Mickey Mouse is about to go into the public domain so Michael Eisner sics Disney lobbyists on D.C. and suddenly the term is extended. Huh? So if you want to use Mickey to add a little brightness to your business, you can't. It's not how much is too much but the fact that we can't get ours. Now the younger generation is different. They believe in honesty and transparency. Try convincing an educated young 'un he should be screwed by the record company. It's almost impossible to do. That's why those who want to succeed on their music instead of the trappings want nothing to do with the Big Four. Shouldn't the music be enough? The banks blew up the country and were rescued by the government. Constituents purchased overpriced houses run up in value by the financial shenanigans and now that they're underwater there's no relief. And if you think you can make it from the bottom to the top, you're dreaming. You need that Ivy League education, you need to know the right people, people you've got no chance of ever encountering. As for living on your public employee salary...you're the problem with America, don't you know? Not Goldman Sachs, but you... Just like homeowners created the mortgage problem. This is not a left or right issue. The gap between rich and poor has demoralized a vast swath of our country. Hell, I feel it myself. I went to school with these people. But no matter how hard I try I can never make the money they do. As for those so rich in the music business... I can get a good concert ticket, I know people. But the average person cannot. That's what's keeping StubHub in business, the ability to get a good seat. You might have to overpay, but at least you've got a chance. Logging into Ticketmaster you don't. And it's not a Ticketmaster problem. It's an artist greed problem. The artists could solve this problem but they don't want to. They want to live the life of the bankers too. Everybody's trying to climb a greased pole, pushing those below them down. Yet we still can't get to the top. This issue spontaneously combusted. Just like the Arab spring. It's not like the connivers on Wall Street only started today, like we just found out, their misdeeds have been in plain sight for three years. But finally, people have had too much. I've had too much. Have you?

Artic Keys iPad Synth

One Red Dog Media's "Arctic Keys is a virtual analog synthesizer. With a classic dual-oscillator subtractive synthesis design that gives you the sound creation flexibility we all know and love. With an easy to use user interface that just wants to be tweaked. The result is a truly professional instrument with an audio quality that rivals that of hardware synthesizers."

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Synthesis: analog modelling
• Polyphony: up to 4 voices
• Oscillators: 2 per voice, alias free, saw, triangle and square with pulse width, hard sync, ring mod, noise generator
• Filter: 1 multi-mode resonating filter with 4 filter types
• Envelopes: filter and amp ADSR envelopes
• Modulation: 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes, sample and hold, 3 routable destinations per LFO, independently sync-able
• Effects: master effect processors: 3-band EQ, Distortion, Chorus, Stereo Delay
• Arpeggiator: classic arpeggiator with octave shift, MIDI-sync-able
• Sequencer: 16 x 4 gated step sequencer with multiple modulation destinations, MIDI-sync-able
• Keyboard: glissando, scroll, multi-touch poly pitch bend and aftertouch


FEATURES:

• KORG Wireless-Sync Start Technology (WIST)
• Sonoma AudioCopy
• MIDI Learn
• Live phrase recorder with audio and MIDI export
• File and patch sharing via iTunes File Sharing, e-mail and Wi-Fi
• Supports external MIDI in and out via CoreMIDI Networking and USB with the Camera Connection Kit
• Audio background operation
• Virtual MIDI Ports
• Open Music App Collaboration compliant


$4.99 on the App Store.

Pensado's Place: #39 - GRAMMY producer/engineer Joe Chiccarelli

"In the 39th episode of Pensado's Place, Dave and Herb are joined by 8-time GRAMMY award winning producer/engineer Joe Chiccarelli! Joe has produced albums by Stan Ridgway, Oingo Boingo, Sandra Bernhard, My Morning Jacket, Counting Crows, The Shins, Manchester Orchestra, Minus the Bear, Big Talk, Elton John, Rufus Wainright, U2, Beck, Etta James, Tori Amos and many, many more."

Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A $229 and 50% off their plugins

I love the sound of the Summit TLA-100A and have used it for tracking and mixing. Dialing in just the right amount of compression is easy as 1-2-3.  Now Softube has released the plugin version of the TLA-100 with some additional features. Can't wait to try it on the mix I'm doing today. They're also still doing their 50% off sale on the rest of their plugins. From Softube's website: The Summit Audio TLA-100A is the"set-and-forget" compressor, with a program-dependent nature that works with the signal to provide optimal performance without constant tweaking. Its ease-of-use and warm, rich sound is why it is still, after more than a quarter of a century, regarded as an industry standard for mixing, tracking and live usage. Both tube and solid state technologies are combined in this innovative design which has made the TLA-100A a tried-and-true choice for vocals, in addition to bass, drums and guitar. While being true to the simplicity of the original, additional features have been added to the plug-in that bring the TLA-100A capabilities up-to-date with modern production techniques. The plug-in features: Parallel Compression, Saturation Control and Low Cut Filtering, expanding the possibilities of this classic workhorse, while maintaining the sound characteristics expected from this venerable compressor. In Short The first and only Summit Audio plug-in Easy to use Built-in parallel compression and detector filtering Each and every component carefully modeled. Modeled output distortion, easily controlled with the Saturation knob. Extremely analog behavior of frequencies, phase, distortion, attack, release, etc. Controls Vintage Section The original controls for the original sound. Attack/Release Time Two 3-way switches for setting the times. Meter Set the VU to show either output volume or gain reduction. GainOutput volume control. VU MeterModeled VU meter with realistic ballistics. Gain ReductionSets the amount of soft knee gain reduction. Sidechain Selects between internal and external sidechain. Modern Section Modern features that give you even more tone-shaping abilities. Low Cut A super-smooth 6 dB/oct low cut filter. Low Cut SelectChoose between detector or input filtering.   Saturation An easy way to control the original output distortion without compensating for volume changes. Parallel Compression You really love this feature, right?

Fans Worldwide Mourn Passing of Steve Jobs

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

I was at the studio last night when I received a text informing me of Steve Jobs death. I immediately stopped mixing and Googled it. I was devastated to find the news of Mr. Jobs passing was true. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, co-workers and fans. I've been an Apple product user since the 80's and he has literally changed the way the world uses technology to work and play.


Here's an excerpt from a Bloomberg article on the worldwide reaction to his death:

"Apple Inc. (AAPL) fans worldwide mourned the death of co-founder Steve Jobs, paying tribute to the man who changed the way they listen to music, use their mobile phones and play on their computers.

At Apple’s headquarters -- located at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California -- flags flew at half-staff and bagpipes sounded to the tune of “Amazing Grace” as people placed flowers around a white iPad with a picture of Jobs, who died yesterday at 56, after a battle with cancer. Mourners flocked to Apple stores from New York to Hong Kong, while a crowd gathered in San Francisco’s Mission Dolores Park for an iPhone-lit vigil." 

“Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs,” Obama said in a statement. “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

Teary-eyed mourners left flowers in front of Jobs’s modest home at the corner of Waverly Street and Santa Rita Avenue in Palo Alto,California. Neighborhood children drew hearts with markers and left them on the ground for others to leave messages. Policemen stood watch, barricading the street.

“Here’s a guy who’s a billionaire and lives in a regular neighborhood, not behind a gated estate with all the security guards,” said Bruce Gee, a former Apple employee who drove up to the house from his home a couple miles away. “On Halloween, people go trick or treating there like everyone else.”

Read the rest of the article here.