Freebie Fri.: Bus Driver Compressor plugin

Dontcrack.com has announced they're offering the $149 Nomad factory Bus Driver Compressor plugin for free for a limited time.This is their way of saying thank you to all those who offered their kind words and support to Nomad Factory developer Bernie Torelli who sadly has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

From the website:

"Bus-Driver is an optical compressor that provides a wide range of compression effects, reminiscent of the best vintage compressors made in the ‘60s.
Compression is one of those studio processes that is all too often taken for granted and not usually used to its full potential. Today’s producers think nothing of inserting compressors on every single channel of their DAW when mixing, but old school engineers had to learn to make the most of only a few units of compression and this made them learn them inside out to use them to their best advantage. Bus Driver is modelled on the classics from the 'golden age' of tube compressors.
Also included in Bus Driver is a Tube-Driver Saturation feature. It allows you to add the sound of a vintage tube amplifier giving you the differing electronic characteristics of triode, tetrode, and pentode vacuum tubes. So you can add the vintage warmth of the those models of the classic tubes (e.g. ECC83, 12AX7, etc..) to your tracks or on your mix bus.
Nomad Factory designed an Output Stage Soft-Clipping to eliminate digital clipping at any output level and produce a smoother distortion characteristic. This feature is in addition to the Tube-Driver Saturation Modeling included in Bus-Driver."

Features :

Usable on individual tracks or complete mixes

Full control of input levels '+/- 12dB' (sets level for Compression)

Full control of output levels '+/- 12dB' (post Compression gain)

Tube-Driver Saturation Modeling

Compression Ratios from 2:1 to infinite ('Brickwall Limiter')

Control over Compression amount

Preset management (inc. Presets by acclaimed Engineer, Ashley Smith)

Visit dontcrack.com for instructions on how to download the free Bus Driver plugin.


via Pro-tools-expert.com

The IGS Multicore Compressor & The Springtime Reverb.

IGS Audio has released a 3 band VCA Compressor called the Multicore. The unit looks very solidly built with individual controls for each band and user selectable crossover points.

From the website:

"The core of device is based on a three band, adjustable active crossover. It splits audio signal into three bands (Low, Mid and High) with a gentle slope of 6dB/oct. That allows you to control the dynamics of each band in a very musical way without phase problems. Each of the bands has its own compressor module equipped with standard controls: Threshold, Ratio, Attack Release and Gain. A very useful feature is Mute/ON/Bypass switch on each band. The "Muted" option allows you to switch off the bands. If you mute two of them, you can hear only one band and monitor its audio content and bandwidth."

IGS did a video showing how to use Multiband Compression featuring the Multicore:

Specification:

Input Impedance (balanced)      10k Ohm

Output Impedance (balanced)    50 Ohm

Audio transformers                     Carnhill VTB

Operating Level                          +4dBu

Max input level                           +28dBu

Max output level                         +28dBu

Dynamic Range                          104 dB(A)

Max Gain Reduction                   -20dB

Ratio                                           2:1, 4:1, 10:1

Attack:                                        0.1, 0.3, 1, 18, 30

Release:                                      0.1, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.6, Auto

Fequency response                     10Hz to 30kHz (+0.3dB/-0.3dB)

Signal to Noise Ratio                  90 dB(A)

THD+N                                       0.01 %

IMD (SMPTE)                            0.03 %

Crosstalk                                     88dB

Voltage                                       115V/230V (selectable)

Power consumption                   22 W

Shipping weight                        10kg



Price: 2890.00 €/$3162.09

                                         The Springtime Analog Studio Reverb

Another IGS unit that caught my eye is the Springtime Analog Studio Reverb. It is a 4 channel unit with Wet/Dry controls and a 3 band Eq on each channel.

From the website:

"The IGS Springtime is a 4-channel analog studio reverb built using pairs of springs. One short and one long pair. Every channel has separate wet and dry volume knobs. Also each channel has a 3 band EQ for the wet signal.IGS suggested using it as a stereo buss send for music tracks to channel 3 and 4 (long springs), mono vocal to channel 1 (short) plus any solo, mono instrument to channel 2 (short). Sometimes even individual instruments can be sent to both kinds of springs in parallel. If you plug it into the insert use 100% Dry and 10% Wet. On sends use 100% Wet, 0% Dry."

IGS Springtime video:

Specifications:

WET/DRY Mixer                       24-pole Elma Switches

Boost/Cut Range                      +/- 15dB

Hard wire bypass                      Yes

Input Impedance (balanced)     10k Ohm

Output Impedance (balanced)   50 Ohm

Operating Level                        +22dBU

Dynamic Range                         120dB
Headroom (@ +4dBu)               18dB

Fequency response                   20Hz-20kHz, +/-0.1dB

THD+N                                      0.001 @ 1kHz, +4dBU

VU Meters                                 Output Reverb Level

Voltage                                      90-240V AC, 10W

Shipping weight                        10kg / 20lb



Price: 2490.00 €/$2724.43


You can view my previous posts on IGS Audio including some of their 500 series products  here.

Mix Mondays: Mack Wilds - Love in the 90z

Actor/Singer Mack Wild's new single "Love In The 90z" is produced by Salaam Remi and is the 1st single from Mack's upcoming album. Both Salaam and Mack wanted the song to have a fun, upbeat but yet "New York street" feel.  I had a lot of fun mixing it and it made me nostalgic for the many summers I spent in NY.

Mack known for his role in HBO's critically acclaimed drama series "The Wire" recently appeared as one of the leads in the pilot for the new VH1's series "The Breaks".

The track consists of Mack's smooth but edgy vocals over classic "boom bap" drums alongside some warm pads and keys. On this track I mixed the drums first but would drop the vocals in from time to time to make sure that we kept the feel of the rough mix. Then the keys were added to fill out the track without cluttering the vocals or making the track feel too smooth. It was paramount that we kept it "street".

Here are some snapshots of various plugins that were used on the tracks:

DRUMS:

The drums consisted of multiple kicks and snares including beatbox samples from Biz Markie that we recorded back in the 90s. All the different drum sounds were blended tougher to sound like one drum loop. They were then fed to the same aux for overall sculpting .

On the master buss for the kick:

UAD SSL E Channelstrip

The following was placed on the main Buss for the overall drum kit:

UAD SPL Transient Designer

Neve 88rs

PSP Master Q

KEYS:

On the main chords (pads) I used the following:

and for the effects:

UAD CE-1

UAD DImension D

REVERB:

For reverb I used multiple plates in various combinations on the vocals and keys:

The Lexicon 224 was used on sounds such as the Bells, Harp and Rise FX. 

The UAD EMT 140 was used to give the keys a touch of ambience.

IK Multimedia's CSR Plate  and the Eventide UltraChannel was used on the hook vocals to put them in their own space and give them a unique sound without being disconnected from the track.

The Waves Renaissance Reverb was the original verb in the session and we liked how it sounded but I added some EMT 140 to help glue the vocals to the track.

The delays heard in the track are the stock Avid delays in Protools set to a 1/4 note with varying feedback levels.

Here's the video for "Love In The 90z":

Download "Love in the 90z" on iTunes http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z
Google Play http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z_GP
Spotify http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z_Sptfy
Amazon http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z_Amzn
Rdio http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z_Rdio
Deezer http://smarturl.it/LoveInThe90z_Dzr

NAMM 2016: IK Multimedia - Lurssen Mastering Console & iLoud Micro Monitors.

 IK Multimedia has released the Lurssen Mastering Console mastering plugin that works on Mac/PC and iPad. I've had mixes mastered by Reuben at Lurssen Mastering and they did an amazing job. 

Lurssen Mastering

If you have an iPad you can immediately try the app for free. The Mac/PC version will be available in February. I don't see this app replacing the golden ears of your professional mastering engineer but for those times when budget and schedule don't allow for their services it will come in handy.

From the press release:

"IK Multimedia is proud to announce the Lurssen Mastering Console, a totally new mastering tool developed in collaboration with multi- Grammy Award winning world-renowned mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen and the team at Lurssen Mastering in Los Angeles, CA. Designed to be an effortless mastering tool for musicians and producers of all skill levels, it faithfully digitally recreates the unique "whole is greater than its parts" approach used in the studio. It provides a top of the line mastering processor chain with parameters that can be recalled as 20 different "Styles" that have been created by Gavin, Reuben and the team to reflect the settings they've developed in their decades of combined experience mastering hip-hop, rock, pop, Americana, country and more. Now, with Lurssen Mastering Console, musicians can make great sounding masters both at home and on the go when a trip Lurssen Mastering just isn't in the budget."

Features

• Created with Grammy Award winning Mastering Engineers Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen
• Accurately reproduces Lurssen Mastering's unique philosophy, studio workflow and signal chain
• iPad, Mac & PC versions available
• Mac/PC version works as a standalone application or as a plug-in for your DAW
• 20 pre-made "Styles" created by Gavin Lurssen and team that reproduce the settings and gear used to master pop, hip-hop, rock and more
• 3 easy-to-navigate displays: A Studio view with controls, a Wave waveform view and a Chain view for individual processors
• Input Drive knob
• 5 band EQ with fixed frequency
• "PUSH" Knob to subtly enhance selected song passages via uniform EQ adjustment
• Full automation of audio content adjustment
• Linkable Input Drive control for stereo balance tweaks
• Input/Process assignable VU metering
• Stereo/Mono monitoring capability
• 88.2/96kHz DSP processing
• Audio import from iPad music library

Pricing and availability

Lurssen Mastering Console is available now for iPad via the App Store as a free app with a functional demo mode. All content can be unlocked via a one-time in- app purchase of $/€99.99. A standalone and plug-in version for Mac and PC is now available for preorder from the IK online store and authorized resellers for a special pre-order price of just $/€199.99. Lurssen Mastering Console for Mac/PC will be available in February, 2016 for $/€299.99. 

For more information, please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/lurssen 

                                             

                                                   The iLoud Micro Monitor

Ik Multimedia also announced the iLoud Micro Monitor dubbed the "smallest studio monitor in the world". I have the original iLoud speaker (which has become my favorite portable speaker) so I'm very curious to hear the Micros.

From the website:

"iLoud Micro Monitors are two extremely portable, high-performance bi-amped speakers that deliver a combined 50W RMS of power for superior bass, plenty of headroom and an expansive stereo image. Whether you’re recording, editing, mixing, or mastering audio, iLoud Micro Monitor ensures your mix will translate well to the huge variety of consumer devices — headphones, home stereo systems, gaming consoles, car audio systems, TVs, and other listening systems"

Features

• Two bi-amped studio reference monitors for critical audio production
• On-board 56-bit DSP for linear frequency response
• Four high performance ultra-efficient class D power amps
• 50W RMS total power
• Phase accurate – perfect stereo imaging
• Superior bass response
• 45Hz bass extension
• High and Low frequency level adjustment
• DESKTOP switch for accurate response correction when placed on desktops
• Comprehensive audio input: Bluetooth streaming, RCA, 1/8”
• Thermoplastic enclosure designed to reduce internal resonance
• Status/peak LED

Pricing and availability

iLoud Micro Monitor will be available early Q2 2016 from music and electronics retailers worldwide, and from the IK online store, for only $/€299.99 (excluding taxes).

For more information, please visit www.iloudmm.com 

NAMM 2016: UAD v8.5 software plus Live Streams with top engineer/producers.

Universal audio has announced 3 new plugins for their 8.5 software update that will be shown at NAMM 2016:

From the press release on Gearslutz:

Sonnox Oxford Envolution — $249

I previously posted about the Sonnox Envolution Transient Shaper plugin and glad that it will be available on the UAD platform.

"Developed by Sonnox, the Oxford Envolution is a frequency-dependent envelope shaper that can add presence/distance to drums, piano, guitar, and any other percussive content. With separate transient and sustain sections, the Envolution can radically modify the sound of sources, boosting sustain for added ambience or cutting it for quick, precise gating.
Providing a balance between flexibility and ease of use, the Envolution offers greater control of presence in a mix than an EQ or compressor, and it can also be used to generate negative ratio compression effects."

Features:

• Comprehensive control of key shaping parameters including attack, hold, and release
• Separate and frequency dependent control of transients and sustain
• Tilt/parametric targeting of frequencies
• Huge gain ranges: Transients ±24 dB; Sustain -48 dB to +24 dB
• Warmth control for harmonic saturation/tone shaping

Brainworx bx_digital V3 EQ Plug-In Collection — $299
[Upgrade for UAD bx_digital V2 plug-in owners — $49]

"The Brainworx bx_digital V3 EQ Collection is a dramatic reimagining of the popular bx_digital V2 EQ plug-in (amazing Eq!) — a state-of-the-art mastering EQ and M/S (mid/side) processor and indispensable tool for many of the world's top mixing, mastering, and post-production engineers.The bx_digital V3 EQ adds a Dynamic EQ section, radically updated filters, and a new proportional Q mode to the already powerful M/S capabilities of the plug-in. New user-friendly features also include Gain Scale and three tones of focus for the onboard Bass and Presence ‘Shifters’."

Features:

• Precise Mid/Side mastering processor and EQ with expanded feature set
• Comprehensive controls for stereo and Mid / Side panorama, levels, and stereo width
• EQ features extended frequency range, proportional Q bandwidth, and Auto-solo function for critical listening applications
• Revamped Dynamic EQ/De-esser section
• Gain Scale feature for artifact-free alternative to Dry / Wet processing

Marshall® JMP 2203 Guitar Amplifier Plug-In — $199
[Upgrade for owners of any UAD Marshall plug-in — $149]

"Developed by Softube exclusively for UAD-2 and Apollo interfaces, the Marshall JMP 2203 plug-in is an expert emulation of the legendary ultra-flexible 100-watt amplifier used by everyone from Iron Maiden and Slayer, to Jeff Beck and My Bloody Valentine. All Marshall plug-ins include UA’s Unison™ technology; Apollo user’s guitar pickups will see the exact impedance load as if they’re plugged into a vintage Marshall amp — a feature found only on Apollo audio interfaces. *
Introduced in 1975, the JMP 2203 is widely regarded as one of Marshall’s premier amplifier designs. The amp quickly caught on with players of all stripes with its abundance of dense crunch and power."Introduced in 1975, the JMP 2203 is widely regarded as one of Marshall’s premier amplifier designs. The amp quickly caught on with players of all stripes with its abundance of dense crunch and power."

Features:

• The world’s only authentic and licensed plug-in emulation of the classic Marshall JMP 2203 amplifier
• Unison technology for Apollo interfaces offers authentic tone, touch, and feel of original JMP 2203
• Five essential virtual microphone options
• Over 50 presets designed by legendary AC/DC engineer Tony Platt

Universal Audio will also be live streaming their NAMM seminars directly from their own UA Heritage Studios. The seminars will feature various engineers showing how they use UAD hardware and software in their recording and mixing projects.

Today's seminar features renowned Mix Engineer Mick Guzauski which starts at 3pm PST (6pm EST).

Livestream Schedule: Thursday, January 21st:

3:00 pm PST - Producer’s Corner: Mick Guzauski (Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams)

3:30 pm PST - Live Tracking with Apollo Twin: Featuring Leggy Langdon

4:30 pm PST - Tracking and Mixing with Apollo Next Gen: Featuring Fab Dupont

5:00 pm PST - Live Tracking with Apollo Twin: Featuring Leggy Langdon


There will be a UA live stream on each day of NAMM 2016 featuring the following engineer/producers:

Watch here

The POMPYE

Pierre Oliver-Margerand, the owner/designer of Pom Audio Design said his new POMPYE stereo compressor is based on the original PYE compressors which became famous back in the 60's and is still a favorite with many engineers/producers. I got to see and hear them in action many years ago while chatting with Tom Lord Alge at South Beach Studios.

Pom Audio Design specializes in the "design, maintenace, repair, update or re-make of any high quality compressors, limiters and preamps to order.... made between 1939 and 1981". (Only UK customers can book a repair.)

I think the POMPYE will work well as part of the recording chain, "re-amping" tracks as well as strapped across the stereo buss of your DAW, console or summing chain.

Take a look/listen to the POMPYE in this intro video by Kore Studios :




I look forward to hearing it in person and using it on a recording and mixing session.

For the features and specifications visit pompeye.com

The POMPYE compressor's price is £1990/$2828.32. Contact Pierre for ordering info.

Tech Tues.: Using Delays as Reverb

The above pic is the setting I used on the Eventide UltraChannel for a mix . In the short ITL video shown below, Dave demonstrates how delays can be used in place of reverb to create a  unique space for guitar tracks. This technique also works great with other sounds including vocals. As Dave states you can use any delay including the stock delays in your DAW to create this effect.

Here's a snapshot of the stock AIR Multi-Delay in Protools:

Here's Dave's ITL:

In the past when mixing with a SSL analog console and outboard gear I would use an Eventide Harmonizer H3000/4500 etc. to create this effect  and even take it a step further by slightly detuning the pitch of the delays within the H3000. 

If you were able to download the Eventide UltraChannel plugin when it was first released as a free plugin you can easily duplicate the effect. If not it is currently on sale till Jan 31st, 2016 for only $49. A fully functional 30 day demo is available.

Next week I will do a follow up post showing some of the many creative ways delays can be used from subtle chorusing to extreme dub effects.

The Daptone House of Soul Studio

One of my favorite reads TapeOp Magazine (free subscription!) posted this video of theDaptone Studios on Facebook and as a big fan of their "sound" I felt inclined to share it on the blog.

Reverb (an online audio community/resource) did a video interview of the famous Daptone House of Soul Studio. Known mainly as the studio for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings the Daptone House of Soul has contributed to many huge hit records.

From Reverb's website:

"From Sharon Jones to Amy Winehouse, Dap Kings to Bruno Mars, the old-school soul and R&B revival that's taken place over the last 15 years can be largely attributed to one small, no-frills analog recording studio in Brooklyn, NY. Armed with a dynamite house band, genuinely gifted producers, and a choice collection of gear and instruments, the Daptone House of Soul in Bushwick continues to churn out hits at an alarming pace. Reverb caught up with Daptone's Neal Sugarman to talk shop and find out what it is about this room that constantly pumps out gold and platinum records, almost as if that were the easiest possible thing to do.............The records that come out of this studio have a definite energy, and a classic vibe you'd typically have to dust off a 50-year-old record to hear."

In the video Daptone's Neal Sugarman talks shop with Reverb about the all analog studio. He mentions and shows some of the gear/techniques used to capture the "classic" Daptone sound. He says "over 75% of the tracks are recorded by the same band of musicians".

The gear that immediately drew my attention are:

• The Trident console (In the early '90s, I did many recordings on a Trident at Palm Tree Studios, NY),  
• The 16 track Ampex tape machine,  
• The Orban Reverb (haven't seen one in many years),  
• The RCA compressor 
• and of course the vintage microphones.

Here's the video:



TapeOp did a written interview with Gabriel Roth and Bosco Mann of Daptone Records back in 2007. You can read it in Issue #59.

I plan to pay the Daptone House Of Soul a visit soon.

Mix Monday: Alison Hinds "PARADE"

Parade is the latest single by the Soca Queen Alison Hinds. It was written by Jason Bishop, produced by De Red Boyz and mixed by Andrew Denny and myself. Produced by radio personality DJ DLife and Spark Media the video was shot at the Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn New York and captures the energy and "vibes" of the annual mega event.

Here's the video:



I often mix FOH for Alison's live shows and wanted to emulate that live natural energy for the mix of Parade so I used various plugins to enhance the tracks. 

On the drums:

 I used a parallel buss and placed the following plugins on the inserts and blended it back in with the main drums.




UAD SPL® Transient Designer Plug-In (1st insert)

MH Channelstrip (2nd insert)

On bass:

Brainworx bx_opto  (1st insert)

UAD Neve 88RS Channel Strip  (2nd insert)

On Synths:

UAD SSL E Series Channel Strip Plug-In

On Guitars:

On Vocals:

All the plugins in this post are currently on sale. Click their names/links for further info.