Modern and Vintage Vocal Tricks

                                                              Gary Noble Show

UA announces UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator Card

Universal Audio Announces New UAD-2 Hardware and UAD Powered Plug-In Software Bundles

New Flagship 8-Processor UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator, New Custom and 
Ultimate UAD Plug-In Bundles, More Affordable Pricing Across the UAD-2 Lineup

Universal Audio sent me this press release announcing their new UAD-2 OCTO DSP PCIe card. Not only is it double the DSP of the UAD-2 Quad (8 vs 4 DSPs) it uses a faster chip. I'm going to inquire if and when they will release a Thunderbolt equipped OCTO Satellite and OCTO Apollo. They are also offering "Custom Software Bundles". Note the reduced prices on the Solo, Duo and Quad cards.

Read the full press release below for more details.

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 1, 2012 — Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is pleased to announce a complete re-imagination of the popular UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform. Highlighted by the new flagship UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator card, featuring eight SHARC processors, the UAD-2 Series offers new Custom and Ultimate software bundles and more affordable pricing for all UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD DSP Accelerator models. 
 
New OCTO DSP Accelerators — Heavyweight Processing Power
The new top-of-the-line UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator ($1,499US) features eight SHARC processors on a single PCIe card and easily installs into a PCIe-equipped Mac or PC workstation or compatible expansion chassis — giving music producers and engineers twice the processing power of its UAD-2 QUAD DSP Accelerator counterpart. For UAD power users running large audio sessions with high UAD plug-in instances and/or high sample rates, the UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator is the uncompromising professional solution.

New UAD-2 “Custom” Bundles — Pick Any 3 UAD Plug-Ins
For just $400US more than a UAD-2 DUO, QUAD, or OCTO “Core” DSP Accelerator model, UAD users can now step up to UAD-2 Custom bundles, selecting any three individual UAD plug-ins within 45 days of their new UAD-2 hardware registration. With a world-renowned UAD plug-in library that includes Ampex®, Manley®, Lexicon®, Studer®, EMT®, Empirical Labs®, Neve®, SSL®, Roland®, and more, UAD-2 Custom bundles deliver a potential software value of more than $1,000US (depending on UAD plug-ins selected), at significant savings to new UAD-2 users. 
 
New UAD-2 “Ultimate” Bundles — The Definitive Collection
Combining the most powerful UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware with the most complete UAD plug-in bundle available, the new UAD-2 OCTO Ultimate (PCIe card format) and UAD-2 Satellite QUAD Ultimate (FireWire format) packages offer an extensive library of more than 55 UA-developed plug-ins, up to and including UAD Software v6.3*. These UAD-2 Ultimate packages represent the definitive collection of more than 10 years of UAD plug-in development.

More Affordable UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core Models
Alongside the new UAD-2 hardware and software introductions, UA is debuting new, more affordable pricing for the “Core” models of UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD PCIe hardware and UAD-2 DUO and QUAD Satellite FireWire hardware. All UAD-2 Core models include the popular “Analog Classics” plug-in bundle, featuring the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN/1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifiers, Pultec EQP-1A, and RealVerb Pro plug-ins. Additional UAD plug-ins can be purchased from UA’s Online Store. 
            
“We’re excited by the additional power and flexibility that this new UAD-2 lineup provides,” says CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “Not only has the processing power doubled with the UAD-2 OCTO model, but it’s now easier for users to customize their UAD-2 packages right out of the box. And with our new aggressive pricing for SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core models, UAD-2 is now even more accessible to producers who want to add authentic analog tone in their recordings.

Estimated US Street Prices for UAD-2 Desktop (PCI-Express) and Satellite (FireWire) DSP Accelerators:
 

Model	Core Bundle	Custom Bundle	Ultimate Bundle
UAD-2 OCTO (PCIe)	$1,499.00	$1,899.00	$5,499.00
UAD-2 QUAD (PCIe)	$999.00	$1,399.00	n/a
UAD-2 DUO (PCIe)	$699.00	$1,099.00	n/a
UAD-2 SOLO (PCIe)	$299.00	n/a	n/a
UAD-2 QUAD Satellite (FireWire)	$999.00	$1,399.00	$4,999.00
UAD-2 DUO Satellite (FireWire)	$699.00	$1,099.00	n/a

 
 
More information on the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform:
http://www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html 
 
High-resolution images and other resources:
http://www.uaudio.com/press/resources/photos/uad2.html 

Tech Tuesdays: Do Expensive Mic Preamps Really Make A Difference?

                         Tech Tuesdays: Do Expensive Mic Preamps Really Make A Difference?

FXpansion's Maul: Distortion and Tone Shaper

Got an email today from FXpansion about their new plugin Maul which does multi-band distortion and modulation. Downloading the demo now to try it on the drums for this project I'm working on. Check out the video and newsletter for more info.

FXpansion is proud to present Maul: a multi-band distortion and tone-shaping plugin with advanced modulation. Maul is suited to all music requiring powerful sound-sculpting abilities - everything from subtle warming and loudness generation to shredding distortion and experimental creative effects.

Maul features 3 separate drive stages, each of which can act on a different frequency range with any of 32 distortion types. The available algorithms include DCAM-modelled germanium diode, tube and transistor-based circuits, clippers, overdrives, waveshapers of various kinds and bit-crushing devices for digital distortion flavours. Each drive stage also features control over transient-shaping, saturation circuitry and additional post-process tone filtering.

The built-in TransMod modulation system allows you to animate Maul's parameters with the internal LFOs, envelope follower and sample & hold devices as well as with external MIDI note input. This turns Maul into an extremely flexible device capable of dynamic filter patterns, rhythmic gating effects with extra bite, loudness and harmonic excitation effects and wild, dynamic distortion that can transform your audio.

Highlights:

• 3-band creative distortion and tone-shaping device
• DCAM-modelled circuits, clippers, waveshapers, overdrive, bitcrushing and more
• Additional per-band transient-shaping control
• Saturation circuitry modelling
• 2x oversampling with 4x Hi Def mode for extremely high quality
• Advanced TransMod modulation and MIDI note control
• Built-in MIDI Learn for plugin controls
• 32-bit and 64-bit support
• VST, AU and RTAS plugin formats on Windows 7 and Mac OSX 10.6.2 or later

Availability & Pricing
Maul is available as a download-only product from the FXpansion web shop
Pricing is $99.00, €79.00, £69.00 inc VAT where applicable

Introductory Offer: Maul is $70, €55, £48 inc VAT for all registered owners of Geist, DCAM: Synth Squad, Tremor, Etch, DCAM Dynamics, BFD2 and BFD Eco (and customers purchasing Maul at the same time as any of these products) until 31 October 2012.

FXpansion Audio UK Ltd
Registered in England # 4455834.
Registered Address: 5 Underwood St. London, N17LY, UK
Copyright 2012 FXpansion Audio UK Ltd.

                                                              www.fxpansion.com

Tech Tuesdays: Piano Miking Tips

                                         
                                                    Tech Tuesdays: Piano Miking Tips

Music Mondays: Amy Winehouse ( Live ) Tears Dry On Their Own

                                                                  Gary Noble Show

Tech Tuesdays: Delay tips featuring the PSP Echo

                                     Tech Tuesdays: Delay tips featuring the PSP Echo

MUSIC MONDAYS: Nelson Serieux ft Fatta Diamond

                                                              Gary Noble Show

NI's Premium Tube Series Plugins

Native Instruments (in collaboration with Softube) has announced their Premium Tube Series plugins which consists of a Passive Eq, Enhanced Eq and Vari Comp. Check out the videos and audio demos in NI's newsletter below. Download demos of the Passive Eq plugin here. The Vari Comp here and the Enhanced Eq here. (Demos freeze after 30 mins of use). I downloaded the demos and did a quick comparison with NI's Passive Eq and UA's Massive Passive Eq plugins. I found them to be similiar with NI's being slightly smoother on top but UA's having more girth.

The PREMIUM TUBE SERIES evokes the high-end sound of sought-after outboard gear, hauled into the present day and into your computer for boutique sound plus ultimate ease-of-use. PASSIVE EQ, VARI COMP and ENHANCED EQ deliver rich, musical sound enhancement, intricately modeled by the experts at Softube. Get the secret weapons of the top studio engineers completely within the box. And, for the first time, as native plugins. Prices start at $79 / 69 €, a special bundle offer is also available. Watch the video and visit the NI Online Shop today. Share: Exquisitely modeled, the PASSIVE EQ captures the rich, natural sound and presence of a tube-powered studio legend. A bona fide all-purpose EQ that sounds musical even at extreme settings and doubles as an incredible mastering tool. Listen to audio demos Buy now An all-purpose, easy-to-use compressor – equally well-suited to individual tracks and stereo sum. ‘Vari’ because in limit mode, this compressor reacts to the incoming signal, adjusting the compression ratio automatically between 4:1 and 20:1. The sound remains natural and transparent at all times. Listen to audio demos Buy now A truly unique EQ, this effect adds warmth, body and definition to the low end – perfect for kick drums and bass. Applied to the midrange, it adds clarity, helping synths and drum loops find their place in the mix. Listen to audio demos Buy now NI on Twitter NI Youtube Channel KOMPLETE Facebook

Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor

Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor has to be one of the simplest noise suppression plugins I've encountered. Take a look at the demo to see how well it works and the ease of use. Better yet download the demo and give it a try. (Note: Waves V9 is required to install the NS1.)

Waves The most intuitive professional noise suppression plugin ever created, Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor intelligently differentiates between dialog and unwanted noise. Perfect for post production, audio forensics and musical applications alike, NS1 instantly analyzes and adapts to your signal in real-time, bringing the foreground into focus as it eliminates unnecessary background noise. Controlled by a simple single fader, NS1 also features an attenuation meter which shows you just how much overall energy is being removed from your input signal. With NS1, noise suppression is as easy as fading away. Automatic adaptive real-time noise suppression Intuitive one-fader control Ideal for dialog, voiceovers, broadcast, music and more SoundGrid® and MultiRack Native compatible Read more      NS1 Noise Suppressor is available separately as well as in Waves Mercury, SoundGrid® Pro and SoundGrid® SD7 Pro bundles.

APPLE'S IPHONE EVENT: 1PM EST/10 AM PST

Gary Noble Show

Tech Tuesdays: Avid’s Thunderbolt interface for HD|Native

                                                               Gary Noble Show

Music Mondays - “”Left Right Left“-Couleen LaGon

                                                              Gary Noble Show

Music Mondays: PHE - “2:45”

                                                                  Gary Noble Show

Tips for Getting Your Music Featured in Film & TV

                                      Tips for Getting Your Music Featured in Film & TV

Metric Halo’s 2012 End of Summer Sale!

Metric Halo emailed me this flyer for their 2012 End Of Summer Sale. If you've been thinking about purchasing any of their hardware or software now would be a great time to do so. As you already know I'm a long time MH user and vouch for their products 100%. Sale ends Sept 15th 2012.

August 23, 2012

Less Than 24 Days Left —
Metric Halo’s 2012 End of Summer Sale!

Hi Gary,

We’re celebrating the dog days of summer with sizzling deals until Fall — You can take advantage of these special offers from NOW until 9/15/2012!

Hardware Products	Regular Price	Special Price
ULN-8	$5995	$4496
LIO-8	$3995	$2996
ULN-2	$1695	$1440
2882	$1895	$1610
Hardware Upgrades	Regular Price	Special Price
2d Card Upgrade for 2882	$400	$300
2d Card Upgrade for ULN-2	$550	$412
LIO-8 Channel 1-4 Mic Pre Upgrade Kit	$700	$525
LIO-8 Channel 5-8 Mic Pre Upgrade Kit**	$625	$469
Software Products	Regular Price	Special Price
+DSP License*	$699	$524
MH Production Bundle for Pro Tools AAX	$699	$524
MH Individual AAX Plugins: ChannelStrip 3, Character, HaloVerb, Multiband Dynamics, Precision DeEsser, Transient Control or Multiband Expander	$199/ea	$149/ea
SpectraFoo Complete	$800	$600
SpectraFoo	$400	$300

This is a great opportunity to get your first unit, an additional unit, an upgrade for your existing unit, or add some sexy signal processing to your system and bring your projects to the next level!

This special pricing is available through your local Metric Halo dealer or distributor, as well as directly from Metric Halo via the Online Store. This pricing cannot be combined with any other Metric Halo discounts or offers.

Enjoy!

Metric Halo
Phone: 1-727-725-9555
Fax: 1-603-250-2451
www.mhlabs.com

Notes:
^* +DSP License requires a 2d Card to be installed (all Expanded and LIO-8 units include 2d Cards from the factory).

^** LIO-8 Channel 5-8 Mic Pre Upgrade Kit requires Channel 1-4 Mic Pre Upgrade Kit to be installed.

---