Author Archives: flux302

Spitfire Audio announces new Drum Library in partnership with Hans Zimmer

Posted on by
LONDON, UK: Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION — partnering with the biggest name in film scoring to produce the ultimate drum sample library for cinematic percussion — as of September 26…

 

HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION is a perfect fit for Spitfire Audio’s established ethos of producing the finest virtual instruments from the finest musical samples in the world. Why? Well, with Hans Zimmer — one of the most successful, influential, and prolific film composers of his generation — generously giving not just his notable name to this authorized take on his trailblazing approach to cinematic percussion production but also overseeing every detail of its recreation using the same studio, musicians, instruments, signal chain, and talented engineering experience, innovation, and refinement — right down to personally mixing the resultant superlative-sounding sample-based virtual instrument’s C (close), R (room), and S (surround) HZ MIX perspectives, rest assured that this is the real deal!
Digging deeper, HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION combines the output from two extraordinary recording blocks. Material from the first features four of Hans Zimmer’s go-to percussionists — Paul Clarvis, Stephen Henderson, Gary Kettel, and Frank Ricotti — performing on a variety of instruments in various styles in what is essentially a distillation of over a decade’s worth of musical experimentation and innovation, including the composer’s classic selection of drum ensembles and solo instruments: TAIKO ENSEMBLE, BOMBO ENSEMBLE, SURDO ENSEMBLE, LOW BOOM, LOW BOOM GALLERY, BASS DRUM GALLERY, GONG DRUM, DHOL ENSEMBLE, TOMBEK ENSEMBLE, BOOBAM, TAMTAM, METAL (Piattis, Anvils, Crusher), and TIMPANI. The remainder of HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION makes much use of longterm Hans Zimmer collaborator and acclaimed percussionist Paul Clarvis (Spectre, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter, Star Wars) with played instruments including PAPER DJUN, DARBUKA, SNARE, and BUCKETS.
Bite, clarity, detail, and nuance are all brought to bear upon this epic-sounding sample library. However, Hans Zimmer is especially enamoured with the softer things in percussive life so HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION puts whisper-quiet lower layers in the hands of its users by way of potential for delicate drum programming to help keep their cues ticking along — alongside the thunder that Hans Zimmer’s notable name conjures up musically for many, of course.
Clearly, HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION is impeccably recorded at London’s legendary AIR Studios via an impressive signal chain: 96 rarefied microphones into Neve ‘Montserrat’ preamps into the world’s largest Neve 88R large-format console — which was exhaustively regained at every dynamic layer for optimum signal quality — via a dual chain to HDX and Prism convertors running at 192 kHz. In close collaboration with Hans Zimmer and his GRAMMY® Award-winning team of engineers, musicians, and technicians, Spitfire Audio recorded the drums and articulations each with up to nine round robins and six dynamic layers per hit with well over 30 TB of raw material from those superlative-sounding sessions alone!
Anyone looking to get started in epic drum composition needs look no further than HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION. After all, Hans Zimmer has defined not only a compositional style, but also a production approach and sonic innovation that has influenced a generation of composers. Convincingly composing cinematic percussion parts like a Hollywood hotshot has become perfectly possible, thanks to this ultimate drum sample library from Spitfire Audio!
HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION can be purchased and digitally downloaded (as 48.5 GB of uncompressed .WAV files, featuring 12,225 samples) for a time- limited introductory promo price of £259.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$299.00 USD/€299.00 EUR (inc. VAT) until October 26, 2017 — rising thereafter to an MSRP of £349.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$399.00 USD/€399.00 EUR (inc. VAT) — from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/hans-zimmer-percussion/
Note that HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION 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 several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/hans-zimmer-percussion/
 
Watch Spitfire Audio Director Paul Thomson’s ‘traditional’ HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION video walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/zaXhe-v8xL4
 
Watch Spitfire Audio ‘composer in residence’ Oliver Patrice Weder’s HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION ‘In Action’ video here: https://youtu.be/GIQtHPa2y04
 
Watch Spitfire Audio’s helpful ‘How It Works’ video showing the Kickstarter interface used in HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION here: https://youtu.be/ZO1xC68KIyY
 
Watch Spitfire Audio’s persuasive promo video for HANS ZIMMER PERCUSSION here: https://youtu.be/uXMP3q_E7Dw

Newfangled Audio and Eventide partner to Elevate mastering technology with pioneering plug-in

Posted on by
NEW YORK, NY, USA: new audio tools creator Newfangled Audio is proud to announce availability of Elevate — a pioneering plug-in that elevates mastering technology using intelligent, adaptive technology that responds in real time to music — as of October 4…
Elevate is the most advanced mastering plug-in ever created. This unique multi-band limiter, human ear EQ, and powerful audio maximizer will increase the loudness of a mix while maintaining or improving its dynamic perception. It uses intelligent, adaptive technology that responds in real time to music, creating not only the loudest but also the best-sounding master.
Developed by Newfangled Audio, Elevate maintains subtle dynamics and improves the tonal balance of a mix. The adaptive LIMITER analyzes 26 frequency bands and alters the gain, speed, and transients for each band in real time. This results in a transparent, natural sound — no matter how hard it is pushed.
Elevate utilizes 26 critical filter bands modeled on the human ear. Each of the bands are spaced to give maximum control over how sound hits the eardrum. Draw curves, solo bands, and manipulate the transient attack for each individual band to bring out instruments such as kick or snare drums.
Elevate uses artificial intelligence algorithms to make it easy to get the best sounds, but users can still get under the hood to access as much precise control as deemed necessary. This includes control over tonal balance and transients inside the final limiting stage. Adaptive algorithms reduce audible artifacts while additional controls provide maximum flexibility with professional results.
Features:
  • Analyzes and alters the gain, speed, and transients of each filter band in real time.
  • Includes presets from APS Mastering, Eric Beam, Matt Lange, Jeremy Lubsey, John McCaig, ROCAsound, and Chris Tabron.
  • Automatically adapts the attack, release, and look-ahead parameters for each filter band to greatly reduce ‘pumping’ and breathing artifacts and perceived distortion.
  • Manipulates transients across the critical bands to preserve the attacks from kick drums, snares, and cymbals — without affecting the entire mix.
  • Uses linear phase filters — based on the Mel Scale — to manipulate the audio in a way that is natural to the inner ear.
  • Solo the output of one band (or a number of bands) to hone in on problem frequencies, tweak transients, or alter gain.
  • Use AUTO OUTPUT level features to compare the limited signal to non-limited signals with the same amount of gain to easily hear what impact the processing is having on the sound.
  • Use the SPECTRAL CLIPPER to overdrive the final output without affecting the tonal balance or allowing the signal to get ‘tubby’ — perfect for a more aggressive sound.
  • Six different metering types to keep an eye on every aspect of the output audio.
Elevate is exclusively available through Eventide (as an AAX/AU/VST plug-in for Mac OS X 10.7+ and Windows 7+) — bundled with Newfangled Audio’s EQuivocate EQ plug-in (based on the critical bands of the human ear) — at an introductory promo price of $99.00 USD thru to October 31, 2017 (rising thereafter to an MSRP of $199.00 USD). Owners of EQuivocate can upgrade to the Elevate mastering bundle at an introductory promo price of $79.00 USD thru to October 31, 2017 (rising thereafter to an MSRP of $99.00 USD).
For more in-depth information, including a free demo download, please visit the dedicated product webpage here: https://www.eventideaudio.com/elevate
Watch Newfangled Audio founder Dan Gillespie’s enlightening Elevate overview video here: https://youtu.be/KardBa0JpLw
See and hear how producer and recording artist Matt Lange has been using Elevate here: https://youtu.be/sBE3h2EKyW0
About Newfangled Audio (www.newfangledaudio.com)
Newfangled Audio was started by former Eventide DSP engineer Dan Gillespie. By combining traditional signal processing techniques with advances in the field of machine learning the forward-thinking startup is creating the best-sounding audio tools available.
© 2017 Newfangled Audio

New eurorack oscillator from VERMONA the UniCycle

Posted on by

VERMONA is proud to announce availability of the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator — a six-waveform VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator) module for the popular Eurorack small-format modular system with an outstanding feature set that is all set to help it stand out from the sound of the crowd (to partially paraphrase the early-Eighties British breakthrough hit from synth-pop pioneers The Human League, no strangers to Eurorack today themselves) — as of August 25…

Audio-oscillators are probably the most widespread modules found in Eurorack small-format modular systems today — hardly surprising since they are fundamental for generating synthetic sounds, both tonal as well as percussive. Oscillators, of course, are at the musical heart of VERMONA’s sought-after synthesizers, such as the flagship ’14 ANALOG SYNTHESIZER, so the company clearly knows how to design them. That said, instead of applying a ‘copy and paste’ procedure, it reworked many aspects, adapting its oscillator circuits to Eurorack small-format modular system usage. After all, what works well for closed systems might not necessarily be perfectly suited to modular systems. Such ‘due diligence’ displayed during research and development resulted in the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator, a compact (10 HP-wide), high-performance, and stable oscillator offering all the common features that the discerning Eurorack small-format modular system user might easily expect… and, arguably, much more besides.

Besides classic sawtooth, triangle and square offerings, the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator generates sine, even, and a special sawtooth with doubled frequency for a total of six waveform OUTPUTS. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is not only available for that square wave, but also even — a shape that only has even-numbered harmonics — can be transformed into a sine-like wave, while the doubled saw turns into half-pitched triangles. There are also six OUTPUTS, including LIN FM (Linear Frequency Modulation) and EXP FM (Exponential Frequency Modulation) as well as H – SYNC – S (hard and soft sync).

Saving space, one knob allows access to the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator’s frequencies in three different modes. TUNE either controls the low frequency or audio range, respectively adding or subtracting exactly one octave. In this calibrated mode it provides a ‘dead-zone’ around its centre position, making it easy to access all three octaves without needing a centre-click.

Care was taken to make the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator suitable for use in a musical context when VERMONA made its design decisions. Delivering superlative sound quality with rock-solid, stable tuning, the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator obviously fulfils those all-important criteria, handling huge tuning ranges with the greatest of ease while strictly following the 1-volt-per-octave convention.

Clearly, then, the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator makes a strong case for anyone to embrace Eurorack… and at least one such module should be in every Eurorack small-format modular casing!

 

Shipping now, the uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator is available to purchase through VERMONA’s growing global network ors (https://www.vermona.com/en/dealer/) with an RRP of €289.00 EUR (Europe) and $339.00 USD (USA).

For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated uniCYCLE voltage controlled oscillator webpage here: https://www.vermona.com/en/products/modules/product/unicycle/

VERMONA ups Eurorack attenuation ante with flexible four-channel quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator

Posted on by

VOGTLAND, GERMANY: electronic sound tools creator VERMONA is proud to announce availability of the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator — a four-channel polarizer module for the popular Eurorack small-format modular system, capable of attenuating any incoming signal, in-phase or out of phase, plus providing additional functionality for further flexibility — as of August 25…

Eurorack has been nicknamed ‘Eurocrack’… and for good reason. It’s certainly addictive! As any enlightened Eurorack small-format modular system user would surely say: you can never have enough modules that influence levels, be that for audio signals or control voltages. VERMONA’s quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator helps fill that void — or, indeed, any empty Eurorack rack-space (assuming that potential purchasers have 10 HP to spare in their system) — as a four-channel polarizer module, capable of attenuating any incoming signal, in-phase or out of phase. Putting it ahead of the Eurorack pack, the way that each of those four channels work is one of its most distinguishing features. Fortunately, instead of only having one dedicated zero-point, it has a ‘dead-zone’ where the input signal will be completely suppressed, so users can easily locate the off position — even without a centre-click — while simultaneously being able to create extremely sensitive level increases.

Further flexibility abounds as the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator realises a number of other outstanding features. Firstly, any channel’s OUTPUT signal is optionally forwarded to the next one, allowing the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator to be used as a mixer module, as implied by its full appellation; as such, users can sum up to four signals. Secondly, the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator can also be controlled via control voltages, with each channel boasting a CV IN alongside its INPUT; so, setting the level manually apart, users can also use each channel as a VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier)… and — Eurorack being ‘Eurocrack’ — you can never have enough VCAs in a modular system, now, can you? Yet more functionality comes courtesy of the fact that the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator has one four-quadrant multiplier per channel, allowing the module to also act as a ring modulator without any compromises — in fact, four ring modulators!

Mind the (10 HP-wide) gap. As flexible as it is functional, then, owners of any Eurorack small-format modular system should surely consider adding a quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator to their setup. After all, once you’ve got your hands on one, it’s hard to live without it. Indeed, once you’ve got your hands on one, you might need to satisfy your addiction with another!

 

Shipping now, the quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator is available to purchase through VERMONA’s growing global network of dealers (https://www.vermona.com/en/dealer/) with an RRP of €269.00 EUR (Europe) and $309.00 USD (USA).

For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated quadroPOL polarizing mixer / ringmodulator webpage here: https://www.vermona.com/en/products/modules/product/quadropol/

Ik multimedia irig pro I/O in Apple stores now

Posted on by

 

IK Multimedia. Musicians First.

Media Alert

iRig Pro I/O now available in the Apple Store

The most advanced iPhone, iPad and Mac audio/MIDI interface
is now available in over 200 Apple retail and online stores worldwide

September 7, 2017 – IK Multimedia is proud to announce that iRig® Pro I/O, the cutting-edge high definition audio/MIDI interface for iPhone®, iPad® and Mac®, is now available in the Apple Store® at more than 200 locations worldwide and online.

iRig Pro I/O lets musicians connect all their gear to their mobile devices or computers to make music and produce audio, anytime and everywhere, with a portable, pocket-size mobile studio they can always carry with them. The combo microphone and instrument input allows users to record high definition, studio quality audio anywhere. A MIDI input and output allow to connect keyboards and controllers and a headphone output jack with a dedicated volume control is perfect for use with the new iPhone 7 and its future generations. iRig Pro I/O is a truly powerful, professional and portable recording solution that operates on AA batteries when connected to an iOS device, or on USB power when used with a Mac. When used with an optional power supply unit, it even charges a connected iPhone or iPad during extended sessions. A huge selection of IK’s award-winning apps and software is also included with iRig Pro I/O enabling complete music productions with a total value of more than $/€500.

iRig Pro I/O now available in the Apple Store

Being certified MFi hardware (Made for iPhone and iPad) iRig Pro I/O is guaranteed to be plug-and-play on all iOS devices with a Lightning® port using the included Lightning cable while the USB cable included connects Mac computers. iRig Pro I/O works out of the box with popular Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software like GarageBand®, Logic Pro® and more.

IK Multimedia is the leader of the mobile music creation revolution as the first company to utilize the power of the iPhone, tapping into it with products like the award-winning iRig line of guitar interfaces and AmpliTube amp modeling software allowing users to plug their guitars and basses into their phones and experience the most authentic amplifier tones and effects anywhere.

Today IK Multimedia offers more Apple certified music and audio creation and production hardware than any other manufacturer, with the widest range of interfaces, microphones, keyboards and other controllers for musicians, producers and podcasters available on the market. All of this is complemented by a full range of software and apps along with other accessories like stands, speakers and video accessories, focused on plug and play, portability and affordability that has made music and audio creation easier for millions of consumers around the world. With more than 50 million software and app downloads and over 2 million units of its iRig branded products sold since 2010, IK Multimedia is the undisputed leader in the mobile music creation category with over 70% market share.

iRig Pro I/O, together with the vast majority of IK Multimedia products are also “Made in Italy” in its fully owned state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that combines the highest quality processes together with a focus on unique Italian world class craftsmanship. This goes together with IK’s social responsibility standards that ensure compliance with the strictest labor regulations in the world along with eco-friendly programs, such as lessening environmental impact by reducing waste, employing smart recycling techniques and reducing power consumption by utilizing roof mounted solar panels to generate electricity.

iRig Pro I/O is available now from Apple.com and at more than 200 retail locations worldwide.

In addition, other IK Multimedia products like iRig HD 2 (guitar interface), iKlip Grip and iKlip Grip Pro (multi-functional iPhone stands) and iRig Keys (keyboard controller) can be found in the Apple Store worldwide.

www.apple.com/choose-your-country

www.apple.com/retail/storelist

 

For more information, please visit:
www.irigpro.io

For a video of iRig Pro I/O in action, please visit:
www.irigpro.io/vid

IK MultiMedia Ampeg SVX 2 for amplitude released

Posted on by
IK Multimedia and Ampeg release
Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube – Mac and PC

Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube offers bass players and producers a collection of iconic bass amplifiers and cabinets from the Heritage and Classic series
September 5, 2017 – IK Multimedia is pleased to announce the immediate release of Ampeg® SVX 2 for AmpliTube, a new collection that brings some of the most sought-after and iconic bass amplifiers and cabinets from the Ampeg Heritage and Classic series to AmpliTube for Mac® and PC.

Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube

Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube brings more power to bass players and music producers, giving them the opportunity to expand their collection with 2 amplifiers and 2 cabinets from the Ampeg Classic series: the SVT-VR and V-4B amplifiers along with the SVT-810AV and SVT-212AV cabinets. Also included from the Ampeg Heritage series is the highly sought-after B-15N amp and its matching cabinet, the B-15N 115. Ampeg SVX 2 provides the genuine tone, dynamics and feel of these iconic amps thanks to IK’s industry-leading modeling technologies. Dynamic Interaction Modeling™ not only recreates every individual physical component in the amplifier’s design, but also the nonlinear behavior between each component and its interaction with other components in the circuit. This provides an unprecedented level of realism, touch and feel for each amp.

Ampeg SVX 2 - Amps and cabs

Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube recreates the sound that defined electric bass in virtual form. IK software engineers worked painstakingly with the Ampeg engineering team to ensure that each amplifier and cabinet model has been created with the same attention to detail and authenticity that goes into their physical counterparts. The amplifiers and cabinets available in Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube include:

SVT-VR
The Ampeg SVT-VR is a vintage reissue of an early 1970’s “Blue-Line” SVT head. The preamp stage, power section, and even rocker switches emulate the exact signal path, tone, and vibe of this original rock ‘n’ roll workhorse giving all the growl one might ever need.

V-4B
The Ampeg V-4B 100W all-tube bass amplifier is a remarkable reissue of the legendary 1971 original, delivering the pure tube vintage sound, attitude and unmistakable grind that earned this classic amp a place in bass history.

B-15N
The Heritage B-15N amplifier features distinct switchable 1964 and 1966 channels with Ampeg’s flexible Baxandall type bass and treble EQ controls along with selectable cathode or fixed bias providing the ultimate control over response and tone. The Heritage B-15N meticulously recreates the world’s most recorded bass tone.

SVT-810AV
Powerful, tight and focused bass sound. This is the classic Ampeg cabinet seen on stages worldwide. The Infinite Baffle™ design has stayed the same since 1969 and delivers the punchy, round sound that is the hallmark of Ampeg tone.

SVT-212AV
The Ampeg SVT-212AV cabinet delivers pure Ampeg tone in a ported cabinet design, featuring 2×12″ custom LF drivers and a 1″ compression driver, with a 3-way level control, that bridges the gap between fast transient response and a rich, powerful low end.

B-15N 115
The perfect companion to the B-15N. This cabinet features a 15″ speaker that delivers pure, full-bodied and vintage-sounding tone, reminiscent of the good old ’60s, that suits a wide array of musical genres.

Plug-in and play out
Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube works perfectly with IK’s iRig line of mobile digital interfaces, like the iRig HD 2 or the iRig Pro I/O, to record and process bass tones on the go and on stage with the best-sounding virtual amps and effects ever created. Because Ampeg SVX 2 runs from within AmpliTube for Mac/PC, it offers a full-rig signal path ready to use in any production: tuner, pedalboards, amp head preamp, effects loop, power amp, speaker cabs, mics with room effects, and rack effects. Plus, two complete rigs can be configured and run in stereo.

Pricing and Availability
Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube is available now for $/€99.99* from the IK Multimedia website, the AmpliTube Custom Shop and participating IK retailers. Ampeg SVX 2 for AmpliTube is also available to currently registered Ampeg SVX users for the upgrade price of $/€49.99. Individual amps are available for $/€34.99 each and cabs for $/€14.99 each via the AmpliTube Custom Shop.

*All prices excluding taxes

For more information, please visit:
www.ampegsvx.com/svx2

For video of Ampeg SVX 2, please visit:
www.ampegsvx.com/svx2/video

New virtual console plug in Brainworx bx_console G released

Posted on by

Press release:

Brainworx hits home run replicating renowned British console sound with bx_console G plugin

 

“Growing up in the industry on both E and G Series consoles, I was eager to take the new Brainworx bx_console G for a spin. Having used other companies’ emulations of the same console, I am incredibly happy and impressed with Brainworx’s attention to detail — the channel strip compressor finally has the proper ‘snap’ I’ve been missing from the real console, and all the added features are fantastic… another home run!”

– Marc Nelson, GRAMMY®-nominated music producer/mix engineer (Fleetwood Mac, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat), 2017

 

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: industry-leading pro audio plugins developer Brainworx is proud to announce availability of bx_console G — an accurate channel strip model of the renowned British G Series large-format mixing console, including both ‘Pink’ and ‘Orange’ EQ revisions, and featuring 72 distinct channels that use Brainworx’s TMT (Tolerance Modelling Technology) for the most realistic analog experience in the box — as of September 6…

Hot on the heels of Brainworx’s acclaimed bx_console E — their trailblazing flagship plugin that pairs a 72-channel emulation of the high-end, hit-making British E Series console complete with comprehensive COMPRESS (compressor/limiter), full-featured EXPAND (expander/gate), powerful four-band parametric EQ, and wide-ranging (high pass and low pass) FILTERS, together with incredibly flexible signal routing (just like the original console), and much more besides — comes bx_console G, growing the company’s collection of TMT channel strip plugins.

Powerful yet different, those true-to-life E Series- and G Series-modeling plugins are distinguished by their respective filter sections — both ‘Pink’ and ‘Orange’ revisions — that deliver a totally contrasting character when treating frequencies. The G is largely known for its more mellow character while the E is more aggressive, but both G Series filters feature proportional-Q behaviour, allowing for more precise gain adjustments while leaving the surrounding frequencies intact. The ‘Pink’ revision also allows the HMF and LMF (midrange) bands to be multiplied (x3) and divided (/3) by a factor of three to allow for an extra-wide range of tone-shaping capabilities. The G Series VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) also has a lower THD (Total Harmonic Distortion), making it a cleaner compressor option as well.

When designing bx_console G, Brainworx Owner Dirk Ulrich — an acclaimed producer/engineer in his own right — and his award-winning development team tossed tons of useful extras not found on the original hardware into an already exciting-sounding mix. Mods include: continuously-variable THD control (adds saturation); secondary release time (REL2) compressor control (prevents pumping); dry/wet (MIX) compressor control; mid (Solo M) and side (Solo S) channel monitoring; and virtual noise floor (V GAIN) control.

Channel strip plugins typically only model one channel of a mixer. Applying that same cloned channel across all tracks in a mix — even using different control settings — makes for a flat, narrow, two-dimensional digital sound. But bx_console G avoids this, thanks to TMT taking into account the real-world variation between channels of a hardware console, which lends itself to the complexity and nuance that analog hardware imparts on mixes. Meanwhile, bx_console G’s gorgeous GUI (Graphical User Interface) and acutely low CPU (Central Processing Unit) load lets users instantly recall up to 72 slightly different-sounding channels across all plugin instances on their tracks to create that mixed-on-a-large-format-analog-console sound so sorely missed when working on a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). When working with bx_console G, however, DAW users can use its RANDOM CHANNEL buttons to easily invoke the random nature of this variation on a single instance of bx_console G, and also randomize the channels across every instance in a mix in one simple click.

Could it be that Brainworx has hereby answered the prayers of anyone yearning to mix their projects on a large-format analog console yet does not necessarily possess the necessary means — monetary and/or room — to do so? So much more than just a channel strip model, bx_console G’s potent modern features clearly create a G Series console on steroids! Indeed, it is hyper-realistic analog large-format console sound for your DAW… just ask Marc Nelson!

 

bx_console G is available for purchase — as an AAX Native & DSP-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-supporting plugin 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 for an introductory promo price of $179.00 USD until September 30, 2017, rising to $299.00 USD thereafter. (A permanent crossgrade to/from bx_console E for $99.00 USD is also available.)

A fully-functional, 14-day trial is available to anyone registering for a free Plugin Alliance account here: https://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 bx_console G webpage here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_console_g.html

Watch Plugin Alliance’s tantalizing trailer for bx_console G here:  https://youtu.be/te705_OeFqI

Watch Plugin Alliance’s teaser trailer for bx_console G here:  https://youtu.be/wN-Osk_LSrw

IK Multimedia’s ARC System 2.5 with new MEMS microphone is now shipping

Posted on by

IK Multimedia is proud to announce that ARC System 2.5 with MEMS microphone is now available for shipping. Version 2.5 of the Advanced Room Correction System combines a new highly accurate MEMS measurement microphone, measurement software together with an audio correction plug-in for Mac/PC DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and employs Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 patented technology to greatly improve the audio monitoring accuracy of speakers in any studio or listening room.

The first system of its kind, ARC System works by measuring the room in multiple positions, producing an accurate representation of its acoustic response, then generates a correction filter that makes the response linear. This allows users to mix and compose in an environment capable of an exact representation of the music and audio being produced, regardless of the acoustic characteristics of the room. ARC System was first introduced by IK Multimedia in 2007 and quickly established itself as one of the most popular acoustic correction systems in the world.
New high-precision MEMS measurement mic
IK Multimedia was the first to incorporate the use of MEMS (microelectro-mechanical systems) microphones for pro audio recording applications with its popular iRig® Acoustic range, first released in 2015, and is now pioneering their use in the field of ultra-accurate measurement microphones. The new MEMS measurement microphone included in ARC 2.5 works together with the room correction software to achieve a new milestone in accuracy with a precision of +/- 0.5 dB. Just like the other MEMS products from IK, the new measurement mic is manufactured in Italy and features an omnidirectional capsule that ensures maximum response accuracy and stability over time, in contrast to standard condenser measurement microphones which can exhibit frequency response variations due to manufacturing or age.

MEMS microphones offer extreme resistance to shock along with humidity and temperature variations thanks to the manufacturing process behind them. This means they are very durable and can be easily transported without the risk of damage. Additionally, all the ARC System microphones manufactured using this process maintain a consistent degree of accuracy with near-zero variation in performance from unit to unit. This guarantees accurate, repeatable and reliable audio measurements even after long periods of time.

MultEQ® XT32 Technology
ARC 2.5 utilizes Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 technology to evaluate the acoustic information captured at multiple locations in the listening area in both frequency and time domains. It uses a sophisticated clustering algorithm to combine this information so that acoustic problems are accurately analyzed. Based on these measurements, a correction filter is calculated that adjusts both time and frequency response problems in the listening area and performs a fully automated system setup. The result is clear, well-balanced audio monitoring in any environment.

“Virtual Monitoring” for the real world
The included “Virtual Monitoring” feature lets users select specific templates to deliberately alter the response of the monitoring setup to match devices like LCD TVs, car audio systems, small radios, etc., and listen to how their mixes will translate on other “virtual” band-limited systems and to ensure a perfect sound translation.
Thousands of rooms corrected worldwide
Since 2007, IK Multimedia’s ARC System has been leading the way in terms of true affordability and professional reliability when it comes to acoustic room correction systems. With tens of thousands of installations worldwide, correcting the rooms of music enthusiasts and independent producers to those of studio and acoustic engineers, ARC has become an absolute industry standard that continues to amaze for its ease of use and indisputable effectiveness.

Take the room out of the mix
ARC System is the most cost-effective, professional solution for achieving a consistent sound and frequency response across the entire spectrum in any room, whether acoustically treated or not. From home studios to professional recording facilities, ARC will take the “sound of the room” out of the equation, enabling users to mix faster and with total confidence, ensuring their productions translate properly with the outside world.

Pricing and availability
ARC System 2.5 with MEMS microphone is now available at a cost of $/€199.99*. Users that have previously purchased any IK product with a minimum value of $/€99.99 can take advantage of a special crossgrade price of only $/€149.99.

Current ARC 2 users can upgrade to software version 2.5 free of charge (Mac/PC), whereas ARC 1 and ARC TDM users can upgrade their software for as low as $/€49.99.

The MEMS measurement microphone can be purchased separately for $/€69.99 by previous ARC users**.

* All prices excluding taxes
** Software must be updated to v.2.5 for compatibility with the MEMS microphone

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