EQ Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 53)

TRITONE DIGITAL COLORTONE PRO After installing Pluggo Runtime and ColorTone, you’re ready to get into this convolution-based processor. ColorTone is not just a tape simulator; its 46 impulses include filters, compressors (yes, you’ll find an LA2) and tube EQ. I was also able to load the impulses included with Sonar’s Perfect Space reverb. For tape simulation, convolution handles reproducing the tonal quality of particular tapes and machines. A Warmth fader generates harmonics and saturation effects, and a Blend control is the key to getting cool sounds but is a bit difficult to explain: It mixes the processed and unprocessed signals based on the input signal’s amplitude, so that a higher input signal means more processed signal (or you can dial in the reverse effect). One particularly handy button, Lock, automatically reduces TriTone Digital’s ColorTone Pro takes a convolution-based approach. the output when you slam the input. None of this is intuitive; don’t expect “turn switch on for tape saturation effect.” Then again, that’s ColorTone Pro’s strength: Once you do start to understand how the controls affect the sound, you can do some wonderful effects. It doesn’t try to add hiss or other undesirable tape characteristics, but instead, isolates particular tape sounds and lets you apply them—but then modify them further, like adding more level, compression, expansion, etc. Can it make tracks sound better? Yes. Just expect to spend some time checking out the generous selection of impulses, as choosing the right one for the source material makes the difference between “yeah, whatever . . .” and “wow!” SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows XP SP2, Mac OS X 10.3.9; Cycling ’74’s Pluggo 3.6 Runtime (cross-platform, available for free) FORMATS: VST/RTAS, AU support via free Pluggo extensions LIST PRICE: $145; limited free version also available CONTACT: www.tritonedigital.com VOXENGO ANALOGFLUX SUITE Voxengo may not have major name recognition, but the company makes quality software. Analogflux Suite contains four programs designed to give the analog feel: TapeBus (the subject of this review), Delay, Impulse (simple convolution processor), Insert (simple modulation noise “warmer”), and Chorus. The Chorus is outstanding, by the way. TapeBus has eight controls, all with obvious effects on the sound. There are also seven convolution-based tape options (along with off, leaving only the other processors) that provide different sonic characters. In addition to a Rec Gain function to set the amount of crunch and a control for Saturation amount, there are pre-saturation Low and Hi EQ, with high filter center frequency and gain. A TapeBus, from the Voxengo Analogflux Suite. Curve control changes the saturation curve, which alters harmonic content. All the “science” in TapeBus is transparent: This is one of those rare plug-ins where you can insert it on a track, put all the controls at 12 o’clock, and it just plain works. Audibly, it sort of combines compression, an “exciter”-type sound, and EQ; it can give huge presence to drum tracks, and if you don’t go too crazy, even works with program material. The included presets provide an excellent idea of what to expect. In fact, they may be all you need . . . although it’s well worth experimenting with the controls, as they can make a big difference in the overall sound. If you want a plug-in where you don’t have to think to make it sound good, but if you’re willing to think you can make it sound even better, you’ll definitely appreciate TapeBus. It hits the sweet spot between ease of use and serious processing. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows XP or better FORMATS: VST LIST PRICE: $79.95 CONTACT: www.voxengo.com FREE AS A PLUG-IN Want to get started with Tape Sims? In addition to demo versions of some of the products being reviewed, there are some free sims that may lack the feature sets of the “big guys,” but nonetheless do a credible job. The following programs are Windows-only, though. Cakewalk Sonar includes a tape sim plug-in, FX2 Tape Sim, that often gets high marks in the Cakewalk forums, and I can understand why: Despite an interface that hasn’t been overhauled in so long it has Cakewalk’s logo from the Continued www.eqmag.com JULY 2008 EQ 53 http://www.tritonedigital.com http://www.voxengo.com http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - July 2008

EQ Magazine - July 2008 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board Louis XIV, Four TET and Steve Reid, Can Your Record Go Gold in the Digital Age Tool Box Death Cab For Cutie Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet Propellerhead Reason 4 Sony Acid Pro 6 EDAX Audio Labs VTP-100 M-Audio Profire 2626 Tape Simulator Shootout Tape Simulators Sounds Room With a VU: Infrasonic Sound Recording Company, Los Angeles, CA.

EQ Magazine - July 2008

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