EQ Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 54)

PSP AUDIOWARE MIXPACK2 Garrett Haines reviewed PSP’s Vintage Warmer 2—which is more than just a tape emulator—in the 05/07 issue, so there’s little point in re-hashing that info. However, PSP also makes a cool bundle called MixPack2, which includes the MixSaturator2—and it’s most definitely relevant to this roundup. (The rest of the bundle includes a low-end enhancer, high-end enhancer, compressor, and noise gate.) MixSaturator2 has three main elements: A bass section with Frequency, Warmth, and Level controls, a high frequency section with Frequency, Level, and Softness (high-frequency compression), and a sort of “master” section that chooses one of seven nonlinear algorithms (3 tape, 3 tube, 1 digital) and dials in the amount with a Saturation control. In addition to buttons that enable these various processing sections independently, there’s also a mix control. This allows changing the PSP Audioware’s MixSaturator2 from the MixPack2 suite. balance of distorted to dry signal. What surprised me most was how effective this is with program material when used subtly. While the low-end “bass bump” is outstanding, I preferred using the high frequency section to add clarity rather than doing the most accurate possible tape simulation (although you can compress the highs if desired). The mix option is also welcome as you can set up a really dramatic effect— then dial it back so it supports, rather than overtakes, the program material. MixSaturator2 by itself is impressive, in large part because it can go from barely noticeable to Godzilla-level smashing. But when you consider the other tools in the bundle, it becomes extremely cost-effective as well because you’ll likely use the other processors. For bundle value, this is tough to beat. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows XP SP2 or Vista, Mac OSX 10.4/10.5, Universal Binary FORMATS: Windows VST/RTAS, Mac AU/VST/RTAS LIST PRICE: $199 CONTACT: www.pspaudioware.com DUY DAD TAPE Here we have yet another approach, as the effects are subtle and sweet; there’s no way to get a “caricature” of tape with DaD Tape, and in some ways, that’s a good thing. Options are limited, but realistic: a choice of six tape recorder types (including vintage tube, solid-state, and op amp-based) at three tape speeds (7.5, 15, and 30). DaD Tape is also unique in that it models noise reduction types, from noisiest (noise reduction off), to two noise reduction types, to noiseless. This is very effective, and really does produce the character that noise reduction added to the “analog tape sound.” That’s it, except for the obligatory input control that determines how hard you’re going to slam the tape (short of internal overflow, of course), DUY DaD Tape emulator. and an output control for overall level. DaD Tape is all about generating harmonics from the original signal, although there seems to be an element of tape compression: When setting the output level for what I thought was about the same level, the output meter definitely hit lower peaks than when bypassed. It’s hard to do “wrong” settings or get an ugly sound; usually, a little experimentation will produce a gently enhanced sound, with a bit more sparkle and girth. In addition to individual tracks, I tried DaD Tape with program material, and it even rocked with that. Despite the current Euro-to-Dollar exchange rate, which should have put the price at around $450, DUY has held the line at $349. And that’s a good thing, because this is a plug-in with grace and subtlety. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows XP, Mac OSX 10.3.9, Universal Binary FORMATS: Windows RTAS; Mac RTAS/AU/VST/MAS LIST PRICE: $349 CONTACT: www.duy.com Pro Audio 9 days, it provides the functionality needed for some very decent tape simulation effects. There are controls for tape speed, EQ curve, amount of crunch and warmth, low frequency boost for head bump effects (although it’s either on or off, and on is a bit too heavy-handed for my tastes), and even the ability to add in hiss. It takes a bit of fiddling to find the sweet spots, but it’s a great way for Sonar fans to get into tape sims with zero investment—and actually, those sweet spots can be very sweet. If you’re into VST format plug-ins, check out Jeroen Breebaart’s Ferox from www.jeroenbreebaart.com/audio vst.htm. This is a surprisingly good plug-in, particularly because it folds in some tape delay Continued 54 EQ JULY 2008 www.eqmag.com http://www.pspaudioware.com http://www.duy.com http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com/audio_vst.htm 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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