December 2021 - 40
-Review by Bill Stunt
Black Rooster Audio
OmniTec-67A
Add a rare yet familiar tube tone to your mix
Black Rooster Audio has released the OmniTec-67A, a plugin emulation of the
relatively rare yet historically significant Altec 1567A tube mixer. While not as
well-known as some of the other classic analog models on the Black Rooster
roster, the harmonically rich and saturated analog mojo of the 1567A will be
familiar to most-it was an essential element in the classic Motown signal path.
featuring a Telecaster-type guitar. At
the same time, I recorded the guitar
direct through a direct box, as was often
done at Motown. I recorded bass
guitar through a tube bass amp miked
with an Advanced Audio CM-12le tube
mic and multiple vocal takes with a
Presonus PD-70 dynamic mic and an
M-49 type clone (both in my studio for
pending reviews).
I recorded all the tracks through the
plugin on its default setting, adjusting
the input level at my console inputs. For
A/B purposes, I recorded a parallel
take without the plugin. The difference
was very apparent. The processed
tracks had a distinct vintage tone with
noticeably added weight and character.
While the tones I recorded might not be
appropriate for everything (the sound
is far from neutral), it is consistently,
pleasantly vibey and astoundingly
realistic sounding.
The Vintage Green Preservation Society
Most original Altec gear featured distinctive green faceplates and large analog meters.
The OmniTec-67A honors both the original color scheme and the design aesthetic (it
matches up nicely with my much-loved hardware 1591A preamp / compressor). The
GUI is well laid out and can be resized to work with your available screen real estate.
Motor City Sonics
The original 1567A featured five inputs and a very basic EQ summed to a mono output.
The OmniTec-67A faithfully models the mic preamp circuit used in the original unit.
However, true to its MO, Black Rooster has sweetened the plugin version with options and
enhancements not found on the hardware, enormously extending the sonic possibilities.
The user guide includes a schematic of the modeled signal path. A line input option
connects the signal directly to the input switch while the mic level path passes through
an input transformer and a tube amplification stage. The plugin compensates for the
difference between the virtual mic and line levels prior to hitting the input potentiometer.
Turning up the input pot results in greater saturation and more (potentially
desirable) artifacts. The three-band EQ boosts or attenuates +/- 12dB at 50 Hz (bass),
400 Hz (midrange), and 1000 Hz (treble). Depending on how hard you drive the
level, a virtual transformer on the output adds varying amounts of harmonic distortion.
To further tweak the sound of the preamp, you get three tube types to choose from. The
differences are subtle, but slight variations in level, frequency response, and saturation
levels can be detected. More dramatic variances become apparent as you alter the virtual
bias voltage of the tube stage-the low setting sounds thinner and a tad brittle; the
higher setting is darker, thicker and distorts at lower gain levels. There is also a wet/dry
mix control that facilitates using the plugin as a parallel processor (an excellent feature).
In Use
I used the OmniTec-67A for both tracking and mixing. I miked a vintage tube combo
amp with an Electro-Voice 666 and an RCA BK5B ribbon mic for an electric track
40 RECORDING DECEMBER 2021
Price: $99
More From: blackroosteraudio.com
Using the plugin in the mix stage
allowed me to explore an even fuller
range of tones. Though always vintage
in nature, this preamp plugin is capable
of subtle but effective shaping as well
as full-on maxed-out grit and grunge. I
loved the subtle distortion I dialed in on
bass tracks. Both vocal mics sounded
great, with gentle saturation dialed in.
The dynamic mic rocked when I pushed
the virtual circuit harder, and overall,
it was easy to move into Black Keys /
White Stripes sonic territory.
Conclusion
I've never had the opportunity to use
a genuine Altec 1567A, so I can't comment
on how close this plugin comes to
the real deal, but to me, it doesn't matter.
The OmniTec-67A is a great-sounding
vintage-style preamp plugin that can
take your tracks into classic analog-flavored
sonic realms and eras. To sum up
my review in a word: the Black Rooster
OmniTec-67A exudes authenticity.
Bill Stunt (stunt@recordingmag.com) is
a recording engineer, producer, and
recording musician living in Ottawa.
http://www.blackroosteraudio.com
December 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2021
Fade In
Fast Forward
RECORDING’s 2021Holiday Buyer’s Guide
Arturia: MiniFuse 2
AKG: Ara Professional Two-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone
A day in the head of Still Woozy: Making modern pop and beyond
Austrian Audio: Hi-X15
Plugin Outlet: Black Rooster Audio OmniTec-67A
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Free and Entry-level DAWs
ART: Project Series USB Pre IV Audio Interface
Plugin Outlet: Reverb Foundry Tai-Chi
Audeze: Euclid Closed-Back Planar Magnetic In-ear Monitors
Session Log: The AngelHeaded Hipster, Part 12 Mastering and Beyond: The Final Steps…
Genelec 8361A
Focusrite: Clarett+ 8 Pre
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby From the Studio to The Stage
Pioneer DJ VM-80 Active Monitor Speaker
Fade Out: Don’t Wait—Create!
December 2021 - Intro
December 2021 - Cover1
December 2021 - Cover2
December 2021 - 1
December 2021 - 2
December 2021 - 3
December 2021 - Fade In
December 2021 - 5
December 2021 - 6
December 2021 - 7
December 2021 - Fast Forward
December 2021 - 9
December 2021 - RECORDING’s 2021Holiday Buyer’s Guide
December 2021 - 11
December 2021 - 12
December 2021 - 13
December 2021 - 14
December 2021 - 15
December 2021 - 16
December 2021 - 17
December 2021 - 18
December 2021 - 19
December 2021 - 20
December 2021 - 21
December 2021 - Arturia: MiniFuse 2
December 2021 - 23
December 2021 - AKG: Ara Professional Two-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone
December 2021 - 25
December 2021 - A day in the head of Still Woozy: Making modern pop and beyond
December 2021 - 27
December 2021 - 28
December 2021 - 29
December 2021 - 30
December 2021 - 31
December 2021 - 32
December 2021 - 33
December 2021 - 34
December 2021 - 35
December 2021 - 36
December 2021 - 37
December 2021 - Austrian Audio: Hi-X15
December 2021 - 39
December 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Black Rooster Audio OmniTec-67A
December 2021 - 41
December 2021 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Free and Entry-level DAWs
December 2021 - 43
December 2021 - 44
December 2021 - 45
December 2021 - ART: Project Series USB Pre IV Audio Interface
December 2021 - 47
December 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Reverb Foundry Tai-Chi
December 2021 - 49
December 2021 - Audeze: Euclid Closed-Back Planar Magnetic In-ear Monitors
December 2021 - 51
December 2021 - Session Log: The AngelHeaded Hipster, Part 12 Mastering and Beyond: The Final Steps…
December 2021 - 53
December 2021 - 54
December 2021 - 55
December 2021 - Genelec 8361A
December 2021 - 57
December 2021 - Focusrite: Clarett+ 8 Pre
December 2021 - 59
December 2021 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby From the Studio to The Stage
December 2021 - 61
December 2021 - Pioneer DJ VM-80 Active Monitor Speaker
December 2021 - 63
December 2021 - 64
December 2021 - 65
December 2021 - 66
December 2021 - 67
December 2021 - 68
December 2021 - 69
December 2021 - 70
December 2021 - 71
December 2021 - Fade Out: Don’t Wait—Create!
December 2021 - Cover3
December 2021 - Cover4
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