Results for tube

Ignite Amps has introduced its entry for the KVR Developer Challenge 2012, the PTEq-1a digital emulation of a famous Vintage Program Equalizer.

It has been developed to have all the characteristics of the original hardware, plus some additional features to increase it’s versatility.

Every single component on the signal path of the real analog circuit has been taken into account and modeled in the best possible way to match the original sound, keeping an eye to CPU performances and real-time playability at the same time.

The Pultec inspired PREq-1a program equalizer by Ignite Amps.

PTEq-1a features

• Three bands equalization with analog curve response.
• Dynamic ECC88 / 6DJ8 SRPP tube stage analog modeling.
• Additional selectable frequencies compared to the original design.
• Mono / Stereo processing support.
• Switchable Eq and Tube stage modeling for better CPU usage management.
• Internal oversampling for aliasing reduction.
• Variable Input and Output Level controls.
• Double precision (64 bit) floating point internal processing.
• Fully automatable controls.
• Zero latency.

The PTEq-1a plug-in is available as a freeware effect plug-in for Windows and Mac (VST/AU).

More information: Ignite Amps PTEq-1a

Blue Aura has announced the availability of the vv30 Blackline retro-elegant hybrid vacuum tube amplifier with an integrated DAC.

The wireless-ready two-channel audio system uses valve technology to replace the full spectrum of sound lost through the digital conversion process, bringing music back to its original velvety warmth and exacting detail for retail, office or home environments.

“The striking beauty and engineering of the v30 is revealed throughout the product. We put our craftsmen to work and they created a retro-designer amplifier complete with vacuum tubes and a stunning black and chrome exterior that Buck Rogers would yearn for,” commented Alex Chiou, president of Blue Aura North America.

The front features large chrome knobs, allowing user volume control and switching between sound sources.

v30 Blackline features

• 2 x 20W hybrid vacuum tube amplifier.
• Frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz +/- 1.5dB.
• RCA, USB mini B, and 3.5mm mini jack for connecting digital sound sources, or analog stereo input, plus a headphone output.
• 2 two-way bass reflex speakers are comprised of a low frequency 3.5 inch paper cone and high frequency 3/4 inch soft dome tweeter, with a frequency response of 55Hz – 20kHz.
• Includes rubber stands, remote control and quality cabling.

The v30 Blackline is available to purchase from retailers for MSRP $549 USD. The WSTxR Wireless Transmitter and Receiver Kit, which will turn any powered speaker into a wireless speaker, is available now priced at $149 USD.

More information: Blue Aura / v30 Blackline

G-Sonique has introduced its FAT+, a virtual analog vacuum tube/tape effect simulation for Windows.

While other solutions offer you concrete emulations of some vintage machines with all unwanted artifacts, new FAT+ offers you a modern and clean style of analog saturation / soft clipping and full control over the style of saturation.

You can create and set your own style of saturation from a clean sounding tube saturation from an analog mix console saturation to clean sounding saturation of modern analog tape.

Create your own clean and modern style of saturation – the most natural solution to eliminate unwanted peaks and increase overall loudness of a signal.

FAT+ features

• Input amp – offers attenuation or 2.5x amplification of the input signal.
• Analog warmth – round and warm sounding analog saturation (rounding of peaks of signal).
• FAT – emulates 1st harmonics for a fat and massive vacuum tube sound.
• Saturation drive – analog soft clipping / saturation with a harder sound.
• Analog hiss – reproduces an invisible thin treble noise of analog tape.
• Bass cut – cut unwanted sub-bass or bass on individual channels to offer more space for loudness of the remaining frequency spectrum.
• Output amp – set the level of output volume.

The FAT+ effect plugin for Windows (VST) is available to purchase for the introductory price of 13.90 EUR (regular 22.90 EUR).

More information: G-Sonique / FAT+

Native Instruments has announced the release of version 1.8 of its MASCHINE groove production studio software for Windows and Mac.

The free MASCHINE 1.8 update is now available. Workflow enhancements and new effects like TRANSIENT MASTER and time stretch add new flexibility to your MASCHINE projects.

And starting with MASCHINE 1.8, all MASCHINE owners also get the legendary MASSIVE for free, adding powerful synthesis to the premier groove production studio.

Changes in Maschine v1.8

• Time stretch and pitch shift capability: Stretch smoothly from one BPM to another, aided by the automatic BPM detection. Or stretch your audio to a specific length – to fit one sample to the same length as another, for example. What’s more, make your beats match harmonically, by tuning your samples with the pitch shift function.
• Transient Master: Dynamics and mixing effect fully integrated in the MASCHINE 1.8 software. Ideal for positioning drums and percussion, it lets you mix from front to back, giving each sample exactly the right amount of space.
• New Tube, Tape Saturator and Tube Saturator effects: Bring the secrets of analog warmth and natural, harmonic compression to MASCHINE, for even greater sound coloring potential.
• Host transport control: Running the MASCHINE software as a plug-in in your DAW*, use the transport buttons on the MASCHINE hardware to control transport in the host software. Important: Requires the latest version of the NI Controller Editor.
• New Browser sample preview mode: Easily scroll through the browser list and pre-hear samples without loading them.
• Revised select screen: Now includes individual note length and velocity editing.
• Auto-write pinning: Pin the Auto-Write button for improved automation recording – tweak with two hands!.
• New hardware shortcuts: Select and erase events quickly and easily.
• Panic button: Immediately cuts off all sound from MASCHINE.
• Improved missing sample handling: Now locates files per project – point the MASCHINE software to the location for one missing file, and it automatically resolves other related missing files.
• Sampler play position indicator: See the play marker in the sampler wave display – also shown in the hardware display.
• Save Group with samples: Now you have the option to save Group with samples.

The MASCHINE 1.8 update is now available from the Native Instruments Service Center. The software is compatible with all versions of MASCHINE and MASCHINE MIKRO, including the new MK2 hardware. Registered MASCHINE users will get their free copy of MASSIVE by email.

More information: Native Instruments / MASCHINE

Voxengo has announced updates for a number of its free effect plug-ins for Windows and Mac.

These updated plug-ins are now available in native 64-bit AudioUnit and VST formats on Mac OS X. Note that on Mac computers, these plug-ins now support Mac OS X v10.5 and higher only, running on Intel processors. Mac PowerPC support is not available.

These updated versions include a fix to the previously available graphics display issue on Mac OS X 10.8.

Voxengo’s Marvel GEQ free graphic equalizer plugin for Windows and Mac.

Updated Voxengo plug-ins

• Voxengo Marvel GEQ linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer with multi-channel operation support (supporting up to 8 input/output channels, audio host application-dependent). Marvel GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
• Voxengo Overtone GEQ 7-band harmonic (overtone) graphic equalizer with multi-channel operation support (supporting up to 8 input/output channels, host setup-dependent). Overtone GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
• Voxengo Stereo Touch implements a classic technique of transforming a monophonic track into spacious stereophonic track by means of mid/side coding technique.
• Voxengo Tube Amp applies asymmetric tube triode overdrive usually found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes. The sound this plug-in produces varies from a mild “warm” overdrive to a fuzzy distortion.

The updated plug-ins are available to download now.

More information: Voxengo / Free plug-ins

Native Instruments has introduced the Premium Tube Series, a new collection of high-end effects, capturing the warm, natural sound of tube-driven hardware.

PREMIUM TUBE SERIES is made up of three individual effects – PASSIVE EQ, VARI COMP and ENHANCED EQ – available either individually or as a high-value bundle. PREMIUM TUBE SERIES makes these effects available for the first time as native plug-ins that run individually within a DAW in VST, AU, RTAS or AAX format. The effects are modeled by Softube, the renowned team behind Native Instruments’ VINTAGE COMPRESSORS.

PASSIVE EQ is a fully-parametric, two-channel, four-band equalizer, with additional high and low pass filters plus a wide collection of presets for all use cases. Characterized by its versatile nature and natural sound, it is well suited to a wide range of production duties – from individual tracks to sub groups and even mastering. As with all the effects in the series, running as an individual plug-in in any DAW gives it significant ease-of-use advantages over hardware units, such as built-in parallel processing options, and mid/side mode.

As its name suggests, VARI COMP is a compressor with a flexible range of use cases, from instrument groups to individual tracks. Emulated to possess a clear and warm ‘analog’ sound, VARI COMP limits and compresses. In limit mode, it uses a unique automatic ratio and knee adjustment, altering the compression ratio from 4:1 up to 20:1 automatically in response to the input signal.

ENHANCED EQ is an easy-to-use effect adept at providing tracks with both subtle definition and rich loudness. Modeled from a boutique studio standard, this is the EQ for adding warmth and weight to the low end of individual tracks, thanks to a special curve produced by simultaneously cutting and boosting the low frequencies. ENHANCED EQ works equally well at adding clarity and shine to midrange.

The Premium Tube Series bundle is available to purchase for $229 USD / 199 EUR. The individual effects can also be bought separately: Passive EQ $169 USD / 149 EUR, Vari Comp $119 USD / 99 EUR, Enhanced EQ $79 USD / 69 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Premium Tube Series