Toontrack, together with partner software developers Overloud, have recently released an interesting-looking plug-in processor.
On the surface EZmix is dressed up to look like a channel strip, one that places all its efforts in creating easy quick results during mixing, rather than spending extra hours fiddling. The idea is that you insert an instance of EZmix into a channel in your DAW, and then select from the presets in the plug-in depending on what type of channel you’re processing (drums, bass, vocals, and so on). The plug-in has just three sliders, which control different parameters depending on the preset you’re using, so a vocal preset might have adjustable delay time, delay mix or compressions for example.
Available to buy now from the Toontrack web site, EZmix comes in VST, AU and RTAS, for both Windows and OS X, at a price of £45 including VAT.
Waves Audio have unleashed a trio of new sound recording/mixing plug ins at this years AES convention in New York. The new products include the WNS noise suppressor which handles real-time noise reduction across six bands with a specific emphasis on backround noice. A sub-harmonic generator named LoAir which is intended for use in 5.1 mixing, generating and enhancing sub-sonic low frequency effects (LFE) content from a mono, stereo, 5.0 or 5.1 sources.
A live sound environment called Multirack, and an ‘automation writer’ named Vocal Rider. Described as “the first in a new line of dedicated Waves Post Production tools”. The Multirack is designed as a software solution for front-of-house engineers, providing Waves processing for live mixing.
The Vocal Rider compares the volume of a vocal take with that of a backing track, which is fed into a side-chain. The resulting volume adjustments are written as fader automation within a range set by the user, controlling the dynamic of the song without introducing any of the additional artifacts associated with compression.
Watch the short explanation. (Without laughing at the nervous presenter!)
Waves continue their domination of digital music production releasing the first product for their ‘Signature Series’, The Tony Maserati Collection.
For the amateur producers / engineers that haven’t heard the name, Maserati is the ‘genius’ behind hundreds of hip/hop, RnB, pop chart toppers that include Britney Spears, Beyonce, MJB, David Bowie and Jay-Z. Crap tracks? Maybe. But even the most of ‘anti commerce in music’ must appreaciate the level of quality in mix and production of modern pop music. Maserati is hailed as being the principal archetect of the modern New York pop sound and widely respected as one of the worlds most clinical mixing engineers.
Maserati has worked closely with the guys at Waves Audio to front this collection of plug-ins in an attempt replicate his personal engineering, mixing and production styles.
Maserati says “I’ve been using Waves from the beginning. From dynamics and EQs to special effects, most of the tracks I’ve mixed have Waves on them. Waves did an amazing job turning my personal processing chains into custom plug-ins.”
Each advertised with high status names, check the waves website for specifics.
Definately worth a look for all kinds of RnB, Hip/hop producers out there and any body else who wants to create a clean, powerful sound.
The Tony Maserati Collection RRPs at around $800 US, but im sure, just like anything else you can torrent the software for free… ooops, did I say that?
