Published 7/2/08
Portable DSP processor packs a punch
In just under two years, SSL’s Duende DSP platform has become one of the most respected on the market. But so far, there’s only been one way to embrace it: by purchasing the rackmountable Duende processor. Now, however, there’s a new, more affordable Duende that can be upgraded to pack the power of its bigger, older brother.
The Duende Mini is a one-third rack-width desktop device that connects to a computer via Firewire. It can be bus-powered or plugged into the mains, and as standard it can power 16 channels of plug-ins. The Duende Mini ships with the SSL EQ and Dynamics plug-in, but can, like the Duende Standard (as it’s now called), be upgraded with additional SSL plug-ins. Further details can be found at SSL’s web site.
The UK-based company have also released more plug-ins. The first, X-Comp, is a stereo compressor, and one that SSL claim is so versatile that it can be used for “everything from ‘invisible’ subtle dynamic control for mastering, to dramatic ‘brick wall’ effects that inject raw energy and power”.
Its gain-reduction curve has what the developers call a dual-symmetrical knee, which enables the user to shape the characteristic of the compressor to suit their sound, using an intuitive GUI. A built-in side-chain EQ can be configured intuitively using a logarithmic frequency plot, and a wealth of metering options give the user feedback on the activity of the plug-in. There’s stereo input and output bargraph metering showing both peak and RMS levels simultaneously, an amplitude histogram that displays real-time pre- and post-compression signals, and a gain-reduction history.
Another new plug-in is X-EQ, also for the Duende platform. It’s a parametric EQ with 10 bands, each of which has a variety of response curves and can operate from 20Hz to 20kHz. X-EQ has an FFT frequency analyser, an A/B comparison feature and comprehensive metering sections, as with X-Comp. You can also control the parameters using MIDI. Both new plug-ins will be available in the first quarter of 2008.
Sound Technology +44 (0)1462 480000
www.soundtech.co.uk
www.solid-state-logic.com
The Duende Mini is a one-third rack-width desktop device that connects to a computer via Firewire. It can be bus-powered or plugged into the mains, and as standard it can power 16 channels of plug-ins. The Duende Mini ships with the SSL EQ and Dynamics plug-in, but can, like the Duende Standard (as it’s now called), be upgraded with additional SSL plug-ins. Further details can be found at SSL’s web site.
The UK-based company have also released more plug-ins. The first, X-Comp, is a stereo compressor, and one that SSL claim is so versatile that it can be used for “everything from ‘invisible’ subtle dynamic control for mastering, to dramatic ‘brick wall’ effects that inject raw energy and power”.
Its gain-reduction curve has what the developers call a dual-symmetrical knee, which enables the user to shape the characteristic of the compressor to suit their sound, using an intuitive GUI. A built-in side-chain EQ can be configured intuitively using a logarithmic frequency plot, and a wealth of metering options give the user feedback on the activity of the plug-in. There’s stereo input and output bargraph metering showing both peak and RMS levels simultaneously, an amplitude histogram that displays real-time pre- and post-compression signals, and a gain-reduction history.
Another new plug-in is X-EQ, also for the Duende platform. It’s a parametric EQ with 10 bands, each of which has a variety of response curves and can operate from 20Hz to 20kHz. X-EQ has an FFT frequency analyser, an A/B comparison feature and comprehensive metering sections, as with X-Comp. You can also control the parameters using MIDI. Both new plug-ins will be available in the first quarter of 2008.
Sound Technology +44 (0)1462 480000
www.soundtech.co.uk
www.solid-state-logic.com
