The latest release from Black Rooster Audio offers the company’s take on the Altec 436C Vari-Mu valve compressor, a unit originally introduced in the 1950s. Omnitech-436C promises to provide a flawless emulation of the original hardware’s best features, whilst offering some helpful modern functions such as additional side-chain filters, dual mono/stereo linking and a new limiting mode.
Controls for the plug-in’s input and threshold levels are placed on the left of the GUI, accompanied by a pair of toggle switches that allow users to choose between compressor or limiter operation, and either dual mono or stereo link modes. A set of dials to the right then provide control over the plug-in’s attack, release and make-up gain parameters, and there is also a wet/dry mix control to allow for quick and easy parallel compression.
SC High and SC Low parameters provide users with both high- and low-pass filters which can be used to control the content of the side-chain signal. The former can be set anywhere between 20Hz and 12kHz, and the latter offers a range of 100Hz to 20kHz, whilst a SC Listen switch allows users to audition the side-chain signal to fine-tune their settings.
The company say that Omnitech-436C has been faithfully modelled on its hardware counterpart, and is capable of delivering the warm and musical characteristics associated with vintage valve designs. It is described as a versatile processor that is well suited to a wide range of individual instruments and sources, as well as excelling when being used to provide some compression or limiting across an entire mix.
Compatibility
Omnitech-436C is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.10 and higher. VST, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Omnitech-436C is available now, and is currently (6 May 2023) being offered for an introductory price of $29£26 including VAT, reduced from its full cost of $59£56 including VAT.
