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Signal Processors

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    Softube Bus Processor

    Dynamics & Saturation Plug-in

    As a traditional bus compressor, this plug‑in sounds great — but there’s much more to it than that!

    Reviews Jul 2023
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    Soundtoys SuperPlate

    Reverb Plug-in

    A new Soundtoys plug‑in is always an event, and SuperPlate is their first release in over five years. Just how super is it?

    Reviews Jul 2023
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    UJAM Finisher Boost

    Multi-effects Plug-in

    The latest in UJAM’s Finisher series aims to give your risers, impacts and transitions a boost.

    Reviews Jul 2023
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    Chandler RS660

    Valve Compressor

    Can’t decide if you’d rather blow your vari‑mu budget on a Fairchild or an RS124? Chandler’s RS660 puts a little of both in one box...

    Reviews Jun 2023
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    IK Multimedia Tonex Pedal

    Amp Profiling Pedal

    The Tonex Pedal makes IK’s powerful amp‑capture technology available in a standalone hardware unit.

    Reviews Jun 2023
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    Malcolm Toft Punishr

    500-series Distortion & EQ

    Controllable carnage is the name of the game, but the Punishr can do warmth and subtlety too!

    Reviews Jun 2023
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    Universal Audio Galaxy ’74, Del-Verb & Max

    Tape Echo, Reverb/Delay & Preamp/Compressor Pedals

    The latest additions to Universal Audio’s UAFX digital stompbox range offer faithful recreations of classic studio tape delays, reverbs, compressors — and even a vintage microphone preamp.

    Reviews Jun 2023
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    Using Transient Processors

    Pushing The Envelope

    Attack‑enhancing plug‑ins can transform your mix — but they need to be used wisely!

    Techniques Jun 2023
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    Malcolm Toft Punishr | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    These audio examples accompany the SOS June 2023 review of the Punishr analogue harmonic distortion 500-series module by Malcolm Toft.

    Reviews Jun 2023
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    Cranborne Audio Carnaby Harmonic EQ

    Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500 Harmonic EQ

    500-series Equaliser & Enhancer

    It’s equalisation, Jim... but not as we know it!

    Reviews May 2023
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    Electric & Company EC5B

    Valve Compressor/Limiter

    This boutique compressor sounds every bit as classy and characterful as it looks.

    Reviews May 2023
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    JMG Sound Retronaut

    Effects Plug-in

    There’s more to this vintage vibe machine than dirt, wow and flutter!

    Reviews May 2023
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    DryBell Module 4

    Compressor Pedal

    Croatia‑based manufacturer DryBell’s Module 4 design aims to recreate the famous Orange Squeezer compressor.

    Reviews May 2023
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    Polyverse Supermodal

    Dual Filter Plug-in

    Do you really need another filter plug‑in? We didn’t think so either — until we tried this one!

    Reviews May 2023
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    Universal Audio Waterfall Rotary Speaker

    Leslie 147 Emulation Plug-in

    This isn’t the first virtual Leslie speaker plug‑in — but it might just be the best one yet!

    Reviews May 2023
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    Waves Magma Tube Channel Strip

    Dynamics, EQ & Saturation Plug-in

    Magma offers a one‑stop shop for analogue‑style attitude and warmth.

    Reviews May 2023
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    Electric & Company EC5B | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    These audio examples accompany the review of the Electric & Company EC5B Limiting Amplifier in the SOS May 2023 issue.

    Reviews May 2023
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    Q. For parallel compression, should I use different tracks or a compressor’s wet/dry control?

    When doing parallel compression, are there advantages to using the compressor fully wet on another channel, and feeding it with an aux send from the first track?

    Sound Advice Apr 2023
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    Locomotive Audio WT-Comp | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    The audio examples available on this page accompany my SOS April 2023 review of the Weight Tank compressor by Locomotive Audio. I’ve provided before and after examples along with the settings I used and a few thoughts on what I was trying to achieve with the compressor in each setting.

    01_Drum Room_RAW

    A mono drum room mic without any processing applied.

    02_Drum Room_WT-Comp

    This is an example of the WT-Comp being used to add character and excitement to the drum room mic. The attack was on the fastest setting, the release set at 11 o’clock and the drive setting was engaged. Around 7-8 dB of gain reduction was applied.

    03_Bass Guitar_RAW

    A bass guitar captured via direct input without any processing.

    04_Bass Guitar_WT-Comp

    An example of the WT-Comp used on a bass guitar DI to add more dynamic consistency. With upwards of 10 dB of gain reduction applied, you can hear how the compressor makes the part more solid but at the expense of a little low-end and a general change in tone. For this example, I had the drive setting engaged, the attack at 2 o'clock and the release at 3 o’clock.

    05_Acoustic Guitar_RAW

    An acoustic guitar recording with no processing.

    06_Acoustic Guitar_WT-Comp

    With the WT-Comp in its ‘round’ setting this is an example of I used the review unit to make a strummed acoustic guitar part sit more confidently in a mix. The attack was set at 2 o'clock and the release at its fastest setting.

    07_Electric Guitar_RAW

    An example of a slightly driven picked electric guitar recording.

    08_Electric Guitar_WT-Comp

    With the attack at 2 o’clock and release at its fastest setting, I used the WT-Comp to add more saturation and make the guitar part cut through the mix more easily. The drive setting was used and as much as 10dB of gain reduction.

    09_Female Vocals_RAW

    An example of a female vocal recorded without any processing.

    10_Female Vocals_WT-Comp

    In this example, you can hear how the WT-Comp adds more weight to a female vocal. I found I had to tread quite carefully on vocals and this has just 3-4 dB of gain reduction applied with both the attack and release set at around 12 o'clock. This is in the ‘round’ setting.

    11_Male Vocals_RAW

    An example of a Male vocal recorded without any processing.

    12_Male Vocals_WT-Comp

    For this example, I used the same settings as for the female vocal but with the drive setting engaged to add more harmonics to the vocal. I generally preferred the WT-Comp on male vocals that benefited from the extra low-end weight and a more coloured sound.

    Reviews Apr 2023
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    Eddie Bazil

    Compression And Expansion | Podcast

    Seven Practical Examples

    Eddie Bazil demystifies Compression and Expansion with a detailed explanation of their uses, which he demonstrates using plug-ins through seven practical examples.

    Techniques Apr 2023
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    Ampeg SVT Suite

    Bass Amp Modelling Plug-in

    Ampeg’s first official plug‑in offers a range of classic heads, cabs and effects.

    Reviews Apr 2023

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