• The 4020 Retro EQ is a four-band EQ and complimentary filter set. The HF and LF bands are shelving EQ, with two additional parametric EQs at the HMF and LMF bands.
• The 4030 Retro Compressor is a new dynamic range control topology coupled with a wet/dry mix control to balance compressed and uncompressed signals. An active attack and release design allows aggressive compression settings with minimal artifact generation.
• The 4040 Retro Limiter combines a look-ahead brick wall limiter function with several subjective treatments to make the limiting action subtle, and yet vintage.

Shipping in Spring 2009, the Retro Pack HD Bundle will be available for $995, and the Native Bundle will be available for $495. The McDSP HD line supports TDM, RTAS and Audiosuite formats and the Native line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats.

Voxengo Elephant is a mastering limiter plug-in for professional music production applications. According to Voxengo, the new limiter “brings sound limiting and loudness maximization without any audible “pumping” effects.”

Elephant features a variety of limiter modes that can be deeply customized, and a comprehensive set of level metering tools. Elephant limiter can be used for mixing and mastering of both stereo and multi-channel music and sound material, at any standard sample rate.

Elephant, also featuring a DC offset filter, and a high-quality bit-depth converter with an optional noise-shaping, allows you to finish your music and audio productions with a spark.

Elephant retails for $89.

Features:

• Transparent signal limiting action
• 10 predefined limiter modes
• Limiter mode editor
• Optional release stage
• Noise-shaped bit-depth converter
• DC offset removal filter
• Multi-channel processing
• Internal channel routing
• Channel grouping
• Up to 8x linear-phase oversampling
• 64-bit floating point processing
• Preset manager
• Undo/redo history
• A/B comparisons
• Contextual hint messages

Waves has introduced the Jack Joseph Puig Collection, a collection of audio plug-ins based on some of the most sought-after vintage pieces of gear in audio history.

“As time goes by, there are fewer and fewer examples of these heirloom processors for artists, engineers or producers to have access to,” stated Jack Joseph Puig. “Not every studio or engineer has had the luxury that I have had to be in the same creative space as some of these magnificent pieces of equipment. The three vintage processors that Waves and I have modeled are reference standard pieces of what that particular processor is supposed to sound and feel like.”

Description:

Legendary among audio aficionados for his extensive collection of exceptional, hand-picked vintage outboard gear, Puig not only shared his knowledge and expertise on these devices, but he also gave Waves exclusive access to model his most prized processors.

Working in Puig’s personal recording space, located at Los Angeles’ Ocean Way Recording Studios, Waves’ R&D team painstakingly analyzed and modeled each processor’s attribute, replicating its sound and behavior to the point where the software was virtually indistinguishable from hardware. Puig became an indispensable part of the development process, greatly assisting the Waves team by testing and fine tuning the software models of his hardware, as well as contributing an extensive library of his personal presets.

The PuigChild 660 & 670 Compressor/Limiter

Throughout the vinyl era, the original Fairchild stereo 670 compressor and its mono counterpart, the 660, were ubiquitous. From the recording studio to the record lathe, the Fairchild was renowned for its advanced compression techniques and incomparable sound. With the PuigChild 660 & 670 Compressor/Limiter, Waves has captured every distinctive nuance of Jack Joseph Puig’s Fairchild 670, along with every detail of its rich harmonic complexity. Key features include: Lateral Vertical Mode (MS Compression) for Optimal Stereo Imaging; Linked & Unlinked Modes; Digidesign Icon Support; Up to 24-bit 192 kHz Resolution; Mono and Stereo Components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac Compatibility.

Key controls include: Input Gain -20 to 0; Threshold 0 to 10 (0.1 steps); Time Constant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; On/Off; Mains Off, 50Hz, 60Hz; Link Left/Right, Linked, Lateral/Vertical; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps).

The PuigTec EQP-1A Program Equalizer

The Pultec EQP-1A is renowned for its warm and round low frequency equalization and its beautiful high frequency boost; it also has the unique ability to boost and cut the same frequencies simultaneously, thereby creating a resonant shelf. Conceived and created for broadband equalization, the original EQP-1A features four low boost/cut frequencies, three high-cut frequencies and seven HF boost points, along with a bandwidth control for shaping the high boost curve. Waves’ PuigTec EQP-1A is a remarkable replication of Jack Joseph Puig’s original handcrafted unit, heard on dozens of popular recordings from artists including Weezer, The Black Crowes and Panic at the Disco.

Key features include: Unique resonant low shelf boost; Digidesign Icon support; Up to 24-bit, 96-kHz resolution; Mono and Stereo components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac compatibility.

Key controls include: Low Band Boost 0 to 11 (18 dB boost, 0.1 steps); Low Band Attenuation 0 to 11 (18 dB cut, 0.1 steps); Low Band Frequency 20Hz, 30Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz; High Bell Boost 0 to 11 (18 dB boost, 0.1 steps); High Bell Bandwidth (Q) 0 to 11 (0=sharp 11=wide, 0.1 steps); High Bell Frequency 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz; High Shelf Attenuation 0 to 11 (18 dB cut, 0.1 steps); High Shelf Frequency (Atten Sel) 5kHz, 10kHz, 20kHz; In/Out; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps); Mains Off, 50 Hz, 60 Hz.

The PuigTec MEQ-5

The distinctive tonal characteristics of the MEQ-5 have made the original Pultec hardware a mainstay at high-end studios for decades. The midrange PuigTec MEQ-5 and the broadband PuigTec EQP-1A together constitute one of the best-known equalization chains in audio history.

Key features include: Digidesign Icon support; Up to 24-bit, 96-kHz resolution; Mono and Stereo components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac compatibility.

Key controls include: Low Mid Frequency 200Hz, 300Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz, 1000Hz; Low Mid Peak 0 to 11 (10dB boost, 0.1 steps); Mid Frequency 200Hz, 300Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz,1000Hz, 1.5kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz,4kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz; Mid Dip 0 to 11 (10dB cut, 0.1 steps); High Mid Frequency 1.5kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz; High Mid Peak 0 to 11 (10dB boost 0.1 steps); In/Out; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps); Mains Off, 50 Hz, 60 Hz.

The JJP Collection is currently available separately as well as part of the Waves Mercury bundle.

Crysonic have introduced SpectraPhy LE, a highly optimized look-ahead Brickwall Limiter and Loudness Maximizer based on it’s bigger brother SpectraPhy VST.

SpectraPhy LE has been designed to be used for tracking, mixing, mastering and live use or whenever a large quantity of limiters are required per project.

SpectraPhy LE Features

• Proprietary Physics based Peak Limiting and Loudness Maximizing
• Look-ahead Brickwall limiting with no overshoots, less then 0.2 ms Delay
• Individual Left / Right Channel Limiting with Linking ability
• Graphical Spectrum and Attack / Release Display
• Pre-Smooth function to tame high transients
• Easily have 1-60 instances per project (Depending on Processor)
• Pre or Post output Spectrum
• Velocity Sensitive Dials for extreme precise adjustments
• Maximum transparent loudness
• Full Automation for all parameters PC and Mac OS X
• Very Intuitive GUI
• 64-bit internal precision
• 24bit/96Khz audio support
• Highly optimized custom DSP code
• Suitable for Mixing, Tracking, Mastering and Live use
• 64-bit internal precision
• 24bit/96Khz audio support
• Assembly DSP code with Vectorization on the Mac OS X Platform

Pricing and Availability:
$59 (introductory price of $45 available until August 15)

Blue Cat Audio has released a new version (1.4) of Blue Cat’s Dynamics all-in-one dynamics processing DirectX and VST plugin for Windows, introducing a new user interface design and many performance and ergonomics improvements.

This plugin can act as a compressor, limiter, expander, gate or distortion unit, making it one of the most complete dynamics processor of the market. Its original controls and unique monitoring features will suit both the advanced users’ and beginners’ needs. It also provides side chain capabilities as well as MIDI and Automation output.

New in Blue Cat’s Dynamics v1.4:

• New user interface design
• Several ergonomics improvements
• Skin loading performance improvement (up to 80% faster)
• Reduced memory consumption when using several instances
• Compression graph clarity and rendering performance enhancements
• Window Opacity Management: make the plugin window transparent and see behind
• Blue Cat’s Skinning Language 1.3 support
• (Bug fix): on the stereo version the sidechain filter did not work as expected in some situations

Blue Cat’s Dynamics features:

• Full featured dynamics processor: compressor, gate, limiter, expander, distortion
• Available in mono and stereo versions
• Total control over the processor: continuous peak/RMS and Opto/VCA modes selection
• Total control over the signal: dry/wet control, input fiter, side chain filter
• Post brickwall limiter or waveshaper
• Optimal monitoring: dynamics response and input/output envelopes real time display, main compression information – can be recorded as automation curves
• Best quality: up to 4x oversampling for the best sounding quality
• Side chaining made easy: a unique way to perform side chain compression and much more
• Real time MIDI control with advanced settings (MIDI channel and CC numbers, with complete response curve control) and MIDI learn
• Multiple skins included for optimal user experience
• Window Opacity Managemenr: make the plugin window transparent
• No latency
• Native DSP code for optimal performance
• Skinnable user interface
• DirectX and VST plug-in formats support
• Smooth Update: silent (zipper-free) parameters update
• ull automation support (all parameters can be automated, with smooth and continuous update)

Price (Special new version price: -15%):
67.15 EUR (instead of 79 EUR), or USD 83.94 (instead of USD 94.80)

The approach represents a paradigm shift in the way these types of DSP effects have been designed to date. The unique method employed easily allows the mastering engineer to achieve maximum perceived “loudness” transparently without getting overshoots (Digital-over’s) with minimum audible distortion. The characteristics of the final audio can quickly be adjusted to taste, be it analog or digital with only two rotary-dials.

The drive / color dial component also allows the addition of analog saturation when “running hot”, this can naturally be disabled if not required. Spectraphy has been designed for ease of use and efficiency in mind without sacrificing creative freedom.

About Spectraphy Physics

What makes Spectraphy’s process unique is the novel approach used for its dynamic signal analysis. Internally Sprectraphy utilizes a special physics engine to accurately simulate multiple response signals to maximize the perceived signal volume and to also “brick wall” upper limit to peak set levels.

Final response curve is computed on the analysis of multiple simulations each having different characteristics that are driven mainly by incoming transient signals concurrently.

This approach tends to produce a more natural sound, almost completely eliminating the risk of introducing audible nonlinear distortion.

Spectraphy Main Features:

• Physics based Peak Limiting
• Maximum transparent loudness
• Look-ahead Brickwall limiting with no overshoots (Digital-overs)
• Variable Limiter mode (Analog / Physical – Digital / Current)
• Elasticity – Limiter Transient (Peak) response strength / Speed
• Saturation / Drive Dial
• VST Automation for all parameters
• Gain reduction and RMS meters
• 64-bit internal precision
• 24bit/96Khz audio support
• Highly optimized custom DSP code
• Suitable for Mastering, Mixing and Tracking

More information is available at the Crysonic site.

Waves Ltd.

The L3 Peak Limiter begins by using a linear-phase crossover with user-definable frequencies to divide the audio into five bands without phase distortion between bands. The signal then enters the patent-pending Peak Limiter Mixer employing psychoacoustics to maximize headroom use, intelligently determining how much attenuation to apply in each band. The result is maximum loudness and minimum intermodulation, without losing brick-wall limiting — all controlled with a simple master threshold parameter.

In addition, the PLMixer automatically controls the gain relationship between the bands, eliminating the need for an overall wideband limiter to catch overshoots. A unique Priority Control allows control of the relative amount of limiting in each band, providing extensive adjustment of the tonal character of the L3, while also producing classic brick-wall limiting. Each band can also be boosted or attenuated by up to 12 dB in addition to limiting, functioning effectively as a linear phase equalizer placed in front of the limiter. This feature makes the L3 an ideal mastering finalizer.

Additional functionality enables the L3 to take on a different character according to the application, including the emulation of classic limiters. The Separation control adjusts the relative independence of each band to change tone, while the Master Release alters the L3’s ARC (Adaptive Release Control), offering the tonal options of Warm, Scaled, Aggressive and Manual. The L3’s feature-rich set is completed by Waves critically acclaimed dither and noise shaping capabilities, providing the highest perceived sound quality after quantization and multiple DSP operations.

Two versions of the L3 are available: the Multimaximizer provides full functionality, while the Ultramaximizer uses the same PLMixer technology along with a more basic feature set.

Both versions of the L3 are available together for $1200 for TDM or $600 for Native (MSRP). However, registered Diamond Bundle users currently covered by the Waves Update Plan (WUP) will receive both Ultramaximizer and Multimaximizer free of charge, while registered Platinum Bundle users who are covered by WUP will receive the L3 Ultramaximizer at no charge.

System Requirements

• On the Macintosh, the L3 requires a G4 running at 867 MHz, 512MB RAM and 800 x 600 display resolution, or better;
• On Windows XP or 2000, a 1GHz P3 or Athlon XP or better is required with 512MB RAM and 600 x 800 display.

TDM and RTAS are supported on both platforms, as well as Audio Units, VST and MAS on the Mac and DirectX and VST on Windows. Full compatibility lists and system requirements, along with more detailed descriptions of the L3 are available from http://www.waves.com.

The key feature of this brickwall limiter is its transparency. Unlike many limiters, it does not adjust the dynamic structure of the processed audio material, but instead brings sound limiting and loudness maximization without any audible “pumping” effects.

With the release of version 2.0, Elephant became a highly competitive mastering product. It features a comprehensive set of level metering tools and a variety of limiter algorithms. Elephant’s built-in linear-phase oversampling is a new standard in peak limiting and loudness maximization. Elephant, also featuring a high-quality bit-depth converter with an optional noise-shaping, allows you to finish your music and audio productions with a spark.

Features:

• Transparent limiting action
• 5 limiting modes
• 7 speeds for various styles of music
• Gain reduction VU meters
• Noise-shaped bit-depth converter
• RMS and peak RMS output counters
• Automatic attack and release
• DC removal filter
• Up to 4x oversampling
• “A-to-B” comparisons
• Factory presets
• Mono-to-Stereo, Stereo-to-Stereo processing
• Sample rates up to 96 kHz
• 64-bit internal precision

Elephant v2.0 is a free update for all existing registered users of the previous Elephant version. Voxengo Elephant is also available in several bundles and as a single on-line purchase for USD 69. For more information and downloads please visit the Voxengo web site.