Introducing Focusrite’s first independent VST/AU plug-in suite plus Guitar FX, a joint collaboration from Focusrite and Overloud.
Focusrite’s first independent VST/AU plug-in suite
Winter NAMM 2009 sees the launch of Focusrite’s first independent collection of VST/AU plug-ins; the aptly named ‘Focusrite Plug-in Suite’. The Focusrite Plug-in Suite provides a collection of EQ, Compression, Reverb and Gating VST/AU plug-ins for tracking and mixing, from one of the most prestigious names in pro audio; the perfect upgrade from your standard sequencer effects.
Each plug-in has a host of factory presets, delivering a suitable starting point for a number of popular sound sources. Having selected a preset, each paramter can then be finely tuned to perfectly suit requirements. Custom presets can then be saved and recalled as required.
The Compressor and Gate have been modeled on Focusrite’s hardware devices, using the measurement of Focusrite’s custom optos to achieve a vintage optical sound. (All Focusrite optos are tuned by ear, just like in the old days of analogue design, ensuring a faithful recreation of those classic vintage 1960s optical compressors.) The Gate also features multiple modes. It operates as a stereo gate and, in dual mono modes, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another; ideal for a number of creative gating techniques, such as tightening up a bass line.
The EQ module delivers a similar signature to the original Focusrite ISA EQ curves. Focusrite’s R&D team worked tirelessly to create an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum. The control layout also mirrors that of the original ISA EQ section; a classic six band EQ, with shelving high and low bands, parametric low mid and high mid bands, and low and high pass filters.
The Reverb is based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs and delivers a remarkable level of sonic quality for the price. Simple controls over room size, Pre-filter and ‘Air’ lead you to the ideal reverb sound in seconds.
The Focusrite Plug-in Suite brings Focusrite digital signal processing to a new level of affordability, placing sonic integrity and professional solutions within reach of producers on even the tightest of budgets.
Professional and affordable Guitar FX from Focusrite and Overloud
Winter NAMM 2009 sees the launch of Focusrite’s first Guitar FX VST/AU Plug-in suite; the result of a collaboration between Focusrite and Overloud. The Focusrite Guitar FX Suite puts quality over quantity, providing eleven professional VST/AU plug-ins that are sonicaly equal to, or better than any Guitar FX plug-ins on the market. These include five of the world’s finest guitar amp models and four distortion pedal effects, all courtesy of bespoke Italian software company ‘Overloud’; experts in the field of accurate Guitar Amp modeling. An attractive ‘Hot Tuna’ guitar tuner and ‘Smart Hum Remover’ are also provided.
The amp models include plug-ins based on the Vox AC30, Marshall JCM900, Fender Twin, MESA Boogie Rectifier and the Fender Bassman. The pedal models include plug-ins based on the Boss DS-1, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Electro Harmonix Big Muff and the Dunlop Fuzz Face.
The amp and pedal models utilise Overloud’s well-renowned analogue modelling technology, which faithfully reproduces every detail of an analogue tone. It also ensures perfect reproduction of parameter behaviour, so you always feel like you’re controlling the real hardware. With Overloud’s analogue modelling technology, each component of the schematic has its own mathematical model. After this rather raw scientific step, the resulting tone is fine tuned by ear. Overloud don’t, unlike many modelling companies, use standard widely available DSP techniques to obtain a tone that only vaguely resembles the original one. Instead, custom developed non-standard DSP techniques, widely considered to be the best in the industry, reproduce every detail of the original tone.
Finally, each Focusrite Guitar FX Suite plug-in provides a host of factory pre-sets, providing a number of great tones for you to audition immediately. You can also save and recall your own custom pre-sets, building a vast library of your own custom tones over time.
The new Focusrite Plug-in Suite and the new Focusrite Guitar FX Suite will be available worldwide in January 2009 from a selection of pro audio retailers worldwide. Contact your local distributor for further details.