VST Plugins (28)
A Game-Changer for Audio Engineers: Exploring the FabFilter Pro-Q 4 EQ Plugin
Written by Sounds Space
A Game-Changer for Audio Engineers: Exploring the FabFilter Pro-Q 4 EQ Plugin
In the ever-evolving world of audio production, few companies have consistently raised the bar like FabFilter. Known for their innovative design and pristine sound quality, their products are staples in the toolkit of music producers, sound designers, and audio engineers. The newly released **FabFilter Pro-Q 4** is no exception, promising to be a revolutionary upgrade to its predecessor, the Pro-Q 3. With cutting-edge features and enhanced functionality, the Pro-Q 4 reaffirms FabFilter’s position as a leader in the audio plugin industry. Let’s dive into what makes this plugin a must-have for audio professionals.
Enhanced Sound Quality
Sound quality has always been the hallmark of FabFilter’s plugins, and the Pro-Q 4 takes it a step further. The introduction of an updated processing engine ensures even greater transparency and minimal phase distortion. For users who demand surgical precision and clarity in their EQ adjustments, the Pro-Q 4 delivers unparalleled results. The new high-resolution filters allow for cleaner and more natural-sounding cuts and boosts, making it perfect for tasks ranging from corrective EQ to creative sound shaping.
New Features to Elevate Workflow
FabFilter has packed the Pro-Q 4 with several innovative features designed to streamline the workflow of modern producers:
1. Dynamic EQ Mode: While the Pro-Q 3 introduced dynamic EQ capabilities, Pro-Q 4 takes it up a notch with more flexibility and improved responsiveness. Each band can now function as a dynamic EQ, allowing users to target problematic frequencies with precision without affecting the overall tone.
2. Expanded Filter Types: The Pro-Q 4 introduces new filter shapes, including Tilt and Band Shelf filters. These additions provide even greater flexibility for mixing and mastering, enabling users to sculpt their sound with ease.
3. Per-Band Saturation: A groundbreaking addition to the Pro-Q series, per-band saturation allows users to add harmonic richness selectively. This feature is particularly useful for adding warmth and character to sterile digital recordings.
4. Surround Sound Support: Pro-Q 4 expands its usability with enhanced support for immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and other multichannel setups. This makes it an indispensable tool for audio professionals working in film, television, and gaming industries.
5. Improved Spectrum Analyzer: The Pro-Q 4 features a more detailed spectrum analyzer with better resolution and optional split-band view. This update makes it easier than ever to identify problematic frequencies and fine-tune your mix.
A User Interface Designed for Creativity
FabFilter’s signature user interface is one of the key reasons their plugins are so widely loved, and the Pro-Q 4 continues this tradition. The interface retains its sleek, intuitive design while introducing several enhancements. Users can now access customizable workspaces, allowing them to tailor the layout to their specific workflow. The interactive EQ display remains at the heart of the experience, offering real-time visual feedback that makes pinpointing frequencies a breeze.
Additionally, the Pro-Q 4 offers a revamped Gain-Q interaction feature, which provides more precise control over the relationship between gain and Q-factor. This enhancement ensures smoother transitions and greater accuracy when shaping your sound.
Why Pro-Q 4 Stands Out
In a crowded market of EQ plugins, what makes the FabFilter Pro-Q 4 stand out? The answer lies in its perfect balance of technical sophistication and user-friendly design. Unlike many plugins that require a steep learning curve, the Pro-Q 4 is accessible to beginners while offering enough depth to satisfy seasoned professionals.
The combination of dynamic EQ, per-band saturation, and advanced filter types makes this plugin a versatile powerhouse. Whether you’re addressing subtle tonal imbalances in a vocal track or crafting an entirely unique soundscape, the Pro-Q 4 provides the tools you need to achieve your vision.
Practical Applications
Here are just a few scenarios where the Pro-Q 4 shines:
- Mixing: Use the dynamic EQ mode to tame harsh frequencies in a snare drum or de-ess vocals with surgical precision.
- Mastering: Take advantage of the new filter types and high-resolution processing to create polished, radio-ready tracks.
- Sound Design: Experiment with per-band saturation to add creative texture and color to your sounds.
- Post-Production: Leverage surround sound support for precise control in immersive audio projects.
Final Thoughts
The FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is more than just an EQ plugin—it’s a comprehensive solution for audio professionals seeking exceptional sound quality and unmatched flexibility. With its innovative features and user-friendly interface, the Pro-Q 4 sets a new standard for what an EQ plugin can achieve.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in audio production, the Pro-Q 4 deserves a place in your toolkit. Its ability to enhance workflow, deliver pristine sound quality, and adapt to the demands of modern audio production makes it a worthy investment.
As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is a game-changer that will remain a staple in studios around the world for years to come. If you haven’t already, it’s time to experience the future of EQ with the FabFilter Pro-Q 4.
How to Use a Distortion VST Plug-In: A Guide for Beginners
Written by Sounds Space
How to Use a Distortion VST Plug-In: A Guide for Beginners
Distortion is a powerful audio effect that can add grit, character, and intensity to your sounds. Whether you're producing rock, hip-hop, electronic, or experimental music, a distortion VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plug-in can be a game-changer. This guide will help you understand how to use distortion VSTs effectively.
1. Understanding Distortion
Distortion alters the original sound by clipping the waveform, creating harmonic overtones and a warmer, grittier, or more aggressive tone. It's often used on guitars, basses, drums, and even vocals or synths to add texture and energy. Common types of distortion include:
- Overdrive: Mild and warm, replicating analog tube amp saturation.
- Fuzz: Intense and gritty, popular in rock and lo-fi genres.
- Clipping: Hard and aggressive, great for modern electronic music.
2. Setting Up Your Distortion VST
1. Load the Plug-In
Open your digital audio workstation (DAW) and insert the distortion VST on your desired track.
2. Choose Your Sound Source
Distortion works well with various sound sources, so experiment with instruments like electric guitars, drums, synths, or even vocals.
3. Adjust Input and Output Levels
Set the input level to ensure the plug-in receives a clean signal. Adjust the output level to avoid clipping or excessive volume.
3. Key Parameters and Controls
Most distortion VSTs include several adjustable parameters. Familiarize yourself with these key controls:
- Drive or Gain: Controls the intensity of the distortion. Increase it for more grit.
- Tone/EQ: Shapes the frequencies affected. For example, boosting mids enhances warmth, while emphasizing highs adds sharpness.
- Mix/Blend: Balances the dry (unaltered) and wet (distorted) signals. This is useful for subtle effects or parallel processing.
- Filter: Some VSTs include high-pass or low-pass filters to refine the distorted sound further.
4. Creative Applications
- Guitar and Bass: Start with mild overdrive for warmth, then gradually increase the gain for a heavy rock or metal tone.
- Drums: Apply distortion to kicks or snares to add punch and presence. Use sparingly to avoid overpowering the mix.
- Synths: Add distortion to synth leads or basses for a crunchy, dynamic character.
- Vocals: Use light distortion to add a vintage feel or bold fuzz for experimental tracks.
5. Tips for Best Results
- Use Automation: Automate the distortion parameters to create dynamic changes in your track.
- Stack Effects: Combine distortion with reverb, delay, or modulation for unique textures.
- Parallel Processing: Duplicate your track, apply distortion to one version, and blend it with the clean signal for precise control.
- EQ After Distortion: Use an EQ to tame harsh frequencies and ensure the distorted sound fits well in the mix.
6. Experiment and Refine
Each distortion VST has its unique sound. Spend time exploring presets and tweaking parameters to find what suits your track. Remember, subtlety can be just as powerful as extreme distortion, depending on the context.
Mastering distortion is about balancing creativity and control. With practice, you can transform ordinary sounds into something extraordinary using your distortion VST. Experiment boldly, and let your music shine!
What is The Difference Between Hardware Music Gear and Their Digital Versions?
Written by Sounds Space
The difference between hardware music gear and their digital versions (software or virtual instruments) lies in their form, functionality, sound quality, and how they are used in music production. Here's a breakdown:
1. Physical vs. Digital Format
- Hardware Gear: Physical equipment such as synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and effects processors.
- Example: Analog synthesizers like the Moog Sub 37 or the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
- Digital Versions: Software emulations or virtual instruments that replicate the functionality and sound of hardware gear inside a digital audio workstation (DAW).
- Example: VST plugins like Arturia’s software synths, or Native Instruments Maschine software.
2. Sound Quality and Characteristics
- Hardware: Often prized for its analog warmth or unique character. Hardware has distinct sound qualities because of real-world circuitry (especially analog hardware), which can produce slight variations, saturation, and imperfections that many musicians find appealing.
- Analog synthesizers, for example, generate continuous signals that can result in a richer, more organic sound.
- Digital: Software instruments often attempt to emulate hardware, but the sound is processed digitally. While they can get very close to the hardware (especially with advanced algorithms), some musicians argue that they lack the same warmth, depth, or character.
- Digital instruments also tend to be more **accurate and consistent**, which can be either a benefit or a drawback depending on the creative goal.
3. Cost
- Hardware: Tends to be more expensive because you are purchasing a physical object that includes manufacturing costs and parts. High-end analog gear can be particularly costly.
- Digital: Typically cheaper, as it’s only a piece of software. There are also free or low-cost virtual instruments that can be very capable.
4. Portability and Space
- Hardware: Requires physical space and can be cumbersome to move, especially with large racks or modular systems.
- Digital: Only requires a computer and can be easily transported in the form of software or a laptop. Perfect for mobile setups.
5. Workflow and Tactile Interaction
- Hardware: Offers hands-on control with knobs, sliders, and buttons, which some musicians prefer for creative expression. The tactile experience can lead to a different kind of musical engagement compared to using a mouse and keyboard.
- Digital: Primarily controlled via a mouse, MIDI controller, or touch screen, which can be less tactile. Some musicians prefer this precision and ease of automation but may miss the hands-on interaction of hardware.
6. Maintenance and Longevity
- Hardware: Requires maintenance over time, especially with analog gear (e.g., replacing parts, recalibration). However, well-built hardware can last for decades.
- Digital: Software does not have wear and tear but relies on system compatibility (updates, operating systems). Older software can become obsolete if it’s no longer supported by newer systems.
7. Flexibility and Modularity
- Hardware: Less flexible in terms of expansion and updates. You’re often limited to the features and sound design options the hardware provides.
- Digital: More flexible and modular. With a DAW, you can add countless plugins, update software, and customize your environment extensively.
8. Latency and Performance
- Hardware: Generally has zero or minimal latency, since it's a direct physical instrument with no need for complex processing.
- Digital: This can introduce latency depending on the computer’s performance and the complexity of the software, though modern systems can minimize this effectively.
9. Integration in a Studio Setup
- Hardware: Can be integrated into both analog and digital studios, often requiring audio interfaces, MIDI connections, and cables.
- Digital: Runs entirely within the digital environment, making it easier to automate, route, and control within a DAW without the need for physical connections.
10. Creativity and Workflow Preference
- Some artists prefer the hands-on creativity of hardware, finding inspiration in the physicality of knobs and dials.
- Others enjoy the speed, convenience, and flexibility of digital versions, where presets can be saved instantly, and entire studio setups can be recalled with a click.
In Practice:
- Many producers and musicians use **a combination of both**: they may have a few choice pieces of hardware for their favorite sounds and workflow, alongside digital software that provides convenience and a wide variety of sounds and effects.
For artists like **The Dream X**, blending both hardware and digital gear could allow for a unique sonic palette while maintaining creative flexibility.
Top 10 Free VST Plugins Every Musician Should Have in Their Arsenal in 2024
Written by Sounds Space
Top 10 Free VST Plugins Musicians Should Have in Their Arsenal
In today's digital age, music production has become more accessible than ever. Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins are essential tools for musicians, allowing them to expand their creative possibilities without needing expensive hardware. The best part? Many high-quality VST plugins are available for free! Here’s a list of the top 10 free VST plugins that every musician should consider adding to their arsenal.
1. Vital
Vital is a powerful wavetable synthesizer that has quickly become a favorite among producers. It offers an intuitive interface, extensive modulation options, and an impressive sound library. Whether you’re creating ambient soundscapes or aggressive leads, Vital can handle it all. Its visual approach to sound design makes it a fantastic tool for both beginners and experienced sound designers.
2. Spitfire LABS
Spitfire LABS is a series of high-quality sampled instruments that are perfect for adding a touch of realism to your compositions. The collection includes pianos, strings, guitars, and more, all recorded with pristine audio quality. The simple interface allows you to focus on creativity without getting bogged down by complex settings.
3. TDR Nova
TDR Nova is a dynamic equalizer that is essential for mixing and mastering. It combines the features of a parametric equalizer and a dynamic processor, making it a versatile tool for shaping your sound. Whether you need to tame harsh frequencies or add presence to your mix, TDR Nova is up to the task.
4. Valhalla Supermassive
Valhalla Supermassive is a free reverb and delay plugin that has earned a reputation for its lush, expansive sounds. It’s perfect for creating atmospheric effects, whether you’re working on ambient music, cinematic soundtracks, or adding depth to vocals. With a variety of presets and easy-to-use controls, it’s a must-have for any producer.
5. Dexed
Dexed is an emulation of the iconic Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, a staple of 80s music. This plugin faithfully reproduces the sounds of the original hardware, making it perfect for recreating vintage tones or exploring FM synthesis. Its extensive preset library covers a wide range of sounds, from bright bells to deep basses.
6. Surge
Surge is a versatile synthesizer that offers a wide range of sounds and modulation options. With three oscillators per voice, a variety of filters, and a modulation matrix, Surge is capable of producing everything from lush pads to gritty basses. It’s an excellent tool for sound designers and electronic music producers.
7. iZotope Vinyl
iZotope Vinyl is a simple but effective plugin for adding vintage character to your tracks. It emulates the sound of vinyl records, complete with dust, scratches, and mechanical noise. This plugin is perfect for adding a lo-fi vibe to your music or creating authentic-sounding samples.
8. Voxengo SPAN
Voxengo SPAN is a real-time spectrum analyzer that provides detailed visual feedback on your audio. It’s an invaluable tool for identifying problem frequencies, balancing your mix, and ensuring your tracks are sonically balanced. With customizable settings and a user-friendly interface, SPAN is an essential plugin for any serious producer.
9. Ample Bass P Lite II
Ample Bass P Lite II is a realistic bass guitar plugin that’s perfect for adding low-end to your tracks. It offers a variety of articulations, including fingerstyle, slap, and palm mute, making it versatile enough for any genre. The realistic sound and intuitive interface make it a go-to for producers looking for high-quality bass sounds.
10. MT Power Drum Kit 2
MT Power Drum Kit 2 is a drum sampler plugin that provides realistic drum sounds with a focus on rock and pop genres. It comes with a variety of drum kits and a built-in mixer, allowing you to shape your drum sound with ease. The plugin also includes a comprehensive groove library, making it easy to build drum tracks quickly.
Conclusion
These free VST plugins offer incredible value and are powerful tools for any musician looking to enhance their production capabilities. Whether you’re just starting or are an experienced producer, these plugins provide a solid foundation for crafting professional-quality music without spending a dime. Add them to your toolkit, and start exploring new creative possibilities today!
The recent collaboration between "Sounds Space" and "Waves Audio" represents a pivotal development in the music production industry, bringing together two powerhouses in a union that promises to significantly enhance the capabilities and reach of audio professionals and enthusiasts alike. "Sounds Space," known for its comprehensive online marketplace that caters to the diverse needs of musicians, producers, and sound engineers, has established itself as a trusted platform where creativity meets technology. The addition of Waves Audio's esteemed plugins to this platform not only enriches "Sounds Space’s" already robust offerings but also democratizes access to professional-grade audio tools that have been the backbone of countless hit records.
Waves Audio, with its impeccable reputation for quality and innovation, has been at the forefront of audio plugin technology for over two decades. Known for their meticulous emulation of classic analog gear and pioneering new digital processing techniques, Waves plugins have become indispensable in the music production process. From dynamics processing and equalization to reverb and spatial effects, their extensive catalog offers tools that can transform raw sounds into polished productions. By making these tools available on "Sounds Space," both entities synergize their expertise and resources to serve a wider community of audio creators, enabling them to achieve professional sound quality in their projects.
This partnership is more than just a commercial venture; it is a strategic alignment that aims to foster a thriving ecosystem where artists and producers can flourish. The integration of Waves plugins into the "Sounds Space" marketplace means that users can now easily browse, demo, and purchase from an expansive selection of top-tier audio processing software directly alongside other musical resources. This convenience is crucial in today's fast-paced production environments, where efficiency and quality are paramount. Furthermore, "Sounds Space" offers educational content and support, making it an ideal platform for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out. This educational aspect ensures that users not only acquire tools but also the knowledge to use them effectively, thereby enhancing their overall creative output.
Moreover, the collaboration is set to drive innovation through shared insights and feedback from a diverse user base that spans genres, techniques, and geographies. This feedback loop will likely lead to refined product features and new plugin development, tailored to the evolving needs of modern producers and musicians. For Waves Audio, this partnership opens up new avenues for user engagement and product evolution, grounded in real-world application and user experiences.
In essence, the partnership between "Sounds Space" and Waves Audio is a landmark event that celebrates the fusion of technology with artistic expression. It underscores a shared vision to empower creators with the tools they need to express themselves, push the boundaries of sound, and ultimately shape the future of music. The availability of Waves plugins on the "Sounds Space" marketplace not only provides practical benefits but also symbolizes a commitment to quality, accessibility, and community-oriented growth in the ever-expanding universe of music production. As this partnership blossoms, it is poised to inspire a new generation of artists, produce innovative sonic landscapes, and contribute to the vibrancy and dynamism of the global music scene.
UAD Verve Analog Machines Essentials Plugin Is FREE Until April 30th!
Written by Sounds Space
UAD Audio Plugins released Verve Analog Machines Essentials, an analog-style one-knob saturation plugin for Windows and macOS. The plugin is free to download until April 30th.
A saturation plugin from the DSP giants at Universal Audio is a reason to celebrate, but the good news doesn’t end there.
Universal Audio also offers a free copy of the Galaxy Tape Echo plugin to the first 6,176 users who claim Verve Analog Machines.
So, if you’re fast enough, you can grab two free UAD plugins in one day.
Verve Analog Machines Essentials
Verve Analog Machines Essentials is an analog saturation plugin by Universal Audio.
UAD is known for some of the best DSP codes on the VST plugin market, especially in the saturation department.
Their emulations of classic analog hardware, like the Neve 1073 and Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder, are as close as you can get to real hardware.
The new Verve Analog Machines Essentials plugin takes some of that DSP magic and packs it into a more playful and user-oriented one-knob plugin form. It simplifies the processing workflow and provides the user with four analog-style effects: Sweeten, Warm, Thicken, and Vintage.
Sweeten simulates the subtle saturation effect of reel-to-reel tape recorders. You can use it for gentle overdrive and some light compression. UAD recommends using it on vocals, instruments, and the mix bus.
I tested the Sweeten mode on a drum track in a hip-hop beat I’m working on, and it’s safe to say that it sounds excellent on drums. It glues the drums together and adds a bit of loudness without killing the transient.
You can also try adding more gain to make the plugin distort, but to my ears, it sounds best at moderate settings on drums and basslines.
Warm is another tape machine emulation. However, this one is more focused on the lo-fi tape sound of a 4-track recorder instead of the pristine audio quality of a reel-to-reel tape machine.
This is my favorite Verve Analog Machines Essentials mode. It sounds wonderfully lo-fi and is very easy to use. I applied it to an analog pad, and it instantly brought life with light saturation and noticeable but not too obvious pitch modulation. Warm won’t let you go crazy with lo-fi pitch artifacts like our BPB Dirty VHS plugin, but it shines as a more moderate effect. The trick is to apply it to multiple tracks across the mix and give your entire track a more analog feel.
Thicken
Thicken turns Verve Analog Machines Essentials into a gentle distortion box. It makes the sound fuller and gently overdriven without squashing the life out of it.
It’s the least interesting of the four available modes for me, but you can use it with great results on your rhythm section and the mix bus.
Vintagize
Lastly, the Vintagize mode simulates the sound of a semi-broken tape recorder you’d find in a thrift store or an old box in your parent’s basement.
As a big fan of lo-fi effects, I wasn’t blown away by Vintagize, mainly because it doesn’t sound any better than other similar plugins like Tape Cassette 2 and our free BPB Dirty VHS.
That said, if you don’t already own a bunch of lo-fi plugins, the Vintagize mode in Verve Analog Machines is an excellent starting point.
Free Download
You can download Verve Analog Machines Essentials from the product page below. The free download offer ends on April 30th.
Will you be able to keep using the plugin after April 30th? Yes, if you claimed your free Verve Analog Machines Essentials license before the deadline, you can keep using the plugin for free forever.
Verve Analog Machines Essentials is compatible with 64-bit VST, AU, and AAX plugin hosts on Windows and macOS. It is compatible with any DAW on the market and doesn’t require UAD hardware.
Download: Verve Analog Machines Essentials (FREE until April 30th!)
In the ever-evolving world of music production, where the fusion of technology and creativity births new dimensions of sound, Sounds Space is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership that marks a significant milestone in our journey. We are proud to welcome Cherry Audio into our family, a move that promises to enrich our marketplace with an array of innovative, high-quality audio products. This collaboration not only signifies the merging of two pioneers in the digital audio realm but also underscores our commitment to providing music creators with unparalleled tools to unleash their creativity.
Cherry Audio: Synthesizing the Future of Sound
Cherry Audio has carved a niche for itself in the music technology landscape, renowned for its cutting-edge synthesizers, effects modules, and a plethora of software instruments that have captivated musicians, producers, and sound designers alike. Their dedication to replicating the warmth of analog synths, combined with the precision and flexibility of digital design, has resulted in products that are both nostalgically familiar and thrillingly innovative. From modular synthesis environments like Voltage Modular to emulations of classic synthesizers with modern twists, Cherry Audio's offerings are designed to inspire and elevate musical compositions across genres and styles.
A Symphony of Selection at Sounds Space Marketplace
With the inclusion of Cherry Audio's product line in the Sounds Space Marketplace, our customers now have direct access to a treasure trove of audio tools that are at the forefront of music technology. This partnership aligns with our mission to democratize music production by making professional-grade instruments and effects accessible to all, regardless of their level of expertise or the size of their studio. Below you can find some of the products that can be purchased on our marketplace:
- Lowdown Bass Synthesizer
- Mercury-4 Synthesizer
- Polymode Synthesizer
- Memory mode Synthesizer
- Elka-X Synthesizer
And many more...
Why Cherry Audio Products Stand Out
1. Innovation and Quality: Cherry Audio's commitment to innovation, coupled with meticulous attention to sound quality, ensures that each product not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the modern musician. Whether you're crafting intricate soundscapes, laying down tracks for your next album, or experimenting with new sounds, their plugins provide a canvas limited only by your imagination.
2. User-Friendly Design: Recognizing that the power of a tool is not just in its capabilities but also in its usability, Cherry Audio designs its products with the user in mind. Intuitive interfaces, extensive preset libraries, and robust documentation mean that you can start creating right away, without steep learning curves.
3. Affordability: By joining forces with Sounds Space, Cherry Audio ensures that more creators can access their premium products without breaking the bank. Our marketplace is known for its competitive pricing, special offers, and bundles, making professional sound design more affordable than ever.
Exclusive Deals and Bundles
To celebrate this partnership, Sounds Space is offering exclusive deals and bundles on Cherry Audio products, available only through our marketplace. These special offers are designed to give both new and existing customers an opportunity to explore the full range of Cherry Audio's catalog at unbeatable prices. Whether you're a seasoned producer looking to expand your arsenal or a newcomer eager to start your music production journey, now is the perfect time to dive in.
Join the Sonic Revolution
The arrival of Cherry Audio at Sounds Space is more than just an addition to our product lineup—it's a testament to our vision of a world where the power of music creation is in the hands of many, not just a select few. We invite you to explore Cherry Audio's innovative products on our marketplace and join us in this sonic revolution. Together, we can push the boundaries of what's possible in music production, one track at a time.
In conclusion, the partnership between Sounds Space and Cherry Audio is a harmonious blend of innovation, quality, and accessibility, aimed at empowering music creators with the tools they need to realize their visions. We are excited to see how our community will leverage these new offerings to create music that inspires, entertains, and transcends.
Capsule Audio Instruments: Transforming Music Creation, Now Available at Sound Space
Written by Sounds Space
Capsule Audio Instruments: Transforming Music Creation, Now Available at Sound Space
In the ever-expanding universe of music production, the pursuit of exceptional sound is a constant endeavor. Musicians and producers are always on the lookout for groundbreaking tools that can elevate their compositions and bring their artistic visions to life. Enter Capsule Audio Instruments, a revolutionary addition to the music production landscape, and now, conveniently available for purchase at Sound Space—a premier platform for top-notch audio solutions.
Capsule Audio Instruments have been making waves in the music industry for their innovative approach to virtual instruments. Unlike conventional plugins, Capsule Audio Instruments transcend the limitations of traditional sound libraries by offering a diverse array of meticulously crafted instruments. From realistic orchestral ensembles to cutting-edge synthesizers and unique hybrid sounds, Capsule Audio Instruments empower musicians to explore a rich tapestry of sonic possibilities.
The collaboration between Capsule Audio Instruments and Sound Space marks a significant milestone in the world of virtual instruments. Sound Space, recognized for providing musicians with access to high-quality audio products, now extends its offerings to include the groundbreaking Capsule Audio Instruments, further solidifying its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the music production community.
One of the standout features of Capsule Audio Instruments is their commitment to authenticity. Each virtual instrument within the Capsule collection is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the nuances and subtleties that make real instruments unique. This dedication to realism ensures that musicians can achieve lifelike performances in their compositions, bringing a new level of depth and emotion to their music.
Navigating the vast landscape of virtual instruments can be a daunting task, but Capsule Audio Instruments simplifies the process with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to music production, the plugin seamlessly integrates into popular digital audio workstations (DAWs), facilitating a smooth and efficient workflow.
The extensive range of instruments available within Capsule Audio Instruments at Sound Space caters to a broad spectrum of musical genres and production styles. Whether you're a film composer in search of expressive orchestral sounds, an electronic music producer looking for futuristic synthesizers, or a songwriter seeking authentic guitar tones, Capsule Audio Instruments offers a comprehensive palette of options.
Purchasing Capsule Audio Instruments at Sound Space is a streamlined and secure process. The platform provides users with a user-friendly interface for browsing through the available instruments, accompanied by detailed descriptions and demo options to aid in the decision-making process. With secure transactions and excellent customer support, Sound Space ensures a seamless journey from selecting the ideal instrument to integrating it into your music production workflow.
As the landscape of music production continues to evolve, having access to cutting-edge virtual instruments becomes essential for staying ahead. Capsule Audio Instruments at Sound Space stand at the forefront of this evolution, providing musicians with the tools they need to unlock new realms of creativity and expressiveness in their compositions. Elevate your music, broaden your sonic horizons, and redefine your approach to music creation with Capsule Audio Instruments—now within reach at Sound Space. Embrace the future of sound and embark on a transformative musical journey today.
How to Use a Reverb Plugin Properly
Introduction
Reverb is an essential audio effect used in music production and audio engineering to add depth, space, and realism to audio recordings. While it's possible to achieve reverb effects using physical spaces, reverb plugins offer a versatile and convenient way to manipulate the reverberation of your audio. In this article, we'll explore how to use a reverb plugin properly, covering the fundamental principles and techniques to help you achieve the desired sound.
1. Understand the Basics
Before diving into the practical aspects of using a reverb plugin, it's crucial to understand the basics of reverb. Reverb, short for reverberation, is the reflection of sound waves off surfaces in an environment. Reverb plugins simulate this effect by adding artificial reflections to audio signals.
2. Choose the Right Reverb Plugin
Selecting the appropriate reverb plugin is the first step. There are various types of reverb plugins available, such as plate, room, hall, and convolution reverbs. The choice depends on the project's needs and the desired sonic characteristics. Experiment with different plugins to find the one that fits your audio best.
3. Set Up Your Signal Chain
To use a reverb plugin effectively, set up your signal chain correctly. Place the reverb plugin on an auxiliary (aux) or bus channel rather than directly on the audio track. This allows you to control the reverb amount individually for multiple tracks and maintain a more coherent mix.
4. Adjust Pre-Delay
Pre-delay is the time between the direct sound and the onset of reverb. It helps create a sense of distance. Short pre-delay values (10-30 milliseconds) make the sound source feel closer, while longer values (100-200 milliseconds) add a sense of space. Adjust pre-delay to suit the desired ambiance of your mix.
5. Control Decay Time
Decay time determines how long the reverb tail lingers. Short decay times work well for tight spaces, while longer decay times suit larger, more open environments. Be mindful not to overdo it, as excessive decay can muddy your mix.
6. Set the Wet/Dry Mix
Balancing the wet (reverb) and dry (original) signals is crucial. Typically, you'll want to add just enough reverb to enhance the audio without overwhelming it. Start with a subtle wet/dry mix and adjust as needed.
7. Use EQ to Shape the Reverb
Most reverb plugins offer EQ controls for shaping the reverb's tonality. Use EQ to remove unwanted frequencies, such as low-end rumble or harsh highs, to achieve a cleaner and more transparent reverb sound.
8. Experiment with Different Reverb Types
Don't limit yourself to a single reverb plugin or type. Experiment with different reverbs on various tracks to create depth and dimension in your mix. For instance, use a short plate reverb on vocals and a longer hall reverb on instruments.
9. Automate Reverb Parameters
Automation can be a powerful tool for adding dynamic movement to your mix. Automate parameters like wet/dry mix, pre-delay, or decay time to create evolving spatial effects throughout the song.
10. Consider the Positioning of Sound Sources
In virtual environments, consider the positioning of sound sources within your mix. Adjust the panning of tracks and apply different reverbs to each channel to mimic the spatial positioning of instruments in a room.
11. Use Sends and Returns
When dealing with multiple tracks that require reverb, use sends and returns to send audio from multiple tracks to a single reverb bus. This conserves CPU resources and ensures a cohesive reverb effect across multiple elements.
12. Listen Critically
Finally, the most important aspect of using a reverb plugin properly is listening critically. Trust your ears and make adjustments based on what sounds best for your project. Use reference tracks to compare your reverb settings and achieve the desired level of professionalism.
Conclusion
Properly using a reverb plugin is a skill that can greatly enhance your music production and audio engineering. By understanding the basics, selecting the right plugin, and applying the techniques mentioned in this article, you can effectively add depth, space, and realism to your audio recordings. Remember to experiment, trust your ears, and strive for a balanced and cohesive mix that suits the artistic vision of your project.
Polyverse Supermodal
Introducing Polyverse Music’s new unique filter ‘Supermodal’, allowing full creativity with its countless possibilities. This powerful Modal filter helps take a track to the next level, lifting and enhancing an incredible range of characteristics throughout the music - for example, using its modulation system will allow the creator to strip and recreate a sound in a whole new way, manipulating every detail into their own style. Single audio signals can be uniquely operated through its wide variety of frequencies to design cinematic soundscapes, pulsating rhythms, pads with harmonic motion, to name a few.
An excellent selling point for all music producers is how extensive this modal filter allows a sound to be destroyed in the most beautiful refreshing way. Most filters are implemented with many limitations, not enhancing the creative flow as many plug-ins should. With Supermodal, music creators at all stages will find themselves messing around with this filter for hours - the possibilities are endless and discovering new sounds, blends and frequencies will help take the track to a game-changing stage.
FEATURES
- Modal filter capable of seamless morphing between modes
- 27 Modes ranging from musical to mangled
- 200+ presets and counting
- Drive SVF filter input and Modal filter output
- Modulate any parameter with fast, intuitive modulation sources
- Cross-modulate between 4 modulation slots
- 24dB per-octave slope state-variable filter
- Blend between SVF and Modal filter
- Self-resonate when resonance is boosted past 100
- Control partials to completely eliminate high or low frequencies
- Shape modal tails with decay and damping controls
- 9 models, each with 3 variations giving you a total of 27 modes to play around with
- You get flangers, phasers, vocal filters, physical, and some unique mathematical m resonators
- You can control its character with various parameters (decay, xform, damping, and partials)
- Blend both filters together to create an interesting mix
Check out our Polyverse range here on Sounds Space.
More...
‘The God Particle’ Plug-In Review
A plugin that is described as the ‘Grammy-winning mix bus chain in a simple package’. The God Particle plug-in comes with no fuss and directly does as it says by being a quick-to-use, very effective all-in-one processor, low-latency and CPU hit, plus it can perfectly help glue a mix. All producers and mixing engineers require software that avoids tedious confusion on how a product works and helps allocate time to simply get the job done, without delay.
The God Particle has been constructed by 15x Grammy-winning producer Jaycen Joshua’s kit and workflow. (known for Nicki Minaj, Kid Ink, Beyoncè, Chris Brown, Nelly, A$AP Rocky, and David Guetta, to name a few). This all-in-one bus compressor has a secret mix of EQ, multiband compression, saturation/excitation and widening, controls for 3-band EQ, effect amount, input/output and a built-in Limiter, plus an intelligent adaptive limiter. All of Joshua’s go-to’s in order to create ideal sounds that had led him to his greatest hits with some of the world’s biggest names - sharing these styles with aspiring engineers is absolutely what we’re looking for to help producers learn and adapt new sounds and styles, thanks to this plug-in.
More 'The God Particle' Features:
- A multitude of processing algorithms under the hood gives depth, detail, and clarity to your next mix
- You can be certain your dynamics and transients will be preserved while achieving competitive commercial loudness.
- rest assured your mix will be both dynamic and loud with a well-balanced EQ response.
- Particle Of God is an ensemble effect for Native Instruments Reaktor. The idea behind this effect is to create a delay where the delay time is accelerated.
- The single delays are getting faster (or even slower) each time the delay is repeated. To get a “musical” result, the delay time and traction are synchronized in time and tempo.
- Stay focused on your creative process, while Jaycen’s world-class engineering keeps your master channel locked in.
- Several parameters can be changed in real-time and tweaked by the step-sequencers.
- Suitable for use on the mix bus or groups of tracks. Can be used on just about any type of track (vocals, drums, guitars, etc.), creating versatility.
Discover more & BUY ‘The God Particle’ directly through Cradle
Invigorate Plug-In
Introducing Eventide's ‘Invigorate’ Plug-In
This bus compressor and enhancer from Eventide is a plug-in constructed to boost all limiting and overdrive elements to the extreme. Built to take your creations to the next level and add an explosion of colour to your mix, featuring its mammoth sound all within its uniquely simple radar navigation.
‘Invigorate’ is the buzzing compressor plug-in of 2022/23 and it’s no surprise at all that some of the greatest beatmakers are on the hype, having this beastly product as their go-to.
Let’s look at the key features and see what’s creating the hype.
Eventide ‘Invigorate’ | Key Features
- Using a combination of expansion features to enlarge a project’s sound; including compression, limiting and overdrive. The intent behind this feature is to help incorporate the details of each technique and implement this into a straightforward tool for all purposes.
- Unique ‘Radar’ control to help navigate a specific sound to the user’s preference. Cruise from the right touch of gain to compression, limiting, and distortion.
- Operate the track’s finishing touches with its MIX control knob.
- Emphasis the tone with Invigorate’s SENSITIVITY control. Fine-tune the frequencies of the sidechain signal.
- INPUT EXCITER tone controls allow you to overdrive the dynamics processor.
- OUTPUT TONE controls allow you to tailor the sound of the wet signal before the mix control.
- Control the gain curve and manage the perfect tone using the SHAPE, SQUASH and GATE controls.
- Use and abuse the powerful level detector to help compression at its strongest versus calmest.
- Truly understand the performance of controlled volume using the ‘gain compensation algorithm’.
Artist Presets
- Count (Run the Jewels, New Order, No Doubt, Tycho, DJ Shadow, Gang of Youths, Lady Blackbird).
- Justin Hergett (FINNEAS, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Ashe).
- John O'Mahony (Marina, Coldplay, Sara Bareilles).
- Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Yes, Meatloaf, Rob Halford, Sepultura).
- Jacob Shea (Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Inception).
- ROCASound (The Orville, Iron Man 2).
- Matthew Wang (Tiger King, Glow, Reno 911!).
- Scott Gershin (Pacific Rim, American Beauty, Team America).
- David Gnozzi (MixbusTv, MC Solaar).
- APS Mastering (Vampire Weekend, The Shivers, Deer Tick).
- Ronit Kirchman (The Sinner, Evil Eye, Limetown).
This top-tier plugin shows the effort and time throughout its development. Its easy use makes all the difference in a session and allows time-efficient mixing - all available within an affordable budget of $97. An absolute bargain in comparison to comps which sell well into the triple digits!
Download INVIGORATE here on Sounds Space!
Audiomodern’s LOOPMIX VST
Sounds Space proudly represents Audiomodern’s LOOPMIX VST on our platform. We’re all about efficiency for musicians as time is everything and this top-quality remixer is precisely what we admire and recommend for creatives at all stages of their careers.
This plug-in exceptionally allows musicians to amplify their sound and enhance their creative abilities; being able to generate loop remixes, upload personal sounds, x6 intelligent sequencer engines, mangle up to 6 audio loops, generate infinite patterns & grooves, ability to create their own packs, the use of its multi-functional performance keyboard, plus more.
Users praise this VST as “bringing life to samples”, inviting musicians to create outside the box using its endless number of controls and varieties, keeping projects organised and within a simplified layout system.
Music quality and industry expectations are continuously progressing. So it is crucial for musicians and creatives to surround themselves with the most up-to-date software in order to keep their sound one step ahead of the game, which LOOPMIX compliment perfectly through their unique multi-purpose software.
Each week, we’re bound to hear a new track hitting the charts that features a popular sample and so as musicians adapt to music industry trends, it’s time sampling was taken to the next level and done so in a refreshing way. Use Audiomoderns new piece of eye-candy to the max where you can sequence, re-arrange, reverse, glitch (density), mix (volume), change the pitch chromatically as well as use its distinctive “remix” feature that gives you several variations of your meshed loops!
Only $69.00, download your new VST here!
Good day our dear friends! it's been a minute since we last had a chat but we are back with another "product review"!
This time around, we have reviewed a giant of a product all the way from Switzerland called "SWARPLUG". Do not let the manufacturing country fool you, this product is far from Europe and it is actually based in the far east, India to be precise!
When we first heard of "SwarPlug", we were shocked. Cos we have not heard of a plugin fully based on Indian instruments, 80 of them if we have to mention the actual amount of instruments. And they didn't do a bad job! They actually did a marvelous job!
The main interface of the plugin has 1 main section and 6 sub-sections. The main section of the interface shows the selected instrument, BPM, and the position of the instrument. It also shows Folders and Items on two separate screens.
The 6 sub-sections show the following screens to help distinguish the capabilities of this plugin from one another to give an easier user experience:
1 - Library
2 - Keymaps
3 - Effects
4 - Scales/Ragas
5- Pitch/MPE
6 - Modulators
Everything about SwarPlug relates to two things in our opinion, at least that's definitely the idea we got: Ease of use and Quality! We love that combo when it's done properly and in Swar's case, it is done perfectly!
We would like to mention some of the key features of the SwarPlug in the small bullet-point section below, but we will be giving you a detailed description later on in our post:
Key features
- Over 80 perfectly sampled Indian instruments
- Customizable mapping of playing areas with specific parameters settings
- Multi-mic fader (for ML instruments)
- MPE support
- Cross-Legato mode for seamless cross-fading pitch bendings
- Scales customization with semitone tuning
- Modulations panel with a large array of modulation possibilities
- Time-stretching
- Buses and effect
- and much more...
And one more thing: SwarPlug is an "M1" chip suitable plug-in! It's been modified to work on all the latest Mac series that contain the latest "M1" chip!
So let's talk about some of the details of SwarPlug. SwarPlug comes jam-packed with 80 of the finest Indian instruments and we have tested them all out. Do you want the truth? They all sound GREAT! SwarPlug manufacturers have divided the entire instruments into 10 main categories and then they get divided into their sub-categories within them.
We believe this makes the user experience much better and easier to navigate around when looking for a specific instrument. 10 main categories are as follows:
1- Drums
2- Plucked Strings
3 - Bowed Strings
4 - Wind
5 - Voice
6 - Bells
7 - Keyboard
8- Other Percussions
9 - Drone
10 - Clear Instrument
Like we said above, dividing instruments into such specific categories makes any producer's job easier and helps us save precious time. Cos, who wants to go and look for a sound for hours right? Saving time and making an "Easy-To-Use" user interface is all that we always desire as musicians and "SwarPlug" has delivered that precisely!
We can go ahead and name some of the instruments below to give you even bigger excitement:
1 - BIHU DHOL
2 - CHENDE
3 - BANJO
4 - EKTARA
5 - ISRAJ
6- SARANGI
7 - ANSURI
8 - BANGOZAY
9 - BOLS
10 - SARGAM
These are to name only a few instruments but believe when we say; this is only the tip of the "Iceberg".
KEYMAPS
The KEYMAPS section lets you customize the different playing styles/parts of the instrument. Each one can be positioned at a specific key range and set to specific parameters.
You can also have the same style on different rows. You can drag additional instances of a style from the bottom of the screen.
FX SECTION
Alongside their instruments, SwarPlug comes with a section of "Built-In" effects as well and these FXs are quite powerful and they can be tweaked as you desire to help the sound design of your instrument to make it sound even more diverse. We have carefully tested all of the effects of this plugin to make sure to give you the ultimate advice we possibly can. There are 4 main effects that can be added and tweaked on the FX panel and they are as follows:
1 - Ladder
2 - EQ
3 - Convolution
4 - Reverb
All of the effects can be tweaked to the finest detail to make them suit your sound design and to make them fit in the mix. You can add reverb, play with its gain, tail and turn around, and EQ the unnecessary frequencies without having the need for a third party plug-in which makes
SwarPlug that much diverse and desirable.
SCALES/RAGA
The scales and Ragas section allows one to specifically customize your sound to a western scale or an Indian Raga. The drop-down menu on top of the section shows you a variety of scales/raga to chose from. When you chose a scale/raga, you will see the notes flash that are included in that scale/raga flash up. This will make your job easier to know which notes that are involved so you can go ahead and play without any confusion or write down a midi progression within that scale/raga by using the same notes. Do not forget to check the "Ignore Other Notes" box to only play the notes in that scale/raga.
PITCH/MPE
This section here contains all of the information and controls regarding the pitch adjustments and the Midi Polyphonic Expression.
The Pitch section allows you to change the pitch of any instrument completely and lets you pitch-shift it into the right key of the song. This way, you can use any instrument in any given way to make it fit into any song by tuning it into the right route-note.
You can use the drop-down menu to pick a specific key as well.
PBR section is also a very important part of the Pitch/Mpe section of the SwarPlug which comes in very handy in Indian music. This is purely because, in Indian music, a higher range of semi-tone tweaking is required compared to western music which is usually tweaked by 2 semitones.
One more important section here is the LFO! The LFO section allows you to add a Low-Frequency Oscillator to modulate either the pitch or the volume of the chosen instrument.
By using the "Level" and the "Accel" knobs, you can adjust their depth and frequency. This option here gives you so much freedom and control over your instruments that you will not feel the need for a third-party plugin to do the job.
MODULATORS
The modulators section allows you to modulate all of the controls on SwarPlug.
Almost every single control on the SwarPlug can be modulated by using a large section of modulators. In order to modulate a control, you have to choose the control you want to modulate and then turn around and link to a modulator.
3 main sections in the modulators section define the character of your modulation choice. These sections are:
CC
CHANNEL MSGS (After-Touch, Pressure, Note On-Velocity, Note Off-Velocity)
MPE MSGS (MPE Note On-Velocity, MPE Note Off-Velocity, MPE PRESSURE, MPE TIMBER)
When the connection between the parameters and the modulators has been made, the next step is to decide the direction of the modulation. You can easily choose one of the directions from the drop-down menu which are "Upwards, Downwards or Centered".
How to add a modulation? Very simple! All you have to do is to click on the "Add Modulation" button and select the parameter you want to modulate from the drop-down menu and add it.
The modulation capability is available for every instrument within SwarPlug and you can modulate all of the parameters for them freely and as you desire.
With all that being said about this amazing plugin! We would like to tell you that we've had an amazing time reviewing SwarPlug 4!
We can easily say that it is the best Indian Instrument Plugin that's out there and there isn't anything like it. Is there room for growth to make it a better plugin? Of course, there is! Growth is an ongoing process and it never ends.
Please check out Swar VST via the link below and grab your copy if you enjoy what you've seen here!
http://www.swarvst.
Also, do not forget to follow the Swar family via the links below:
24/2/2022