Products of Interest

Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack

Slate Digital has released the Virtual Mix Rack (VMR), a collection of four mix modules for Windows and Macintosh. There are currently two classic equalizers and two mix compressors in the set and further modules are planned. The VMR works like a virtual 500-series rack. The modules are hot-swappable and the entire processing chain can be viewed in a single window. Modules can be moved around, filters can be mixed and matched from different equalizers, and the equalizer can be placed before or after the compressor.

The FG-N module is a recreation of a classic British discrete Class A equalizer from the 1970s. The FG-S module is another classic British equalizer, this time from a famous 1980s console. The FG-116 is a digital replication of a classic American FET limiter/compressor. The FG-401 is a recreation of a compressor module from a class British console channel but with new features: variable attack and release with increased range, a transformer input, and a second circuit path for a smooth, rich tone. In each case the analog circuit paths are modeled to create a digital module with the harmonics, saturation, phase, and interactions of the original.

The VMR is compatible with AAX, VST2, and VST3 on 64-bit Windows and Macintosh operating systems. RTAS format is also supported on 32-bit Windows platforms and AU is supported on the Macintosh platform.

The VMR is listed for US$ 199. Contact: Slate Digital; e-mail sales@stevenslate.com; Web www.slatedigital.com.

Positive Grid BIAS Desktop Amplifier Plug-In

BIAS Desktop is a guitar-amplifier modeling and design application. It is available in standard and professional editions, with the latter having a function that allows the user to match the sound against a recorded tube amplifier. The modeling engine is designed to recreate the warmth of tube amplifiers. It is fully customizable, allowing the user to swap tubes, preamplifiers, transformers, tone stacks, cabinets, and microphones to create new amplifiers. Two eight-band equalizers are available for adjusting the sound. A noise gate and room simulator are also included. A quick preset function recalls eight favorite settings. The user can customize the interface of the amplifier.

The Professional edition of BIAS Desktop includes the ability to analyze an audio input and match the sound of the target tube amplifier in the software so that a user’s favorite amplifier can be captured, reused, and modified. Both versions of the plug-in include 36 amplifier models, but additional user-designed, professional-designed, and matched amplifiers can be shared and downloaded using the developer’s ToneCloud sharing Web site. The Professional edition comes with a number of expansion packs with additional amplifier models. A mobile app version for Mac iOS is also available. It features the 36 amplifier models from the plug-ins, along with the customization options and favorite settings. It can be integrated with JamUp effects apps to create a full live or recording guitar system. BIAS Desktop supports AU, VST, RTAS, and AAX on Macintosh and Windows platforms.

BIAS Desktop is listed for US$ 99. The Professional edition is listed for US$ 199 and the mobile version for US$ 9.99. Contact: Positive Grid; 103 e-mail support@positivegrid.com; Web www.positivegrid.com.

MOTU UltraLite AVB 18 × 18 Audio Interface

The UltraLite AVB from Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) is an 18 × 18-channel USB and AVB audio interface with DSP mixing, wireless control, and audio networking (see Figure 1). The interface offers the user two microphone inputs, two guitar inputs, six line inputs, eight line outputs, a headphone output, and eight-channel optical input/output, all of which can be used simultaneously. Sample rates up to 192 kHz are supported. Zero to +56 dB gain is available on the microphone inputs and a maximum level of +24 dB is available on the analog inputs. The analog outputs have a 117-dB dynamic range. A MIDI input/output is also included.

The front panel of the UltraLite AVB features a 128 × 48-pixel backlit LCD screen which displays detailed metering. The headphone and guitar inputs are located here, along...