If you've been a Sweetwater customer, a Sweet Notes reader or a Pro Tools owner, you know that Sweetwater sells more Digidesign systems (and other hard disk recording systems) than pretty much anyone on the planet. There's a good reason for that: We think the Digidesign products sound fantastic and can be configured the way you want them to be. But as powerful as these systems are, they become even more impressive when you add those magical audio tools: Plug-ins!

A few years ago, there were barely a handful of quality plug-ins available, but within a short time, the market was flooded with them. And oddly enough, just about every one of them did exactly what it was supposed to do and, yes, they sounded great. It's been a few issues since we put together an article on the latest plug-ins, and there are some really terrific new ones just becoming available, so we thought this would be a good time to do another feature.

First up is a plug-in that needs to be in everyone's collection, and it's one of the most eagerly anticipated plug-ins of all time. It's the Antares Microphone Modeler ($599 TDM, $399 MAS and VST, $299 DirectX, all list). If you've spent any time at all recently flipping through the pages of pro audio magazines, you've noticed the intense focus on microphones. From the proliferation of exotic new mics to the almost cult-like following of certain historical classics, never has the choice been greater or some of the prices higher for those in-demand vintage mics. A perfect time, then, for Antares to introduce their new Microphone Modeler.

Using patented Spectral Shaping Tool technology, they've created precise digital models of a wide variety of microphones, from historical models to modern exotics, as well as a selection of industry-standard workhorses. Simply tell the Microphone Modeler what microphone you are actually using and what microphone you'd like it to sound like. It's as simple as that. How much cutting edge technology is this simple to use?

Not only do the models reproduce all of the subtle sonic characteristics that make each microphone unique, but they also give you control of each mic's specific options. Does the mic have a low cut filter? If so, it's in the model. Wind screen on or off? Close or far placement? Each option results in the same sonic effect that it would exhibit with the actual mic. And for that final touch of perfection, you can even add some tasty tube saturation.

With the Microphone Modeler, you can afford to record every track through a model of the specific mic that will produce the ideal sound you're looking for. Or use it in live performance to get the sound of mics you'd never consider bringing on stage. You can even use it during mixdown to effectively change the mic on an already recorded track. And with the ability to download new sonic models from the Antares Web site ("www.antarestech.com"), the Microphone Modeler will always be up-to-date and sounding fabulous.

For those who prefer a self-contained solution, there will eventually be the AMM-1 stand-alone rackmount processor (more on that in future issues). And best of all, whichever version you choose, you can expect to pay substantially less than even a single modestly priced exotic mic. You can now download a fully functional 10-day trial version of Mic Modeler (TDM or MOTU MAS) from the company's Web site and check it out for yourself. One interesting side note: A number of the mic models were created from vintage mics in Sweetwater Founder and Chairman Chuck Surack's personal collection, as well as from some from the Sweetwater vault.

Here's a partial list of models currently available: AKG (C12A, C414, C414B/ULS Limited Edition Gold, C414B/ULS Modified by Audio Upgrades, 460B/CK61-ULS, D112, C1000S, D790, C3000, C4000B), Audio-Technica (ATM-11, ATM-31, AT853Rx, AT3525, AT4047/SV, AT4033a/SM, AT4050, AT4055, AT4060), B & K (4007), Beyerdynamic (M-500 Limited Edition Classic, MC-834, CK-703), Earthworks (Z30x, TC30K), ElectroVoice (N/D357, PL20), Neumann (U47, U87, U87 70th Anniversary Gold Edition, M149, TLM193, KM184, TLM103), RCA (BK5A), Sennheiser (MD421, MD441, E609, E835S), Shure (Beta 52, Beta 57A, Beta 87A, Beta 98D/S, SM7A, SM57, SM58, SM81, SM98A, KSM32, VP88), Sony (C800G, C48, C37P). That's just a small sampling, and Antares is adding more models almost daily, or so it seems!

If you use a computer to record, you must own this plug-in. It's really that simple!

Surround sound mixing is now a day-to-day reality at many audio and post-production facilities. The new SmartPan Pro TDM Plug-In from the folks at Kind of Loud ($995 list) brings true discrete 5.1 surround sound mixing to the Pro Tools environment. It allows Pro Tools to generate six-channel surround mixes by allocating three stereo channels to serve as a virtual output bus. SmartPan Pro is the first TDM plug-in to support panning and previewing of a full six-channel surround sound mix completely within the Pro Tools environment.

If you're working in Pro Tools and you need to create mixes for Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD Audio or other surround formats, SmartPan Pro is a must-have. SmartPan's new panning paradigm is the only Pro Tools solution that accurately conveys the psychoacoustics of surround sound panning. To accomplish this, SmartPan Pro offers two options for positioning sound elements. For those accustomed to a traditional joystick controller for multi-channel sound, a visual representation of joystick sound placement is provided. A mouse-controlled puck indicates the position of audio in the soundfield. As the puck is moved, the changing soundfield parameters and channel gains are displayed. In addition, the unique SmartKnob allows you to not only pan sound among speakers, but also lets you intuitively and accurately adjust the width, or spatial extent, of the sound. Either SmartPan panning interface provides precise control over the direction, spatial extent and placement of your audio.

Professional surround sound mixers will appreciate SmartPan Pro's divergence control, which adjusts the L/C/R panning law. Sub-woofer/LFE management features are also standard, including adjustable filtering and independent level control. For complex effects, multiple Pro Tools tracks may be linked and panned as a group. All SmartPan Pro functions may be automated.

So whether you're creating 5.1 mixes for video, DVD mastering, or games, you'll find SmartPan Pro indispensable. And, once you've heard surround sound from your Pro Tools system, you'll be hooked. It's serious sound . . . and serious fun.

Kind of Loud also offers the RealVerb Stereo Plug-In for Digidesign's TDM ($695 list) and RTAS (295 list) platforms and MOTU MAS ($295 list). RealVerb uses complex spatial and spectral reverberation technology to accurately model an acoustic space. What that gets you is a great sounding reverb with the ability to customize a virtual room and pan within the stereo spectrum.

RealVerb provides two graphic menus each of preset Room Shapes and Materials, allowing you to blend the shapes and material composition and adjust the room size according the demands of your mix. Controls are provided to adjust the thickness of the materials, even in that covers nearly the entire audible spectrum (20 – 21,000 Hz). The parametric bell is up to 5 octaves wide! Gain is +/- 12 dB. Naturally, you also get Low and High Pass Filters with adjustable slope and resonant peak greater than 24 dB. Finally, Band Pass and Band Reject Filters are onboard with a frequency control range that covers nearly the entire audible spectrum (20 – 21,000Hz). Q range is 0.2 to 12.0.

The company's Double Precision Arithmetic keeps the noise floor at the -144 dB level you would expect from the 24-bit TDM bus. Exclusive Analog Saturation Modeling is provided in each EQ/filter band to prevent digital clipping. Up to 48 EQ/filter bands are available on a MIX dsp. FilterBank can run on any MIX system dsp type (SRAM, DRAM, no RAM). PCI systems can run up to 24 EQ/filter bands on a single dsp. NuBus systems can run up to 6 EQ/filter bands on a single DSP. It's ProControl and HUI compliant with control automation (PT 4.0 or higher) and available in TDM, AudioSuite, and RTAS versions. FilterBank supports NuBus, PCI, MIX systems, and host-based Pro Tools systems.

McDSP FilterBank (see larger)

Using the same design approach as the company's popular FilterBank plug-In, CompressorBank ($495 list) gives the user complete control of dynamic compression. Common controls such as Output (make-up gain), Threshold, Compression (Ratio), Attack, and Release are provided. Nonstandard Knee and Bite controls allow the articulation of the compression characteristics. Multiple peak detection circuit types provide flexibility only previously achieved by owning different compression units. Side chain support, side chain or in-line pre-filtering, and a passive/active EQ section (post compression) round out the signal processing capabilities of an already very capable compressor.

McDSP Compressor Bank

Want power and flexibility? Six different compressor configurations are available. If you need side chain support, it's provided in all CompressorBank configurations. Side chain pre-filtering (high pass, low pass and band pass) can also be placed in-line and applied to the compressed signal. How about Compression Curve Modeling? In addition to the standard Threshold and Compression (Ratio) controls, the actual shape and response of the compression curve can be adjusted with the Knee and Bite controls. Knee softens the compression curve, creating a smoother response. Bite gives the compressor the ability to allow signal transients to pass uncompressed, while the overall compression response is unchanged. These controls allow the user to emulate responses of their favorite vintage gear.

Other features include Multiple Peak Detection Circuitry, Dynamic EQ, Double-Precision Arithmetic at side chain pre-filter, compression and active EQ stages. Up to 16 mono (or 12 stereo) channels of compression are available on a MIX DSP. Compressor Bank can run on any MIX system DSP type (SRAM, DRAM, no RAM). PCI systems can run up to 8 mono (or 5 stereo) channels of compression on a single DSP. The plug-in is
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verse thickness for creative effects. Through some very clever engineering, the blending of room shapes, size and materials may be performed in real-time without distortion, pops, clicks or zipper noise. Once you've created your custom room presets, you can even morph between two presets in real time, and with no distortion.

Kind of Loud RealVerb (see larger)

RealVerb also includes intuitive graphic control over equalization, timing and diffusion patterns. To maximize the impact of your recording, we put independent control over the direct path, early reflections and late-field reverberation in your hands. Capitalizing on the psychoacoustic technology that went into the design of RealVerb 5.1 (see below), the company has incorporated some of those principals into RealVerb. Their proprietary Stereo Soundfield Panning allows you to spread and control the signal between stereo speakers creating an impression of center and width. The ability to envelop your listener in a stereo recording is an entirely new approach to reverb design.

Then there's the first true multichannel reverb plug-in for Pro Tools users: RealVerb 5.1 ($1495 list). Sure, you could run a reverb plug-in on individual tracks, then pan and mix in surround. And it would work, kind of. Or, turn to RealVerb 5.1, an intelligent reverb plug-in tuned for multichannel sound the first reverb that does precisely the "right thing" to your surround mix.

RealVerb 5.1 uses sophisticated algorithms designed to model physical spaces real or surreal. New auralization technology offers both broad stroke creative control and the ability to fine tune individual parameters. RealVerb 5.1 lets you select from among a dozen room shapes and plates, from a simple shoebox to a fan-shaped concert hall. Not only does RealVerb 5.1 provide a graphic representation of room shape, it also allows you to customize your room by morphing between shapes and adjusting room sizes. The result: Either an extremely natural or supernatural sound.

If you're mixing in surround, make it sound good. RealVerb 5.1 will truly add a new dimension to your mixes.

Another plug-in "essential" is FilterBank from McDSP ($495 list), a high-end equalizer plug-In designed to emulate the sounds of vintage and modern equalizers and filters. What's more, it is not just another great sounding EQ it's every EQ ever made in one plug-in! FilterBank achieves this lofty goal through its unique design philosophy: Give the user maximum control. All critical equalizer and filter design parameters are totally user adjustable. FilterBank can emulate any EQ: Tube driven or solid-state, vintage or modern, fat or thin. Or FilterBank can be used to create a distinct, custom EQ. All EQs are available in stereo or mono versions, in 2-, 4-, and 6-band configurations.

Filter Bank offers High and Low Shelving EQ with independent control of frequency, gain, peak, slope, and dip. It also provides Parametric EQ with a frequency control range ProControl and HUI compliant, controls automation (PT 4.0 or higher), is available in TDM, AudioSuite, and RTAS versions and supports Nubus, PCI, MIX systems as well as host-based Pro Tools systems.

ChannelStrip (see larger)

Finally, we have ChannelStrip from Metric Halo Labs (from $495 to $999 list depending upon platform), which is quite literally the channel strip audio processing section of a full-featured digital console with a TDM plug-in interface. It offers exceptional audio quality, astonishing DSP efficiency and a comprehensive user interface that finally allows Pro Tools users to work with their system as efficiently and interactively as they would with a dedicated mixing console.

ChannelStrip provides all your standard audio processing facilities in one complete plug-in: Invert gain/trim, polarity invert, expander and gate with integrated side-chain filter, compressor with side-chain filter, six-band fully parametric 48-band EQ, six selectable filter types per band (peaking/parametric+/- 24dB boost/cut per band, high and low shelf with adjustable dip, plus bandpass and high and low cut filters). High resolution metering is available for each processing block. The compressor section is dynamically switchable between pre- and post-EQ. All internal routing can be done with the transport engaged. Each processing section is fully metered. The output section incorporates the company's exclusive SpectraFoo-style Peak, RMS, and VU meters.

ChannelStrip currently supports PT|MIX and MIX farm cards. It can process 6 channels per MIX DSP chip (either 6 mono or 3 stereo pairs in any combination). All MIX DSP chip types are supported. This means you can do a 24-channel mix on a MIX core system with gate, dynamics, 6-band EQ and delay on every channel. Each additional MIX farm card provides enough DSP for 36 additional channels of processing.

By providing access to all critical channel-processing parameters at once, ChannelStrip brings a new level of control to the TDM user.

ChannelStrip also includes interactive process response graphs for the EQ transfer function, compressor knee and gate knee. The knee diagrams provide real-time metering of the gate and compressor processes. These response graphs and meters can be instantaneously hidden or disclosed at will, providing you with complete control over your Pro Tools workspace.

As a mixing tool, ChannelStrip provides exceptional sound quality and an interactive "All-controls-available-at-once" user interface that allows you to arrive at a particular sound and feel faster and more naturally than with any other combination of plug-ins on the market. It also greatly increases the number of tracks of processing per DSP and decreases the amount of time you spend waiting.

Believe it or not, we have more plug-ins to talk about, like the incredible products from Waves (like their new C4 Compressor), but quite honestly, that will have to wait until next issue since the editor is already coming unglued over the length of this article (the author admits he is nuts for plug-ins).

Want to know more about any of these incredible plug-ins? Want your special low Sweetwater price? Just pick up the phone and call your Sales Engineer right now. With these phenomenal plug-ins available, your music will sound even better than you ever imagined!