The SPL Machine Head plug-in “tape emulation to beforehand unattained heights”—discover out why on this Actual-World Evaluation.
| MIX VERDICT: SPL MACHINE HEAD |
| THE TAKEAWAY: “Affordably priced, SPL Machine Head takes tape emulation to beforehand unattained heights.” |
| COMPANY: SPL through Plugin Alliance • www.plugin-alliance.com PRICE: $125 PROS: • Sounds wonderful. • Sensible implementation of bass management. • Easy, intuitive interface. • Reasonably priced. CONS: • No Undo and Redo. |
Like lots of you who’re studying this, I’ve used quite a few tape-emulation plugins over the previous twenty years. It’s been a blended bag, with a pair sounding nice and the others unconvincing. Now the SPL Machine Head plug-in has come alongside. My response on the very first pay attention: OMG, nothing sounds this good.
The unique algorithm for Machine Head—an emulation of the Lyrec TR-533 24-track, 2-inch, open-reel tape machine—was developed by engineering agency SoundArt within the mid-Nineteen Nineties, the Stone Age for plug-ins. Right now’s astronomically elevated computing energy begged for a significant improve, which the builders have dubbed the Final model.
The present Machine Head plug-in (a three way partnership between SPL and SoundArt) permits you to effortlessly change between utilizing the Unique and Final variations in the identical UI. Imagine me after I say that the Final’s improve in readability and spatiality is a game-changer.
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An important management in Machine Head’s secure is the Drive knob; crank it to saturate the plug-in’s digital tape and improve perceived loudness. The Drive management is adjustable from -7 to +14 dB in 0.2 dB steps in Machine Head’s Unique model and 0.1 dB steps in Final.
The extra you saturate actual magnetic tape, the extra excessive frequencies are damped (and so they’re progressively misplaced the extra you play again analog tape recordings). Machine Head permits you to independently modify Drive saturation and HF damping, or intensify the highs. The damping vary is adjustable from -6 to +6 dB, in 1 dB steps within the Unique model and surgical 0.1 dB steps in Final.
The Final model (solely) contains a further Low Freq Modify management that allows you to increase or lower bass frequencies in a variety from -6 to +6 dB in 0.1 dB steps. On the 0 dB setting, “head bump” (a lift in bass frequencies inherent in analog tape machines) is neutralized.
Each the Unique and Final variations supply a Excessive Tape Pace change and related standing LED. Activate it to change from a simulation of working the Lyrec TR-533 at 15 inches per second or 30 ips. The upper-speed setting emulates real-world pre-emphasis, leading to finer decision and element in upper-midrange and excessive frequencies and harmonics.
Nonetheless, when working Machine Head at 30 ips, the anticipated discount in bass power from 40 to 70 Hz is just not reproduced. Purists: It is a good factor, because it precludes your having to struggle modifications in low-frequency steadiness when switching from one tape pace to a different, and it places reasoned management of the underside finish in your palms through the Low Freq Modify knob.
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Rounding out Machine Head’s characteristic set are input- and output-gain knobs (adjusting ranges ±12 dB max, in 0.1 dB steps), L/R LED ladders displaying I/O and drive ranges with peak maintain, and 4 buttons (A, B, C, D) for recalling customized presets.
You too can retailer and recall presets utilizing the plug-in’s menu bar, however there’s a profit to utilizing the alphabetized buttons as an alternative: After activating considered one of them, you possibly can change between Unique and Final variations to listen to the variations their respective algorithms lend. Word: The Low Freq Modify impact, unique to the Final model, is not going to be heard when switching to the Unique model, and Final’s higher-resolution settings may even be rounded to hew to the Unique model’s capabilities.
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Machine Head shows your whole present management settings in alphanumeric readouts on the left facet of the resizable UI. The one essential issues lacking within the UI are Undo and Redo buttons.
In my combine classes, I virtually at all times chosen Machine Head’s Final model, and never only for its finely engineered Low Freq Modify management, which lends an enormous however tight backside finish, by no means tubby-sounding. The Final model is the perfect of each worlds, portray tracks and full mixes with gorgeously creamy texture and boosting midrange girth, whereas retaining wonderful element and a extra open soundstage—particularly when utilizing the Excessive Tape Pace setting. Repeatedly, I used to be floored by its sound.
After I’ve instantiated a distinct, extensively acclaimed tape-emulation plug-in on selective tracks in years previous, some shoppers with listening to like a bat have requested me to take away it, bemoaning the delicate lack of element and readability. You received’t hear these complaints utilizing Machine Head in Final mode, and that’s the primary distinction between this plug-in’s sound and that of its opponents. Affordably priced, SPL Machine Head takes tape emulation to beforehand unattained heights.