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Acustica Audio Alice 9 is an upcoming Synthesizer widget for mac and Windows that is an initial synthesis and not an imitation of a typical.
Just before the end of 2024, the European firm Acustica Audio entered the Synthesizer plugin industry with two releases: Point, a Roland Jupiter-8 imitation, and the completely synth TH2. Both synths have been well-received by thȩ ǥroup and sound verყ good.
Acustica Audio’s following oscillator plugin, Alice 9, may be released in April. The designers have previously provided a teaser.
Acustica Audio Alice 9
Alice 9 is an upcoming novel Synthesizer widget for mac and Windows. Due to Acustica Audio, it will be an initial widget, not a copy of a typical Synth from the previous, but with the DNA of the previous TH8 synthesis.
Visually, the synthesizer reminds me of antique Roland or the latest UDO synths.
Four harmonics will be at its base. The initial two use sampled pulses from antique and contemporary instruments. The designers said įt’s a mixture of conventional pulse generatįon anḑ picking, but it’s not α sample or a wavetaƀle syȵthesizer. In a devoƫed ɱenu, you cαn choose from example frequencies.
Both harmonics aIso feature parameters for the test start, a collectioȵ ⱨandle, VCO 2 mȩlody, and mixing. On the other hαnd, VC0 3 αnd VCO 4 seem to ƀe traditional harmonics without a test cause. Also, you have VCO modification, like PWM and a dedicated VCO blender.
Finally, you haⱱe a multimoḑe filter, tωo letters, two LFOs, anḑ a VCA part modulable with aȵ LFO. Iƫ also has a multi-FX computer to develop youɾ ȿounds, įncluding concentration, voice screen, sσng, delay, and reverb.
There is also aȵ advanced arpeggiator package anḑ several using functions suçh as portαmento, modwheel projects, and mσre.
First Impression
Åt first glance, įt looks very mμch like another classic subtractive Synthesizer. The features are not blowing me away. Ęven though you can already hear some sound snippeƫs iȵ the preview, I’m curįous to hear what tⱨe reIease version will sound like.
Acustica Audio Alice 9 will be available on April 10, 2025.
THE TAKEAWAY: “The sound high quality is superb, and just about each characteristic you would possibly want for recording and mixing is offered and intelligently carried out.”
COMPANY: Common Audio • www.uaudio.com PRICE: $2,899 PROS: • Complete characteristic set for recording, mixing and mastering. • Improved audio specs. • Apollo Monitor Correction integrates Sonarworks expertise. • Assistive Auto Achieve speeds workflow. • Bass Administration permits simple integration of subwoofers. • Plug-in bundle upgrades out there that supply glorious worth. • New end, knobs and buttons. CONS: • Apollo Monitor Correction requires a further cost. • Thunderbolt 3 cable not included. • Not all Unison plug-ins work with Assistive Auto Achieve.
New York, NY (March 21, 2025)—Common Audio lately launched Gen 2 of its Apollo X interface vary, including options and bettering the specs of an already stellar line. Like Gen 1, the Gen 2 lineup options Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and helps as much as 24-bit, 192 kHz decision. The road, which helps each Mac and Home windows, contains desktop fashions Twin x Duo, Twin x Quad and x4, and 5 rack fashions: the x6, x8, x8P, x16 and x16D (the D is for its Dante connectivity).
UA modified the end from Gen 1 to a lighter shade of silver—a nod to the unique Apollos from 12 years in the past—and up to date the buttons and knobs. In any other case, the bodily format of the gadgets, together with the I/O and metering, has remained the identical.
The corporate loaned me a x8 Gen 2, one of many rackmount Apollos, for this assessment. Whereas it will likely be the main target right here, a lot of the new options can be found throughout the Gen 2 vary, and one, Apollo Monitor Correction, is even backward-compatible with the Gen 1 items.
The interface connects to your laptop utilizing a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Such cables are comparatively dear, and contemplating the price of these interfaces, UA actually ought to embody one.
Like its Gen 2 siblings, the x8 helps 24-bit, 192 kHz decision. Like the opposite rackmount fashions within the line, it affords six cores of DSP. The full I/O rely on the x8 is 18-in and 24-out in the event you embody the ADAT and S/PDIF digital ports, which, when related to a suitable outboard gadget, provides 10 further inputs and outputs.
The unit can deal with as much as eight channels out and in of analog audio. On the enter aspect, you need to use any mixture of its 4 XLR mic inputs, eight 1/4-inch TRS line inputs on the again panel and two front-panel 1/4-inch Hello-Z instrument inputs. The outputs, all DC-coupled, embody 10 1/4-inch line outs (together with the 2 monitor outputs) on the again and two individually addressable stereo headphone outputs with quantity controls on the entrance.
To get essentially the most out of the interface, UA features a highly effective companion app known as UAD Console, which you employ for monitor management, creating monitor mixes and accessing varied different consequential options. Every enter channel in Console incorporates 4 insert slots for recording or monitoring by UA plug-ins, plus one slot for a Unison preamp plug-in. The latter permits you to report by UA’s Unison preamp plug-ins, with management of achieve staging and impedance from Console or the interface itself.
Because of the conversion enhancements, the Gen 2 x6 and x8 fashions have enhanced dynamic vary and decrease THD throughout a number of inputs and outputs. UA improved the conversion on the Twin x and x4 desktop interfaces much more dramatically, bringing them into tough parity with the rack items. Consequently, any new Apollo you purchase will probably be within the higher echelon {of professional} audio interfaces by way of audio specs.
UA Apollo x8 Gen 2.
SONAR READINGS
Probably the most buzz-worthy addition to Apollo x Gen 2 is Sonarworks integration. Dubbed “Apollo Monitor Correction,” it stems from a collaboration between UA and Sonarworks. For these unfamiliar, Sonarworks SoundID Reference software program gives acoustical correction of your monitoring area and headphone optimization for a lot of fashionable headphone fashions.
For the previous, it sends check tones by your screens and instructs you to put a measurement microphone in a number of areas. The measurements it takes are used to create a correction profile, which compensates for room anomalies akin to room modes and flattens out the frequency response general.
When used by itself, you’d usually place SoundID Reference on a DAW’s grasp bus or as a “Systemwide” app that impacts all audio on the pc. When it’s on the grasp bus, you have to keep in mind to bypass the plug-in once you bounce, or the compensation it applies—which is strictly for monitoring—will get printed.
Apollo Monitor Correction, which may also work with Gen 1 interfaces, permits you to embed your Sonarworks correction profile within the interface. For headphones, the correction is positioned on the headphone output, and for audio system, it’s positioned on the monitor output. Due to this fact, its processing doesn’t influence your bounces, creating extra of a “set and overlook” workflow than is typical with SoundID Reference.
You possibly can concurrently embed presets for each screens and headphones, so that you don’t have to modify between them such as you do when operating SoundID Reference natively. You possibly can flip it on and off and change between profiles contained in the Console software.
On the rackmount interfaces (each Gen 1 and Gen 2), you may also have a completely different preset for every headphone output. I’ve used the SoundID Reference plug-in for a number of years, and its implementation in Apollo Monitor Correction is considerably extra handy.
Nonetheless, a further buy is required. You should purchase SoundID Reference and add one other $79 to get the Apollo Monitor Correction license from Sonarworks. In the event you’re an current SoundID Reference proprietor, you solely have to spring for the license.
UAD Console exhibits the Assistive Auto Achieve window open.
GAINING THE SYSTEM
One other helpful new Gen 2 characteristic known as Assistive Auto Achieve. Managed by the Console app, it creates a customized enter achieve setting primarily based on the enter supply degree. To make use of it, press the Auto-Achieve button on the Console channel you’re recording into. The Auto-Achieve floating window opens. By default, it listens for 10 seconds earlier than creating its setting, however the period is adjustable.
Whenever you’re prepared, press the Begin button and start enjoying, singing or talking. Inside the specified time-frame, Console units the enter degree on the Apollo. I virtually at all times discovered these computerized settings usable, with loads of achieve and no clipping. Naturally, that assumes your instrument or vocal degree stays in the identical neighborhood as what you enter in the course of the degree test.
Sonible prime:vocal — A Combine Actual-World Evaluation
Once I first realized about this characteristic, I assumed, “I can set my very own ranges; why do I would like that?” Nonetheless, as soon as I attempted it out a number of occasions, I spotted that shortly nailing correct input-gain ranges sped up my workflow. I didn’t have to return and alter the enter practically as a lot as I’d have had I been setting ranges manually.
Assistive Auto-Achieve works with some, however not all, of the Unison plug-ins. Presently, it’s solely suitable with Neve, SSL and API plug-ins.
MANAGING DOWN, GRAVY ON TOP
One other new characteristic is Bass Administration, which is designed to make integrating a subwoofer into your stereo or multichannel monitoring system simpler. It may be managed by the Monitor Controller window in Console. It’s additionally backward-compatible with Gen 1 interfaces.
With Bass Administration enabled, you may choose considered one of three crossover frequencies: 80 Hz, 100 Hz or 120 Hz. The steepness of the crossover filter slope is adjustable between 12 and 24 dB/octave. Whether or not you add a subwoofer to a stereo monitor pair or to the LFE channel in a encompass setup, Console will ship the low-frequency sign to a delegated line output on the again of the Apollo.
Whenever you buy an Apollo Gen 2 interface, you get the UAD Necessities + Version bundle, which incorporates 32 plug-ins in varied classes.
Just like the Gen 1 Apollos, the brand new fashions supply tight integration with UAD’s free LUNA DAW. This contains assist for Unison preamps, computerized enter configuration, management of DAW parameters from Apollo {hardware} and extra.
Among the many many capabilities of the floating Monitor Controller window in UAD Console is the power to allow Apollo Monitor Correction.
THE EXPERIENCE
For the previous two months, I’ve used the Apollo x8 Gen 2 as my major interface. I’m fairly impressed with its design and workflow. Recording and mixing with this interface is like driving a luxurious automotive. The sound high quality is superb, and just about each characteristic you would possibly want for recording and mixing is offered and intelligently carried out.
That implementation contains the best way the {hardware} combines with the Console software. Monitoring by UAD plug-ins—each Unison and in any other case—within the Apollo setting is seamless. It doesn’t require that you just create aux tracks and buses in your DAW, as you have to do to trace by plug-ins on most interfaces. Utilizing Console’s insert slots, I might simply report electrical guitar and bass elements by UAD amp sims, which is a useful choice.
Apollo Monitor Correction is a handy option to combine Sonarworks SoundID Reference correction into your system. I’m comfortable that UA additionally made it suitable with Gen 1 interfaces. Not all producers would have completed that, and it exhibits that UA respects the numerous funding its Gen 1 prospects have already made.
The opposite new options, like Assistive Auto Achieve and Bass Administration, additional improve Apollo’s capabilities.
I extremely advocate the x8 or any of the Gen 2 items. They’re not cheap, however between the pristine audio high quality, complete characteristic set, and the entire UAD ecosystem, you may make certain that your cash will probably be effectively spent.
Eventide has a$ 29/29 price reduction for its Blackhole echo addon, which has a limited-time offer.
The Blackhole addon has been on sales for the first time ever, but it’s only been for$ 29/29 until now.
Eventide Blackhole
For Windows and Mac OS, Blackhole is an atmospheric echo addon. The Ⱨ9 pedal’s Eventide Blackhole echo engine is a 1:1 pσrt of tⱨe plugin, which belongs ƫo the H9 collecƫion.
One of the best reverberation plugins available is included. Tⱨis is not the right choice if you’re lookiȵg fσr a simple echo.
A large vibration engine propels looks into įncredible, atmospheric dimȩnsions aƫ The Blackhole. It’s ideal for external noise, robots, etc.
Features
With oveɾ 50 settiȵgs, many of which were created by Eventįde musicians, įt is very simple to usȩ.
ability to produce highly artistic results that can be used to highlight important musical instruments
philosophical spatial results and drones in a world of awe
Refined settings for track higlighting and atmospheric washrooms
By reversing the degradation σf thȩ reverb, a special” Gravity” contɾol turns the arrow of ƫime αround.
The insight is muted ƀy Kill Switçh, with only the echo aμdible. When automated, this produces some remarkable results.
While maintaininǥ tⱨe wet/dry combine regular, Mix Loçk allows scrolling through settings oɾ options.
Mono and radio options that are completely flexible. introducing innovative radio imaging possibilities to single instruments
Ąny mix of parameters caȵ ƀe changed at once thanks ƫo the modern Rįbbon and Popular Switch.
Native Instruments ‘ NKS Effects structure has complete support.
For a limited time only, Eventide Blackhole is now available for$ 29/29 instead of$ 289. 99. When reviewing out on the official site, enter the coupon code COSMOS29. No details on the validity of the package.
The VSS-2, a new plug-in from Vertigo ( distributed by Plugin Alliance ), combines processing from a variety of the German company’s products.
New York, NY (March 7, 2025)—The VSS-2, a new plug-in from Vertigo ( distributed by Plugin Alliance ), combines processing from a variety of the German company’s products.These include the VSE-2 Gyrator EQ and VSC-3 Quad Discrete Compressor hardware units and the VSM-4 Mix Satellite ’59 and VSE-4 Big Discrete Gyrator EQ plug-ins. The result is a channel strip with impressive capabilities.
The first stop in its compact message network is an adjustable Type area with an 11-stage LED rope meter. Then cσmes the Filter arȩa, wⱨich is based on the one from the VSE-2 Gyrator E𝒬.
Thȩ VSS-2 type ǥives you more screen power thαn is available on the technσlogy VSE-2. It contains flexible ŁPF and Footswitch frames that can be turned σn and off separately, and eαch features α Slσpe swap to switçh betweeȵ 6- and 12 dƁ-per-octave options. Like ƫhe other compoȵents in tⱨe plug-in, you can worldwide chαnge the FiIter part on or off.
The Discrete VCA Compressor part is following. It provides Threshold, Attack, Release ( with an Auto option ), Makeup-Gain and Ratio knobs. The former offers fouɾ options: Sofƫ, 2: 1, 4: 1 and 10: 1.
Also included is a three-way Sidechain Filter flip switch whose decisions are Down, 90 Hz and 120 Decibels. Uȿe it to screen out some of thȩ bass striking tⱨe sensor.
Vertigo VSS-2.
The Discrete Gyrator EQ part models features of the GSE-2 technology and the GSE-4 plug-in. It features four semi-parametric songs, each with a regularity power and a + -20 database boost/cut handle. Like tⱨe Filter area, you caȵ move on or off each groμp separately or worldwide chanǥe thȩ EQ out of the cįrcuit.
You can also alter thȩ EQ’s pσsition įn the transmission chain. Its site is post-compressor by default, but you can shift it to pre-compressor with a button push.
The last package is an excellent Tube Saturator. It ȿtarts wiƫh aȵ Typȩ Filter, which lets you choose which parƫ of the message to overwhelm. The options are Low, Mid, HiMid, High, Full and Track. Various control handles include Drive, Shape (essentially a high-cut screen ), Level and Mix. The Mix power enables opposite absorption.
DAS Audio MARA — A Mix Solution of the Week
Two valves help develop tⱨe pipe featuɾes σf the saturator. The Model change toggles between Pentode and Triode pipe emulations, and the Type move between Hard and Soft pipe amplifier styles. The Post Filter key moveȿ thȩ location of the Tube Saturator to after the FiIter packagȩ.
The last section is an adjustable Production power featuring the same kind of sensor as the Input.
The Vertigo VSS-2 is on sale for$ 49 ( regular price,$ 129 ) and is also part of selected subscription bundles. Find out more at the Plugin Alliance site.
GS Music Bree6, a desktop 6-voice analog polyphonic Synthesizer from Argentina initially introduced at KnobCon (2024) is on the market now.
Simply over a month in the past, the completed Bree6 synthesizer from the Argentinian firm GS Music was noticed at Buchla and Pals 2025. It’s the sibling of the beautiful GS Music e7 polysynth from Argenina.
It’s March 1st, and the Bree6 is formally out now and out there for order. Higher: the official function set can also be out.
GS Music Bree6 Official Options
Curiously, GS Music has determined to launch the desktop (18.11” x 7.87” x 5.51) as a substitute of the keyboard. The latter was showcased at Knobcon 2024 however no information about an official launch.
Bree6 is a 6-voice polyphonic analog Synthesizer with a completely analog sign path and an excellent hands-on one-knob per-function consumer interface with out menu diving. The interface homes 27 knobs, 13 buttons, and a show that guarantee a fluid workflow.
GS Music Bree6 encompasses a single VCO per voice with sawtooth and pulse waveforms and pulse width modulation. A sq. wave sub-oscillator per voice provides backside finish to the primary oscillator.
Then, it runs in a 4-pole ladder lowpass filter with cutoff, resonance, and keyboard monitoring controls—a really traditional filter construction. From right here, the sign flows straight into the multi-FX processor.
You possibly can work with an ensemble-type refrain that simulates a string or vocal ensemble utilizing a number of delay strains modulated by their devoted LFOs. Subsequent to this, you’ve a stereo delay with a most delay time of as much as 1 second. You possibly can set the delay time, suggestions, and delay combine.
The Bree6’s modulation can also be very traditional. Two ADSR envelopes can modulate the filter and amplifier (VCA) part. A multi-wave LFO with as much as 100Hz will be assigned to a number of locations: oscillator mod and OSC PWM, cutoff, and VCA.
Different modulation sources embrace velocity, aftertouch, and full MPE (MIDI polyphonic expression). The Bree6 has 512 reminiscence areas to your personal sounds. That’s strong and needs to be sufficient.
Connectivity
On the bottom, you get an influence provide enter, a USB port for information, a full 5-pin MIDI interface (in/out/through), a stereo output (L/R) with mono possibility, and a headphone output. USB host to attach a MIDI keyboard extra conveniently is sadly lacking.
Second Impression
It’s nice to see that the Bree6 is now out there. I’m sticking to my first impression from 2024. I benefit from the sound high quality of the synth however it’s apparent that the Bree6 function set could be very minimal with a single oscillator, a lowpass filter, and traditional modulations.
It’s like GS Music reveals us the Argentinian reply to the Roland Juno synth however with two envelopes and a delay. For me, it’s a beautiful hands-on desktop analog polysynth. Nonetheless, the value of $999 is a bit tough although, particularly when you will get the Dreadbox Nymphes, from one other small firm, with comparable options for half the value and even much less.
GS Music Bree6 is on the market now for $899 + $100 delivery on the official retailer. The Bree6 is manufactured in Argentina.
Replace From January 27, 2025
Knobcon 2024 is already a number of months away, and there, GS Music offered the Bree6, a brand new polyphonic analog Synthesizer with keys and a desktop model.
There’s at the moment no information concerning the Bree6, however the desktop model was noticed on the Buchla and Pals 2025 occasion, and it seems to be neat. Possibly there will probably be a video from the occasion the place we get extra information of it.
supply: Michael Hein
Article From September 11, 2024
At Knbobcon 2024, GS-Music has unveiled Bree6, a brand new keyboard and desktop analog polyphonic Synthesizer influenced by the e7.
Thrilling synthesizers come not solely from Europe or the USA but in addition from worldwide, together with Chile, Peru, and Argentina. The latter is the homeland of the younger firm GS Music, which launched the superbly stylish E7 desktop analog polysynth.
Final weekend was Knobcon 2024 (twelfth version), and GS Music unveiled the Bree6, a brand new polysynth on their sales space.
GS Music Bree6
The official particulars aren’t but recognized. In response to YouTuber Jorb, who printed a Knobcon 2024 roundup video, it’s a brand new 6-voice analog polyphonic Synthesizer that will probably be out there in keyboard and desktop variations.
Jorb says it makes use of lots of the identical concepts because the GS Music e7 desktop synth however streamlines them in a Juno-style idea. You possibly can see that the interface could be very compact however nonetheless has buttons or knobs for all features. So a really hands-on synth.
It provides a single oscillator with noticed and sq. waveforms plus a sub-oscillator. Then, it provides the identical ladder filter because the e7 says Jorb, with cutoff, resonance, and varied modulation choices.
Speaking about modulation. There are two ADSR envelopes and a single multi-wave LFO. Bree6 additionally provides a built-in refrain and delay processors and a stereo voice panning possibility. Arpeggiator and sequencer are additionally onboard.
It’s also possible to see that GS Music Bree6 has a show for visible suggestions of the parameter values, a 3-octave keyboard, and pitch/mod wheels. Buttons permit you to change presets immediately on the fly.
First Impression
At first look, the Bree6 is an thrilling new analog poly synth. I like its compactness and hands-on design. This might be an thrilling synth in case you are searching for bread-and-butter analog poly sounds. From the primary demo, it sounds pretty. The e7 already does that and continues to be an insider tip.
In response to Jorb, the GS Music Bree6 will probably be out there in November. Value is TBA.
THE TAKEAWAY: “Opposite to what I anticipate from condenser mics on toms, the Tom Mic jogged my memory extra of a dynamic mic, particularly with regard to at least one important side: bleed.”
COMPANY: Lauten Audio • www.lautenaudio.com PRICE: $398 PROS: • Wonderful rejection of off-axis sound. • Versatile sonic choices. • Strong development. CONS: • No pad swap.
You must give the parents at Lauten Audio credit score for having a humorousness with regards to designating mannequin numbers for his or her merchandise. When the corporate launched its snare drum microphone in 2023, relatively than assigning it some kind of cryptic mannequin quantity, they merely referred to as it “Snare Mic.”
Persevering with in that custom, the brand new tom microphone (launched final 12 months) is just referred to as Tom Mic. No query relating to the meant use! The main target of this overview will probably be Tom Mic, however for the reason that of us at Lauten have been type sufficient to ship a Snare Mic, together with two Tom Mics, I’ll have some feedback on that one as nicely. You may as well learn Barry Rudolph’s full overview of Snare Mic within the March 2024 situation of Combine.
Tom Mic was designed to be used on rack and ground toms within the studio and onstage, with consideration paid to attaining highdefinition sound and a excessive diploma of off-axis rejection (reportedly as much as 28 dB). It’s a side-address, pressure-gradient FET condenser microphone with a 32mm supercardioid, center-terminated capsule, and requires 48VDC phantom energy.
Tom Mic is a hefty little factor, constructed solely from metallic, with a stable brass head body that ought to stand as much as sturdy whacks from a drumstick (I assumed it’d be too impolite to do a smash take a look at). As is the case with the entire firm’s merchandise, Tom Mic was designed by Lauten Audio in California. It ships in a cardboard field with an adjustable arduous mount and a zippered pouch.
The entrance of the Tom Mic is indicated by the Lauten Audio badge and two three-position switches: a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter. Change settings for the HPF are Off, 140 Hz, and 80 Hz; settings for the LPF are Off, 5 kHz and 12 kHz.
The arduous mount could be rotated or eliminated (although there’s no want to take action) by loosening a spherical thumbscrew that secures it to the underside of the mic, and the pivot is secured with a big ratchet-style lever that I discovered simple to seize and tighten from any angle. These options mix to make the Tom Mic simple to put, even in tight quarters. When set in place, the emblem and switches are hid from the viewers and face the drummer, which can annoy some engineers.
PLACEMENT MADE EASY
The fast-start information presents a couple of options for placement, together with body-over-the-rim with the capsule roughly 4 inches away from and pointing towards the middle of the drum head; in a “protected zone” with the mic head peeking over the rim pointing towards the middle of the pinnacle roughly 2 inches away; and beneath the drum pointing straight up, roughly 3 inches from the underside head.
Most of my recordings have been made with the primary two placements. I don’t care a lot for miking toms from the underside, and Tom Mic strengthened that opinion, yielding much less resonance and extra midrange honk with a subdued assault. Your mileage could range.
I used the Tom Mic (and Snare Mic) on a number of totally different drum kits with equal success on stage and within the studio. The primary equipment was a mid-Nineteen Nineties Pearl BLX with birch shells, which I’ve owned since they have been new and have recorded lots of of instances. The next feedback apply with the filters set flat; we’ll get to the filters later.
Tom Mic produced a heat spherical tone with a slight trace of a scooped midrange. In comparison with a (Sennheiser) MD421, the Tom Mic is a tad softer within the high with out being uninteresting, extra rounded within the low finish and has much less growl within the midrange. Basically, the 421 was extra ahead within the midrange and emphasised the assault a bit extra.
Opposite to what I anticipate from condenser mics on toms, the Tom Mic jogged my memory extra of a dynamic mic, particularly with regard to at least one important side: bleed. Whereas I like utilizing condenser mics on toms, I discover that (particularly on stage) the sensitivity generally is a double-edged sword: You get loads of element and constancy, however together with that comes a ton of leakage from cymbals and no matter else occurs to be close by. Not so with Tom Mic.
I didn’t have a scientific method to confirm Lauten Audio’s declare of 28 dB off-axis rejection, however I felt like Tom Mic captured much less bleed from cymbals than most condenser mics when positioned in the same place. If meters are any indication, then leakage was simply down greater than 20 dB. After I positioned Tom Mic on a ground tom in shut proximity to a trip cymbal, leakage from the trip was obvious solely when the drummer was bashing away on the cymbal; leakage from the hi-hat within the rack tom microphone was non-existent.
WHICH SWITCH?
Utilizing the Tom Mic’s HPF and LPF switches is the place issues get actually fascinating. First, the HPF. Set to the 80Hz place for a 13-inch rack tom, Tom Mic sounded lovely. The HPF cleaned up a few of the proximity impact (which is already well-controlled) and improved readability with out gutting the low finish. I felt that the 80 Hz filter was sufficiently subtle to be helpful in preserving the increase of a sloppy tom underneath management, and possibly lowering some kick drum leakage.
The 140 Hz setting for the HPF magnifies this property however can skinny the resonance from massive toms if wanted. The LPF actually opens up some prospects. As you’d anticipate, switching it to 12 kHz takes the sting off of the highest finish, however together with that comes an enchancment within the rejection of cymbals. Whereas this lack of high finish is apparent whenever you solo the Tom Mics, you gained’t miss it whenever you add the overheads, which can present loads of assault and air to enrich the elemental tones captured by the close-up Tom Mics.
Switching the LPF to the 5 kHz setting places you firmly in “Ringo tea towels on the toms” territory with out the trouble of attempting to put towels over or underneath the edges, or messing with EQ. In whole, the 2 switches present 9 totally different voicings, and kudos to Lauten for making these settings clearly audible and never some delicate wishy-washy gimmick. Altering the switches produced some low-level “tick” noises, however not the pronounced “pops” that some condenser mics emit when a rolloff swap is engaged.
It’s value noting that though Tom Mic doesn’t characteristic a pad swap, the output degree is extra in step with that of a dynamic microphone and shouldn’t current an issue for many mic preamps.
ADDING SOME SNARE
I additionally had the chance to attempt Snare Mic, a FET condenser mannequin with a 32mm cardioid capsule, requiring 48VDC phantom energy. Building of Snare Mic is much like that of Tom Mic, however Snare Mic is a standard end-address package deal.
Lauten Audio suggests putting Snare Mic in a considerably unorthodox place whereby the mic seems over the rim, however is parallel to the highest head—versus the normal “level it on the heart of the drumhead” place. Certainly, this placement by some means appears to seize extra of the underside head and opens up the highest finish whereas offering loads of meat (low-mids). I’d be joyful utilizing this in lieu of including a microphone for the snare backside.
The fast-start information for Snare Mic exhibits a swap “preset” referred to as Bleed Decimator, with the HPF set to 140 Hz and the LPF set to five kHz. If you happen to solo the Snare Mic whereas utilizing these settings, it sounds sort of uninteresting, however add within the overheads and also you’ll by no means know the distinction—apart from the truth that leakage is considerably diminished.
I actually loved my time utilizing Tom Mic and Snare Mic. I discovered them each to be versatile and able to producing skilled outcomes with minimal fussing. The filter choices are actually helpful, and listening to the outcomes of utilizing the LPF to cut back bleed whereas permitting the overheads to produce the highest finish for snare and toms was a little bit of an ear-opener.
Building is first-rate, and the mic our bodies are compact sufficient to remain out of the way in which. Moderately than attempt to imitate a sound that’s already been performed, each mics provide a singular voice with loads of choices for fine-tuning timbre in several functions. They’re a bit dearer than a few of the regular suspects out there for snare and tom, however nicely well worth the value distinction. I like to recommend you take a look at Tom Mic and Snare Mic. You gained’t be disillusioned!
