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  • Tape saturation/ harmonic distortion and VSL

    I'm wondering what plugins people are using to add Tape Saturation to their VSL (and other) samples?


    Dietz has recommended UAD's Ampex and Revox emulations for adding  nice harmonic distortion. Others have mentioned Sound Toys's decapitator (which I own and like(.

    I've also heard good things about Steven Slates VCC, Waves's MPX and Acoustica's Nebula.


    Does anyone have any experience with any of these or other thoughts?

    Mucgh appreciated.

    d.


  • Hehehe ... my pet-topic! ;-) Thanks.

    In VST-land, I still use Steinberg's old "Magneto", or SoundToys "Decapitator" (which I don't own myself, though). And of course there's the simple, but highly efficient "FAT"-mode in Vienna Suite's Compressor. :-)

    In TDM / RTAS-land, my first call is CraneSong's "Phoenix" tape-simulation plugin. Works literally on everything. There's also McDSP's "Analog Channel" series.

    Sometimes a bit of real distortion is indeed your friend, especially on drums / percussions. I don't know why, but I think Pro Tools' almost pre-historic "LoFi" can do wonders in this respect.


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • What, no AU, Dietz...? [:P]

    OK, I guess the SoundToys stuff counts,


  • I cant say enough good things about Airwindows' plug ins. Specifically Iron Oxide, Buss Colors, To-Tape, From Tape, Desk.... Many of their plug ins are very subtle, and dont go into that grimy dirty feel that some musicians may use in more straight forward 'rock' music; thusly i feel that their sublte/semi-transparent nature fits very well with VSL and orchestral mock-ups :)

    http://www.airwindows.com/

    -michael 


  • well, there is also Virsyn VTape -which is a tape sim, a flanger and a great delay ... and surround capable.

    but I often use the UAD Studer, it runs on DSP, so does not eat CPU.

    best


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    Hi,

    I have made some examples what a harmonic distortiion plugin as Decapitator can do with VSL strings (Chamber and Orchestra) in a MIR surrounding.

    All files are collected in one player.

    Enjoy!


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    @dsilvercoin said:

    I'm wondering what plugins people are using to add Tape Saturation to their VSL (and other) samples?


    The street price for the UAD Ampex ATR102 is around $349 which is fairly expensive but it's worth it if you want that level of detail.


    this adds to say, orchestral strings is open to debate but I subjectively like it.

  • Nomad Factory distortion plug-ins sound just fine for my ears, I use them on regular basis. For a bit less subtle results the old Cubase Tube-PlugIn is still a favorite.

    I have once tested the demo-version of SPL's Twin Tube and found it very satisfying, I plan on purchasing it in forseeable future.


  • I don't know the Nomad factory plugin, but I know Steinberg's "The Tube" pretty well - I always liked it's basic color and disliked the top-end. :-)


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • I use VSL compressors in the fat mode  for individual instruments which seem to increase the presence of the instrument. I not sure if the present discussion is talking about this function or adding a General pupose compressor  eg. Fat Opto Master, Modern Clear Master in the fat mode to the master track. Would you add the compressor before of after the MIRacle FX?

    Regards,

    Stephen W. Beatty 


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    @Another User said:

    I not sure if the present discussion is talking about this function or adding a General pupose compressor  eg. Fat Opto Master, Modern Clear Master in the fat mode to the master track. Would you add the compressor before of after the MIRacle FX?

    It depends. In most cases I try to tame the dynamics of a signal (and to get that certain kind of glue) before it is sent into MIR's Venues. But on certain occasions it might be a nice idea to have some compression on the signal coming back from MIR, for example in case of powerful percussions, to achieve more of that desirable impact and melt between the room and the original signal.

    Kind regards,


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Thanks Dietz, 

    I created a bus using the general drum compression for timpani , bass drum and snares and then used general compression and MIRacle on the master. You get a greater punch from the drums using this techniques without distortion. 

    This discussion reminds me of a similar one some years ago trying to create the "commercial" symphonic sound. We didn't have these tools to work with. I think you have achieved the effect with the present VSL tools. What do you think? 

    Stephen W. Beatty


  • I too love the UAD Ampex and Studer plugs they really sound wonderful. The SPL's great also