The ATR-102 has really unique tape effects like wow, flutter and crosstalk. The Studer is simpler, and I find myself tweaking the bias setting to achieve a very open, airy sound. Unique features: The sheer depth of these two plugins makes for a virtually endless amount of sonic capabilities. I find myself using this one on individual tracks or sub-auxes more than the ATR-102, but when material needs to sound more rolled off, saturated, and vintage, the Studer is unmatched. The Studer A800 is a bit more warm and vibrant. It’s definitely a hi-fi sound, but the brightness can be dialed back by changing the tape speed or using the shelf EQ. I find that it helps add a sense of clarity and separation between instruments in a way that no other plugin does. The ATR-102 features 4 different tape types, 4 tape speeds, and dozens of other features that make this an incredibly deep tool for adding color and tone to your material. For a majority of the time we’ve been listening to recorded music, tape has been involved, and these two plugins help achieve that famous sound. They’re great for both mixing and mastering, and can be used on individual tracks or entire mixes. These are emulations of the classic tape machines, and while they are two separate and very different plugins, I find them both to be essential - and wanted to make room for the many other great processors - so they occupy the top spot. regardless of the name, these plugins can be great for adding tone, vibe, impact, and character to your masters.
You might hear them referred to as exciters, enhancers, saturators, maximizers etc. It’s important not to forget about other processors that can add harmonic content to your material. There are lots more contenders out there.So far in this series, I’ve covered some of my favorite and most used compressor, limiter and equalizer plugins - three types of processing vital to any mastering engineer. A multiband enhancer you can overdo (as is all too easy) but you can easily back out of when you realise you’ve lost perspective - great. The results sound excellent, turning this initially hostile user into a convert immediately. Most of us would use a mix control or parallel routing to lean into or out of the effect but this is slightly different and this macro control of the four bands make this a joy to use. The really appealing part of this plugin is the central Wet Inject control which allows you to globally dial back (or increase) the amount of effect you have set up while keeping the relative levels between the bands intact.
You can dial in as much of each band as you like, there are two flavours of enhancement in each band and you are invited to try each, decide which you prefer and move on. In essence it offers 4 bands of enhancement. Sugar is quite busy by comparison but it has a helpful workflow which makes using the plugin feel fast and direct. I can’t be alone in finding lots of parameters, just asking to be investigated, a distraction. I praised Wavefactory Spectre earlier in this article because of its uncluttered UI. Sonnox InflatorĪ Multiband Audio Sweetener, this is the kind of plugin I usually avoid because I find them too complicated. Its flexible too, with dual mono and MS modes and if you can figure out the various switches used to set it up it’s capable of addictive amounts of boost, not only at the extreme top end but lower down where harshness can be a very real hazard. The very skeuomorphic UI mirrors the analogue hardware unit of the same name from Kush.Ĭlariphonic DSP MKII is a first call plugin for open top end without a hint of harshness. Rather than conventional markings in terms of Hz, Q and dB, Clariphonic’s cream chicken head knobs offer unspecified amounts of boost (no cut option) at frequencies which are described rather than defined - Focus, Sheen or Shimmer, you get the idea. All of Kush’s products are aimed at vibe and flavour but this plugin is all about parallel EQ and using your ears. It’s a great choice, after all, decades of great records probably aren’t wrong but we’re going to choose the Clariphonic Parallel Equaliser from Kush. Lots of people might reach for one of the many Pultec emulations available if they want some high end sheen on their mix.
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