- Brainworx bxmasterdesk gives us one brilliant hack. As all great mastering engineers say: mastering should just be slight tweaking and balancing the mix, making everything more prominent. That’s exactly what this tool does. The problem comes if you are not at least a solid mixing engineer or producer. If your mixes have an issue with.
- The creation of Brainworx owner Dirk Ulrich, bxmasterdesk gives you a high end analog mastering system in a single plugin. Containing every component you need to create professional results, bxmasterdesk allows you to master your own material with a minimal learning curve.
- Bx Masterdesk Vst Torrent
- Bx Masterdesk Vst Free
- Bx Masterdesk Vst Download
- Bx_masterdesk Plugin Alliance
- Bx Masterdesk Vst Plugin
The trim dial at the top allows you to increase the input, with 0VU being the optimum level, whereas the X-talk is your crosstalk between the left and right channels. The VU meter can be set to input, RMS or the average loudness of the signal, and the output. Additionally, you can click on the VU panel to bypass the plugin. Size 7.09 MB Saturn Console is a channel/buss enhancer. Saturation based channel/buss enhancer. US precomp emulation. Crosstalk emulation (stereo only).
The new bxmasterdesk is one of those plug-ins I struggle with. That isn’t because it isn’t good, actually it’s worryingly excellent. No, the reason I’ll always struggle with plug-ins like this is that it doesn’t suit me. However, as we know we are all different and that is what makes life interesting.
The plugin can be used to process regular 2-channel stereo material for ambiophonic presentation. This is basically a 2-speaker setup where the speakers themselves are placed close to each other, but still. Breaking down the details Some CanOpener Studio FAQs. What CanOpener settings should I use? Crossfeed 100%, 60º is a great place to start (the Mix Engineer preset). It’s quite lifelike. FREE VST PLUGINS VST Effects SIGNAL Mastering CS12M Master. CrossTalk emulation (2 models). HQ engine – multicore support.
Unique features: The sheer depth of these two plugins makes for a virtually endless amount of sonic capabilities. The Studer is simpler, and I find myself tweaking the bias setting to achieve a very open, airy sound. The ATR-102 has really unique tape effects like wow, flutter and crosstalk. A VST plugin is a software-based audio effect or a virtual instrument intended for use in a host program that supports Virtual Studio Technology. Most digital audio workstations nowadays can load VST.
Lo-fi is the hottest trend in music production right now—for good reason.
The warm, lived-in tones of retro gear will give your mixes a nostalgic and emotional mood.
To get these satisfying textures right you’ll need a dedicated lo-fi VST. But there’s more lo-fi simulators out there than ever before.
That’s why I’m rounding up the 10 best lo-fi plugins for creating study-and-chill worthy tracks.
Let’s get started.
1. Goodhertz Vulf
Goodhertz Vulf is a unique compressor plugin that’s capable of some serious lo-fi goodness.
Vulf is a collaboration with Jack Stratton of the band Vulfpeck and models the famous “Vinyl Sim” algorithm from the vintage Boss SP303 sampler.
This oddball compression effect caught the attention of beatmakers like Madlib and J Dilla and inspired a generation of lo-fi beats.
Vulf offers a much more flexible take on the 303 Vinyl Sim that can go from smooth and stylish to squashed and scraggly.
2. XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color
XLN Audio’s RC-20 Retro Color is everywhere these days, and it’s easy to see why.
This top lo-fi plugin is a six module suite of sonic degradation tools that can take any sound back in time.
Add noise, pitch modulation, overdrive, bit reduction, ambience, and tape artifacts all in the same plugin and control the intensity globally with the magnitude slider.
3. Izotope Vinyl
Izotope Vinyl was one of the first lo-fi plugins around—and it’s completely free.
Vinyl recreates all the charm of an old school LP. That means mechanical and electrical noise, dust, scratches and all kinds of wear and tear.
It even has a decade switch that can transport your tracks back to the sound of the earliest commercial recording mediums.
The best part is that you can use Vinyl in your sessions without paying a cent.
4. Waves Reel ADT
Waves Reel ADT wasn’t built specifically for lo-fi, but it’s a great tool for old school tape textures with that sweet compression and warble.
ADT stands for “automatic double tracking.” It’s a technique developed in the 60s to reproduce the sound of an artist singing over their own performance to thicken the sound.
The legend goes that the Abbey Road engineers had to come up with it because John Lennon didn’t like the tedious process of overdubbing vocals.
Reel ADT nails the Abbey Road ADT sound, but it’s also a lo-fi secret weapon. ADT is essentially a tape chorus effect.
Its subtle modulation can create impressive wow and flutter and its tape grit is pleasing and warm.
5. Klevgr DAW Cassette
Klevgr DAW Cassette is a simple plugin for bringing the magic of cassette tapes back to your DAW.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for that rounded frequency response and characterful noise that only cassettes can offer, this plugin is for you.
DAW Cassette is super simple to use with straightforward controls for the quality of the head, tape and motor of the virtual tape deck.
You can also choose the tape stock type to hear the difference between chrome, metal and plastic tapes.
6. D16 Decimort 2
D16 Decimort 2 is a highly advanced bit crusher. It specializes in degrading sounds by reducing their digital information in ways that make a sound pop.
A lot of the character of early hip-hop and electronic music came from the retro samplers artists used to make their tracks.
A lot of the character of early hip-hop and electronic music came from the retro samplers artists used to make their tracks.
These old school tools had limited storage and resolution but imparted their own special sound.
Decimort 2 lets you reach back and access those same digital artifacts in a controlled fashion.
With controls for quantization depth, dithering and resampling frequency you can emulate just about any vintage AD/DA ever with Decimort 2.
7. Baby Audio Super VHS
Sometimes lo-fi doesn’t have to be complicated.
Baby Audio Super VHS keeps it simple with direct access to the parameters that matter most for that retro classic coloration.
The three macro controls give you warble, ambience and distortion on a dial and the smaller sliders around the edge let you tweak the finer points.
Like some of the other plugins on this list, Super VHS is designed to emulate a specific medium. In this case it’s the good old fashioned sound of VCR tapes.
The audio track on a VHS definitely had a lo-fi flavor that’s great to rediscover in 2020…right?
8. AudioThing Vinyl Strip
AudioThing Vinyl Strip is another multi-module lo-fi solution in a single plugin.
Each stage lets you add another layer of processing to your lo-fi texture.
Aggressive compression, harmonic saturation, vinyl effects and downsampling let you get specific with your sonic destruction.
Each of these effects has a unique character and can be toggled in and out of the signal chain.
9. u-he Satin
u-he Satin is another plugin that comes at old school analog textures via tape.
After all, the most desirable lo-fi qualities come from some form of magnetic tape recording or reproduction.
Satin lets you dive right into the tape characteristics themselves to simulate all kinds of magnetic tape behaviour.
Mess with the bias, wow and flutter, cross-talk, asperity and even arcane parameters like the azimuth and gap width of the repro head—wild!
10. Goodhertz Wow Control
Goodhertz Wow Control is a plugin that takes wow and flutter seriously.
As you’ve seen in many of the other plugins on this list, pitch modulation is a key component of the lo-fi sound.
It originally came from the subtle speeding up and slowing down of analog tape moving through a tape machine.
These fluctuations in the speed of the tape translate into pitch changes in the audio.
But the specific character of tape wow and flutter is tough to emulate. A tape machine is built like a Swiss watch with tons of moving parts.
The way they all interact to create that unpredictable modulation is what makes wow and flutter so magical.
Goodhertz Wow Control is a highly advanced take on the phenomenon of wow and flutter that lets you dial in every detail.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect pitch warping, Wow Control could be the sound you’re looking for.
Low fidelity
Lo-fi is here to stay.
This woozy, nostalgic production flavor is super satisfying in lots of genres.
Getting the right lo-fi texture in your DAW has never been easier.
Try any of these lo-fi plugins for a retro classic vibe in your next track.
Article Content
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.
It’s important not to forget about other processors that can add harmonic content to your material. You might hear them referred to as exciters, enhancers, saturators, maximizers etc. — regardless of the name, these plugins can be great for adding tone, vibe, impact, and character to your masters.
1. UAD Ampex ATR-102 and Studer A800
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.
They’re great for both mixing and mastering, and can be used on individual tracks or entire mixes. 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.
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. I find that it helps add a sense of clarity and separation between instruments in a way that no other plugin does. It’s definitely a hi-fi sound, but the brightness can be dialed back by changing the tape speed or using the shelf EQ.
The Studer A800 is a bit more warm and vibrant. 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.
Unique features: The sheer depth of these two plugins makes for a virtually endless amount of sonic capabilities. The Studer is simpler, and I find myself tweaking the bias setting to achieve a very open, airy sound. The ATR-102 has really unique tape effects like wow, flutter and crosstalk. While you may understandably hesitate to use these on a master, in the rare case when you absolutely need your material to have a subtly warped, analog feel, look no further.
2. SPL Vitalizer MK2-T
The Vitalizer MK2-T is a tried and true hardware unit that is common in mastering, and the plugin does a similarly great job of adding air and presence to your material. There are also useful compression and drive controls. If your source lacks excitement and definition, the Vitalizer is a quick fix thanks to it’s intuitive interface.
Unique feature: The stereo expander on the Vitalizer is as good as on any plugin I’ve found. If I want to widen the stereo field in mastering, this is the tool I reach for.
3. Sonnox Oxford Inflator
When you need to add impact and modern size to your material, look no further than the Inflator. It adds a tasteful curve, even when it’s pushed pretty hard. Although it can make virtually any source sound and feel more exciting, it really excels with electronic music.
Unique feature: Aside from Input and Output controls, it has “effect” and “curve” faders. That’s it. What I find to be most unique about the Inflator is its ability to enhance program material, even with such limited controls. There are very few plugins that are essentially “sound better” faders/knobs, and this is definitely one of them.
4. iZotope Ozone 7 Exciter and Vintage Tape
The Exciter alone has warm, retro, tape, tube, triode, and dual triode modes. More impressively, it’s a multiband exciter, in case you want to add any of these characteristics to specific frequency ranges. The vintage tape plugin is yet another iZotope plugin with flexible digital-style controls, but a warm analog sound.
Unique feature: Not only does the exciter work in mid-side mode, the exciting can also be added in parallel, per frequency range. The gain match feature on both plugins can help you determine if the changes you’re making are actually enhancing the material, or just increasing volume.
5. PSP Vintage Warmer 2
The Vintage Warmer is also a compressor/limiter in addition to being a great tool for adding tasteful saturation to material.
While there are many controls, everything is laid out in such a way that’s easy to understand. Both the sound and metering are excellent. This one can go from adding tasteful saturation to expressive gnarly tones, which can also make it a valuable mix tool.
Unique feature: Being able to choose the frequency at which you want to add drive (at both high and low frequencies) can really help when only a certain frequency range needs saturation and excitement.
6. UAD Brainworx bx_masterdesk
The bx_masterdesk is a simple, all-in-one solution for those in need of an in-the-box mastering processor. The GUI resembles an analog mastering console, and allows one to work quickly and efficiently. Sonically, the plugin is equally impressive; between the four compressor options (which can be blended in parallel), the incredibly smooth 4-band EQ section, the helpful resonance filters, and the unique “foundation” control, one can quickly add energy and sculpt the tone of their program material. The bx_masterdesk doesn’t stop there, though, and is loaded with a variety of additional features including a high-quality de-esser, the acclaimed brainworx M/S features including Mono-Maker and Stereo Enhance, and a THD control for adding tasteful saturation to your masters. The harder you drive the volume control, the harder the processing stages are hit, so the bx_masterdesk truly does behave like an analog console.
The metering, functionality and sound quality are all of the excellent quality one would expect from Brainworx and UAD. For anyone looking for an uncomplicated, versatile, juicy-sounding in-the-box mastering processor, I strongly recommend giving the bx_masterdesk a test drive.
Mastering Tip:
While bx_masterdesk was designed for the purpose of mastering entire mixes, don’t shy away from using them on groups like drum or vocal buss. I had great success recently using it on a backup vocal subgroup. What’s great about it is that there are so many high-quality processors located in a singular easy-to-use plugin. I used the equalizer section to carve out the low end, the de-esser to handle sibilance, the THD to add some pleasing grit and color, and the stereo enhance function to add some subtle width. It’s not abnormal for me to process backup vocals this way using a variety of tools, and I love the convenience of being able to handle everything within one plugin.
Introducing the UAD bx_masterdesk plug-in by Brainworx
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. It’s important not to forget about other processors that can add harmonic content to your material. You might hear them referre
7. iZotope Ozone 9 Exciter
iZotope’s latest update to their all-in-one mastering plugin suite includes several new modules that make in-the-box mastering even more intuitive and effective including Master Re-balance and Low-End Focus. Updated in this top-notch multiband exciter module include tweaks to the analog-modeled Retro, Tape, Warm and Tube modes. I really enjoy the flexibility of multiband processing and the fact that you can choose different saturation modes for each band, so if you want to add some analog tape vibe in the low end, and tube warmth in the upper mids, you are quickly able to do so, and with great precision and control over the frequency crossover points.
You can use the exciter in mid/side mode, which I often do when mastering. Additionally, you can ‘solo’ the individual bands, so you can hear exactly what the processor is imparting onto the signal, and I find this feature quite helpful when dialing in exactly how much I processing I should be doing. Ozone 9 is, of course, marketed as a tool for mastering, but I’ll regularly fire it up when at the mix stage, and even use it on individual elements such as snare drum, bass guitar, and vocals, in part because of the tonal shaping qualities of the exciter.
Bx Masterdesk Vst Torrent
Mastering Tip:
Learn how the ‘amount’ and ‘mix’ controls interact and affect the signal: ‘Amount’ functions similar to a gain control — the higher the amount, the more drastic saturation will be achieved. ‘Mix’ functions as a wet/dry blend. I tend to use the exciter very subtly when mastering, and in the event I’m using higher ‘amount’ values, I’ll definitely dial back the overall effect using the ‘mix’ slider. Additionally, make sure to pay attention to the order in which you use the models in Ozone 9. I ensure that the maximizer (which functions as a limiter) is the last module in the chain, as I don’t want any gain to be added with the exciter (or any other module) after the limiter ceiling has been set.
What’s New in Ozone 9 iZotope Ozone Mastering Software
Vst Plugins For Fl Studio
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. It’s important not to forget about other processors that can add harmonic content to your material. You might hear them referre
8. UAD Vertigo VSM-3
Bx Masterdesk Vst Free
The VSM-3, developed by Brainworx and Universal Audio is an emulation of an esoteric (and pricey) rack-mountable saturation unit from German company, Vertigo Sound. It’s a two-stage harmonic generator with mid-side capabilities. You’ve got extensive control over 2nd and 3rd order harmonics sections, each of which have their own unique sonic qualities, and each can go from tastefully subtle, to blistering and brash. The THD Mixer section allows one the ability to blend between the two stages, and you can choose between using them in series or parallel. Within each of the sections, you can target specific frequency ranges, so if you want to add a bit of warm saturation to the bass, and some crunch higher up in the frequency spectrum, let’s say on electric guitars, it’s fairly easy to dial in. In that case, I’d use the 2nd Harmonic FET crusher to add drive to the lows (bass), and the 3rd Harmonic Zener Blender and target the high mids. 2nd order harmonics are more tame and subtle in nature, whereas 3rd order have more ‘bite’, so this would be a useful application of the VSM-3.
There are so many unique tones available within this plugin–it’s a sort of saturator, equalizer, compressor all-in-one. It works great on individual tracks, sub-busses, or at the mastering stage, allowing you to bring attitude and vibe to dull, and lifeless mixes. If you have limited experience using saturation at the mastering stage, I do recommend avoid getting too heavy-handed with the VSM-3, as I mentioned, it can go from an exquisite polish to absolutely destroying transients unless you’re careful.
Mastering Tip:
Use it for Mid/Side Saturation: When mastering, I use saturation to enhance vibrancy and improve relationships between components of the mix. On a recent rock master, the sides featured crunchy, hard-panned electric guitars, and the vocal (which sat up the middle) was a bit lacking in character. I enlisted the VSM-3, adding a bit of brightness and via the 3rd Harmonic Generator, only focusing on the mid, disregarding the sides. Mid/Side processing can be extremely useful when mastering, and this unique saturator is no exception.
Honorable Mention
Although somewhat limited due to only being compatible with Pro Tools, the original Phoenix and its successor helped engineers add analog tape saturation and vibe to material long before most competitors. Simply put, it’s to this day, a great sounding plugin.
Bx Masterdesk Vst Download
Mastering in the Box Course
If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge and learning effective techniques for getting great sounding masters 100% in the box, check out my debut course: Mastering in the Box
Mastering in the Box with Ian Vargo
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. It’s important not to forget about other processors that can add harmonic content to your material. You might hear them referre
FREE Masterclass: Low-End Mixing Secrets
New Free Vst Plugins
Downloaded Over 19,455 times!
Bx_masterdesk Plugin Alliance
Crosstalk Vst Plugin Free
Bx Masterdesk Vst Plugin
Discover how to make your kick and bass hit hard by cutting (NOT boosting) the right frequencies! Plus, more counterintuitive ways to get fuller yet controlled low-end in your mix. Download this 40-minute workshop by Matthew Weiss, now for FREE!
Comments are closed.