Monthly Archive for May, 2009

When Flux released their Epure II Pro Tools plug-in they added a TDM version as well as a new version of the RTAS plug-in. Once I had installed the new TDM version and opened a session that contained several instances of the RTAS Epure plug-in I was able to change them for the TDM version and all the settings stayed put so the new versions are backwards compatible.

Improvements
Flux have improved a number of features in the latest version, the cut & boost range has been increased to + & -24dB, each section has it’s own bypass and can cover the complete frequency range and the Q goes from 0.1 to 10.

The routing and setup section can have up to four MS encoders and four MS decoders enabling complex multi-channel EQ options from within one plug-in so for example it would be possible on a 5.1 channel to have an MS EQ on the front channels and simultaneously have an MS EQ on the rear channels as well.

Conclusion
In my Flux review back in July 2008 in Sound on Sound I said that the Epure plug-in would stand a good chance of becoming my EQ of choice largely because of its excellent graphical user interface including colour coding for each section and the auto ranging display. My only reservation at the time was that it was only available as a Native plug-in so there was the latency problem to work round. Now they have released the TDM version that hurdle has been overcome and so I can see no reason now why this won’t become my EQ plug-in of choice, well done Flux!

Prices
The upgrade from Epure Native to Epure II Native is free
The upgrade from Epure Native to Epure II TDM is €250
The price for Epure II Native is €400
The price for Epure II TDM is €650

I have a unit in my ‘live sound’ rack that I am rarely without and that is a BBE Sonic Maximizer 442. I find it so useful for adding ‘brightness’ and intelligibility to my sound without having to use EQ and run the risk of feedback problems. I first came across one of these units when I was running a sound OB truck ‘The Omnibuss Mobile’ and we had an American client come over to record some live events for broadcast and he brought a BBE 442 with him and I was bowled over with the improvement and it got even better with small speakers.
Ever since I have wanted the BBE effect as a Pro Tools plug-in and now it is possible with a BBE D82 plug-in from Nomad Factory.

The BBE Process
There is plenty of information about the BBE process on the Internet but very simply the theory says when complex relationships pass through a speaker that the higher frequencies are delayed so that a lower frequency may reach the listener’s ear first or perhaps simultaneously with that of a higher frequency. This change in the phase and amplitude relationship on the harmonic and fundamental frequencies is technically called “envelope distortion.” The listener will often perceive this as “muddy” and “smeared” in the reproduced sound.

The Plug-In
The interface of the D82 Sonic Maximizer plug-in retains the same basic controls that its hardware brothers.

Controls
The Lo Contour controls the amount of phase corrected bass frequencies added to the output and the Process controls the amount of phase corrected treble frequencies.
The Output control is new to the plug-in and enables users to be able to level match if necessary.
Menu – This is almost hidden away just above the metering section and offers a range of options including loading and saving presets and links to both Nomad Factory’s and BBE’s web sites.

Insert only
The plug-in is designed to be used as an insert plug-in and shouldn’t be used in a send and return type of configuration. You can either put it on individual tracks that need some ‘life’ or in sub groups or stems or across the final mix.

This plug-in come in RTAS, VST and AU formats so will suit most host DAWs and is cross platform too.

I am so glad that Nomad Factory and BBE have got together to produce this plug-in. It means I can now easily add the BBE process to any of my Pro Tools sessions. As with most ‘effects’ it can be overdone but with the adjustment of two controls my sound is improved without needing loads of EQ.

Price
$129