As we approach the middle of 2024 there was a healthy selection of both hardware goodies and virtual marvels to explore. Especially notable this month were a number of new releases in rapid succession from Universal Audio. This might grab the attention of any audio engineer given the company’s history, with roots stretching back to the late 1950s. With classic processors and cutting edge software vying for our attention, here are some of our favourite arrivals from May.
Drawmer 1971 Dual 4 Band Parametric Equaliser
Kicking off our picks from the month of May is a hardware box that on first glimpse doesn’t stand out from the crowd. But then that’s just the way UK audio veterans Drawmer like it, with a long history of designing and building boxes that just get the job done incredibly well without trying to grab anyone’s attention. Known to many will be the company’s DS201 Noise Gate and more recently a range of high quality monitor controllers and other studio gear. These boxes were joined in May by another rack dweller sporting Drawmer’s distinctive yellow-on-black paintwork.
The 1971 Dual 4 Band Parametric Equaliser’s name might be a nod to its classic leanings, but this box is more than just another homage to days gone by. Yes it is a two channel four band parametric EQ, but this thing also does variable slope filtering, as well as unique Crush processing on a per-band basis. This adds a fixed time constant, auto gain makeup compressor, bringing a “wider, rounder” bandwidth and musically pleasing harmonics. Drawmer say it'll fatten your bass, enhance the presence of your mids, and bring out the shimmer in the top end…
Kiive Audio Tube KC1 Compressor
Immortalised in designs such as the Teletronix LA-2A and later refinements from Tube-Tech’s CL 1B and others, the classic tube-opto compressor design will be familiar to many reading this. For the uninitiated, these units are often characterised by a slower photo-optical action that is governed by the rise and fall of a lightbulb in the compression circuit. Throw in a few tubes and transformers, and instant mojo reportedly awaits…
When it comes to small developers, we’re always interested to check out their take on the classics, and Kiive AudioTube KC1 Compressor is one such creation. Promising “unparalleled warmth and silky-smooth compression” KC1 Tube Comp joins Kiive’s compendium of audio classics both modern and not-so-modern.
Universal Audio LUNA For Windows And More
As we’ve previously covered, developing a new DAW is not for the faint-hearted. No matter how open-minded to new tools we might be, one simple fact remains: many of us are too busy in our work to switch to an entire new platform. That said, for those who fancy a challenge, or for those who have grown tired of the shortcomings of their ‘daily driver’, some developers seem ever-ready to give pros what they want. Universal Audio’s Luna is one such product, offering tight integration with their Apollo and Arrow interfaces, as well as features like real-time recording with near-zero latency. Recognising the needs of a sizeable minority, in May LUNA finally became available for Windows OS as a public beta.
Also from the Universal Audio marque was the announcement of three new microphones in their Standard Series: the SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7 Dynamic Microphones with Hemisphere Modelling. These set out to cover instrument duties in both hostile environments (we’re talking drums and guitar cabs) and more sedate settings besides. These are notable for their slick integration with UA’s Hemisphere Mic Modelling software. This lets engineers choose from 32 classic dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mic tones across six unique microphones in real-time. It also allows for adjustments to the mic’s filter, proximity effect, and off-axis response both before and after recording,
ART Solo Series
After taking a bit of a back seat during the white heat of the early DAW revolution, recording with hardware effects is back. OK, for many it never went away but in May one maker of audio gear for the masses brought good news. For those who have yet to discover the joys of committing their sounds fully formed, ART announced their Solo series of tracking and mixing hardware for those with modest budgets.
Announced for a release later this year, we like the look of their Solo Studio Multi-Voice Channel Strip that puts into one box features from the new Solo MPA mic pre and Solo VLA valve/opto compressor that are out now. Solo Studio Multi-Voice Channel Strip allows engineers to luxuriate in the classic technique of recording through EQ and compression. There is switchable valve or solid state voicing, as well as something a bit different: tilt EQ. If you’ve not tried tilt EQ on inputs then Solo Studio Multi-Voice Channel Strip could be a great place to dial some in along with a little analogue glue for the final finish.
iZotope RX 11 And RX 11 Advanced
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we are currently living through a golden age of innovation in the world of audio production. In the Bad Old Days, the options for dealing with imperfect audio were certainly fewer, usually flipping between “good enough” or “go again”. As many reading this will know, frequently the second option is impossible and the first is no longer acceptable. In the world of content restoration for post production, tools now exist that can fix audio that was previously unfixable or unusable.
iZotope RX is a well-known suite of tools whose self-proclaimed “industry trailblazer” badge of honour is largely justified. That said in the 2020s, this venerable industry presence for audio repair and enhancement has got competition, and lots of it. In May, Paul Maunder took a deep dive into iZotope’s latest refresh, concluding that RX11 still gives reasons to make the leap from version 10 despite other contenders in the quest for audio perfection…
How About You?
What were your favourite things to land in the month of May? Maybe it was some real hardware to get hands-on with, or perhaps your life just got better with the latest magic virtual marvel. Is there anything we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments.