Waves Scheps Omni Channel
Plug-in
Good job, waves!
Channel strips always look like great deals. They seem to provide an all-in-one solution, especially for sources like drums and electric guitars. Usually modelled after some classic consoles like the widely popular SSL E and Neve strips, they come with presets that set everything from the gate and dynamics to the filter and EQ.
Although this encourages a culture of preset mixing, if used right it can be really useful to set starting points on certain sources.
The Waves Scheps Omni channel looks to provide a very attractive all-in-one solution. One plugin that does most of the heavy lifting.
It is developed by Waves in partnership with Andrew Scheps, a Grammy-winning engineer with some very impressive credits including names like Adele and Metallica. It is quite rare to see a channel strip that is not an emulation, making this plugin a unique experience.
The diversity of this plugin is quite remarkable. There are 5 distinct modules. The Pre amp, the Compressor, the EQ, the De-Esser and the Gate. Each of these features have a range of different and extremely distinct modes. The Pre amp provides 3 different kinds of analog saturation, letting you add Odd / Even harmonics and even a“ THUMP” button that adds some extra low end. The compressor features 3 kinds of compression- VCA, FET, and Opto. This adds so much control in terms of attack and release times and the amount of harmonic saturation added. The gate features some interesting options as well, including Mid / Side modes that is incidentally featured on all the other modules as well. The De-Esser module features 2 very versatile de-essers while the EQ module stays fairly straightforward with a classic 4 band split. The plugin also features an extremely interesting optionan extra insert which gives you the possibility of adding any waves plugin( including another OmniChannel!) anywhere in the chain. The plugin features something called“ Focus Mode” which highlights the most significant controls of a particular preset. We wish more plugins had something similar, it really shows the amount of thought that was put into it.
The plugin sounds great on drum overheads, vocals, electric guitars and bass. The saturation from the preamp is a standout. Overall, it ' s a great plugin. But the question is, is it excessive or does it offer a quick one-stop solution for intense and heavy sessions?
Apple Logic Pro X 10.4
DAW Software
Worth it!
Apple has been putting out some seriously loaded updates to logic for a while now. The recent 10.4 adds some extremely exciting and interesting features.
The biggest new feature is definitely the most talked about- Smart Tempo. It allows you to record a performance and have the software automatically detect and map out the tempo for the entire performance. This is an absolute game changer when it comes to recording live bands and even in the world of re-recording and post-production. The flex tempo editors have also become better, allowing you to do much more precise and easy edits to tempo and time.
Another plus of the Logic DAW is its built-in virtual instruments. The horn and string sounds have gotten a huge upgrade with Studio Horns and Studio Strings. They have been coupled with a new articulation edit window for extremely delicate and precise orchestral programming. This articulation window also extends to other external software and instruments.
The next upgrade is in the area of plugins. They have now added a vintage EQ collection with plates and Neves. They have also added some new effects to the existing array with Phat FX and Step FX( based on CamelPhat and CamelSpace from Camel Audio). They add some interesting new saturation and multi-effect possibilities. Chroma verb is the new and long overdue reverb plugin. It is an addition to the old verbs, an algorithm-based reverb. It’ s packaged in an extremely beautiful new UI which visualises the verb in the space. ChromaVerb is based on the principle of a circular absorbent structure in which the sound is gradually absorbed, much like in a real room. The absorption characteristics are dependent on the chosen room type and reverb parameter settings. It features a range of parameter edits that make it sufficiently versatile.
These are the major features while a lot of minor tweaks have been made to almost every area.
These updates make logic pro one of the best value-formoney DAWs on the market. An excellent place to start for beginners and a great place to stay when they become pros.
The Score Magazine highonscore. com
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