Unlike some of Softube’s other analogue-modelled fare, “Drawmer 1973” is not actually a piece of vintage kit. That said, the “1973” *is a FET design which automatically propels it into the classic, vintage-ish sound category. Drawing from its valve powered predecessor, the “S3” (No puns intended), the “1973” has quickly gained recognition as a superb, mastering-grade, multi-band stereo compressor. Fortunately, it is available at a more affordable price point --this is due in part to a completely new gain-cell design that hasn’t been used on any of Ivor Drawmer’s previous compressors. Sounds spectacular *and* is more affordable!? What’s not to love . . .

I can honestly say, right from the ‘get go’, that this processor is one of the best multi-band compressor plug-ins that I’ve ever used; however, it doesn’t exactly come cheap. At the time of this publication, the MSRP listed on Softube’s web site is a healthy $225 (USD). The good news is that this is $25 less than the year before. Pssst . . . If you’re a keen shopper, Softube does offer good sales every once in a while. *Wink.

Compressors of all sorts are becoming “a dime a dozen” now-a-days; what could capture the average home or small studio engineer’s interest enough to make them willing to invest in yet another plug-in? Stick n’ stay – hang out with yours truly for a few minutes, and let’s find out why the Softube Drawmer 1973 is a worthy consideration.

In a manner of speaking, there are 16 of Softube’s most coveted plug-ins crammed into this collection. The mix and producing gamut is amply covered with kit pieces dedicated to Compression, EQ, Limiting, Summing, Amp simulation, Reverb, Delay, Echo, Flanging and Doubling/Chorus.

If that weren’t enough, Softube’s “Heartbeat” is an innovative, virtual drum machine that can handle most nearly any beat-making situation imaginable. Last, but far from least, the deluxe, expandable synthesizer, aptly named, “Modular”, attends a dizzying spectrum of flexible synthesis.

Purchased separately, all the included accessories would set you back a little over $2000 (MSRP)! Thankfully, a perpetual (lifetime) license for this crate-load of plug-in glory can be had for a reasonable $499 (USD). Monthly and yearly subscriptions are also available - $20/month and $200/yearly respectively.

FabFilter Pro-L Review – Solid as a Brick!

Brickwall, that is . . . solid as a brick wall.

It seems that we audio engineers are ever striving to achieve “the perfect” blend of punch, dynamics and loudness in our mixes. For many, this is an elusive science requiring a good deal of experience, a proper listening environment, a professional set of near-field monitors, and of course, premium equipment and software.

It’s safe to say that most nearly anyone whom has ever attempted to produce professional, modern recordings has found themselves longing for a mastering-grade brickwall limiter. Pro-L dons a price tag that aptly places it in the pro leagues, and it’s for sure that FabFilter are well known for their audio processing prowess. Still, there are similar products available, and how are we to know if the $229 Pro-L is actually able to get the job done – without making the final product sound as though it were squished under an audio steam roller?

We review it carefully and stay focused on our objective; that’s how!

Many of us are familiar with well-established, somewhat expensive modelled plug-ins that promise authentic Fairchild 670 sound and performance. UAD’s ”Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In” and IK Multimedia’s “Vintage Tube Compressor/Limiter Model 670” are two of the most highly profiled Fairchild emulations that come to mind. OverTone’s recently released FC-70 also promises to be a faithful digital emulation of the famous studio hardware compressor.

  

A couple of months prior to this article, I reviewed FC-70’s vintage EQ cousin, “PTC-2A”, from Overtone. I was highly impressed with that offering and as soon as I heard that these lads from England were releasing a Fairchild emu, I was more than a little bit eager to give it a keen “going over”.

I was not disappointed. The wait was definitely worth it, and boy, am I ever ‘jacked up’ to bring you in on it and share my findings with you. For the very conservative cost of only £25 of her majesty’s British Sterling Pounds, this amazing performer, from ‘the other side of the Atlantic’, is a definite must-have. At the very least it is a ‘must-try’.  I strongly recommend that you download the demo and find out for yourself just how ‘sterling’ this upstart is.

* The morning news-boy was making his usual boisterous announcements about last night's brawls, hooplas, and mishaps. I was tired. Sleep was a luxury that I hadn't been able to indulge in very much of late. One news-worthy item the kid was yelling out did grab my fogged-up attention:

"READ ALL ABOUT IT. VOXENGO POLYSQUASHER! $79 MASTERING VST AND AU COMPRESSOR PLUG-IN FOR PROFESSIONALS! DESIGNED TO BE TRANSPARENT. READ ALL ABOUT IT ."

This review was written with an obvious, story-like, creative flair. If you would prefer to read a more straight-forward article, without creatively-written embellishments, [Click Here]

I tossed him his nickel and muttered my thanks as my gaze transfixed upon the front-page lead line:

"...glue your mix together. Nobody will be able to tell that something isn't 'sitting' well . . ."

If you're a fan of the revered DBX VCA compressor/limiter sound, then the C165a by SKnote is an absolute must-have! As though it were the starring role, featured in a box office opening prelogue, the C165a dramatically impresses us with its with its stylish, visual finesse and sonic supremacy. Higher-priced compression nemeses could be well justified to keep a wary eye on C165a's forward advance into present-day production environments.