CMJ 2012 Issue! - The Deli

kitchen recording equipment news
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Brainworx
bx_saturator
Review by Gabriel Lamorie
The bx_saturator, by Brainworx, is a mid/side
multiband saturation plugin that excels in
several respects. Being as it is a multiband
M/S processor, users have control over separate
mid-high and mid-low sections as well as side-high
and side-low sections – four “XL units” in total with
individual “Solo,” “Gain,” “Drive,” and “XL” controls.
The master controls located at the top of the plugin greatly
helped me understand the audible qualities of this effect:
experimenting to find a balance between cranking and
dialing down the Master Drive along with the Master XL,
after applying some basic settings to all of the XL units,
was a good place to start. Bypassing the XL Active switch
made the process even easier to evaluate the two different
audible qualities.
After getting a basic understanding of how the plugin
worked, the thought of saturation on drums crossed my
mind. Distorting the acoustic drums in a rock mix delivered
typical results one might expect, but the bx_saturator’s
distortion sounded a bit more defined compared to other
plugins I cross-referenced. Even when exaggerated
distortion was applied on percussion, vocals or guitar, it
always produced very “defined” results.
One test that further reinforced my trust in the plugin
was placing it at the top of the signal chain on an acoustic/
ambient master track. The vocal distortion at the end of the
track wasn’t as present as it should have been but after a few
simple tweaks, they popped and sounded very natural against
the accompanying instruments without cluttering the mix.
The bx_saturator is great at being very transparent when
you need it to be, but cranking it up to heavy distortion also
sounded good on everything I put it on. It provides straightup
saturation that sounds crisp and clear.
Etymotic MUSICPRO 9-15
High Fidelity Electronic Musicians Earplugs
Review by Jacqueline Smiley
Etymotic continues to stay “true to the ear” with
its new Music•PRO 9-15 earplugs for the price of
$399 a pair. The MP•9-15 was designed for all
who want to hear naturally but also need protection
from sudden-impact noise and/or loud sound that is
sustained for an extended amount of time.
As sound levels increase, the earplugs provide the option
of 9 or 15 dB sound reduction with the flick of a switch.
Adaptive attenuation lets the user hear naturally as if
nothing was in the ears, until sound exceeds safe levels.
In this way, the MP•9-15 earplugs offer an unprecedented
capability in that it acts both as an electronic earplug and a
personal hearing device.
I tested the MP•9-15 at three different music venue locations
in and around NYC – an indie rock show at the Bowery
Ballroom, an outdoor DJ show at Neptunes Beach Club in the
Hamptons and KD Lang at a Performing Arts Center.
The result: These earplugs made a big difference in the way
I heard the music.
For more reviews, visit www.SonicScoop.com!
46 the deli Fall 2012