Capture creativity

– BARRY RUDOLPH barry@barryrudolph.com
YAMAHA APXT2 ACOUSTIC
AVID PRO TOOLS 11
The latest version of Pro Tools is much more than an update; it is a reinvention of the most popular
and by now, the de facto standard in computer-based audio production. Avid Pro Tools 11 is now a
64-bit application with multiple times more processing power than previous versions
given the same hardware configurations. A 64-bit application allows for many
more simultaneous virtual instruments and makes possible long-awaited features
that have been available in other DAW platforms.
Pro Tools’ 64-bit architecture necessitated a whole new Avid Audio Engine
(AAE) and the new AAX plug-in format. The AAE and AAX format ensures that
plug-ins provide exactly the same performance and sound quality across all PT 11
versions—Native or HDX.
Pro Tools 11 requires MAC OS 10.8 or above. Thoughtfully, Avid facilitates the
“light speed” jump to Pro Tools 11 by offering it along with a special co-installed version
of Pro Tools 10.3.6. If you have session projects running in 10 you can pre-process
or bounce-to-disk track(s) using third-party plugs not yet available in 64-bit AAX
and then close 10 and import them into 11—all without restarting your computer. Pro
Tools 11 comes with 55 bundled plug-ins and several virtual instruments and soft synths.
Now possible is offline mix bounces up to 150 times faster than real-time of up to 16 stems simultaneously. Each
stem can be up to eight channels wide and works with both virtual instruments and audio plug-ins.
I tested Pro Tools 11.0.1 and co-installed Pro Tools 10.3.6 in my 8-core Intel Westmere Mac tower. I am running the
Native version and just 12GB of RAM (8GB is minimum requirement). A 24-track mixing session with automation and
plugs used only 10 percent total host processing resources and I’m sure it will smoke my old HD3 TDM Accel system
with the same computer. Avid offers many upgrade paths from older versions, too. Check out http://avid.com.
The APXT2 is a smaller version of the world’s best-selling acoustic-electric guitar, the APX500II. The APXT2’s
compact size is perfect for travel, practice, busking or on the gig. The body depth is 65-75-mm, width at the nut is
43-mm (1 1/16-inches) and the string length is 580-mm.
This 3/4-sized model includes Yamaha’s proprietary Acoustic Resonance Transducer (A.R.T.) System68 pickup
system with built-in chromatic tuner. The guitar has a spruce top, meranti for the back and sides, a mahogany
bridge and neck with a rosewood fingerboard.
The System68 A. R. T. active preamp works with a transducer/contact pickup system and has a mid-boost
EQ for tone shaping. It is interesting that the transducer system delivers an acoustic tone by achieving a balance
between picking up some of the small resonances and also dampening excessive vibrations from the
soundboard.
It is available in different Dark Red Burst, Natural, Old Violin Sunburst (pictured), and Black finishes. With a
sturdy, padded gig bag, the APXT2 sells for $315 MSRP. Check out http://4wrd.it/apxt2 for more information.
SHURE BLX WIRELESS SYSTEM
The BLX series is for musicians, singers and presenters who want the best in professional wireless
products at an affordable price. There are three receiver options including a half-rack size for installed applications. All
three have Shure’s one-touch QuickScan frequency scanning that quickly locates the best open frequency channel.
Other good things to know are the 300-foot performance range and up to 14 hours of battery life. The transmitters come
in body pack and handheld configurations with multiple handheld, lavaliere, instrument and headset microphone choices.
There is the BLX1 Body pack Transmitter with Tini QG® mini XLR connector for Shure’s lavaliere, headset, earset,
and instrument microphones and guitar cables. The BLX2 Handheld Transmitter has an integrated microphone
capsule option with a -10 dB gain attenuation mode and your choice of Shure’s
PG58, SM58® and Beta58A.
The BLX4 Single Channel Receiver also has QuickScan frequency selection
with up to 12 simultaneously running systems per frequency band. The BLX4R is
the same system except it is half-rack size and has adjustable output level and
removable antennas.
The Shure BLX Wireless systems are available in numerous configurations with a
wide range of Shure microphone options. Pricing begins at $374 MSRP/$299 MAP.
For more information, visit http://shure.com.
WAVESFACTORY TRACKSPACER 2.0
TrackSpacer 2.0 is an automatic, 32-band equalizer plug-in that is controlled by the spectral content of other channel(s) coming
in on its side-chain input. What?
Akin to compressor and expander/noise gates with side-chain inputs for dynamic effects, TrackSpacer analyzes the audio
frequency spectrum coming into its side-chain input from an aux send bus and then applies a frequency-tracking
corrective equalization that reduces the same set frequencies on the track(s) or channels where it is inserted.
You can have TrackSpacer track the changes in the frequencies of music or use the Freeze mode to lock it to a
fixed band of frequencies. Based on your individual settings and preferences, TrackSpacer “carves” room or space
in your mix by reducing the frequency buildup when two or more instruments or vocal tracks in the same octave
and similar timbres compete to be heard at the same time.
I’ve started using it in Pro Tools 11 for big background vocal stacks all sung by the same singer. Dulling the
mid-range of the backing vocal track’s dynamics very slightly whenever the lead vocal sings, causes the lead vocal
track to “project” without changing its level and without reducing the BG’s overall volume, energy and impact.
TrackSpacer 2.0 adds 64-bit AAX support, an Advance Panel with side-chain listen and Attack/Release controls
to tailor its operation even more specifically to your needs.
Great stuff and I’m just starting to get the hang of this plug-in—I love it. It’s available in AU, VST, RTAS, AAX
and VST 3 for both MACs and PCs. TrackSpacer 2.0 can be ordered online for €59.00 EUR directly from Wavesfactory
at http://plugins.wavesfactory.com.
10 September 2013 musicconnection.com