Initial Audio has released the IA-LA1 compressor. No, it isn’t a carbon copy of the LA-2A, although it does borrow some ideas from the classic. With very few controls, IA-LA1 seems easy to use and promises quick results. And here’s a nifty feature: you can dial in the amount of total harmonic distortion (THD) and control how much the compressor colours the signal.

Initial Audio IA-LA1

Only a few days after Dynamic Delay, Initial Audio has already released the next plug-in. With a limited number of knobs, the IA-LA1 compressor plug-in is designed for ease of use. It’s not quite a one-knob compressor, but it takes a cue from the famous LA-2A and offers two simple controls for adjusting the compression: threshold and makeup. The other parameters like ratio, attack and release are either fixed or determined automatically; Initial Audio hasn’t shared the details. This means that IA-LA1 is not a surgical precision tool, but rather a compressor/limiter designed for quick, musical results. It also offers input, output and gain reduction meters, as well as an input gain control and a compress/limit switch, another detail inspired by the LA-2A.

According to Initial Audio, the IA-LA1 uses a transparent algorithm that doesn’t colour the signal. But sometimes a bit of colouration might be what you want. That’s where the THD knob comes in. It lets you dial in the desired amount of total harmonic distortion for adding warmth and depth to the sound. That’s a nice feature that opens up new sonic possibilities.

If IA-LA1 sounds as good and behaves as musically as its LA-2A heritage suggests, it’ll be an interesting alternative to other simplified compressors. Especially for the USD 19 intro price!

Price and compatibility

IA-LA1 is now available from the Initial Audio website for USD 19. The regular price will be USD 79.

The plug-in runs on macOS and Windows in VST and AU formats (64 bit only). A free demo is available.

More information

• Developer’s page
• More from Initial Audio

Video

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The new Brainworx Rockergain 100 is a software emulation of the 100 Watt monster that is the Orange Rockerverb valve head. And thankfully, as it is a plugin, you don’t have to go deaf to hear it in all its glory. Read on to find out more.

Brainworx Rockergain 100

The Brainworx Rockergain 100 is a new virtual amp based on the hugely popular Orange Rockerverb head. The plugin has two channels, and emulates the four EL34 tubes of the power section and the four 12AX7s of the preamp section of the amp that it’s based on. Its clean channel offers controls over BASS and TREBLE, while the dirty channel adds an extra one for MID. The plugin looks simple enough to use, and has some neat extra features that you can use to further tweak your sound.

Brainworx Rockergain 100 a viral Orange Rockerverb for your DAW

Extras

Extra features include a LoFi delay, noise gate, filter (tight/smooth), power soak, and a bypass for pre- and power-amp sections. There are also 120 recording chains on offer, that are based on impulse responses produced on a Neve desk.

Brainworx Rockergain 100 for your DAW

The plugin runs on macOS 10.9, or higher and Windows 7, or higher in AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 formats. There doesn’t appear to be a standalone version, which is a pity. Looks like you’ll have to fire up your DAW to use this software.

Introductory Pricing

Currently, it has an introductory price tag of $129.99 after which it will got up to the regular $149.99. In case you’d like to try it out first, there’s a free 14 day trial of the plugin for you to play with. Click the link below for more information.

RRP – USD 149.99

More Information

• Manufacturer’s website

Video

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When Neural DSP announced a new Archtype plug-in, we were expecting another module designed for hard rock or metal. After all, most of Neural’s recent offerings – like the Fortin Cali Suite, the Granophyre and Nolly Archetype plug-in – have been tailored to heavier styles. But refreshingly, the new Archetype is geared toward an altogether different sound, namely that of Vulfpeck’s Cory Wong. 

Archetype Cory Wong

Each product in Neural DSP’s Archetype series contains emulations of amps, cabs and favourite effects. The Cory Wong edition includes three amps called D.I Funk Console, The Clean Machine and The Amp Snob. As you’d expect, all three provide clean, tight, transparent funk guitar tones.

Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong

The D.I Funk Console is based on an analogue channel strip from a mixing desk, with a Tube Saturation that has selectable frequencies on the EQ section, High Pass and Low Pass filters.

The Clean Machine is described as “an amalgamation of the best clean amps in the industry” that delivers “crisp, clean tones with a beautifully warm top end.” Finally, the amusingly titled The Amp Snob is modelled on “one of the rarest amplifiers in history”, which we take as an allusion to a Dumble-style boutique amp. By the way, if you need some help getting some D-style tones, you should check out some of these pedals.

But the Archetype conceot also includes built-in cab sims, and the Cory Wong edition provides 108 IRs per cab for you a total of 324 IRs at your disposal. That gives you a lot of choice in tailoring your final guitar tone. Nice!

Effects

The plug-in also throws in some pre-effects, too. The Postal Service is a complex envelope filter with a stylish but user-friendly interface, while the 4th Position Compressor provides Cory’s signature clean guitar tone. There’s also a modded booster called The Tuber as well as an effect called The Big Rig Overdrive. Two post-effects are also available: the analogue-style Delay-y-y and a reverb called The Wash. Oh and a Wah pedal, too.

Clean Machine

It’s good to see Neural DSP take the Archetype concept in a new direction that contrasts nicely to previous signature bundles aimed at heavier, high-gain tones. You can run the Cory Wong bundle as either 64-bit VST, AU, AAX or Standalone on both Mac and Windows. They both require a free iLok License Manager and iLok account to run on your system.

You can download a free trial from the link below. This bundle is currently on an introductory pricing of £85.99 instead of the usual £107.99, so early adopters can save a few quid on the package.

RRP – GBP 107.99 

More Information

• Product Page

Video

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This week’s best sample packs includes the next installment of SampleScience’ popular Vaporwaves series, Clavinets run through a variety of guitar amps, a free pack of great sounding instruments for creating chillstep and lo-fi productions, and some of the best dubstep samples available.

SampleScience Vaporwaves 3

Following up on the positive reception of the second edition of the Vaporwaves series is number 3. The 52 sounds were once again recording on audio and video cassettes to lend to the 80s motif. This time around they focused more on pads, synthesizers, and bass sounds.

It comes with control over the envelope, in-app preamp, filter controls, and multiple LFOs. The GUI will be entirely familiar if you’ve used SampleScience products before. The application runs on Windows and Mac VST/3 and AU plug-in standards. All SampleScience applications are unique and sound great. And at just $30 you won’t break the bank.

• More information and pricing 

IK Multimedia Clavitube

Furthering the capabilities of SampleTank 4, IK Multimedia introduces Clavitube – an immense sample pack with over 4GB of sounds and 252 different instruments. The sounds were created by taking different models of clavinets and running them through guitar amplifiers. There are an insane number of amps used including Marshall, Fender, Roland. The sounds are definitely vibey and unique and considering the total size of the library $79 is a steal for adding this level of tonal options.

• More information and pricing

Reflekt Audio DFR-76

This is a free plug-in containing 27 diverse, high-quality instrument samples including leads, keys, bass, and pads. The plug-in is compatible with almost every DAW for Windows and Mac but does not work with Pro Tools at this time. For freeware the sounds are remarkably high-quality, with a distinct lo-fi vibe to them.

• More information and pricing

Thick Sounds Dubstep Outlaws VS Riddim Gangsters 2

The second volume in Thick Sounds’ dubstep series is an additional collection of one shots, loops, and synth presets inspired by several popular producers in the genre. The almost 2GB of 24-bit/44.1kHz source material includes 167 total loops of percussion, drums, synths, and bass. Thick Sounds also provides midi in addition to the audio to complement your preferred workflow. All samples range in tempo of 140-150bpm. The pack is compatible with Xfer Serum and Native Instruments Massive as available from Loopmasters for $37.50, but can also be purchased piecemeal.

• More information and pricing

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Two unique synths and an 80s-style reverb – that sums up this week’s collection of the best free plug-ins. This Sunday, we’ve got these three great freebies for you: Nils K1v by Nils Schneider, JP-ME-1 by BEN/SCHULZ and Universe by Xoxox.

For many more free plug-ins, head over to our archives!

Nils Schneider Nils K1v

Kawai is best known as a manufacturer of digital and acoustic pianos. What’s often forgotten is that the Japanese company also made a few synths back in the day. Nils K1v by Nils Schneider is an emulation of the Kawai K1, an early Rompler from 1988. It’s based on samples, but lets you edit all parameters. The plug-in includes the original factory bank and all ROM banks. It’s also compatible with K1 SysEx data and can be used to control the hardware synth. Pure late 80s nostalgia!

Nils K1v is a VST plug-in for Windows (32/64 bit).

Get Nils K1v here

BEN/SCHULZ JP-ME-1

Having fun in the late 80s? Let’s just keep going! This plug-in has been out for a few months. We may have missed it at first because it won’t stay free forever. But during the public beta phase, JP-ME-1 is free to download, and you get to keep your license. The plug-in emulates a 12-bit digital reverb from the 80s. There aren’t many parameters to play with, but you can choose from 12 different algorithms, including the ubiquitous gated reverb. After the beta phase, it’ll be USD 39, so grab it now!

JP-ME-1 is available for Windows and macOS in VST, VST3, AU and AAX formats.

Get JP-ME-1 here

Xoxos Universe

Here’s another interesting new synth from xoxos. Universe is inspired by spectral resynthesis. The GUI resembles the developer’s earlier resyn (which is also free), but instead of analyzed data, Universe uses parametric contours. Don’t know what that means? Neither do we! But if you’re tired of the same old subtractive synthesis over and over again, Universe looks useful for all sorts of experiments. And it does have a filter and ADSR envelopes – at least we know what those do!

Universe is a VST plug-in for Windows.

Download Universe here (direct download)

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It’s been a year since ADAM Audio was acquired by the Focusrite Group. Now, the speaker manufacturer is following in the footsteps of the parent company. Similar to Focusrite’s Plugin Collective and Novation’s Sound Collective, ADAM Audio is giving away free plug-ins to owners of its speakers and headphones. All you need to do is register your products on the company’s website. As an added bonus, you’ll also have the option to extend the warranty period from two to five years.

ADAM Audio gives away free plug-ins

In Focusrite’s and Novation’s Sound Collective / Plugin Collective program, registered owners of the companies’ products receive a different plug-in for free every two months. ADAM Audio is now offering a similar deal. Register your product(s) in the MyAdam section on the company’s website, and you’ll find your free gift in the Free Plugins section in your user account. Easy! The offer applies to owners of the ADAM Audio T series, AX series, S series and subwoofers, as well as the SP-5 headphones.

The current offer is Obelisk by FrozenPlain, a MIDI chord builder and harmonizer plug-in that makes it easy to chord progressions for your melodies. Obelisk automatically harmonizes melodies with chords that match the key and scale of your track.

Extended warranty

Here’s another great offer for owners of the aforementioned ADAM Audio products purchased from an authorized dealer. Upon registering your products, the manufacturer will extend the warranty period from two to five years. That’s quite generous and speaks for the confidence ADAM Audio has in the quality of its products. Again, all you need to do is create a user account and fill out the product registration, and you should be good to go.

More information

• Manufacturer’s page
• More from ADAM Audio

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Our colleagues at Thomann are offering you some awesome deals on Sennheiser XSW 1-835 wireless microphone systems. Various frequency band systems are available with a whopping discount of 100 Euros! This is a limited availability offer as long as stocks last. If we’ve whetted your appetite, read on for tech details and money saving links.

Sennheiser XSW 1-835

So what’s the deal with the XSW 1-835 wireless microphone? Well, it’s based upon Sennheiser’s XSW wireless technology; the microphone uses the 835 dynamic capsule plucked from the evolution series. That means you get a high-quality cardioid wireless microphone with a frequency response ideally tailored to vocals. Additionally, you’ll also benefit from the advantages of Sennheiser’s XSW wireless system technology.

Each XSW set allows you to choose from one of ten channels within a preset frequency bank. Simply purchase the XSW wireless set with the frequency bank that best suits your application. Operation is a doddle with an auto-scan function finding free and available frequencies for you. A true diversity system, you can kiss goodbye to irritating dropouts and enjoy the stage freedom a wireless system gives you.

Importantly, transmitter and receiver pairing is as simple as the push of a button; the built-in display keeping you posted on battery life. Talking of battery life, two AA batteries will give you up to 10 hours of performance time! The pro features continue with both jack and XLR outputs on offer; you can also switch between line and mic level from the receiver.

Your Choice of Frequency Bands

We don’t know how long the current offer will continue for, but we’ve noticed before that some deals sell out within hours. Our advice would be to jump on this one whilst you have your pick of frequency bands! All models within the XSW 1-835 range are the same, it is only the preset frequency bands which differ. If you’re in any doubt, contact Thomann directly.

Right – on to the affiliate deals from our friends over at Thomann!

The Sennheiser XSW 1-835 A-Band Vocal Set covers the A-Band frequency range from 548 to 572 MHz.

The Sennheiser XSW 1-835 B-Band Vocal Set works with the B-Band: 614 to 638 MHz.

With the Sennheiser XSW 1-835 E-Band Vocal Set the E-band frequency range is available: 821 to 832 and 863 to 865 MHz.

And finally, the Sennheiser XSW 1-835 GB band Vocal Set GB-Band frequency range: 606 to 630 MHz.

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