Sound Radix is happy to announce the release of SurferEQ, an innovative pitch-tracking equalizer AU, VST and RTAS plug-in. It is capable of locking onto a vocal or an instrument pitch and adjusting the EQ frequency to its fundamental pitch, or any of its harmonics thus “surfing” on the sound waves.

Sound Radix designed the EQ filters with new and original algorithms, making every effort to preserve the energy and size of the original recording. In addition to the HP, LP, shelf and bell shaped filters, they have developed a unique harmonic filter, which makes it possible to control the complete harmonic series using only a single band of EQ.

As it is always relevant to the sound source, SurferEQ is a tool like no other. It enables tone shaping in ways that were impossible to achieve previously by other tools.

Features

• Pitch-Tracking Equalizer
• Original Assymetric EQ Algorithms
• Innovative Harmonic Filter
• 64 Bit Internal Processing

SurferEQ is available as RTAS, VST & Audio Units plug-ins.

SurferEQ is currently available at an introductory price of $129 until January 2012. As a thank you to early supporters, users of Auto-Align can purchase SurferEQ for an introductory price of $99 in the User Area.

http://www.soundradix.com/products/surfer-eq

iZotope, Inc. today announced the release of Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 5 is an update to iZotope’s critically acclaimed software mastering suite. Ozone 5 Advanced is a professional mastering suite that expands Ozone’s feature set with individual component plug-ins, extended features, and the brand-new Ozone Meter Bridge.

“Whether you’re a musician, engineer, or mastering pro, Ozone 5 lets you master music and other audio simply and efficiently,” says Nick Dika, iZotope Senior Product Manager. “Ozone 5 is the biggest update we’ve ever offered, with improvements that will appeal to Ozone experts and new users alike. Ozone 5 Advanced is designed to set a new industry standard for mastering tools. Advanced includes many exclusive features, and offers mixing and mastering engineers an even higher level of flexibility, precision and control.”

New in Ozone 5

• Pristine Sound and Enhanced DSP – Each module has been updated with refined signal processing algorithms to bring you a new level of mastering quality. The most complete mastering suite available has never sounded better.
• Optimized Workflow and Updated Interface – iZotope has redesigned Ozone’s user interface to allow for finer control while placing important features right at your fingertips. New users can jump in without a steep learning curve while experienced Ozone fans will feel right at home.
• Visual Feedback – Every module features updated metering to help guide you to the perfect-sounding master.

Ozone 5 Advanced builds on iZotope’s reputation for superior sound quality and industry-standard audio mastering tools. Each module in Ozone 5 Advanced is equipped with extended features made specifically for mixing and mastering professionals. For added flexibility, Ozone 5 Advanced allows customers to use each of the mastering modules as individual plug-ins. Combining essential visualization from Ozone’s modules with new metering tools, the all-new Meter Bridge provides a suite of audio analysis tools that help you visualize changes made during the mastering process, troubleshoot problematic mixes, and compare reference tracks.

Ozone 5 Advanced Includes

• Extended Features – Ozone 5 Advanced provides deeper control within every module in Ozone. Advanced exclusives include a variable-phase EQ, Loudness Maximizer modes with Transient Recovery and Stereo Link controls, mono-compatible stereo synthesis features and much more.
• Meter Bridge – The powerful Meter Bridge introduces a high resolution real-time 3D spectrogram with unique mix analysis features, BS.1770-2 compatible stereo loudness metering, resizable spectrum analyzer, and a vectorscope with stereo balance and correlation meters.
• Meter Taps – For mixing and stem mastering, multiple audio streams can be superimposed on a 2D or 3D plot using Ozone 5 Advanced’s Meter Tap plug-ins. Meter Taps enable unprecedented visualization of how a mix’s elements fit together.
• Component Plug-ins – Use Ozone 5 Advanced’s mastering modules as an integrated mastering system or as individual plug-ins. Move module presets between Ozone 5 Advanced and its components freely.

On the Mac, Ozone 5 requires OS X 10.5.8 or later, an Intel processor and a compatible AU or VST host application (or Pro Tools 7.4 or later for RTAS/AudioSuite). For use of the scrolling 3D Spectrogram, Ozone 5 Advanced requires a graphics card that supports Open GL 2.0.

Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced will be available for a suggested retail price of $249 and $999 respectively. Special discount pricing of $199 and $599 is available through 2 January 2012. Current Ozone customers may upgrade for $149 to Ozone 5 or $499 to Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 4 customers who purchased after October 1, 2011 will receive a free upgrade to Ozone 5 Standard upon release.

www.izotope.com/ozone5

Update November 11: Current Ozone 4 customers may upgrade for $99 and $399 respectively.

Update November 28: The introductory discount pricing has been extended an extra month to January 2.

eaReckon has updated its ANALOG87 series of 5 plug-ins, adding Mac AU and VST 32/64-bit compatibility. This collection of dynamics plug-ins and a visual EQ have been designed and fine tuned by human ears with this idea in mind: “Your ears deserve trust.”

“Not too long ago, we were listening to our mixes with our eyes closed, tyring to get the most information from our trained ears,” says eaReckon. “We were not afraid of digital artifacts. No lights were blinking telling us how bad our equalization was and we were talking about how warm, smooth, punchy was the music and not how red, blue, and yellow it could be. Of course as time progressed, our computers provided visual feedback, making it easier for us to find mistakes that would have previously taken 10 hours of repeated listening to detect. As musicians, we started to use both our eyes and ears to mix music, discovering how you interact with an effect can be almost as important as how it sounds.”

During the development of the ANALOG87 series of plug-ins, sound has been the top priority with the interface designed around the workflow of an old school engineer. eaReckon has applied some contemporary updates making them much easier to use and saving you the inconvenience of climbing behind a console to plug cables into the back of a sidechain compressor.

The ANALOG87 collection

• SD-COMP 87 — Sidechain Compressor
• SD-GATE 87 — Sidechain Gate and “Duck”
• BW-LIMIT 87 — Brickwall Limiter & Maximizer
• PR-EQUA 87 — 4-Band Parametric Equalizer
• CS-STRIP 87 — Channel Strip (double freq filter, compressor with parallel processing capabilities, gate, 4-Band parametric EQ and brickwall limiter)

On the Mac, the ANALOG87 collection requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (recommended) and 1 GB of available RAM (recommended).

The ANALOG87 series plug-ins are available via direct download from eaReckon for €29 each, €39 for CS-STRIP 87. An ANALOG87 bundle combines all plug-ins for €99. A special discounted bundle price of €69 is available through 12 November 2011.

If you want a taste of the sound produced by the ANALOG87 series, or if you are on a budget, eaReckon also offers the FREE87 series of four plug-ins that are based on the same engine.

www.eareckon.com

Mellowmuse Software has announced EQ3V, a flexible 7-band vintage equalizer plug-in. EQ3V offers 5 bands of fully parametric EQ, plus variable Q High Pass and Low Pass filters, and its own unique harmonic coloration using analogue modelled saturation.

All EQ3V equalization and saturation algorithms are oversampled, using 64-bit internal processing for superior clarity and resolution. Current values are clearly displayed for all parameters, each EQ section may be individually bypassed.

Features

• High Pass: 10hz – 400hz
• Low Shelf: 30hz – 400hz
• Low Mid Peaking: 200hz – 7.0k
• Mid Peaking: 3.0k – 10.0k
• High Mid Peaking: 8.0k – 14.0k
• High Shelf: 8.0k – 16.0k
• Low Pass: 8.0k – 20k
• Bypass per band, phase invert and overall bypass switch
• Analogue modeled saturation
• 4x Oversampled
• 64bit internal processing

On the Mac, EQ3V requires OS X 10.4 or later and a compatible 32-bit AU, VST or RTAS host application, or 64-bit AU or VST host.

EQ3V is available via direct download from Mellowmuse for $99. A free trial download is also available.

http://www.mellowmuse.com/EQ3V.html

DontCrack is proud to announce the launch of the new V.I.P. Series plug-ins, the result of considerable experience working with major artists and producers around the world. The collection of twenty AU, VST and RTAS effects ranges from dynamics to coloring to reverbs.

This new series delivers the same professional sound you would come to expect from other major plug-in manufacturers, with a nod towards ease of use. Designed with an emphasis on quality and simplicity, each plug-in has a clean interface with only the most essential knobs and switches. With the V.I.P. Series, dialing in a great sound has never been easier: Simply load the plug-in and turn a knob for instant sonic satisfaction. Installing and authorizing DontCrack plug-ins has also been made incredibly easy for end users to move forward with what they have to do.

On the Mac, the V.I.P. Series plug-ins require OS X 10.5.8, 10.6 or 10.7 Lion, an Intel processor and a compatible AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools) host. 32-bit and 64-bit are supported. No iLok or eLicenser dongle are required.

Each V.I.P. Series plug-in is $49 individually, or $489* for the entire “V.I.P. Bundle” collection. Trial downloads are available. If you prefer purchasing plug-ins one at a time, DontCrack will upgrade you to the entire V.I.P. Bundle for free as soon as you accumulate 10 plug-ins. Once you have purchased or upgraded to V.I.P. Bundle status, all subsequent plug-ins released for the V.I.P. Series will be free of charge. The DontCrack V.I.P. bundle is expected to expand to over 40 plug-ins next year.

* To celebrate the release, DontCrack is making the V.I.P. bundle available for only $299 until Monday, 10 October 2011.

http://store.dontcrack.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=72

DMG Audio has released EQuick, a streamlined, ultramodern EQ plug-in built to help you make your mixes magnificent with a fast, intuitive and flexible interface. EQuick was built with its beautiful, clear graph with accessibility and efficiency in mind.

According to DMG Audio’s concept for EQuick, “We wanted to play with the idea of the interface; we wondered whether EQ could be made more intuitive, more direct, and how one would go about making an EQ that made the process even faster. EQuality speeds up your workflow because it sounds great, and you don’t waste any time compensating for defects in what it does. For EQuick we wanted to delve deeper into the design of the interface. Perfection is when there’s nothing more to take away, so we started by stripping down the interface to its most essential element – the graph. EQuick has nothing else. We had to work in all the controls (like Range and Shift) that made EQuality so special and we found that we could do that with the graph. Also, we took account of the fact that different people have different size screens – so you can pick your size for EQuick. But we couldn’t do that at the expense of control, so we built the tooltip system that provides you will all the data you need, when you need it.”

Features

• Unbelievably low CPU usage for high instance counts
• Generates super-high-quality prototypes, with clear undistorted top
• Linear phase mode for mastering and special channels
• 32 bands of EQ, bells and notches, with a +/-36dB range, and a Q range from 0.1 to 50
• Each band can be Peak, HPF, LPF, High Shelf, Low Shelf or Notch
• Fully parametric filters (high and low-pass), 6/12/18/24/30/36/42/48db/oct
• Shelves which let you move the resonance above or below the curve
• Each bank can process Mid, Side or the full stereo image
• Adjustable gain-q interaction for ‘musical’ usage
• Five different UI sizes
• M/S processing per-band with listen
• Hi-res Spectrum analyser
• 8 banks of A/B
• Autolisten mode, for quick finding/adjustment of frequencies

On the Mac, EQuick requires OS X 10.4.11 or better, on a G4, G5 or Intel processor. VST, VST3 and AU are supported in both 32-bit and 64-bit hosts. RTAS is supported in 32-bit ProTools 7 or newer.

EQuick can be purchased via direct download from DMG Audio for £74.99, or as part of the EQuality & EQuick bundle for £124.99. The EQuality & Compassion bundle now includes EQuick too, for the same price. A free trial version is also available. Previous EQuality users get a free EQuick licence, as a “thank you” for your support.

http://dmgaudio.com/products_equick.php

DDMF has released 6144 EQ, a software plug-in version of the Neve Portico 5033 equalizer. With its special gain-Q-interaction, custom-made high and low shelf filters plus just the right amount of high harmonic generation, this new plug-in comes at just a fraction of the price of the hardware version.

The 6144 EQ is a close software remake of the original Neve hardware. As such, it has the same layout, consisting of a low and a high shelf filter, together with three peaking filter sections.

The center frequency of the filter sections can be tuned within a certain range each, and the gain can be set anywhere from -12 dB to +12 dB. Additionally, for the peaking filters, the Q value can be set (hence three knobs for each of these filters). Each of the peaking filters can be switched on and off with the (e.g.) “HMF In” LED by simply clicking on it. The shelving filters have a common on-off-LED on the right side of the user interface.

Finally, the whole EQ section can be bypassed with the LED “All Bypass”, still leaving a subtle “warming” effect though, just like in the hardware model. The input gain can be tuned with the red knob on the left side. All knobs can be reset by double-clicking and finetuned by holding down the Ctrl-button while tuning them.

On the Mac, the 6144 EQ requires an Intel processor and a compatible 32 or 64-bit VST or AU host application.

6144 EQ can be purchased now via direct download from DDMF for $29. A free trial version is also available for download.

http://www.ddmf.eu/product.php?id=9

Waves Audio today announced the availability of H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer, a uniquely powerful plug-in for mixing and mastering, featuring vintage and modern EQ inspired by the finest British and American consoles.

Included are seven different filter types per band: US Vintage, UK Vintage 1, UK Vintage 2, US Modern, UK Modern, Digital 1 and Digital 2, in addition to a newly-developed, one-of-a-kind asymmetrical bell filter. An intuitive keyboard graphic lets users choose frequencies by clicking on notes, and an exclusive MS Mode allows users to apply different EQ to Mid and Side content. Also featured is a flexible real-time frequency spectrum analyzer with multiple display options.

Waves H-EQ Controls:

• Input Fader controls the signal input level.
• EQ Modes: Stereo/Linked, Dual/Unlinked, MS Mode.
• EQ Filters: HP, LF, LMF, MF, HMF, HF, LP.
• Analog Type toggles between analog characteristic types.
• Analog Level controls the level of the combined noise and hum.
• THD Level controls the level of harmonic distortion added to the signal.
• Keyboard lets users choose frequencies by clicking on notes.
• Analyzer presents a real-time graphical display of the input signal, output signal or both, as well as the EQ curve.
• Analyzer In displays the input signal, post-input fader.
• Analyzer Out displays the output signal, post-output fader.
• L/M turns on the display of the left side only in Stereo mode, or the M in M/S mode.
• R/S turns on the display of the right side only in Stereo mode, or the S in M/S mode.
• Freeze stops the frequency graph.
• Peak Hold stops the frequency graph at its highest peak point.
• Analyzer Scale displays the energy level measured by the analyzer.
• EQ Scale displays the EQ curve being applied to the signal.
• Band Markers allow users to manipulate the EQ bands using the band markers.
• Output fader controls signal output level.
• Phase flips the phase of the signal by 180 degrees.
• Trim displays the maximum peak level of the output signal and its distance from 0 dBFS.

On the Mac, Waveshell 8 requires OS X 10.5.8 – 10.7, an Intel Core Duo 2.3 Ghz processor or faster, 2 GB of available RAM and a minimum display resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels.

Waves H-EQ is now available at a U.S. MSRP of $200 (native) / $300 (TDM). A special introductory price of $99 / $149 is available for a limited time. Waves H-EQ is also available at no additional charge to owners of Waves Mercury with current Waves Update Plan coverage.

http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=11818

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ is an award-winning mastering EQ, named as the “Gear of the Decade” by Future Music magazine. The bx_digital V2 EQ offers three modes — M/S Mastering, M/S Recording, and L/R Stereo — with a unique “SixPack” Master Section, 11-band EQ with Shifter EQs to 22 kHz, and built-in M/S De-Esser, Dynamic EQ, and extensive metering options. An included bx_digital V2 Mono plug-in provides the same Mastering EQ-quality sound for mixing applications. For many engineers, this incredibly smooth-sounding processor is simply the ultimate software equalizer.

The SPL Vitalizer MK2-T is an authentic emulation of the popular tube-based Vitalizer hardware unit, a longtime staple of top mixing and post-production engineers. Offering a patented technology for greater perceived loudness and clarity without unnatural artifacts, the Vitalizer provides independent Bass and Mid-Hi processing that works in both the time and frequency domains to effectively unmask overlapping sounds. As both a fixative and an enhancement tool, the Vitalizer MK2-T is a mixing must-have.

These new UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins are noteworthy both in their unique sonic capabilities, as well as their being developed in their entirety for the UAD-2 platform by the software engineers at SPL and Brainworx — two of the audio industry’s most respected brands — as part of a new UAD-2 SDK (software development kit).

“With the opening of the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform to select Direct Developers, we wanted to start with partners that would deliver exceptional results. That meant turning to our friends at SPL and Brainworx,” commented Matt Ward, president of Universal Audio. “The SPL Vitalizer and the Brainworx bx_digital V2 have already proven themselves as standout mixing tools on Mac and PC. Now they are available to UAD-2 DSP Accelerator owners, offering a way to offload processing power for running more tracks and virtual instruments on the host computer.”

“We’re extremely pleased to see the new UAD software version being released and featuring our first SPL & BX plug-ins for the UAD-2 community,” says Dirk Ulrich, CEO of Brainworx and head of SPL Software. “We spent many months developing the SDK with UA, and it´s been a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time. Now it´s time for UAD-2 users to rock the new SPL & BX tools UA is offering them with this new release. Enjoy!”

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ and SPL Vitalizer MK2-T plug-ins are now available as part of the new UAD Software v6.0 release, which includes the new Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In, as well as significant improvements to Pro Tools and support for Mac OS X Lion.

Available for purchase via UA’s Online Store, the Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ sells for $329.00, and the SPL Vitalizer MK2-T sells for $249.00.

http://www.uaudio.com/store/equalizers/brainworx-bx-digital.html

http://www.uaudio.com/spl-vitalizer-mk2-t.html

Native Instruments has released two new products that expand its recently established range of GUITAR RIG-based studio effects. The new SOLID MIX SERIES emulates the distinctive EQ and dynamics sections of one of the most revered mixing consoles of all time, while TRANSIENT MASTER recreates a popular hardware processor that provides highly efficient transient processing.

Based on sophisticated component modeling, the SOLID MIX SERIES recreates the essential components of a classic mixing desk whose sonic signature has shaped popular music. The series consists of three individual modules that provide the tools to create a polished and professional-sounding mix. “Solid EQ” emulates the legendary equalizer section of the console with its 4 parametric bands as well as the adjustable low-cut and high-cut filters, which allows for especially musical and transparent sound shaping of all signal types. Switchable EQ types also offer the selection between two distinctive generations of the original hardware with their specific sound characteristics.

“Solid Bus Comp” is an authentic emulation of the sought-after bus compressor, renowned for the way that it “glues” mixes together and singlehandedly creates a “finished” studio production sound. Taking advantage of the new features of the GUITAR RIG 5 generation, it also provides a sidechain input as well as a dry/wet control for parallel compression. As the third component, “Solid Dynamics” provides a combined dynamics section with stereo compressor, expander and gate that lends itself to the precise dynamics processing of individual tracks.

TRANSIENT MASTER is inspired by a highly popular modern studio processor, and provides a unique and especially efficient method to treat drums and percussive instrument sounds by directly reshaping the envelope of the signal. Through the “Attack” and “Sustain” parameters of the software, TRANSIENT MASTER can both add natural punch and definition, or blend individual instruments further back into the mix, without any of the sonic artifacts associated with regular compression methods.

Both products can used be used with the free GUITAR RIG PLAYER software, or expand the arsenal of the upcoming new GUITAR RIG 5. On the Mac, GUITAR RIG PLAYER requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM. It can run stand-alone or as an AU, VST or RTAS plug-in.

The SOLID MIX SERIES is available for $229 / €199, with the individual components available for $119 / €99 each. TRANSIENT MASTER is $119 / €99. Both products are also included in the new KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE, with TRANSIENT MASTER also being included in the new KOMPLETE 8.

www.native-instruments.com/solidmixseries

www.native-instruments.com/transientmaster

Redwirez has announced the release of mixIR2, a high performance, zero latency convolution plug-in. mixIR2 allows you to mix multiple IRs with minimal fuss and no loss of performance as you stack IRs. Mix mics, cabinets, reverb, EQ curves, and more with ease at levels of performance unrivaled by any other convolution plug-in.

With mixIR2, you won’t have to wrestle with busses, sends and the overhead of running multiple plug-ins just to capture your typical two mic recording setup. Throw in a room mic or two, some reverb, a dash of EQ, or reproduce a tube amp’s interaction with your cabinet of choice, all with IRs and all with no performance penalty and no complicated routing strategies in your audio workstation.

You can mix IRs in parallel which is useful when mixing multiple mic positions. You can pan IRs left or right in the stereo field. You can run an IR in serial, which is great for EQ or adding room reverb when used in conjunction with the ability to set a wet/dry mix ratio for each IR. If it sounds powerful, that’s because it is. If it sounds a little confusing, it’s not. Load a preset and start twiddling some knobs, you’ll get the hang of it, “tout de suite”.

Features at a Glance

• Efficient, no-nonsense, drag-and-drop IR browser
• Zero latency, so it adds no delay to the signal
• Run one IR or 30 with the same unmatched performance
• FAST — Lets you run more plug-ins
• Powerful internal routing allows you to mix IRs without messing with busses and sends
• Mix IRs in stereo with pan controls
• Upload, download, share and rate presets on redwirez.com
• 32/64-bit Mac VST and AU, 32-bit Windows VST (RTAS and Win64 support on the way)
• Simple authorization process. We like to keep our dongles to ourselves, thank you
• Neve 1073 EQ impulse responses included

According to Redwirez, mixIR2 outperforms every other plug-in tested by at least 20% (less CPU utilization) when running a single IR. When it comes to mixing multiple IRs, no other plug-in comes close because, run 1 IR or 30, it doesn’t matter. You get the same stellar performance with zero latency. Zero latency means mixIR2 doesn’t add delay to the signal.

On the Mac, mixIR2 requires OS X 10.5 or later in 32-bit mode. On OS X 10.6 or later, the AU and VST plug-in will also run in 64-bit mode.

mixIR2 is available now for free when you buy the Redwirez BIGBox IR bundle, which is currently available as a direct download from Redwirez for $125.

www.redwirez.com

PSP is pleased to announce the release of two new EQ plug-ins: PSP NobleQ and PSP NobleQex. PSP NobleQ combines the most beloved features of classic passive program equalizers, but adds a wide range of frequency settings and cutting-edge functionality.

PSP NobleQ stands out for its warm sound, its boost and attenuation low-shelf filters and its combined peak and shelf high frequency processing. The warm and musical sound in PSP NobleQ is made possible by FAT double sampling for a natural analog-like response. PSP also added an output valve-like rounding algorithm with adjustable processing depth.

The low shelf filter actually combines two shelving sections: The first one allows you to boost low frequencies while the other one attenuates them but is tuned slightly higher. Together they help to get a rich bottom end without low-midrange muddiness.

The high frequency range consists of two filters – a peaking filter with adjustable bandwidth (usually set to Boost) and a shelf filter (usually set to Attenuate). Both filters interact in such a way that the more attenuation to high frequency is applied the more selective peaking filter becomes while keeping its center frequency similarly boosted.

PSP NobleQex is an extended version of the PSP NobleQ. It offers all the features of PSP NobleQ with an additional middle bell filter and adjustable low-shelf dip frequency shift. Both plug-ins are included in the same bundle.

On the Mac, PSP NobleQ requires Mac OSX 10.5 or later and a compatible AU, VST 2.3 or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 or later) host application.

PSP NobleQ is available via direct download from pspaudioware.com at the special introductory price of $59 (15% off) until 31 August 2011. On September 1st, the price will increase to $69. Previous PSP customers qualify for a discount. To see your price, log-in to your account. A fully operational 14-day demo is also available.

www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/equalizers/psp_nobleq/