New Audio Gear Alert: Universal Audio’s Hitsville EQ Collection, Nx Virtual Studio Collection by Waves & More

Universal Audio announces the Hitsville EQ Collection.

Universal Audio harnesses the true sound of Motown with the new Hitsville EQ Collection.

Universal Audio has introduced UAD software v10.1, featuring the Hitsville EQ Collection. The Hitsville EQ Collection delivers the rich tone and color of the fabled graphic and mastering EQs used to mix some of Motown’s greatest records, from Stevie Wonder to The Supremes.

Featuring the all‑purpose graphic EQ alongside the first‑ever emulation of Hitsville’s rare mid/side disk mastering EQ, with legendary “Motown Filters” and half‑speed frequency settings, the Hitsville EQ Collection packages the vintage sound of Motown’s most revered studio tools for Apollo and UAD Spark customers for the first time ever.

The collection is available exclusively for the UAD Spark plugin subscription service and Apollo interfaces.

To learn even more about the EQs of Motown, visit this article on a recently launched new hardware version.

Waves releases the Nx Virtual Studio Collection.

The Waves Nx Virtual Studio Collection includes 4 studios and 12 stereo and surround monitoring systems.

The Waves Nx Virtual Studio Collection gives you virtual access to the acoustics and monitoring systems of world-famous mixing rooms, on any pair of stereo headphones—so you can mix with confidence, wherever you are.

From L.A. to New York to Nashville, the Waves Nx Virtual Studio Collection brings together precision acoustic models of multiple world-class studios. Put on your favorite headphones, and enter Ocean Way Nashville, Chris Lord-Alge’s Mix LA, Germano Studios New York (originally The Hit Factory), and the original Waves Nx Virtual Mix Room—so you can perfect your mixes in acoustically superior mixing environments.

Each Nx plugin comes complete with several monitoring systems from the original studios, emulating the acoustic response of studio classics including NS10s, high-end Ocean Way and Exigy monitors, and more—for a total of 4 studios and 12 stereo and surround monitoring systems.

The Nx Virtual Studio Collection is available now for a special introductory promo price of $79.99 (reg. $699).

Techivation releases the T-Compressor.

Compress with color or complete transparency with Techivation’s new T-Compressor.

T-Compressor was designed to make the professional audio compression process as simple as possible. It is easy to set up and use, yet is powerful enough to get any complex audio processing tasks done. It offers unique and quick audio compression solutions, such as the serial compression feature, automatic compression setting control, and the smart auto-gain.

T-Compressor is super transparent, but it also gives you the option to add distinctive color to your sound. The way the attack/release/ratio/knee controls are set makes it easy to get the properly compressed sound. The serial compression feature allows you to use up to 3 instances of the plugin on the same window. This feature not only gives you more control over your serial compression processing, but also saves you time, plugin spot, and CPU usage. It also helps you create more unique sounds.

T-Compressor is available now, priced at $49.

Blackstar debuts the St. James Amplifiers.

Superior valve design meets portability with the new St. James Amplifiers by Blackstar.

Blackstar’s new St. James Amplifiers we created to meet market demand for truly lightweight and portable valve amplifiers. Developed after months of forensic examination of vintage valve amps, the St. James series offers amps in two formats: an EL34 design creating classic British rock tones and a 6L6 model with crystal clean tones and higher gain, both available as Celestion-equipped combo or amplifier head with matching vertical 212 cabinet.

These amps offer a high level of value for the price and are ideal for gigging players in search of a great-sounding valve amp at less than half the weight of traditional valve-driven amplifiers, as well as studio players looking for elite tone with the convenience of built-in tools used for recording applications. The models’ light weight is attributable to several factors in construction and design, namely the candlenut wood cabinet and custom Celestion Zephyr speaker, all without sacrificing the all-valve signal path creating the sound and feel of a traditional valve amplifier.

Pricing for the St. James Amplifiers is as follows: 50 Watt 6L6 Combo Amp: $1299.99; 50 Watt 6L6 Amp Head: $1199.99; 50 Watt EL34 Combo Amp: $1299.99; 50 Watt EL34 Amp Head: $1199.99; Vertical 212 Cabinet Black: $749.99; Vertical 212 Cabinet Fawn: $749.99.

For further information on the St. James amplifiers, click here.

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