New Gear Alert: New Tools from UAD, Free Plugin Suite for PreSonus Users, Plugin Alliance’s 100% DSP AAX Bundle & More

Universal Audio releases OTO BISCUIT 8-bit Effects, Fuchs Overdrive Supreme, and bx_subsynth plugins for UAD-2 and Apollo platforms.

The OTO® BISCUIT 8-Bit Effects, Fuchs® Overdrive Supreme 50 and bx_subsynth plugins are exciting new additions to the ever-expanding AUD-2 and Apollo platforms.

UA’s latest software release features three new plugins from their esteemed direct developers — Softube’s OTO® BISCUIT 8-bit Effects, plus Brainworx’s bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synthesizer and Fuchs® Overdrive Supreme 50 Amplifier plugins.

Developed by Softube and available exclusively for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces, the OTO BISCUIT 8-bit Effects plugin is an exact emulation of the hard-to-find hardware that quickly gained favor with EDM producers, DJs, and remixers with its lush soundscapes, waveshaping, and pitch-shifting effects. The OTO BISCUIT 8-bit Effects plugin allows for creative mangling of sources on a bit-per-bit level. Users can invert or mute individual bits for a wide range of classic to twisted lo-fi effects, add chiseled crunch to kick and snare drums for instant character, or dial down the sample rate clock to generate funky, trashy aliasing textures on any instrument.

Developed by Brainworx, the bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synthesizer plugin takes its sonic cues from the iconic dbx 120XP Subharmonic Synthesizer. Born in the days of disco, subharmonic synthesizers helped overcome the low-end limitations of vinyl, giving DJs, sound designers, and club mixers pounding kick drums and booty-shaking basslines that defined dance music. The bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synthesizer plugin enables producers to easily add massive low-end punch without affecting the midrange. Its third synthesis band extends the upper end of the synthesis range from 56Hz up to 80Hz, allowing for the processing of a wider range of sources, from electronic kick drums to bass synths and more.

Developed by Brainworx and officially endorsed by Fuchs Audio Technology, the Fuchs Overdrive Supreme 50 Amplifier plugin expertly captures all of the “Dumble-inspired” nuance and tube-powered tone shaping of this legendary boutique amplifier and adds 82 high-end recording chains as well as onboard vintage delay, noise gate, and lo/hi pass filters for further tone shaping. The Fuchs Overdrive Supreme 50 also features Unison™ technology for Apollo interfaces. This means Apollo user’s guitar pickups will see the exact impedance load as if they’re plugged into a Fuchs Overdrive Supreme 50 — a feature found only on Apollo audio interfaces.

OTO BISCUIT is available for $249.
bx_subsynth is available for $149.
Fuchs Overdrive Supreme 50 is available for $149.

PreSonus® offers free “Studio Magic” plugin suite for existing registered owners of eligible interfaces and mixers.

PreSonus® Studio One with Brainworx bx_opto from the Studio Magic bundle.

Both new and existing registered owners of any currently available PreSonus® audio interface or mixer are receiving a free bonus: the Studio Magic plugin Suite for Mac® and Windows®. The software bundle includes seven popular plugins in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Currently eligible interfaces and mixers include the PreSonus® AudioBox USB, AudioBox i-series, and Studio-series interfaces and StudioLive Series III, StudioLive AR USB, and StudioLive RML-series mixers. The software will be automatically added to registered users’ online MyPreSonus accounts and can be downloaded at any time—even if they bought the eligible PreSonus® interface or mixer years ago.

Studio Magic includes the following plugins: SPL Attacker, Mäag Audio EQ2, Lexicon MPX-i Reverb, Eventide H910 & Stereo Room Reverb, Brainworx bx_opto Compressor, and Arturia’s Analog Lab Lite.

Plugin Alliance announces availability of 100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5 with 50 premier plugins.

The 100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5 by Plugin Alliance is the most robust collection of AAX DSP plugins on the market.

Offering 50 premier plugins from 10 pro audio companies (including Brainworx, elysia, SPL, Millennia, Vertigo, and many more), 100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5 is the largest collection of AAX DSP production tools on the market. These bundled plugins also support AAX Native, Apple’s AU (AudioUnit), and Steinberg’s VST (Virtual Studio Technology) standard plugin formats at no additional charge, so users can still operate them within DAWs such as Apple’s Logic Pro or Ableton’s Live, for instance.

With 100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5, Plugin Alliance introduces its latest development partner by including an authentic emulation of Black Box Analog Design’s HG-2 hardware, a line level stereo processor designed to add saturation, harmonics, natural compression, increased RMS and enhancement during mixing and mastering. This boutique processor’s multiple, diverse tube circuits not only make tracks sound fuller and richer, but they also make them sound bigger, louder, and altogether punchier at the same peak level.

Also new to 100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5 is bx_subsynth, as well as the bx_console channel strip (recently reviewed on SonicScoop).

100% AAX DSP Bundle V1.5 is available for purchase as an AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, VST2, and VST3-supporting plugin bundle for Mac OS X (10.8 through 10.12), Windows (7 through 10), and Pro Tools 10.3.10 (or higher) — from Plugin Alliance for $3,659.00, representing a saving of 57% over separately purchasing all 50 plugins included.

Radial Engineering Ltd. announces North-Star™, a combination overdrive and power booster, is now shipping.

Whether you’re looking for subtle breakup or wailing, mangled distortion, North-Star by Radial can get you there.

The overdrive circuit in the North-Star is capable of providing an array of tones, varying from subtle chunk to singing distortion. The Drive and Level controls provide adjustments over the amount of distortion and the output to your amp, so you can balance how much drive you get from the pedal vs. breakup from your amp. Used on its own, the Booster section can provide easy transitions from rhythm to lead, as the separate Boost footswitch automatically engages the built-in effects loop, bringing your favorite analog delay pedal into the signal chain.

The North-Star is built in a compact enclosure to save space on a busy pedalboard, and is powered via a standard 9V power supply or a multi-pedal power brick. 14-gauge steel construction and high-quality components ensure it will hold up against the rigors of the road, and true-bypass switching retains the pure tone of your instrument when not in use.

North-Star™ is available for $169.99.

Line 6 announces Spider V 240HC is now available in stores.

Use the Spider V 240HC as a simple practice amp, or in a full-fledged live situation when paired with the Spider 412 Cabinet.

Spider V 240HC is the first amp head with an integrated full-range speaker system, and Line 6 has just announced that it is now available in stores. Guitarists can use it as a standalone 50-watt practice amp, or connect it to the Spider 412 cabinet and create a 240-watt stereo half stack with pristine full-range stereo sound. The amp also features wireless connectivity for Line 6 Relay® transmitters, XLR direct outputs for live use, and simulations for over 200 amps, effects, and cabs built right into the unit.

Spider V 240HC is available for $479.99.

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