New Gear Alert: UAD Software v9.7, SoundGrid DSP Processors by Waves, Avantone’s CLA-200 Amp & More

Universal Audio introduces UAD Software v9.7, featuring the Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects plugin.

UAD Software v9.7 features the classic Lexicon 480L, alongside four other offerings from some of UA’s direct developer partners.

Available exclusively for UAD hardware and UA Audio Interfaces, the Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects plugin is the world’s only Lexicon-endorsed emulation of this classic studio reverb—expertly capturing its unique, infinitely moldable ambience and modulation. The plugin is derived from final software version 4.10, which includes Plate, Hall, Room, Random, Ambience, Twin Delays, and Effects algorithms, along with the 480L’s random time-varying ”Effects” algorithm—available for the first time ever—providing dramatic reverse, doubling, tremolo, and chorus sounds.

UAD Software v9.7 also features Softube Vocoder, AMS Neve DFC Channel Strip, Suhr SE100 Amplifier, and bx_masterdesk Classic.

The Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects plugin is priced at $349; Softube Vocoder is priced at $199; AMS Neve DFC Channel Strip is priced at $299; Suhr SE100 Amplifier is priced at $149 ($99 for owners of Suhr PT100 Amplifier plugin); bx_masterdesk Classic is priced at $99.

Waves introduces SoundGrid Server One-C and SoundGrid Extreme Server-C.

Offload your computer’s SoundGrid DSP processing duties to these two powerful new units from Waves.

SoundGrid Server One-C and Extreme Server-C are plugin processing beasts for the studio and live. Compact and powerful, light and robust, these DSP units can effortlessly process hundreds of SoundGrid-compatible plugins in real time, taking only half the width of a standard rack.

Both units’ latency gets as low as 0.8 ms at 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz, and you can rack-mount a single server using rack ears, or mount two servers side-by-side using a rack shelf. Small enough so you can easily take them with you, both units allow you to mix anywhere you go.

SoundGrid Server One-C is priced at $1,299; SoundGrid Extreme Server-C is priced at $1,999.

Avantone Pro announces the CLA-200 studio reference amplifier.

A perfect partner for Avantone Pro’s CLA-10 nearfield monitors, the CLA-200 amplifier offers big metering and an even bigger dynamic range.

The Avantone Pro CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier is a dynamic, high output, high resolution, full-range system built the old school way. It offers no-compromise components in a 2U convection cooled chassis to complement their CLA-10 studio reference monitors. Of course, the CLA-200 can be used with any passive studio monitor requiring serious dynamic range.

The CLA-200 is a classically-designed Class A/B amplifier, featuring generous VU meters, high-quality Japanese components, and a toroidal transformer linear power supply. This amplifier can generate over 200 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load, making it perfect for medium to large speakers in a studio environment. Since the CLA-200 is convection cooled (no fan noise), it can be used in the same room as the monitors.

The CLA-200 will be available in late December, priced at $799.

Focusrite offers two free Applied Acoustics Systems sound packs and bundle discount.

Up next in Focusrite’s Plug-in Collective: two free AAS sound packs, alongside big discounts on other AAS products.

Focusrite has unveiled a new offer for their Plug-in Collective from November 8th to January 3rd: the availability of two free Applied Acoustics Systems sound packs. This coincides with a $300 discount off AAS Libraries Sound Pack Series Bundle (normally costs $499).

Choose two titles from the AAS Sound Pack Series, which comprises 35 different titles by 15 different top sound designers and artists. The packs explore many genres and themes for an incredible amount of variety. They were created with the Ultra Analog VA-2, String Studio VS-2, Chromaphone 2, and Strum GS-2 synths from the AAS Pro Series, and can be played with the included AAS Player plugin.

Registered Focusrite hardware customers can access the free sound packs and discount from their Focusrite accounts.

STL Tonality announces the Howard Benson Guitar Plug-In Suite is now available.

STL Tonality is now offering Howard Benson’s distinctive and powerful guitar tones via their new plugin suite, available now.

The Howard Benson Guitar Plug-In Suite is the first in the ongoing STL Tonality series of plugins. Howard Benson and engineer/mixer Mike Plotnikoff’s distinctive, GRAMMY-nominated tones have been meticulously captured from their private amp collection in a VST/AU/AAX plugin that gives guitar players a fully mixed, hit-ready guitar sound—including vintage overdrive, delay, and reverb effects.

STL chose not to compromise sound quality for variety. Instead, the suite dedicates all of its power to the five classic amps that form the core of Benson’s collection, as well as the production duo’s personal array of cabs, mics and speakers. The modeling algorithms work on a component level to prioritize the expressiveness of physical amps, and offer the smooth breakup from clean to distortion previously found only in the best tube amps.

The Howard Benson Guitar Plug-In Suite, with 40 exclusive presets crafted by Benson, Plotnikoff and STL, is available now for $129.99 from the STL online store.

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