Massey Plugins have recently released the new CT5 compressor plugin, which is very much based on the earlier CT4 but with a few tweaks and added features. As with all of Massey’s plugins the CT5 is very clean sounding, simple to use and inexpensive.

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We are very fond of Massey Plugins, not least for their excellent L2007 limiter. Their most recent offering is the DRT v2.0, an updated version of their Drum Replacement Tool plugin for Pro Tools. It’s just what you want if you need to replace your kick or snare sound in a recording, or maybe blend in some samples with what you already have. The plugin can analyze an individual mic channel and give you editable MIDI patterns, or you can use it to print samples straight to an audio track directly from the plugin.

As with all Massey plugins the DRT v2.0 is completely free to demo for as long as you like, and when you buy a license you get control over things like manual trigger editing and the MIDI output notes (useful if you use a separate sampler).

So let’s take a look at it:

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The SSL LMC-1 is a free VST plugin which recreates the ‘listen mic’ compression that was built into SSL ‘E’ series desks. The compressor was originally put in the talkback channel from the studio to the control room. You needed to be able to hear someone on the other side of the room as someone standing next to the mic, so the compressor needed a very high compression ratio. It didn’t need to fulfill any other function, so a fixed attack and release was perfectly adequate.

For a while, that was its only function until an engineer named Hugh Padgham was using the listen mic channel to talk to Phil Colins in the studio, who then started to drum. Hugh liked what he heard, and a new drum sound was created! You can read the full story as part of this article.

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Vinyl has been a somewhat controversial issue since the introduction of the audio CD, because there are various pros and cons of each media. The primary argument of any vinyl-phile is that it’s analogue so there’s no quantization error, or digital-to-analogue-conversion distortion. However, the big downside is that they don’t stay perfect for long. They are notorious for gathering dust and being scratched, which because it’s analogue means the dust creates ‘spits’ in the audio and scratches create a repetitive thump.

Since then, engineers have been replicating that sound as an effect to create an atmosphere of history, authenticity or just a lo-fi  kind of sound.

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U-he have sent us a collection of nine various plugin effects and tools. Uhbik plugins are mostly conventional, but implemented in a new or unconventional way. This break from tradition is probably their biggest strength, but could easily discourage you from actually parting with money for something you are unfamiliar with.

However don’t let this put you off because once you have got the hang of them, they are more versatile than most of their competition and they sound good too. They come packed with an extensive range of presets, most of which show off how many different things you can do with the plugins, and some that you could use every day. They are vst plugins which you can use in mono, stereo or up to 8 channel surround.

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If you are looking for useful mixing tools to add to your plugin collection, then the Bittersweet II plugin from Flux is definitely worth a look. It’s a transient modulator, which basically allows you to beef up or smooth out the ‘punch’ or attack of an instrument, which works well on acoustic guitars etc. and is particularly useful for drums.

In terms of compatibility Bittersweet comes in VST, RTAS and AU formats, so will integrate with any professional recording software, and just like the Massey L2007 and CT4, it’s free!

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If you came across our review of the Massey L2007, you probably got the impression that Massey have got a great thing going. And you’d be right, so here’s another of their creations; the CT4 compressor. It’s very much along the same lines as the L2007,  it’s simple to use as you can see from the image, and not only that but it sounds great too.

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