Slate Digital VIRTUAL CONSOLE COLLECTION beta 1

[Steven Slate]

Hey guys. This may come as a surprise, but for the last year we've been secretly developing a plugin called the Virtual Console Collection.

What it aims to do is precisely emulate the sound of mixing through a legendary analog desk. We've worked very hard on the algorithms and we're happy to say that in our testing, it was extremely difficult to pick out the real desk verse the emulation in an blind A/B test.

Fabrice Gabriel implemented modeling techniques that capture the entire dynamic response of the desk, meaning that the sound of the desk, (depending on the emulation), can change as you drive it harder.

Its a two plugin package including the Virtual Channel and Virtual Mixbuss. The Virtual Channel is applied to all channels, the Virtual Mixbuss can go on master faders and some groups.

This is a beta version, and it must be shared that users may find some initial bugs. Therefore, this version is being offered for $50 less then the final retail version, and will be updated to the final version when completed for no charge.

We can't track bug reports in this thread, but we will certainly work with you if you post detailed reports at our support forum www.slatedigital.com/forum and via our support ticket system www.slatedigital.com/support. Its probably a good idea to check the support forum to make sure your bug hasn't already been reported.

A demo of the VCC will be posted tomorrow and will be fully functional with the exception of a rather loud and awful belching sound every four seconds. I kid, I kid. It'll have a quick mute every 30 seconds, and this time we'll make sure to have it all synced up so you'll have 29 second bursts of precious audio to test the VCC on. I'm really sorry for those of you who dislike this type of thing and from the bottom of my heart I wish we didn't feel forced to implement it. But this is the policy right now.

These gearslutz announcements have a tendancy to attract people who share their opinions in a somewhat unprofessional manner. We can't stop this, but I do ask that everyone shares their comments, suggestions, and opinions with respect. We'll be glad to return the respect by listening to you, implementing your suggestions, improving things based on your requests, and helping you out with any problems. Our main goal is to receive an email from you telling us how great your mixes sound with our products.

About Console Emulation:
Console emulation is not like adding an eq or a compressor to a source. For the most part, its quite subtle. Running audio through the console circuitry tends to add some minor nonlinearities like harmonic distortion, phase distortion, saturation, and crosstalk. Some people find that these small bits of nonlinear artifacts add a "vibe" to the mix, which is why so many major mixers still prefer to mix through analog desks.

We hope you enjoy the Virtual Console Collection, and make great music. Visit our online shop at www.slatedigital.com to purchase.

Steven Slate

[Silver Sonya]

Originally Posted by Slate Press

Hey guys. This may come as a surprise, but for the last year we've been secretly developing a plugin called the Virtual Console Collection.

Kinda genius opening line.

- c

[noiseflaw]

Yeah whoa! you kept that a bit quiet.

Great news, thanks!

[Ruud Unit]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

Kinda genius opening line.

- c

Haha! I laughed. It's the kind of joke that takes many months to set up (no offense intended - I genuinely appreciated the humor)

[h4nc0]

After all this time, no time-limited fully functional demo? C'mon, guys. That policy sucks.

[musicianof1]

"Hey guys. This may come as a surprise, but for the last year we've been secretly developing a plugin called the Virtual Console Collection."

I'm caught completely off guard. Why wasn't there any buzz about this?

[Agzilla]

Heh..

Considering the amount of hysteria discussion and heated exchange we've had here over this product in the run up to it arriving on our tables...

There is a remarkable sudden calm come over this site just now with the posting pausing for a moment on this heated topic...

Like when everyone is waiting for their food talking away, then there is that silence of everyone getting stuck in when the plates just arrive...

So, after which we're in for a few drinks too many and the debate will break out again i reckon.... how long? 8 hours? 23 mins?


Love this place..... Must be the cognac and analogue modelling getting to me...





Zz.

[djanthonyw]

Originally Posted by Slate Press

Hey guys. This may come as a surprise, but for the last year we've been secretly developing a plugin called the Virtual Console Collection.

Steven, I'm very excited for you guys. I think you guys are filling an apparent void ITB. I also think offering a public BETA option to those that want it is a really good move!

[daniel.rauch]

Stoked. The purchase portal on the site says "Coming Soon." Am I looking in the correct place?

[h4nc0]

Originally Posted by daniel.rauch

Stoked. The purchase portal on the site says "Coming Soon." Am I looking in the correct place?

Software

At the bottom.

[daniel.rauch]

Originally Posted by h4nc0

Software

At the bottom.

Why thank you sir.

[freaken]

Is there a special price for FG-x owners or is it a straight $200?

[Ruud Unit]

Originally Posted by freaken

Is there a special price for FG-x owners or is it a straight $200?

While it's in beta, anyone gets it for $200. If you own FG-X, you can still get it for $200 after beta ends.

[Protoolie]

So can we Demo this software or do we have to pat to Demo this software?

[kaboomer]

Just my 2 cents on the demo protection thing:

I totally understand why people want a fully-functional, time-limited demo, but I actually prefer something like the Airwindows "use this for as long as you want, but we're muting it every 30 seconds", or the FG-X "no saving presets/rendering" scenarios.

That's because I typically don't have one or two days of concentrated time to focus on a mix, or a new plug-in, and often by the time I get around to checking out a new plug, my demo has expired.

I understand that this may be seen as a less "professional" point of view (and I do in fact have a day gig), but I wanted to just mention this anyway.

Looking forward to trying out the VCC!

[CaptainHook]

I was surprised by how many instances i could run of this at work on our old
PPC G5! I had about 30 of the channel plugs and about 4 or so of the buss ones
going.

After a quick play with it, i'm definitely liking what it does while mixing through
it. Even comparing to some mixes i've done on our neve i was super impressed,
and while mixing ITB with these plugs i was saying "this sounds like a record -
and without much work!". Bypassing the plugs would make the mix fall apart.
Not that it sounded bad without them, but it no longer sounded "finished".

Just curious why there is no mono version of the bus plug? I wanted to use
some on some mono auxes as well as stereo auxes.

Nice job Fabrice and the rest of the Slate Team. thumbsup

[climber]

ordered my VCC this evening. download went OK, got the iLok code email, downloaded the license to my iLok, installed the plugin on my Mac Pro, booted up Digital Performer & it works. no time to actually play with it tonight, but I just wanted to say that all the process seems to be in place and functional. looking forward to an hour or so tomorrow to give it a try.

[s34nsm411]

Just pulled the trigger on getting the beta, figured I might as well take advantage of the 50 dollar discount now

only had about 15 min to play around with it but so far I am very impressed! threw it on a kinda mellow rock mix ive been having trouble with and it instantly got much bigger. My cpu seems to be holding up well with many instances as well. Will play around with it some more tomorrow...

[ghetto3jon]

hey climber,

i'm trying to figure out if this issue is specific to me. i'm running DP7.21 on OSX10.6.4, and when i hit the "Group" switch or the little arrow next to the group switch, the entire GUI disappears, and i have to restart the plugin. so i can't use the group function at all. does happen for you? i ask because you mentioned DP...

[telluride]

Using it on stems/ sub-mixed tracks along with the mixbuss on the master out.
It adds a nice analog vibe to the material.

However selecting or switching consoles crashes & freezes Sonar 8.5.3. Sometimes closing projects can cause them as well.
Submitted a support ticket.

Minus the crashing am enjoying the results.

[h4nc0]

Just pulled the trigger too.

solved my issue with activation.

[djanthonyw]

All you have to do is log into your iLok account and on the left hand side click on the link that says "Redeem License Code". Enter the code that you were given and then you should be able to download the VCC license onto your iLok.

[Loopy C]

Originally Posted by Slate Press

We can't track bug reports in this thread, but we will certainly work with you if you post detailed reports at our support forum www.slatedigital.com/forum and via our support ticket system www.slatedigital.com/support. Its probably a good idea to check the support forum to make sure your bug hasn't already been reported.

I don't see anything specifically for VCC on your forums? Where would I report or get support for the VCC beta then on your forums or is it 'tickets only' for now? (and I am a logged-in registered member of forum). Thanks ;-)

[Loopy C]

Originally Posted by ghetto3jon

hey climber,

i'm trying to figure out if this issue is specific to me. i'm running DP7.21 on OSX10.6.4, and when i hit the "Group" switch or the little arrow next to the group switch, the entire GUI disappears, and i have to restart the plugin. so i can't use the group function at all. does happen for you? i ask because you mentioned DP...

Hitting the 'Group' arrow expands the plug-in window s(up to 3x the VCC width for all panels) so I suspect it is a GUI/plug-in resize problem in DP (I am in Logic).

[Loopy C]

Speaking of Logic (in lieu of a Slate VCC forum at present), anyone else using it? I can't seem to get the 'Group' bypass function to work, the other functions of group (console type, oversample, drive, etc) work fine. (and don't worry Slate, as soon as I know it's not user error I will report it to the 'proper authorities' via your site or support ;-) Just thought I would do a quick check here.

[Steven Slate]

Originally Posted by djanthonyw

Steven, I'm very excited for you guys. I think you guys are filling an apparent void ITB. I also think offering a public BETA option to those that want it is a really good move!

I think it'll be cool.. I think its gonna be a quicker path to a stable final version then doing a longer private beta.

Originally Posted by CaptainHook

I was surprised by how many instances i could run of this at work on our old
PPC G5! I had about 30 of the channel plugs and about 4 or so of the buss ones
going.

After a quick play with it, i'm definitely liking what it does while mixing through
it. Even comparing to some mixes i've done on our neve i was super impressed,
and while mixing ITB with these plugs i was saying "this sounds like a record -
and without much work!". Bypassing the plugs would make the mix fall apart.
Not that it sounded bad without them, but it no longer sounded "finished".

Just curious why there is no mono version of the bus plug? I wanted to use
some on some mono auxes as well as stereo auxes.

Nice job Fabrice and the rest of the Slate Team. thumbsup

Very cool! Great to hear people with real console experience chime in. Thanks!

Originally Posted by s34nsm411

Just pulled the trigger on getting the beta, figured I might as well take advantage of the 50 dollar discount now

only had about 15 min to play around with it but so far I am very impressed! threw it on a kinda mellow rock mix ive been having trouble with and it instantly got much bigger. My cpu seems to be holding up well with many instances as well. Will play around with it some more tomorrow...

Good to hear! Which emulation did you use?

Originally Posted by ghetto3jon

hey climber,

i'm trying to figure out if this issue is specific to me. i'm running DP7.21 on OSX10.6.4, and when i hit the "Group" switch or the little arrow next to the group switch, the entire GUI disappears, and i have to restart the plugin. so i can't use the group function at all. does happen for you? i ask because you mentioned DP...

DP GUI issues seem to be a common bug, so we're on it. It would be helpful to report it via support.

Originally Posted by Loopy C

I don't see anything specifically for VCC on your forums? Where would I report or get support for the VCC beta then on your forums or is it 'tickets only' for now? (and I am a logged-in registered member of forum). Thanks ;-)

It was there earlier, but IT guys must have taken it down for some reason, probably to fix some type of error. For now use the support ticket. thumbsup

[GetHimEatHim]

Very close to pulling the trigger on this -- just want to verify that it will work on MacOS 10.4.x. Anyone?

[h4nc0]

Does Oversampling option supposed to eat alot of CPU? A project with 7% CPU usage goes up to 35-50% with oversampling turned on, with only 2 instances of Channels & 1 Mixbuss. Probably not usable on my system. (i7 @ 4ghz)

BTW, I really like what VCC is doing to the sound. No regrets.

[Johnkenn]

This is TERRIBLY unscientific, but I had a song with about 12 stems and 4 more tracks. Added Brit Discrete to one with the knobs straight up and then did the same with the AlexB Vintage Blue Console. There's also a file without either on it too...Drums, amps, bass are all fake, so it's not as big as if it were recorded in a good studio, but this will kinda show the sounds for those that are interested.

Also - it's going to be a lot easier to use this tool when you're mixing into it. This project was already done, so I just slapped on both these programs without changing any EQ or compression. I can't wait to have VCC up on a mix and THEN start getting sounds...

Sorry for the MP3's...couldn't get a decent sample under 6 mb's for a wav.

[solveforq]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

This is TERRIBLY unscientific, but I had a song with about 12 stems and 4 more tracks. Added Brit Discrete to one with the knobs straight up and then did the same with the AlexB Vintage Blue Console. There's also a file without either on it too...Drums, amps, bass are all fake, so it's not as big as if it were recorded in a good studio, but this will kinda show the sounds for those that are interested.

Also - it's going to be a lot easier to use this tool when you're mixing into it. This project was already done, so I just slapped on both these programs without changing any EQ or compression. I can't wait to have VCC up on a mix and THEN start getting sounds...

Sorry for the MP3's...couldn't get a decent sample under 6 mb's for a wav.

Even in the MP3 form I can hear something really nice happening in the brit discrete low to low mids. I really like it in Comparison to the dry sample. Being a nebula user I'm really bummed that I like the dry sample better then the nebula.