Plug Ins - Acuma Labs

Plug-in Assign

Acuma Labs

Antares

DSR-1™
Three-band frequency controlled “De-Esser” dynamic processor

The DSR-1 is a highly accurate, frequency controlled, three-band dynamic processor that enables you to quickly isolate and correct unwanted sibilance found in vocal recordings of singers and speakers. The DSR-1 reduces annoying sibilance and popping sounds that are often found in recordings without loosing the crisp top-end clarity. Don’t let the simple chicken head controls and the funky retro-look fool you; the DSR-1 is a highly professional tool that is ideal for editing vocals, instruments, and other sources. The DSR-1 is an invaluable D8B plug-in that can save otherwise great recordings by eliminating troublesome “Ess” frequencies.

The DSR-1 employs frequency controlled compression to reduce problematic “Ess” that often occurs in recordings of singers and speakers. Using the Frequency and Width controls to zero in on specific problem areas, an internal keying device known as Listen allows you to solo or (Listen) to the isolated sibilant frequency that you want to compress. The DSR-1 can also help to reduce shrill, high-pitched sounds that may accompany bass guitars, wind instruments, or other acoustic instruments. With a series of useful presets designed for male and female vocals, spoken word and other instruments, the DSR-1 promises to make even the toughest job easy to correct. As with all D8B plug-ins, you can automate any of the DSR-1’s parameters and save your adjustments as part of a D8B session.

Main Features

Frequency dependant De-Essing – Reduces problematic “Ess” without loss of clarity
High Pass Filter – Helps to clean up unwanted artifacts such as microphone pops
Frequency – Sets the Ess center point for exact de-esser processing
Width – Adjusts the bandwidth of a selected frequency
Built In DC Filter – Eliminates DC offset from the input signal
Listen – Enables you to hear the isolated “Ess” frequency band
Vintage look – Funky, easy-to-use interface
Write Button – Automates your edits into the D8B session
Memory A/B – Two convenient storage banks for A/B comparison
Enable/Disable – Bypasses processing
Menu – Load Preset, Save, Save As, Cut, Copy, Paste, etc
Factory/User Presets – Male, Female Vocal, Instrumental, etc
Threshold – Adjusts the band energy level at which “Ess” band compression starts occurring
Ratio – Adjusts the amount of compression applied to the band
Metering – Individual input, output, S band, and gain reduction meters

Applications

De-Essing of vocal recordings
Spoken word, Broadcast voice-over
Eliminate high shrill noise from bass, wind instruments and other sources
Reduce fret and string noise on acoustic string instruments
TV, Theater and Film vocal applications

Specifications

In/Out: level meters (–40 to 0dB)
Input Control: Off to +12.0dB
High Pass Filter: Off, 20Hz to 200Hz (4th Order)
Frequency: 1k to 20k – specifies the center point of the “Ess” band
Width: (1 to 100) one is narrow 100 is wide
Threshold: –40dB to 0dB
Ratio: 1:1 – 100:1
S Band Meter: –40dB to 0dB
Gain Reduction Meter: –40dB to 0dB

FINAL MIX™
A professional, real-time stereo mastering processor

Acuma Labs’ Final Mix enables you to master your sessions within the D8B, printing directly to hard disk or DAT without having to rely on expensive mastering houses or outboard gear. Specifically designed for use with the Mackie Universal Effects (UFX) card, Final Mix can dramatically elevate the quality of your mixes and help you to create your own professional masters.

With an extensive palette of sonic tools, including 3-band dynamics processing, 6-band (pre and post) parametric EQs, adjustable cross over points and individual band key filtering, Final Mix lets you zero in on exact frequencies to adjust or emphasize crucial elements of your mix. Final Mix employs three individual dynamics processors (low, mid and high) with noise gating and soft clip limiting to provide ultra smooth compression or expansion.

Each dynamics band features individual threshold, attack and release times. A graphical contour edit screen for each band allows you to easily set a desired ratio and to create your own hard knee or soft knee, or even draw in an expander curve. Each dynamics band features its own key filter that allows you to emphasize or de-emphasize a portion of the signal within the band. The Soft Clip feature adds a smooth, analog-style clip response when your signal gets close to overload. Other features such as Noise Gate, Band Linking and more ensure that Final Mix will be an integral part of your mixes from here out.

Main Features

6-band pre-dynamics parametric equalizer
3-band dynamics processor
6-band post-dynamics parametric equalizer
Graphical (user definable) dynamics band contours
Adjustable crossover points for multi-band dynamics
Adjustable crossover slopes for multi-band dynamics
Node based adjustment of EQ bands and dynamics bands
Soft Clip feature – provides peak overload protection
Noise gate – with threshold adjustment
DC removal filter – automatically removes DC offset noise
Dynamics bands linking – simplifies use in stereo configurations
Fully automated
Global enable button
On/Off for the dynamics section and each EQ
Separate dynamics and EQ reset buttons
Plug-in patch load and save
Memories A and B – compare settings quickly and easily
Input, output and gain reduction metering

Specifications

6–band parametric EQ: Gain +/–15.0dB; Freq. 20Hz to 20kHz; Q range 0.1 – 16; Filter type High/Low shelf or bandpass
Dynamics: Gain Makeup +/–15dB; Attack 0 to 100ms; Release 30ms to 3000ms; Threshold –48dBfs to 0dBfs
Input/ Output Meters: –90dBfs to 0dBfs
Soft Clip: Threshold: 0.0dB to –20.0dB
Noise Gate Threshold: 0dBfs to –125dBfs
Crossover Frequencies: 20Hz to 20kHz
Crossover slopes: 6dB/octave to 36dB/octave
Frequency Centers: Band 1: 20Hz to 20kHz, Band 2: 20Hz to 20kHz, Band 3: 20Hz to 20kHz
Bandwidth: 0 to 10 octave
DC filter: on off, frequency = 3.3Hz
Soft Clip: –20 to 0dB
Gate Threshold: –125dB to 0dB
Auto Gain Make Up: –15 to +15dB
Key Gain: 15 to +15dB

SATURATED FAT™
Mono Distortion and Cabinet Modeling with Seven-Band EQ

Saturated Fat™ from Acuma Labs, is one of the exciting new members of the D8B’s growing collection of 24-bit plug-ins that has been specifically designed for the new Mackie Universal Effects card. (UFX).

As its’ name implies, Saturated Fat is a mono plug-in that employs an exciting new proprietary technology to achieve warm, natural-sounding tube distortion and cabinet modeling. Choose from over 40 preset distortion types to create your “perfect sound” or select from the array of Factory Presets to find a setting that suits any style of music. And don’t stop with guitars — Saturated Fat is great on drum tracks too!

Combine the Cabinet Modeler, selecting from a list of small, medium, large, acoustic and bass amps, with the Drive Level and the on-board 7-Band EQ to build custom distortions that can be saved and recalled as User Presets. No more (loud) amplifier setups to contend with, just plug any instrument into the D8B and start playing! Saturated Fat’s distinctive distortion types and amplifier models will give you killer sounds instantly.

Main Features

Cabinet Modeling – Cabinet models feature a variety of small and medium enclosures, larger 4x12s, bass and acoustic cabinets.
Over 40 editable distortion types – Proprietary algorithms edited to create a vast collection of factory presets.
Distortion Graph – Visualize your distortion as it’s plotted on a movable X/Y graph.
Drive – Control, edit and save your distortion drives with this easy-to-use slider that is attached to the Drive Graph and the numeric read-out.
7-Band (post drive) Equalizer – A 7-Band Graphic Equalizer section (with bands from 100hz to 6.4k) has been specifically selected to be musically appropriate for use with distortion.
Master Level – The Master Level con trols the final output stage, post distortion and EQ.
Factory presets – This collection of Hot Presets features distortion types and cabinet models from almost every style imaginable. Over 60 classic presets for guitar, drums, bass, mix, Low-Fi and more.
Build Your Own – Combine the Cabinet Modeler with Drive and EQ to create your own custom distortions that can be save and recalled as a user presets.
Assign Saturated Fat – as a pre or post insert, or to an aux bus, and recall all parameters in your D8B session.
Automation – As with all D8B plugins, all parameters of Saturated Fat can be automated as part of your D8B session.

Specifications

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 24kHz
Drive Range: 0-80dB
EQ Center Frequencies: (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400Hz ) These frequencies have been specifically selected to be musically appropriate for use with distortion.
Individual Band Range: each of the seven sliders range from -12dB to +12dB
Master Level Range: off to +12dB
Routing: pre or post insert, auxiliary, master L/R
Input/ Output Meters: Off to 0dB
Cabinet Types: 14

RTA-31™
Real Time 31-Band EQ and Spectral Analysis

RTA-31™ from Acuma Labs, is one of the exciting new members of the D8B’s growing collection of 24-bit plug-ins that has been specifically designed for the new Mackie Universal Effects card (UFX). RTA-31 is both a Mono 31-Band Graphic EQ and a 1/3 octave Spectrum Analyzer that enables you to easily modify the frequency response of any given signal within the D8B or from external live and studio acoustic environments. Quickly view your sound using the on-board spectrum analyzer to zero in on the troublesome highs and lows of even the most difficult rooms. The amazing To EQ™ feature lets you immediately identify troublesome frequencies using the Frequency Analyzer while the 31-Band Graph automatically compensates for the highs and lows of your signal.

Main Features

Mono 31-Band Equalizer – Isolate and adjust individual bands of a signal.
Sweep Draw – Use your mouse as an on-screen paint brush to quickly perform various EQ editing functions.
1/3 Octave Spectrum Analyzer (20-20K) Particularly useful in live and studio applications to identify the nature of an acoustic environment.
To EQ – Automatically compensate for highs and lows in the spectrum that are read by the Analyzer.
Memory A and B – Comparative Editing
Morph Rate – Switch Mem A to Mem B using Morph sequence time
dB Reference Level – Selectable dB reference level (0dB to -60dB) allows you to focus in on the most important range of your signal.
Master Level – Control the final output stage, post EQ.
Factory Presets – Factory Presets feature useful EQ and Analyzer setups
Automation – Automate all parameters as part of your D8B session.
Selectable Graph Types– Choose from Bar, Peak Hold, Point, Peak Difference, and Peak Bar for viewing preference.
Graph Speed – Control the Analyzer graph response time. Useful for identifying quick transients.
Freeze – Immediately freeze the analyzer screen to view detailed information

Specifications

Frequency Response – 1Hz to 24kHz (20, 25, 32, 40,50,62, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1K, 1.3K, 1.6K, 2K, 2.5K, 3.2K, 4K, 5K, 6.4K, 10K, 13K, 16K, 20K)
Individual Band Range – 31 sliders range from -12dB to +12dB
Analyzer Viewing Range – -40dBr to +20dBr (a 60dB range) to -24dBr to+20dBr (a 36dB range) for fine-tuning
Master Level Range – off to +12dB
Routing – pre/ post insert, auxiliary, master L/R
Input/ Output Meters – 0dB to Off
Morph Rate – 0-4000ms
0 dB reference – Adjusts the reference point from 0dBfs within the D8B (-40dBr to +20dBr or –24dBr to +20dBr)
Graph Types – Bar, Peak Hold, Point, Peak Diff., and Peak Bar
Gain Display – view input level to EQ and resulting output level
Routing – pre, post, auxiliary, master L/R

DELAY FACTOR™
16 Tap Stereo Delay with Modulation

Setting up a stereo, ping-pong, or multi-tap delay has never been easier! Delay Factor™ has a large, intuitive display field which allows you to drag and drop any of the 16 delay taps, simultaneously editing both the delay time and the output panning. Fine tuning the delay to match the beat of the song is even easier; just dial in the BPM or tap in the tempo, and select the interval you want to quantize to - note, whole note, triplet, etc. All taps will simultaneously 'snap' to the correct interval.
Adjusting all the other parameters is easy too. All values for a single tap are automatically displayed on easy to adjust sliders when you click on the tap in the display field. Set the level, regeneration, regeneration panning, or the tap's filter. Each tap has a 4th order high and low pass filter to allow you to narrow in on any portion of the input. And of course, all parameters are automated through the D8B's automation engine, and all parameters can be stored or recalled as a preset.

Main Features

Drag and Drop delay taps to adjust pan and delay time setting
Tape Delay modelling on each tape - as you change delay times you hear the tap move smoothly. No more "click-click-click" of digital delay lines!
Delay Field shows only enabled taps. Left and Right delay Taps are color coded and positioned graphically in the Delay Field
8 Taps per delay (left and right) for a total of 16 taps, with individual parameters for Enable, Output Level and Pan, Regen Level and Pan, Delay Time, High Pass and Low Pass Filters
Full (100%) regeneration capability for infinite delay looping effects
Adjust all delay times at once using the global Tempo control, and quantize all times at once using the global Quantize control.
High and Low Pass filters are each 4th order with frequency adjustment in approximately 1/12 octave steps
Automation fully integrated with D8B
Save and recall presets
Delay Time is sample accurate when scaled by global Tempo control
Tape speed up/slow down 'pitch' control is globally adjustable
over a 2 octave range

Specifications

Time: 5 - 1105 milliseconds
Number of delay taps: 8 left, 8 right
Regen: 0 to 100%
LFO Waveforms: "Sine," "Triangle," "Sawtooth," "Inverse Sawtooth," "Square," "Envelope 1," "Envelope 2"
Tap level range: off to +12 dB
High pass filter: 4th order (24 dB/octave)
Low pass filter: 4th order (24 dB/octave)
Filter range: 20Hz to 20.2kHz
Tempo: 60 - 240 BPM
Delay time quantization: off to 4:1
Speed: 60 - 2400 cents
Acceleration: 0 - 11
Input gains: off to 0.0dB

FILTER MACHINE™
Intuitive, powerful, sweeping filter effects

Finally, there is an easy and intuitive way to achieve powerful, sweeping filter effects using Acuma's classic, analog styled, 4-pole filtering plugin for the Mackie D8B. Utilizing stereo input and output paths, Filter Machine's large display field enables you to easily drag and drop any of the 16 filters in real time to simultaneously adjust Frequency and Output Pan.
Select from the graphic editing sliders to adjust Pan Modulation, Frequency Modulation, and 4th order High and Low pass filtering. Link left and right filters together into stereo pairs or fine tune the parameters further by using 2 LFO blocks that incorporate preset waveforms and envelope followers with adjustable rate, depth, volume and phase.
Dial in the beat of the music by selecting the BPM, or tapping the tempo in real time, and quantize the LFO rates to the nearest interval selecting from note, whole note, triplet, etc. All of the filter rates snap to the correct interval with just a click of your mouse. And of course, all Filter Machine's parameters are automated through the D8B's automation engine and can be stored or recalled as a preset.

Main Features

Large Visual Screen is an easy graphic tool that lets you immediately visualize any selected filter and its parameters.
Drag and Drop individual or linked filters quickly to adjust Frequency and Pan.
Filter Field shows filters that are selected left and right using highly visible red and green balls.
8 Stereo Filters (left and right) for a total of 16 individual filters, with individual parameters that control Output level, Pan Modulation, Frequency Modulation, High Pass and Low Pass filters, Tempo and Attack.
Global Parameter Ganging lets you adjust level, pan modulation and frequency modulation with one master control.
Global Tap Tempo and Attack lets you fine-tune timing for just the right groove.
High and Low Pass Filters are each 4th order with frequency adjustments in approximately 1/12-octave steps.
Save and Recall Presets instantly or pick from a wide variety of factory settings.

Specifications

Filter frequency range: 20Hz to 20.2kHz
High pass filter: 4th order (24dB/octave)
Low pass filter: 4th order (24dB/octave)
LFO Waveforms: "Sine," "Triangle," "Sawtooth," "Inverse Sawtooth," "Square," "Envelope 1," "Envelope 2"
Filter level range: off to +12 dB
Filter attack: 10 to 1000 milliseconds
Tempo: 60 to 240 bpm
Input gains: off to 0.0dB
Rate division control: 1:8 to 8:1
Modulation depth control: 0 to 100%

TIME PAK™
Easy-to-use time modulation

Timing is everything. Acuma's Time Pak is an easy-to-use time modulation plug-in for the Mackie D8B offering all of the classic time effects including Chorus, Flange, Auto Pan, Tremolo, combined with radically new and Xtreme settings. Utilizing stereo input and output paths, Time Pak's large intuitive display field enables you to easily drag and drop any of the 16 nodes to simultaneously adjust Time and Output Pan.
Select from the graphic editing sliders to adjust Level, Regen, Pan Modulation, Time Modulation, and 4th order High and Low pass filtering. Link left and right nodes together into stereo pairs or fine tune the parameters further using 2 separate LFO blocks that incorporate preset waveforms and envelope followers with adjustable rate, depth, and phase.
Dial in the beat of the music by selecting the BPM, or tapping the tempo in real time, and quantize the LFO rates to the nearest interval selecting from note, whole note, triplet, etc. All nodes snap to the correct time interval with just a click of your mouse. And of course, all Filter Machine's parameters are automated through the D8B's automation engine and can be stored or recalled as a preset.

Main Features

Large Visual Screen it's an easy and graphic tool that lets you immediately visualize any selected node and its parameters.
Drag and Drop individual or linked nodes to quickly to adjust Time and Pan.
Time Pak Field shows nodes that are selected left and right using highly visible red and green balls.
8 Stereo Nodes (left and right) for a total of 16 individual nodes with individual parameters that control Output level, Pan Modulation, Time Modulation, High Pass and Low Pass filters, Tempo and Attack.
Global Parameter Ganging lets you adjust level, pan modulation and time modulation with one master control.
Global Tap Tempo and Attack lets you fine-tune the time for just the right groove.
High and Low Pass Filters are each 4th order with frequency adjustments in approximately 1/12-Octave steps.
Save and Recall Presets instantly or pick from a wide variety of factory settings.

Specifications

Time: 0.04 - 61.2 milliseconds
Node level range: off to +12 dB
Regen: 0 to 100%
Modulation Rate control: 1:8 to 8:1
Modulation Depth control: 0 to 100%
LFO Waveforms: "Sine," "Triangle," "Sawtooth," "Inverse Sawtooth," "Square," "Envelope 1," "Envelope 2"
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20.2kHz
High pass filter order: 2nd order (12dB/octave)
Low pass filter order: 2nd order (12dB/octave)
Tempo: 60 - 240 BPM
Attack: 10 - 500 milliseconds
Input gains: off to 0.0dB