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A Bundle of Joy
With so many great DAW options out there, I've been tempted to switch from mixing in Pro Tools. But every time I tense to jump, I realize I would lose all my native plugs, so I've stayed put. Now, with the McDSP Emerald Pack Native, I find myself in even more of a pickle. What's so special about this suite that it keeps me from buying Logic, you ask? I'll tell you.
OVERVIEW
The McDSP Emerald Pack Native covers a lot of ground. Packaged with a printed manual and a pre-programmed green iLok key, the bundle comes complete with McDSP's Analog Channel, Channel G1 Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, FilterBank, MC2000, ML4000, Revolver, and Synthesizer One. To make matters more interesting, several titles play host to multi-application configurations within their specific plug-in. If you want the full spec rundown, shoot on over to www.mcdsp.com.
ANALOG CHANNEL
The Analog Channel actually has two channels: ACI emulates a Class-A gain stage, and AC2 emulates popular tape machines. My first impression is that the ACI is simply killer on a mix busespecially the Channel 1 preset. I almost hear some SSL iove with this puppy.
One of my favorite applications for the ACI is to use it as a clip remover for tracks that were recorded a touch too hot. Simply select an attack speed that is fast enough to catch the offending transient, and the ACI will smooth things out and make the event sound more like analog distortion than digital lightning.
In addition to sounding good, the AC2 is a veritable see-and-do classroom for analog tape enthusiasts. Parameters such as bias, playback speed, and alignment equalization are included. You can even pick different tape formulations. A small display window shows the frequency response for each model, making it easy to see how giants such as Studer, MCI, Ampex, and Otari earned reputations for their individual sounds.
FILTERBANK
FilterBank is comprised of 10 plugs, from filters to shelving circuits to parametric EQs. To organize this array, FilterBank is divided into four series; B-Series (band pass and stop filters), F-Series (high- and low-cut filters), P-Series (parametric EQs), and E-Series (shelving EQs).
Of course, features such as gain and Q width are here, but the hidden...