If you mix In-The-Box (ITB) with your favorite DAW then you might wonder what all the fuss is relating to analog mixing consoles and analog summing. You might hear people describe mixes as having “warmth”, “punch”, or “vibe” and some might even criticize mixing strictly ITB in your software, calling it “harsh” and “digital.”
I personally mix ITB in Pro Tools and love the results I’m getting. But I do know that there is something unique that the analog circuitry of an old mixing desk has to offer and when there is a plugin that says it has figured out how to model that, I’m interested. The latest plugin from Slate Digital (made up of veteran drummer and producer Steven Slate and genius french plugin guru Fabrice Gabriel) the Virtual Console Collection is supposed to be the answer for In-The-Box mixers like me.
Specifically in today’s video I review and demo the RC-Tube console emulation. Take a look/listen to how I used it in a recent mix and judge for yourself!
Comments
So glad you did this review.
How much cpu drain is there, considering you have a plugin on each track channel, plus the mix bus?
It’s not too bad. In Pro Tools I’m seeing an extra 10% of CPU usage maybe, once all the plugins are instantiated. It’s relatively CPU light, considering you have to use so many of them. But it all depends on what other plugs you use and how many tracks are in your sessions.
this plugin is an absolute must! i cant get enough of the brit n:)
Good job, Graham. You convinced me to give it a try and my order is on the way.
I am curious about handling mix groups, say you have all drums going to an AUX channel. So what is your approach?
1. [Drum track -> RC-Tube channel plugin -> AUX group]-> Stereo bus -> RC-Tube bus plugin
2. [Drum track -> RC-Tube channel plugin -> AUX group -> RC-Tube bus plugin] -> Stereo bus -> RC-Tube bus plugin
Also curious about your gain staging. Any particular techniques?
Do you put a gain plugin before RC-Tube to drive the meter around 0?
Thanks!
Probably no right or wrong way to do things, but here’s how I handle it. All tracks get the RC-Tube Channel plugin. If my drums then dump to an Aux group track, I don’t put another RC-Tube plugin on that aux. Just the actual audio and MIDI tracks and then one Mix Buss plugin on the master.
You might want to start giving a heads up when things require an iLok. I got pretty excited about this, and then found out that it needed an iLok. That’s a deal breaker for me every time. I refuse to spend money on software that treats me like a crook.
Jed – The iLok is pretty standard fair for professional plugins. Anyone who uses it will say it’s actually a strategic way to handle piracy and we don’t feel like crooks.
I think this also requires an iLok 2. Hopefully the user can transfer older licenses to a new iLok.
Fyi, it appears Waves will be dropping Pace and going ahead with their 64 bit transition without them.
Yeah, I moved all my licences over from an old iLok to the iLok 2 no problem.
Thank you so much for doing a review! I picked up the whole VCC package during black friday. It’s an excellent product and I enjoyed your video!
The problem with Slate VCC is can’t have just one model.
I have no regrets getting the bundle.
I especially like the Neve.
Emilio
Hey Graham, I was wondering, have you tried tracking with these already in the channel strip with let’s say “basic coloration” just wondering how close to the console experience I can get. Also if you’ve done so, are the plugins easy on resource consuming so I can do that or just impossible?
Haven’t tried tracking through them. Cool idea. The plugins are pretty light on the CPU considering you drop a lot of them into your sessions.
Your review on this has definitely intrigued me. Great stuff. Although I saw this vid a few weeks ago I’m just now getting myself over here and I am now a member of threcordingrevolution.com yaaa!
I must say I hear a big difference with the plugins on. Deeper, wider, “fatter”, bigger, better….
Listening on my studio speakers, JBL LSR4326 and was amazed of the very audiable difference. Sat with my eyes closed so I would HEAR the difference and it was very obvious when they were turned on or not.
At first thinking good mix there on ya . . . wow better mix there!
I’m bying after I’ve tested that it works on my system.
Wow, just checked this video out, and I could definitely hear a difference through just my Macbook speakers. I’ve been thinking seriously about picking up the full VCC package since it’s $199 right now w/ ilok 2.
Hey Graham, are you still using this plugin on every project? Have you since upgraded to the full package? I’d love to have a little insight.
Yeah I’ve been using this for every project since. JUST upgraded to the full VCC bundle on discount.