Two New Plug-Ins for Universal Audio's UAD-1
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Nigel
(Click for a close-up) |
January 22, 2002
Mackie Designs Inc. and Universal Audio Inc. demonstrated two new software
plug-ins for the popular UAD-1 Powered Plug-Ins Pro product; the Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer and
the Nigel Guitar Processor.
Both of these plug-ins will be offered free of charge to registered UAD-1 users. "Nigel" will be available
to Windows users at the end of February, with the Pultec following at the end of March. Both plug-ins will
also be available for the Macintosh platform later in 2002.
"It's very exciting for us to be able to offer this dramatic new functionality to our customers," stated
Jamie Engen, President and Chief Executive Officer at Mackie Designs Inc. "It really shows the level of
commitment Mackie and Universal Audio have to support UAD-1 customers."
In designing the Pultec plug-in, Universal Audio performed detailed analyses of the signal path and
equalization characteristics of selected well-maintained, in-spec Pultec EQP-1A program equalizers
regularly used in the studio. A "golden unit" was selected, and the resulting model reproduces the
measured equalization and signal path characteristics to within a fraction of a dB mean error for all knob
settings.
All of the unique features of the original Pultec Program EQ are included in the plug-in, including the
separate boost and attenuation controls, the smooth, sweet top end, and the ability to dial in seemingly
dangerous amounts of boost without getting into trouble. All front panel controls are included, and all of
the knob tapers are accurately modeled. The Pultec has long been a choice of recording and mastering
engineers for its ability to bring out individual frequency ranges without significantly altering other
frequencies. In addition, the Pultec is one of those magical pieces of gear that makes audio program sound
better just by passing through it. The sophisticated modeling technology used in the Pultec EQP-1A
plug-in captures both of these key attributes.
The "Nigel" Guitar Processor offers the next generation of guitar processing technology integrated into a
complete multi-effects plug-in solution. Nigel delivers a complete pallet of guitar tones, along with most
every effect a guitar player might need, from the "Clean & Warm" California tube sound to more metal
soaked "British" tones. Nigel's Preflex* advanced 'guitar amp' modeling technology also offers variable
morphing between any two amp presets, truly bringing creative guitar voicing to the next level.
Classic effects include: gate/compressor; phasor (modeled after the Mutron Bi-Phase, Small Stone and MXR
series of phasors); mod filter, capable of wah, auto-wah, and envelope follower effects (modeled after the
Mutron III and other popular filters); tremolo (with Classic, Shimmer and VariTrem modes); fade-in (for
gorgeous swells, and reverse tape effects); modulated delays (capable of chorus, flange and vibrato); and
an echo delay with up to 1200ms of delay time.
As with Universal Audio's CS-1 channel strip, Nigel can also be divided into individual Plug-Ins for
unprecedented DSP and creative efficiency. Each Nigel module includes UA's proven 'smoothing' algorithm
for zipper free automation of all parameters, and Ultra Dither for maximum signal quality.
For more information, visit their web site at www.uaudio.com. | 
