Jooyoung Kim

Safari Pedal Launch Sale (Ends Aug 31)

Hello! This is Jooyoung Kim, mixing engineer and music producer.

If you play electric guitar, you might already know Safari Pedals. They’ve just joined Plugin Boutique — and to celebrate, they’re running a launch sale!

(If you purchase through the link in this blog, I’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep my work going. Thank you for your support!)

[link]

Safari Pedals specializes in electric guitar pedals, cabinets, and related gear. True to their name, most of their effects are themed around animals — complete with animal names and illustrations.

They have quite a wide lineup, so here’s a quick overview:

Plugin	Description
Gorilla Drive	Analog-style drive
Time Machine	Vintage-style compressor and filter, covering retro sounds from the 50s to 80s
Yak Delay	Unpredictable delay patterns, in collaboration with Dan Mayo
Flamingo Verb	Four reverb types (IR-based Room, Plate, Spring, Hall)
Lion Master	True peak limiter
Fox Echo Chorus	Modeled after the Roland RE-201
Dirty Dog Reverb	Reverb + distortion, in collaboration with Joe Chiccarelli
Owl Control	Four different compression styles
Rhino Reverb	Vintage hi-fi reverb inspired by the 60s–70s
Dragon EQ	3-band EQ + drive
Ladybug Reverb	Lo-fi style reverb
Rabbit Tape	Tape plugin with cassette and reel-to-reel modes
Camel Strip	Vintage-style compressor + EQ channel strip
Cobra Fuzz	Analog-style stereo fuzz
Hawk Phaser	Colorful vintage phaser
Zebra Clipper	Versatile clipper
Bull Sub Machine	Low-end enhancer based on Leslie Brathwaite’s signature sound
Silver Llama	Amp modeled after Silvertone amps (included in Planet of the Amps bundle only)
Twin Panda	Amp modeled after Fender Twin Reverb (bundle only)
Sun Bear	Mastering-grade bus compressor
Level-Or	Compressor/limiter based on Standard Audio 500 series hardware
Cassette Bunny	Vintage tape lo-fi sound
Falcon Air EQ	High-frequency enhancer EQ

Click image to purchase Safari Pedal Everything Bundle in Plugin Boutique

All of these are included in the Everything Bundle. Instead of covering every single plugin here, I’ll highlight a few that stood out to me.

Gorilla Drive

Personally, I believe the simpler the pedal, the better. Too many parameters can slow you down and give you a headache when dialing in tones. That’s why I like straightforward tools like Gorilla Drive.

It has a Tilt-style “Tone” EQ in the middle, making it intuitive to shape your sound. Tonally, I’d describe it as a smooth, warm drive — but of course, sound is subjective, so try it for yourself.

Cassette Bunny

This one nails that soft, vintage cassette tape vibe — with rolled-off highs and extreme lows. In Studio Mode, the bandwidth opens up for more high-end saturation, but I actually preferred Home Mode for its character.

Great not only for lo-fi music, but also for adding subtle texture to background guitars.

Silver Llama (Planet of the Amps bundle)

Click image to purchase Silver Llama at Plugin Boutique

Within the amp bundle, the Silver Llama really caught my ear. The FX Spring reverb in particular feels very wide and has a noticeable out-of-phase character.

The bundle also includes standalone FX plugins, so you can use just the effects without the amp if you want.

Yak Delay

This is a wild one. Hit the Random button along with the Sync button, and every delay parameter starts shifting in sync with the beat. Perfect for ambient music or experimental textures. I’ve never seen a delay behave quite like this before.

Fox Echo Chorus

Although it’s modeled after the Roland RE-201, it also includes reverb and chorus, making it a great all-in-one spatial tool. The convenience alone makes it worth checking out — and despite the extra features, it’s not priced higher than other plugins.

Dirty Dog Reverb

Click image to purchase Dirty Dog Chorus at Plugin Boutique

This one is pure attitude — a wide, spacious reverb drenched in distortion. While it’s obviously great for rock, it can add grit and depth to all sorts of genres.

Final Thoughts

These six are my top recommendations, but honestly, Safari Pedals’ entire lineup is well-optimized, unique-sounding, and easy to work with thanks to their intuitive controls.

The sale runs until August 31, so take your time browsing and see which ones spark your creativity.

See you in the next post!

Roland and DW Drum Virtual Instrument Launch Sale (~Aug 24, 30% Off Everything Except TR-808)

Hey there! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

Yesterday, the SONICWIRE CONTEST 2025 results were announced, and unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the final round. Looking back, I noticed a few things in my submission that could’ve been better—guess it’s time to tweak and resubmit next time! Still, I got a one-year Pro Tools license and a Sonible Essentials Bundle, so I’m not too bummed about it.

Roland Joins Plugin Boutique with a Launch Sale!

Find out Roland’s sales at plugin boutique

On another note, Roland (via Roland Cloud) has officially joined Plugin Boutique! To celebrate, they’re holding a launch sale from now until August 24, with 30% off all products (except the TR-808).

Quick heads-up: If you purchase through the links in this post, I earn a small commission, which really helps me keep going. Thanks in advance! 😊

Roland Cloud offers virtual recreations of their iconic synthesizers, which were previously available only through a subscription model. Now, you can purchase individual instruments outright—a big win for producers! Plus, Roland’s sister brands like Boss and DW Drums are also part of the deal, offering virtual instruments like the DW Drum VST and even free Boss effect pedals.

Let’s take a quick look at some of Roland’s standout virtual instruments and the DW Drum VST.

Roland’s Iconic Virtual Instruments

JUNO-106

The JUNO-106 is the successor to the JUNO-6 and JUNO-60. As the name suggests, it’s a 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer, though the virtual version lets you choose 2, 4, 6, or 8 voices for flexibility.

The standout feature? That lush Chorus effect on the right side of the interface. Back in the day, synths like the JUNO-106 used chorus to create a stereo sound, giving it that iconic ‘80s vibe. Comparing the plugin’s presets to YouTube recordings of the original hardware, the emulation is spot-on, though the high frequencies are slightly sharper in the plugin. A touch of EQ can get it sounding nearly identical to the hardware’s smoother tone. Roland nailed the recreation here.

JV-1080 & XV-5080

Click image to purchase JV-1080 at Plugin Boutique

Click image to purchase XV-5080 at Plugin Boutique

The JV-1080 is a legendary rack-mounted PCM synthesizer from 1994, packed with iconic strings, ethnic instruments, retro stabs, and more. It’s a ‘90s classic that’s still relevant today.

The XV-5080, its successor, takes things further with a massive library of over 900 presets and a wide range of onboard effects. Both synths use the same editing engine, so you can tweak envelopes and patches for detailed sound design. The XV-5080 includes most of the JV-1080’s core waveforms and patches, but subtle differences in reverb and effects settings give each a unique flavor. Personally, I find the JV-1080 a bit thinner, while the XV-5080 has a thicker, more robust sound.

Roland also offers SRX Expansion packs for additional sounds, sold separately.

Mono Synth Collection (SH-101, SYSTEM-100, SH-2, TB-303, PROMARS)

Find out Mono Synth Collection at Plugin Boutique

This collection includes five iconic Roland monophonic synthesizers, perfect for crafting lead and bass lines. Here’s a quick rundown:

SH-101

Released in 1982, the SH-101 is a monophonic bass synthesizer famous in techno, D&B, and acid genres. With a single oscillator producing sawtooth or square waves, it delivers a distinctive, gritty bass tone that’s instantly recognizable.

SYSTEM-100

The SYSTEM-100 (1975) is a semi-modular monosynth known for its experimental, happy-accident-style sound design. Those patch cables scream creativity—just tweak and see what cool sounds you stumble upon!

SH-2

Click image to purchase SH-2 at Plugin Boutique

The SH-2 (1979) is another monophonic synth with dual VCOs and a sub-oscillator, giving it a thicker, deeper sound than the SH-101. It feels somewhat similar to a Minimoog and can be used in similar contexts.

TB-303

The TB-303 is the legendary bass machine that birthed acid house. Designed to mimic bass guitars, it flopped commercially and was discontinued in 1984. But its cheap secondhand availability made it a staple in electronic music genres like acid, house, and techno. Don’t think of it as a bass guitar replacement—its quirky, unique tone is what makes it so special. It reminds me of sounds from old-school video games!

PROMARS

The PROMARS (1979) is a monophonic sibling of the Jupiter-4, with two VCOs for a rich, detuned sound. Think of it as a scaled-down Jupiter-4 without the arpeggiator or ensemble chorus. It’s got a thick, vibrant tone that’s perfect for bold leads or basses.

Drum Machine Collection (TR-606, TR-707, TR-727, TR-909, TR-808)

Find out Drum Machine Collection at Plugin Boutique

Click image to purchase TR-808 at Plugin Boutique

Roland’s drum machines are absolute legends, and the TR-808 is arguably the most influential. (Note: The TR-808 is not included in this sale.) Here’s a look at the others:

TR-606

The TR-606 was designed alongside the TB-303 bass synth for seamless synchronization. Its interface is similar to the 303, and its sound is a classic in electronic music. You’ll likely recognize it when you hear it!

TR-909

The TR-909 is the successor to the TR-808, blending analog and sampled sounds for a punchier, more defined tone. It’s a dance music staple, known for its powerful kick and crisp hi-hats.

TR-707

Despite its name, the TR-707 came after the TR-909. It uses fully sampled sounds at 8-bit resolution (6-bit for cymbals/hi-hats), giving it a more realistic yet slightly lo-fi vibe compared to the 808 or 909.

TR-727

The TR-727, a sibling of the TR-707, specializes in Latin percussion sounds—think tropical rhythms for afrobeats, reggaeton, or Arabic pop. It shares the same UI as the 707, making them easy to sync for house music production.

DW Soundworks

The DW Drum VST is a game-changer for beatmakers. The default Maple Mahogany Natural kit is a standout—crisp snares and punchy kicks that thump in the low end with just a slight tweak. The sound quality is top-notch.

The mixer lets you control overheads, ambience, and output routing, similar to other drum VSTs. DW Soundworks comes with 13 expansion packs, including the Metal Legacy pack (7.71GB, free!).

The Plugin Boutique version also includes six additional sample packs:

DW 50th Anniversary Kit Expansion Pack
DW Maple Mahogany Expansion Pack
DW Pure Maple Expansion Pack
Slingerland Vintage 1958 Expansion Pack
DW Pure Almond Expansion Pack
Gretsch USA Custom Expansion Pack

These samples are punchy and versatile, making DW Soundworks a must-check for anyone shopping for a drum VST.

Wrapping Up

Whew, that was a lot to cover! Roland’s virtual instruments and DW Soundworks are packed with high-quality options, and with the 30% off sale (until August 24), now’s a great time to explore. Check out the links above to browse the full lineup.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post! 🎶

A Tip Exporting or Bouncing FLAC and MP3 Files for Mastering (with a Bit of Python Codes)

Hey there! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

Today, I want to talk about something light but super useful: how to properly export audio files after mixing and mastering.

Let’s dive in!

The Basics of Exporting Audio Files

Once mixing and mastering are complete, you typically need to export your tracks in multiple formats—WAV, FLAC, and MP3—to send to clients or distributors.

But here’s the catch: not all DAWs make this process easy. For example:

Pro Tools and Logic Pro X don’t have built-in options to export FLAC files.
Cubase supports FLAC, but you have to export each format individually, which can be a hassle.

I’ve previously written about audio codecs in my blog series Basics of Mixing.

Basics of Mixing (End) – 14.5 The Codecs of Music Files

To recap:

WAV: The original, uncompressed file format.
FLAC: A lossless compressed format.
MP3: A lossy compressed format.

Both FLAC and MP3 use codecs that are freely available for encoding and decoding. So, why not use a simple script to automate the process?

Automating FLAC and MP3 Exports with Python

Here’s a quick and easy way to convert your WAV files to FLAC and MP3 using Python and the ffmpeg-python library.

Step 1: Install ffmpeg-python

First, make sure you have Python installed. Then, open your terminal (Mac) or command prompt (Windows) and run:

pip install ffmpeg-python

This might take a minute or two, but it’s worth it!

Step 2: The Python Code

Here’s a simple script to convert a WAV file to both MP3 and FLAC:

import ffmpeg

# 📂 Input file path
input_path = '/path/to/input.wav'

# 📂 Output file paths
output_mp3 = '/path/to/output.mp3'
output_flac = '/path/to/output.flac'

# ✅ WAV → MP3 (CBR - Constant Bitrate 320kbps; you can change '320k' to '256k' for different bitrates)
ffmpeg.input(input_path).output(output_mp3, audio_bitrate='320k', format='mp3').run()

# ✅ WAV → FLAC (compression_level: 0-8; higher numbers mean higher compression)
ffmpeg.input(input_path).output(output_flac, format='flac', compression_level='8').run()

Step 3: Save and Run the Script

Copy the code above into a text editor.
- Mac users: Ensure your text editor is set to plain text (not RTF).
Save the file with a .py extension (like convert_audio.py).
Run the script using Python (like python convert_audio.py).

Voilà! You’ll have your FLAC and MP3 files in no time.

How to Find File Paths

Mac: Drag and drop your WAV file into the Terminal, and the file path will appear automatically.
Windows: Right-click the file, select “Properties,” and copy the file path from there (you may need to adjust the path format slightly, use backslashes \).

Why This Matters

So many bars in this project.. It could be take a day if I export wav, flac and mp3 files by the export function of the DAW

Manually exporting files in different formats can be a time sink, especially for long projects like live recordings over an hour. Using this script, you can:

Save hours of repetitive work.
Quickly generate high-quality FLAC and MP3 files.

A Few Notes

Bit Depth and Sample Rate: For MP3 files, it’s standard to use 44.1kHz and 16-bit WAV files as the source. FLAC can handle higher resolutions (e.g., 48kHz, 24-bit) if needed.
Dithering: FFmpeg’s dithering options are basic, so for WAV files with specific bit depth or sample rate conversions (e.g., 48kHz/24-bit to 44.1kHz/16-bit), it’s better to handle those in your DAW for better quality.
MP3 Standards: Always use a 44.1kHz, 16-bit WAV file as the source for MP3 conversion to meet industry standards.

Final Thoughts

This is a super basic tip, but I couldn’t find many clear guides on this topic online, so I wanted to share it with you. If you’ve never coded before, this might seem intimidating at first, but trust me—it’s straightforward and will save you tons of time.

Give it a try, and let me know how it goes! Until next time, happy mixing! 🙂

Basics of Synthesizers (5) – Modeling (Physical Modeling, Analog Modeling)

Hey there! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

Today, we’re diving into modeling synthesizers, continuing from Basics of Synthesizers (4).

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

In my post about FM synthesis, I mentioned how Yamaha dominated the market with the DX7 FM synthesizer, right?

Well, that FM synth came about through a collaboration between Stanford and Yamaha. And guess what? Physical Modeling synthesis is another product of that Stanford-Yamaha partnership.

Academically, Physical Modeling was already being discussed mathematically for a while. (Synthesizing Musical Sounds by Solving the Wave Equation for Vibrating Objects, 1971)

But creating the algorithms and implementing them efficiently? That’s a whole different story. Back then, computers didn’t have great DSP capabilities. So, in the 1983 paper (Digital Synthesis of Plucked-String and Drum Timbres), a simplified algorithm was proposed to make synthesis accessible to everyone via computer.

Fast forward to 1989, Stanford and Yamaha co-developed digital waveguide synthesis, and in 1994, the first product using this tech, the Yamaha VL1, hit the market.

Unlike Physical Modeling, which models the instrument itself, there’s also Analog Modeling, which digitally recreates analog synthesizer circuits.

Korg was a major player in this space.

Why go for analog modeling? Well, analog synths needed multiple oscillators to produce multiple voices, but with analog modeling, as long as the DSP could handle it, you could generate as many voices as you wanted at once.

Nowadays, with CPUs being so powerful, virtual instruments using these modeling techniques are everywhere.

2025 Summer Expressive E Soliste String Virtual Instrument Series Launch Sale (~July 18, 40% Off)

The string virtual instrument I introduced recently, Expressive E’s Soliste, is also based on Physical Modeling.

Introducing IK Multimedia Total Studio 4 Max (75% Off Until 12/2)

When I introduced IK Multimedia’s Total Studio products last year, Modo Drum and Modo Bass, which were included, are also Physical Modeling virtual instruments.

As CPU performance has improved, modeling tech has evolved to handle complex calculations that were previously impossible, allowing for realistic acoustic instrument sounds with minimal storage.

Still, it’s a bit hard to see these modeling synths as unique instruments that create a big splash like traditional synthesizers.

And that’s it for modeling in a nutshell!

See you in the next post!

Gorilla Drive

Cassette Bunny

Silver Llama (Planet of the Amps bundle)

Yak Delay

Fox Echo Chorus

Dirty Dog Reverb

Final Thoughts

Share this:

Roland Joins Plugin Boutique with a Launch Sale!

Roland’s Iconic Virtual Instruments

JUNO-106

JV-1080 & XV-5080

Mono Synth Collection (SH-101, SYSTEM-100, SH-2, TB-303, PROMARS)

SH-101

SYSTEM-100

SH-2

TB-303

PROMARS

Drum Machine Collection (TR-606, TR-707, TR-727, TR-909, TR-808)

TR-606

TR-909

TR-707

TR-727

DW Soundworks

Wrapping Up

Share this:

The Basics of Exporting Audio Files

Automating FLAC and MP3 Exports with Python

Step 1: Install ffmpeg-python

Step 2: The Python Code

Step 3: Save and Run the Script

How to Find File Paths

Why This Matters

A Few Notes

Final Thoughts

Share this:

Share this: