Category: Plugin Sale Info

Brainworx May Sale (2) – Ampeg SVT-VR Classic, SVT-3Pro, V-4B, B-15N, Gallien-Krueger 800RB (Until May 31)

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

Yesterday was the announcement day for artist grants in Korea, and as expected, getting selected is getting tougher… I was hoping to buy some cables for research purposes with the grant, but those plans went up in smoke. Times are tough these days… 😢

Find out brainworx plugins deals

Anyway, today I’m continuing with the Brainworx May sale. This time, I noticed a lot of bass amp plugins are included in the sale, so I’m introducing five Brainworx bass amps commonly used in mixing and composing.

I own the Ampeg SVT-VR Classic and B-15N, having purchased them myself. The other plugins were provided as NFR (Not for Resale) copies through Plugin Boutique. Also, if you purchase through the links in this blog, I earn a small commission, which helps me keep creating content and survive. Thank you for your support!

Let’s dive in!

Ampeg SVT-VR Classic

Click image to purchase Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Plugin

The Ampeg SVT (Super Valve Technology) is a tube-based bass amp head from the late 1960s, developed to meet the demand for powerful bass amps during large concerts. While most amps at the time were under 100W, the SVT delivered a whopping 300W.

The SVT-VR is a vintage reissue (VR) model based on the 1969 SVT. The Classic plugin is a simplified version of the SVT-VR plugin, designed for straightforward operation.

I use this one a lot when writing songs or when a mix source comes in as a DI signal. It has minimal controls, which makes it super easy to dial in the tone I want.

Some bassists I know prefer a brighter, more attack-heavy sound, but I lean toward a darker tone with subdued highs. Setting it to Normal for the input signal and enabling Ultra-Lo gives me exactly the deep, grounded sound I love. With a little EQ tweaking, it sits perfectly in the mix.

You can choose from three cabinet options, but I find the default 8×10 cabinet sounds the best. This plugin sometimes pops up for free or during events, so keep an eye out for it!

Ampeg V-4B

Click image to purchase Ampeg V-4B Plugin

The Ampeg V-4B is a tube-based bass head from the early 1970s, designed for smaller venues. Think of it as a compact version of the SVT with 100W output.

Its tone isn’t drastically different from the SVT-VR, but it has slightly more high-end presence and sits a bit higher in the stereo image. It’s great when you want a tone that’s just a touch lighter than the SVT-VR’s Ultra-Lo setting. Of course, switching cabinets changes the sound quite a bit! 😄

Unlike the SVT-VR Classic, this model includes a noise gate, filter, and EQ, which are handy for tone shaping.

Ampeg SVT-3Pro

Click image to purchase Ampeg SVT-3pro

The SVT-3Pro is a modernized version of Ampeg’s SVT series from the 1990s, combining tubes and transistors to create a lighter hybrid head amp.

With 450W of output, it has less frequency loss compared to other heads in the series, so it can feel higher in resolution when you first hear it.

You can also adjust the harmonic structure using the Tube Gain control. (Cranking it up increases odd harmonics over even ones.)

This makes it especially useful for tracks with fewer instruments, where its clarity shines.

Ampeg B-15N

Click image to purchase Ampeg B-15N plugin

The B-15N is a reissue of the first model in Ampeg’s Portaflex series, where the amp head can be tucked into or removed from the cabinet.

It includes 1964 and 1966 input and bias settings, which significantly affect the sound. The 1966 bias emphasizes highs more, and the 1966 input adds a bit more high-end, lifting the sound slightly in the stereo image. These differences are hard to show on a frequency response graph in Plugin Doctor, unfortunately.

Compared to the SVT-VR or V-4B, the default sound is noticeably lighter with more prominent highs, making it a great starting point for tracks featuring solo bass performances. As always, swapping cabinets changes the sound dramatically.

Gallien-Krueger 800RB

Click image to purchase Gallien-Krueger 800RB plugin

The Gallien-Krueger 800RB is a solid-state amp from the 1980s, designed with bi-amping (separating high and low frequencies) used in hi-fi systems, allowing connection to two cabinets.

In the plugin, you’ll see it split into 300W (lows) and 100W (highs). You can choose the Crossover Frequency to determine how frequencies are divided or use it in Full Range mode without bi-amping.

In its default state, this amp has the lightest sound of all the amps covered here, sitting higher in the stereo image. As with the others, EQ and cabinet tweaks can drastically alter the tone.

Find out brainworx plugins deals

Today, we explored these five bass amp plugins. Bass amp plugins aren’t just for electric bass—they can also enhance synth bass or acoustic bass for great results.

All of these are solid amp plugins, so grabbing a few during this sale would be a smart move.

See you in the next post! 😊

Brainworx May Sale (1) – Amek Mastering Compressor, Mäag Magnum-K, Millennia TCL-2 (Until May 31)

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

Plugin Alliance has started charging taxes for Korean buyers, making Plugin Boutique a more cost-effective choice. With Plugin Boutique, you can often get free plugins or collect points, even for the same products.

Find about Brainworx Plugins at Plugin Boutique

This month, Plugin Boutique is holding a big sale on several Brainworx plugins from Plugin Alliance, so I’m here to highlight a few.

In a previous post, I focused on Saturation and Bettermaker plugins. This time, I’ll dive into compressors: Amek Mastering Compressor, Mäag Magnum-K, and Millennia TCL-2.

Let’s get started!
(I numbered this post as (1) in case I cover more plugins later, but no promises… 😅)

AMEK Mastering Compressor

Click image to purchase Amek Mastering compressor at Plugin Boutique

This compressor is inspired by the Amek 9098 console and compressor… or so they say. It’s probably best to think of it as Brainworx’s unique take on an Amek-based compressor.

Its standout features are:

  1. Multiple detector settings (Fast, Peak)
  2. Timing and Release Hysteresis parameters instead of traditional Attack and Release

These can be a bit confusing, so let’s break them down.

The Peak parameter enhances detection of transient peaks, while the Fast parameter makes the attack respond more quickly.

Timing directly adjusts the speed of Attack and Release, while Release Hysteresis links the Fast detector to the signal’s volume, reacting faster to loud sounds and slower to quiet ones.

A bit tricky, right? 😄

Also, this compressor has automatic Make-Up Gain, so you’ll need to slightly reduce the Output Gain to balance the sound.

In terms of frequency response, it slightly boosts the low end, and when compression kicks in, the high end gets a subtle lift. True to its “Mastering Compressor” name, it’s very clean with minimal harmonic distortion.

Millennia TCL-2

Click image to purchase Millennia TCL-2 at Plugin Boutique

The Millennia TCL-2 is a plugin emulation of Millennia’s opto compressor, often compared to the Avalon AD2044 as a top-tier stereo opto compressor.

It’s exceptionally clean, producing very little harmonic distortion even under compression. You won’t notice significant changes in the frequency response either.

The parameters are fairly standard, so there’s not much to dive into here.

From my experience, it’s ideal when you want a smooth opto compressor without expecting high-frequency saturation.

Mäag Audio Magnum-K

Click image to purchase Magnum-K at Plugin Boutique

The Mäag Audio Magnum-K is a compressor that incorporates Mäag Audio’s signature Air Band EQ.

This one’s a bit complex to use. It’s easiest to think of it as three sections: Magnum Compressor, K Compressor, and EQ2.

The Magnum section should feel familiar, but the FB/FF (Feedback/Feedforward) setting on the far right is unique. Feedback mode offers smooth compression, while Feedforward mode is more aggressive.

The K Compressor is a one-band compressor centered at 3kHz, essentially functioning as a de-esser to tame vocal sibilance.

The EQ2 section operates in parallel with the original signal, blending with the Magnum and K Compressor signals before soft clipping kicks in.

It adds some coloration, and when compression engages, the midrange feels fuller. The left and right channels can slightly differ, creating a richer effect. If you don’t like this, you can use M/S mode or Digital Mode for uniform channel processing.

Find about Brainworx Plugins at Plugin Boutique

Until the end of this month, these compressors and other Brainworx plugins are on sale at Plugin Boutique, so it’s worth checking them out.

Plus, if you buy any plugin from Plugin Boutique this month, you’ll get Bitwig Studio 8-Track DAW for free, so don’t miss out!

See you in the next post! 😊

UVI Falcon Sale (50% Off, Until May 9)

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

UVI is a company renowned for its piano virtual instruments, much like Spectrasonics. These days, they’ve expanded beyond pianos to develop synthesizers and a variety of audio effects.

Recently, UVI joined Plugin Boutique, kicking off an exciting Intro Sale. Currently, Plugin Boutique offers two UVI products:

Click the photo to visit the Plugin Boutique UVI page.

The Sonic Bundle, which includes all of UVI’s products, and FALCON, UVI’s flagship synthesizer/virtual instrument engine. Today, I’ll be diving into Falcon.

Click the photo to visit the Plugin Boutique UVI Falcon page.

Full disclosure: I received an NFR (Not for Resale) code for this product from UVI via Plugin Boutique. If you purchase through the links in this blog, I earn a small commission, which helps me keep creating content and, frankly, survive! Thank you for your support.

Let’s get started!

What is Falcon?

Falcon is a versatile engine, similar to Native Instruments’ Kontakt, capable of loading virtual instruments or functioning as a synthesizer/sampler with 20 oscillators and various synthesis methods.

Like Kontakt, Falcon can feel overwhelming if you dive into all its detailed settings or try to build a sampler from scratch. It’s especially tricky for beginners, particularly when combining FX and modulation with synthesizer configurations.

Instead of trying to master everything at once, let’s start with the basics.

When you first open Falcon, you can choose from 21 default preset synthesizers, including Analog, FM, Additive, Organ, Wavetable, Noise, Pluck, Texture, Sample, Drum, MPE, Granular, Vosim, Harmonic Resonator, Bowed String, and more.

Once loaded, the Info tab displays the most basic parameters for tweaking.

In the Edit tab, you can fine-tune more detailed parameters, such as FX, Layer, Key Group, Oscillator, Mapping, and Modulation for the loaded synthesizer or virtual instrument.

The Effects tab lets you dive deeper into FX adjustments. With over 100 effects included in Falcon, it’s tough to cover them all! They lean more toward sound design than traditional mixing, offering incredible creative possibilities.

In the Event tab, you can add MIDI FX processors and other MIDI-based effects.

The Mods tab is where you control modulation effects like LFOs and ADSR envelopes.

In the Mappers tab, you can draw shapes to scale, quantize, curve, or pattern modulation source values, allowing you to customize how modulation effects evolve.

On the left, you can add modules to incorporate more virtual instruments or synthesizers.

The Tree view shows which sounds or effects are applied to each part, while the List view displays the data settings for the virtual instrument or synthesizer.

On the right, you can browse sounds by folder or soundbank and preview them with a quick click.

The search bar helps you find presets, while the waveform icon loads sounds into the mapping editor. The “fx” category covers effects, and “mfx” refers to music FX for sound effects. The note icon represents MIDI effects for the Event tab, and the frequency spectrum-like icon is for modulation effects in the Mods tab.

Falcon’s extensive features can take time to master, but its versatility lets you create an incredible range of sounds.

Click the photo to visit the Plugin Boutique UVI Falcon page.

Until May 9, Plugin Boutique is offering a 50% discount on Falcon as part of the Intro Sale. If you’re looking for a single, all-in-one synthesizer virtual instrument, Falcon is a fantastic choice.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next post! 😊

Baby Audio Smooth Operator Pro Sale (Until 6/1)

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

So, two days ago, a paper I submitted to AES got rejected… 😢 I’d already been turned down by ASA, poured my heart into revising it, and still came up short. Haha… oh well.

One reviewer seemed pretty positive, but another tore it apart. Some of the criticism left me scratching my head—like, “Hmm… really?”—but there were common points both raised, so I’m running extra experiments now. It’s tough, both mentally and physically, but I’ve got to push through… right? Haha.

Next up, I’m eyeing IEEE Transactions or Elsevier journals, but man, the road just keeps getting steeper…

Anyway, enough of that! Today, I’m here to talk about Smooth Operator Pro from Baby Audio, which is currently on sale.

Purchase Baby Audio Smooth Operator Pro at Plugin Boutique

I received this plugin as an NFR (Not for Resale) copy from Plugin Boutique. If you buy through the links in this post, I’ll earn a small commission that seriously helps me keep going—thanks so much for the support!

Let’s get into it!

What’s Smooth Operator Pro?

After poking around with it, I can say this plugin is fascinating. At first glance, it looks like an EQ—but it’s not. It kinda resembles a multiband compressor—but it’s not your typical one either.

Think of it as “a multiband compressor where you can tweak reaction and behavior per frequency.” That’s the vibe. It’s got six key features:

  1. Correction: Sets how frequencies are detected and the range of compression.
    • Lo Presv / High Presv: Exclude low or high frequencies from processing.
    • Even: Applies the effect evenly across all frequencies.
    • Skew: Adjusts the effect based on human hearing perception.
  2. Detection: Controls how peaks are spotted.
    • Peak/RMS: Choose between peak or RMS loudness detection.
    • Detail: Low for broad, smooth detection; high for tight, aggressive targeting.
    • Isolation: Sets how wide the effect spreads around detected frequencies.
  3. Comp Knee: Toggle between Soft or Hard Knee compression.
    • All the sub-parameters here are classic compressor controls.
  4. Mode: Stereo processing options—choose between L/R or Mid/Side.
  5. Sidechain: Pick a sidechain signal to trigger compression.
  6. Monitor: Compare pre- and post-processing audio, tweak Mix and Output Gain.

Activate the bottom-right toggle, and you can tweak Focus, Comp, and Imaging settings for each node individually.

The big central knob adjusts the overall threshold—up or down across all frequencies.

It might look tricky at first, but once you play with it, it’s pretty straightforward. Toss in some sidechaining, and you could whip up some wild sounds for electronic tracks. I’m already picturing the possibilities!

Baby Audio has a knack for blending tons of parameters into creative plugins like this.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out

Purchase Baby Audio Smooth Operator Pro at Plugin Boutique

Smooth Operator Pro is on sale right now, so if you’re curious, it’s a great time to take a look. It’s not just a tool—it’s a playground for shaping sound in ways that feel fresh and intuitive.

That’s all for now—catch you in the next post! 😊