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Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio Plugin: A Game-Changer in the World of Electric Piano Plug-Ins and Sample Libraries

Introduction

Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio is an exceptional plugin that delivers the inspired album-ready sound of a 1974 Rhodes Eighty Eight Suitcase Mark 1 electric piano. This plugin is perfect for musicians and producers who desire to add the rich timbre of a perfectly modeled Rhodes electric piano to their productions. Electra 88 is designed to give users the sound and playability that goes beyond generic electric piano plug-ins and expensive sample libraries. It offers the rich three-dimensional tones of a meticulously maintained vintage instrument and its entire signal path at the user’s fingertips.

The plugin has a fully stocked “vintage” studio of pro production tools, including legendary rack effects and stompbox emulations. With expertly placed dynamic, condenser, ribbon, and tube mics, genuine 1176 compression, studio-grade reverbs, modulation, EQ, and more, you’ll discover a palette of analog textures and tones that fit any genre. Electra 88 gives you jaw-dropping emulations of vintage gear for electric piano tones that always sit in the mix. It is a powerful tool that allows you to immerse yourself in a curated analog studio packed with vintage mics, classic amps, and more.

Moreover, Electra 88 offers over 100 album-ready presets that are crafted to fit any genre. The presets are curated for instant inspiration and maximum enjoyment. The plugin is deep-sampled from a special, hand-picked Fender Rhodes MK1 to capture every note’s full dynamic and tonal response. It immerses the user in a high-end recording studio with an enviable collection of UA analog-modeled gear.

If you’re looking for a plugin that can help you create pro sounds, Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio is the perfect choice. It is a game-changer in the world of electric piano plug-ins and sample libraries. With Electra 88, you’ll get immersive sounds that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. The plugin has an intuitive, playful interface that invites endless combinations of sonic possibilities, and the preset library shows off its wide sound-design capabilities and deep musical roots. Try Electra 88 today and enjoy the journey with inspiring album-ready presets that will take your music production to the next level.

Getting Started

If you’re new to Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio, the plugin is easy to get started with. After loading the plugin and enabling the track in your DAW, here are some things you can do to test the plugin features:

  1. Play some notes on the keyboard to hear the Default preset.
  2. Try out the different pedal and studio effects by clicking the yellow LED under each effect. You’ll notice some effects are more subtle than others, and each knob controls a specific characteristic of the effect. Hover over the knob to see what it adjusts and tweak it to hear how it changes the sound.
  3. Test different presets by clicking the preset name at the top of the plugin to open the preset manager.
  4. Adjust the amplifier controls, which include Volume, Treble, Bass, and Vibrato Speed and Intensity. Note that Treble/Bass and Speed/Intensity are on dual concentric knobs, and the inner and outer controls control different aspects of the sound. To switch the Vibrato on and off and adjust more amplifier settings, see Using Electra 88 Amplifier View.
  5. Experiment with different pedal effects by clicking Pedals at the top of the screen and selecting a new effect. Enable the effect by pressing the power switch and adjust the knobs and controls to change the sound. For more information on Electra’s pedals, see Electra 88 Pedal Controls.
  6. Test out the five studio effects (EQ, Compression, Modulation, Delay, and Reverb) by clicking Studio at the top of the screen. You can swap the locations of the EQ and Compressor, enable/disable effects, and control a wide range of settings for each effect. For more information on Electra’s studio effects, see Electra Studio Effect Controls.

These are just a few of the features that Electra 88 has to offer. To fully explore the plugin’s sound and capabilities, continue reading to learn about this keyboard studio’s sections.

Presets

Electra 88 comes with a wide variety of presets that are designed to cater to different genres and styles. To access the presets, simply click the Presets area at the top of the instrument to reveal the available presets. You can then click on any of the presets to hear its sound.

Once you find a preset that you like, you can play it as provided or further tweak its sound to fit your needs. If you make any modifications to a preset, you can save it by pressing the Save button in the plug-in or LUNA preset browser. Additionally, you can favorite a preset for quick recall later by clicking its star in the presets browser. The presets available in Electra 88 are perfect for those who want to get started quickly and easily, and they provide a great starting point for further sound exploration and experimentation.

Views and Controls

The top of every Electra view includes controls for accessing the four Electra views, opening Electra settings, and controlling the output level. Each view also includes quick effect and amplifier controls at the bottom of the screen. Users can switch between views from any Electra view, access global and performance controls, control signal level, enable/disable effects, and adjust amplifier controls.

The Keyboard View

The Keyboard view in Electra 88 offers a clear overview of the instrument. When you play Electra with your MIDI controller, the keys you play are highlighted. The displayed pedal effects on Electra are updated when you change them in the Pedals and Studio views. You can adjust the pedal and studio effects with their quick controls and even adjust some amplifier controls.

The Pedals View

To access the Pedals view in Electra 88, you can click Pedals at the top of the window, on the pedals on top of the instrument when in Keyboard view, or the PEDALS text label below the quick controls. Signals flow from left to right. You can assign up to three pedals to Electra, where the first pedal slot is designated for either the Fil-tron or the Wah. The second and third pedal slots can be assigned any other pedal, but a pedal can only be assigned to one slot. If you attempt to assign a pedal in one effect slot already assigned to another, the pedals will be swapped with each other. The assignable pedals include Compressor, Phaser, Flanger, Tape Echo, Spring Verb, Chorus, and Fil-tron (first pedal slot only) and Wah (first pedal slot only).

To turn a pedal on or off, click its power switch or footswitch, or click the LED for the pedal in the Pedals quick access area at the bottom of the screen. Some pedals have unique enable/disable controls, and you can find more information on each effect and its parameters in the Electra 88 Pedal Controls section.

To assign a pedal, click on the green tape below a pedal effect and select a new pedal from the list. If the pedal is already assigned to another slot, the pedal is swapped with the pedal in the current slot (second and third pedal slots only).

The Amplifier View

To access Amplifier view, click on Amplifier at the top of the Electra window or on an amplifier or cabinet while in Keyboard view. Amplifier view enables you to select an amplifier for Electra and customize its sound. Electra boasts three amplifiers with various mics and a direct box to bypass the amps. When you click an amplifier or direct box, Amplifier view updates to show the mics on the selected amp or the cables running to the direct box, depending on your choice. Each amp has several sound controls, including microphone options, speaker choices (Double Reverb only), and other settings. The Suitcase preamplifier controls are always active and can be configured anytime, even when using another amplifier. However, the Suitcase speaker and microphone settings are only available when the Suitcase is selected on the Amplifiers page.

The Studio View

In Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio, the Studio view allows users to add the final touches to their sound with five high-quality rack-style effects, including EQ, compression, modulation, delay, and reverb. Each studio effect has its own unique parameters and controls. For instance, users can toggle the power of each effect on and off by clicking the power button or LED indicator. To return to the default setting of a control, users can option-click (macOS) or Alt-click (Windows). Finally, users can adjust the knobs and sliders with fine control by pressing Shift.

Conclusion

Overall, Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio is a highly versatile and powerful plugin that is essential for any music producer or musician who wants to add the rich timbre of a perfectly modeled Rhodes electric piano to their productions. With a wide range of pro production tools, immersive sounds, and endless combinations of sonic possibilities, Electra 88 is a game-changer in the world of electric piano plug-ins and sample libraries. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting, Electra 88 is the perfect choice to take your music production to the next level.

The Capitol Mastering Compressor Plugin: A Versatile Tool for Mastering

Introduction:

In the realm of recording studios, Capitol Studios has always been recognized as one of the greats. Renowned for its classic recordings and exceptional mastering services, Capitol boasts four dedicated mastering rooms where countless hits and classics have been perfected. With their access to top-of-the-line gear, it was only natural for Capitol to develop their own compressor. Thus, the CM5511 compressor was born. In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating details of this in-house designed compressor and explore its digital counterpart, the Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin, created by Universal Audio.

Design and Development:

The CM5511 compressor was meticulously crafted by Capitol’s team, drawing inspiration from renowned compressors like the Fairchild 670 and Gates STA-Level. With input from mastering engineers, the compressor’s design was fine-tuned to meet the highest standards. Each of the four mastering rooms at Capitol received a custom-made unit, resulting in a consistent and unified mastering experience across all rooms. The CM5511 featured hand-picked components, including vintage Mullard tubes, John Hardy op-amps, and custom Cinemag transformers. Universal Audio had the privilege of accessing two of these exceptional compressors, allowing them to create a faithful plugin emulation.

Introducing the Capitol Mastering Compressor Plugin:

Universal Audio meticulously modeled the response and sound of the CM5511 compressors to bring the Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin to life. The beauty of this plugin lies in its compatibility—it doesn’t require any Universal Audio hardware and can seamlessly integrate with any audio interface and DAW. Let’s dive into the plugin’s features and enhancements.

Interface and Controls:

The Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin faithfully replicates the vintage hardware compressor’s aesthetics, featuring Bakelite knobs and VU meters (offering both dBFS and LUFS metering). While the controls are simple, they offer everything you need to achieve outstanding masters or enhance individual tracks. The stepped Input control allows precise signal level adjustment in increments of 2.5 db.

The sidechain (SC switch) filter of the Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin reduces the amount of bass signal before the compressor’s detector. This filter has three positions: Off, 1 (365 Hz), and 2 (700 Hz). Universal Audio modeled these filter options from two different CM5511 hardware units. By reducing compression and “pumping” on bass-heavy audio signals, the SC filter preserves the bass content of the audio signal.

The Threshold control sets the compression threshold. It operates in approximately 1 dB steps. Lowering the threshold by rotating it clockwise increases the compression. Signals that fall below the threshold are not compressed. It is important to note that a parallel high-ratio, fixed threshold limiter is applied to very loud signals to prevent excessive clipping in the output amplifier. However, there are no user controls for this portion of the circuit.

Attack and Release controls provide flexibility in shaping the compression’s timing. Available values are Slow, mS (Medium Slow), Med (Medium), mF (Medium Fast), and Fast.

The Ratio control governs the compression ratio. Let’s discuss this in more detail. A 2:1 ratio, for instance, reduces the signal above the threshold by two times, meaning that an input signal of 20 dB will be attenuated to 10 dB. Higher ratios will result in more compression. Users can click the + or – text labels to step through the ratio values. The original hardware does not include this control, but Universal Audio modeled the 3:1 and 4:1 ratios from two different CM5511 hardware units. Five ratio settings are available: 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, and 10:1. It is essential to note that signals must exceed the THRESHOLD value before they are attenuated by the RATIO amount.

The OUTPUT control is responsible for compensating the gain added by the compressor. It has 24 positions and reduces the output level by approximately 0.5 dB per step, with modeled gain settings from the original hardware. However, this control only reduces gain and cannot increase output gain. For that, you should use the GAIN knob instead.

To set a compressor control to a specific value, simply click on the text label corresponding to that value. To reset a control to its default value, use an option-click (macOS) or alt-click (Windows). For more precise adjustments, shift-click the control.

Channel Flexibility:

The plugin offers the option to link or use channels separately, granting users the freedom to optimize their workflow. Each channel includes a side-chain filter, which reduces sensitivity to bass frequencies. Furthermore, the Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin supports both Mid/Side and stereo operation, enabling users to compress the middle signal separately (from the left and right) or process the entire left-right signal. The side-chain feature can be set to work in dual mono or linked mode, expanding the creative possibilities.

The CTRL LINK switch allows users to link or unlink channel controls. The switch is surrounded by an orange LED that illuminates when the controls are linked.

When switching from unlinked to linked controls, the LEFT/MID channel settings are applied to both channels. When the plugin is used on a mono track, the controls are always linked.

Additional Features:

The plugin includes several innovative features not found in the original hardware compressors. The Mix control enables parallel compression, allowing users to blend the dry and compressed signals to preserve attack and articulation while achieving the desired level of compression.

The Headroom control determines the compression depth, effectively managing the available dynamic range. Users can adjust the HEADROOM control from 4 to 28 dB in increments of 4 dB. The default setting is 16 dB. It is important to note that increasing the dB value will decrease headroom and increase compression, while decreasing the dB value will increase headroom and decrease compression.

The Mono Fold control is particularly intriguing—it enhances low frequencies, providing greater punch and impact while keeping the mid and high frequencies open. this essentially the stereo width of low bass frequencies. Users can adjust the Mono Fold frequency cutoff to their liking.

The Gain control acts as a makeup gain, allowing users to compensate for heavy compression or boost the output level for a louder sound. Gain provides ±12 dB of gain compensation, in 1 dB steps.

Lastly, the Saturator circuit adds harmonic content, offering brightness, richness, and even a touch of grit when pushed to the extremes.

The plug-in includes additional features not present in the original hardware, such as capturing the circuit design differences between two CM5511 units.

Enhance Your Instrument Groups with the Capitol Mastering Compressor:

Experience the warmth and tube-based magic of the Capitol Mastering Compressor beyond just the master bus. Add it to your drum bus, synths, background vocals, and more to achieve unparalleled dynamics control. This hit-proven hardware is a one-of-a-kind addition to any producer or engineer’s toolkit.

Presets and Versatility:

Universal Audio’s plugin management system provides efficient preset management. Users can filter presets by type, making it effortless to browse through options such as saturated masters, drum bus settings, or limiters. Alternatively, users can explore all presets without any filters and mark their favorites for quick access. The Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin excels in versatility, delivering exceptional results for various styles and applications, from smooth and polished masters to gritty and edgy productions.

Signal Flow:

The following diagram depicts how signals are processed in the compressor:

Diagram Courtesy of Universal Audio (All Rights Reserved by its owner)

Conclusion:

The Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin from Universal Audio is a powerful and versatile tool for both mastering and individual track processing. Offering exceptional sound quality and faithful emulation of the legendary CM5511 compressors, this plugin is a valuable addition to any producer or engineer’s toolkit. With its intuitive interface, flexible controls, and innovative features, the Capitol Mastering Compressor plugin empowers users to create professional-sounding masters and take their productions to new heights.

UAD vs Softube: Which Plugin Versions Should You Buy? | The Ultimate Comparison Guide

Are you wondering whether to buy UAD or Softube plugins? In this video, we dive deep into the differences between these two high-quality plugin manufacturers. UAD plugins were designed to run on DSP hardware, while Softube plugins were designed to run natively on your computer. But with UAD’s recent announcement that their plugins are now native, the question arises: is it still necessary to buy both UAD and Softube versions of the same plugins? We explore the answer to that question and examine the unique features and workflows of both UAD and Softube plugins. Whether you’re a producer, engineer, or musician, this is a must-watch video for anyone interested in high-quality plugins! Will you be buying your next plugin from UA or Softube? Leave your comment!

If you wish to purchase the products mentioned on this video you can get yours immediately on Amazon at:

1. Softube Console 1: https://amzn.to/3UhGIXy

2. Softube Console 1 Fader: https://amzn.to/3zG2hYr

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