New Microphone Modeling Plug-In from Antares

Antares Audio Technologies has announced the coming availability of their new AMM-1 Microphone Modeler TDM plug in for the Digidesign Pro Tools platform. The AMM-1 allows any reasonably full-range microphone to sound like virtually any other microphone.

Using their patented Spectral Shaping Tool (SST) technology, Antares engineers have created precise digital models of a wide variety of microphones, from historical classics to modern exotics, as well as a selection of industry-standard workhorses. The user simply tells the AMM-1 what microphone they are actually using and what mic they would like it to sound like. The AMM-1 then references the stored models of both the source and target mics and processes the input to create the sound of the desired mic. The AMM-1 can also be used during mixdown to effectively change the mic on an already recorded track.

In addition to reproducing all of the subtle sonic characteristics that make each microphone unique, the AMM-1 also gives the user control of each mic's specific options. If, for example, a modeled mic provides a low cut filter, the AMM-1's model allows it to be switched on or off. Other items like mic placement (close or far) and wind screens are also modeled. Each option results in the same sonic effect that it would have with the actual modeled mic. The plug-in also offers a model of classic analog tube saturation, which may be added to any mic model.

To ensure that the AMM-1 always remains up-to-date with the state of the microphone art, new mic models will be available for download from the Antares web site.

"Anyone who has spent any time flipping through the pages of recent recording magazines can't help but notice the increased focus on microphones," said Marco Alpert, Antares Vice President of Marketing. "From the proliferation of exotic new mics to the almost cult-like following of certain historical classics, the range of choice has never been greater. But amassing a substantial collection of high-end mics is financially prohibitive for all but the most well-heeled studios. With the AMM-1, most any musician can afford to record every individual track through a model of the specific mic that will best produce the sound he or she is looking for."

AMM-1 TDM will be available sometime in October 1999 at a price to be announced.