Two New DirectX Plug-Ins from Cakewalk

Cakewalk today announced Audio FX 2, the second product in a series of 32-bit, real-time digital audio effect plug-ins for use with Windows 95/98/NT recording software. Audio FX 2 includes two plug-ins in one package - a vintage amplifier/speaker simulator plus an analog tape simulator. Both plug-ins enable users to add a warmer, more analog sound to digital audio recordings.

"We've captured the vintage sounds of a guitar amplifier and magnetic tape with incredible accuracy," said Brian McKeever, product manager for Audio FX 2. "Now anyone can apply the warmth of analog sound to any recording without the need for bulky, expensive amps, speakers, and reel-to-reel tape machines."

Audio FX 2 Amplifier/Speaker Simulator

The Audio FX 2 amplifier/speaker simulator allows the user to apply the sound characteristics of both solid-state and tube amplifiers to digital audio recordings. The effects can be applied with or without speaker emulation. Audio FX 2 offers a menu of sound characteristics from vintage amplifiers manufactured over the past 40 years, including Solid-State, Fuzz, American tube, and British tube models. Each can be applied to a speaker/cabinet effect in real time or as an off-line edit.

The plug-in also allows users to specify amplifier parameters including presence, bass, mid, treble, brightness and drive. Plus, users can specify speaker parameters such as cabinet size, microphone position, open/closed back; with controls for output levels and master bypass.

Audio FX 2 Analog Tape Simulator

The analog tape simulator plug-in enables users to apply the warmth and sound transfer characteristics of magnetic tape recording to digitally-recorded audio signals. It also enables users to apply the saturation/distortion that can occur from overloading the signal level to tape.

The tape simulator plug-in offers adjustable parameters which allow precise mixing of the "desired" and "undesired" effects produced by magnetic tape recording. Parameters include input/output and record levels, warmth, EQ curve, tape speed, tape hiss, plus bypass and reset buttons.

"I've been looking for a way to make digitally-recorded guitar and drum tracks sound less sterile," said New York-based jingle composer, drummer and Yamaha product specialist Tony Verderosa.

"Cakewalk Audio FX 2 precisely emulates the analog tape recording process from input to output, and allows me to tweak the desired and undesired coloration effects that occur," said Verderosa.

Pricing and Availability

Cakewalk Audio FX 2 has an estimated street price of $159 (U.S.) and will ship in October 1998.