IK Multimedia T-RackS 3 Deluxe Crossgrade Plug In

IK Multimedia pioneered analog-modeled mastering with the first all-in-one software solution, the original standalone version of T-RackS in 1999, that became a cult hit for a multitude of studios around the world. Nearly 10 years later, the new T-RackS 3 raises the bar again in DAW mastering and mixing with a Dynamic/EQ suite of analog modeled and digital processor plug-ins with an audio quality that is unmatched by any other and scores of new and unique features.

T-RackS 3, Beyond Mastering.

New features:

Modular mastering/mixing suite of dynamic and EQ processors, including:

- 9 effects’ processors comprised of 5 new vintage emulations* and new digital processors (*including models based on the Fairchild 670 and the Pultec EQP-1A) as well the four classic, award-winning T-RackS processors

- New configurable mastering/mixing chain – run up to 12 parallel/series processors

- New complete built-in metering section with Peak, Loudness, Phase, and RMS meters, plus Spectrum analyzer with Peak, RMS and Averaging indicators

- New high-fidelity oversampling with high transparency, for extremely high quality audio processing through the entire signal path

- New standalone and plug-in versions available in the same package for use in all the most popular native DAWs

- New SCC™ technology coupled with IK’s unique DSM™ technology to provide the most realistic software emulation of vintage gear to date

- Extremely easy to use with style-based presets, full chain visualization, one-click single module or chain bypass, “compare” function, multiple audio processing in standalone mode and much more

What’s new:

• 9 module processors:

5 New T-RackS processors:

- Vintage Tube Limiter model 670

o Based on the “Holy Grail” of compressors/limiters, the Fairchild 670. With a faithful reproduction of every control, this is an incredibly accurate model that captures every nuance of one of the best Fairchild units available in the UK. The original unit delivers a truly magic touch that makes everything that passes through it shine and sound more musical and emotional, and was analyzed for months for every single detail to unveil all of its secrets. IK’s unique analog-modeling experience and exclusive DSM™ (Dynamic Saturation Modeling) technology pushes this model to the limit and beyond, so we developed a new custom, proprietary method dubbed SCC™ (Sonic Character Cloning) – with results that can only be described as magic! It took us a very long time, but we believe it was well worth the effort, and you’ll be the one who will say that this is the only 670 digital recreation that actually treats music like the original.

o Stereo or Lat/Vert (MS) operation

- Tube Program Equalizer

o Based on what is universally known as one of the best and most musical program EQs ever made, the Pultec EQP-1A. Extremely accurate modeling of a two real world units, known to “have the sound”, with sonic performance that is indistinguishable from the originals, thanks to IK’s DSM™ and new SCC™ technology.

o Stereo or MS operation.

- Opto compressor

o Optical compression has a special sonic character that true audiophiles appreciate nowadays. This analog-modeled module faithfully recreates that particular (and extremely musical) “movement” that characterizes only the best opto compressors. An important characteristic of opto compression is the total absence of distortion and coloration during gain reduction, and you can expect the same performance from IK’s Opto compressor.

o Stereo or MS operation.

- Intelligent, multi-algorithm Brickwall limiter

o Multi-algorithm Brickwall limiter that can really make your masters loud without squashing them to a lifeless sound (unless you want that!). Accurate and transparent, digital brickwall limiting can’t get any better than this.

o Selectable algorithms to mach the best limiting style for each program type.

- High precision, high definition Linear Phase Equalizer

o An accurate, high definition, high precision EQ that can be trusted for delicate Mastering tasks.

o 6 completely identical bands that can be set to all available filter types and that can span the whole spectrum range (any kind of overlap is possible).

o Switchable between minimum and linear phase characteristics.

o Stereo or MS operation.

• 4 Classic T-RackS processors:

- Classic T-RackS Compressor

Classic tube stereo compressor/leveler designed for mastering

- Classic T-RackS Multi-band Limiter

Multiband master stereo limiter

- Classic T-RackS Clipper

Soft-clipping stage to create warm, saturated mastering effects

- Classic T-RackS Equalizer

State-of-the-art six band parametric equalizer, modeled on classic top quality analog gear

o These are all of the original T-RackS modules that achieved cult status. They maintain their original great sonic character, only improved upon to line them up with the absolute “no compromise” in sound quality of the T-RackS 3 signal path.

o Classic T-RackS Equalizer can now be used in Stereo or MS modes.

- Modular mastering/mixing solution with 12 processing slots

o New 12 selectable processors audio chain, arranged in two rows of 4+4 slots for parallel processing plus 4 series final slots.

o Modules can be easily switched on/off with a single click, singularly or all of them, at any time for quick a/b on the monitored audio, without need of navigating or scrolling.

o Single module or global chain visualization options

o “Compare” function allows comparison between the sound of processed version and the original, with precise level matching, so that you can really judge the sound changes not being mislead by the volume increase.

- Accurate, complete and truly useful Metering

o T-RackS 3 includes a new high quality, high precision, complete metering section. This includes:

• A precision three-scale Peak meter with accurate sample indicators and real digital “Over” indication.

• Real Perceived Loudness meter. This is an amazingly useful meter that is not included on most software processors you can find. It shows the REAL loudness that will be perceived on your masters. Compare your preferred records with your works on this meter, and you’ll immediately see where to go with loudness management.

• Phase scope, with options to match the style and indication you’re used to

• Phase correlation

• Spectrum analyzer with Peak, RMS and Averaging indicators.

• RMS meter

• Loudness and RMS metering “optimal” zones’ indication, selectable by genre and style.

- All-platform plug-ins and standalone versions in the same package

o Plug-ins fully integrate with all of today’s popular DAWs

o Standalone allows for loading multiple audio files, previews them with all-independent settings and processes all of them with a single click.

o Standalone includes extremely high quality sampling rate conversion to write 44.1 kHz CD files, starting from any sampling rate.

o Built-in dithering with various options

o Automation made easy: you can take snapshots on each song and automate processing parameter changes during the song, for example, when passing from verses to choruses, etc, all with a single click.

o Non-destructive basic audio editing.

- High transparency, extremely high quality audio processing through the whole signal path

o You may think digital processors are transparent in general, and of a quality high enough for audio mastering. That’s not always true. Very simple processing like a filter or a dynamic gain change can literally ruin your sound without a possibility of rescue if they’re not performed at the highest possible quality by applying techniques that are not so commonly used.

o T-RackS 3 delivers incredible purity, transparency and fidelity in far superiority than the vast majority of plug-ins you could compare it with. If you are familiar with the sound of top quality analog and digital hardware equalizers that are used daily in top mastering houses, you’ll immediately recognize the quality and purity typical of those units here, if you’re not you’ll experience what high quality equalization means.

o Oversampling done well. Many digital processors use oversampling to aim in achieving better sound. Unfortunately, many of them, under critical listening sessions, can be found that the oversampled processor sounds no significantly better (or even slightly worse) than the regular sampling rate option. This is because the upsampling and downsampling processes are not done at an adequate level of quality, in other words: typically what is improved by running a processor at double sampling frequency is partially lost by the loss of quality in the upsamplers and downsamplers. There are only a few pieces of gear, mainly hardware and all of them really expensive that really nailed oversampling the way it should be done. T-RackS 3 is one of them. We wanted to offer the same quality of the highest caliber mastering tools, and the result is that the process has no side effect at all on the sound: total transparency. So what you hear is exactly the same sound of the processor running at double sampling rate, with no side effects.

- SCC™ technology

o With over 10 years of experience in analog-modeled software, IK has pioneered this technology and accumulated more experience than any other plug-in manufacturer in the field. This has resulted in several improvements like our unique DSM™ (Dynamic Saturation Modeling) and now the new SCC™ (Sonic Character Cloning). SCC™ has been developed to “clone” the true behavior of an analog vintage processor down to its finest level of sonic detail for a faithful reproduction of all its tonal characteristics. This new emulation technology produces results that are indistinguishable from the originals, even for the professionally trained ear. Many pieces of vintage gear tend to have original and interesting circuit topology, due to the creative solutions that engineers were sometimes forced to put into place in order to surpass the limitations of components’ technology. Vintage components’ technology (which many of them can’t be found anymore because their technology became obsolete and un-economical) as well as their aging (some of the best sounding devices are 40-50 years old) played fundamental roles in giving these devices a unique musicality that is what the purist would define to be “the unmatched” by even the most advanced processors today. And finally, many of the unique sonic characteristics of these magnificent vintage units sometimes depended on erratic and unpredictable behavior of their electronics that would be considered unorthodox and unusable by today’s science and standards. SCC™ technology has the ability, through a new analysis method developed by IK, to nail down all of the above and turn it into mathematical algorithm that, for the first time, is able to take into consideration all of these complex variables and get an exact “clone” of the original; difference for a software emulation sound quality never heard before. Sounds so close that you will not be able to tell the difference.