If someone proposes to you: "What do you think about using a plugin that allows you to use real hardware?". Let's explain better.
An interesting novelty was presented by Access Analog which has approached the age-old theme of plugin emulation of historic hardware machines from a distinctly different point of view.
Access Analog is a new service based on cloud which allows musicians, producers and engineers to access a collection of classic audio equipment in real time: compressors from the Universal Audio LA-2A and 1176, Empirical Labs Distressor and Pultec's EQP1A. It can be accessed via the plugin analog matrix which allows you to control in real time and remotely all the knobs, buttons, physical switches of the desired hardware.
On paper this might sound great, but of course you are wondering how a plugin can control real hardware. Very simple (so to speak). Each movement requested by us is actually carried out by translating the command we give remotely via the plugin into a movement carried out by a robotic "hand". The plugin allows you to create your perfect analog chain, simply sort, remove or move the desired devices via the plugin. However we would be curious to know the latency times of this process as the streamed audio starts from our DAW, goes through the hardware and returns back into our DAW.
According to the manufacturers, Access Analog Matrix provides a setting of the size of the buffer which represents the total buffer size (or delay) across the system. The plugin can be used on any track as long as the buffer size is less than the maximum value of the delay compensation of your DAW.
Analog Access, however, allows both the acquisition of the audio stream in real time and with an offline rendering. Payment is made based on the time spent using the plugin with prices starting at $5,99 for 30 minutes of use.
Interesting initiative, but in addition to understanding the latency times of the flow in real time, another downside is the fact that we cannot really see what is happening and therefore have to work on trust. Another problem, of lesser importance, is that if one of the reasons why hardware machines are preferred is precisely to be able to have practical experience with the machines that are used, in this case, the approach is exactly that of a plugin, with all the “tactile” limits of the case.
The machines currently available to Access Analog are
- SSL Fusion
- Universal Audio LA-2A
- Empirical Labs Distressor
- Universal Audio 1176
- SSL XLogic G-Compressor
- Pultec EQP1A
- Blackbox HG-2
- Silver Bullet
- Warm Audio EQPWA
- Manley Variable Mu
- Bees 5500
Useful information:
Vincenzo Siani
