With the four new TDM plug-ins from System 6000, some of the most sophisticated dynamics, reverbs and effects processing algorithms for mixing and mastering will be available for the Pro Tools platform. TC Electronic expects VSS3 to ship in October 2005, MD3 to ship late November 2005, and DVR2 and NonLin2 to ship during the first months of 2006. Master X3 is a mastering plug-in for Pro Tools that is the virtual incarnation of the TC Electronic Finaliser. It supports Pro Tools 24 Mix and HD and can operate at sample rates up to 96kHz.
In related news, TC Electronic has announced the MDX5.1 multi-channel dynamics processor. Through advanced multiband and multi-channel DXP processing, MDX5.1 is capable of lifting low level details, but without boosting everything and hammering the transients. MDX5.1 is available free of charge to all System 6000 users with an MD5.1 license. MD5.1 comes with Mastering 6000, and is optional for Reverb 6000.
Also just released by TC is a new version of a PCI card for the PowerCore platform. PowerCore Unplugged is the same piece of hardware as PowerCore PCI mkII but without the included plug-ins. This allows the user to compile an entirely individual package of optional high-end plug-ins for any mixing, mastering or production situation. PowerCore Unplugged is also said by TC to be the ideal solution for users, who need further processing power for their existing setup in order to run even more plug-ins simultaneously.
Meanwhile, TC-Helicon has launched the VoiceDoubler for live applications. VoiceDoubler is a rack-mount unit that is claimed to be the first front of house effects processor to create up to four humanized overdubs in real time. The skill, time and punch-ins required to create a properly doubled vocal track in the studio are nearly impossible to accurately recreate in live performance but, says TC, with VoiceDoubler, these problems are now solved.
(Jim Evans)
