Roger Nichols Digital unveils Universal Binary versions of DAW plug-ins for Intel-based Macintosh systems
Press Release
Posted 2006-09-07
Roger Nichols Digital has done it again! Its range of five, truly dazzling DAW plug-ins is now
available in Universal Binary versions for Intel-based Apple® Macintosh Core Duo systems, in VST, RTAS
and AU formats for leading species of Digital Audio Workstations. “We have been working for several months
porting our plug-ins to work with the new Apple Core-Duo Mac platform,” offers company CEO Roger Nichols.
“These new versions will allow DAW users to take full advantage of the enhanced processing speeds and native
DSP capabilities of the latest-generation Macintosh computers.” All plug-ins are also Window XP-compatible.
In other news, RND has announced that all DAW plug-ins are now available for a Free 14-day Evaluation Period
from its company website; no iLok is required. Also, purchase can be made either against an iLok account, or a
conventional challenge/response verification processing and an email sequence. “We wanted to make sure that our
prospective customers can access whatever buying option suits their needs,” says COO Reinhold Probst. “While
iLok offers a more secure way of preventing unauthorized use of a customer’s plug-is, there are times when other
techniques are more useful, hence our recent change of policy.”
The current collection of RND Plug-Ins comprises:
Dynam-izer™ - Get Those Levels Under Control
This plug-in lets users break audio levels up into zones so they can be controlled exactly as required.
Pro-user price: $249.00
Uniquel-izer™ - The Swiss Army Knife of Equalizers
The unlimited Equalizer. This plug-in lets users determine their ideal EQ. And if you ever need more bands or filters, these are just a click away.
Pro-user price: $249.00
Frequal-izer™ - Surgically Accurate Mastering EQ
This plug-in lets users build a complex FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter to their own specifications. EQ curves can also be drawn and edited.
Pro-user price: $249.00
Finis™ - Peak Limiter That Controls Dynamics
This plug-in employs the most advanced psycho-acoustic limiting algorithms we know of. There's nothing else to do after Finis.
Pro-user price: $249.00
Inspector XL™ - Collection of Powerful Analysis Tools
This is a collection of six powerful audio analysis tools designed to fulfill a number of familiar analysis tasks with professionalism, style and finesse.
Pro-user price: $299.00
“With my name on the box, you know that you're getting power, density and all of the signal-processing tricks that
I have been employing as a successful session engineer and producer,” Nichols confides. “I want plug-ins that will
bring sparkle and focus to my project, but they also need to save time. For example, one of the biggest time
savers built into the flexible designs of our compressor and equalizer units is that they can be expanded on the fly
as I am working on a project. I am not stuck with a rigid design structure. I turn off features I don’t need in one
track and turn them on as needed in others. I can do almost everything I ever need to EQ or compress with the
same plug-in. Being able to use the same tool over and over again in different scenarios quickly increases my
productivity. Because of their flexibility I also can make much more proficient use of preset files. Before, I had
found presets to be of limited use because they worked only for one particular plug-in.”
Roger Nichols has been designing DSP software for his personal use since 1981. These powerful devices have been
used to great effect on countless albums and mastering projects with such artists as Steely Dan, Al DiMeola and
Bela Fleck. “It is now time to make these plug-ins available to the ever-expanding universe of DAW-based mixing
and mastering,” Nichols confides. “RND is fully committed to plug-in development.”
But make no mistake - these are not your father’s plug-ins. Innovative, state-of-the-art technology, coupled with
more than three decades of cranking out some of the best sounding albums in the industry, makes Roger Nichols
Digital a unique plug-in developer. Sure, there are a lot of plug-in companies out there, and a lot of good plug-ins.
But has any other company Beta-tested its DSP algorithms for over 20 years before releasing them?
Roger Nichols built his first audio software application in 1978: a drum replacement plug-in named Wendel that
debuted on Steely Dan's Gaucho album. The second version was christened in 1981 on Donald Fagen's Nightfly
album. “And Wendel is the only machine ever nominated for a Grammy®,” Nichols concludes.
Dynam-izer
Dynam-izer is a multi-zone dynamic processor that allows the user to change
compression/expansion ratios based on the signal’s internal level. It functions
like a compressor offering multiple knees with adjustable curves, and positive
or negative slopes between knees.
You can compress vocals from the inside, leaving dynamic peaks untouched
while raising the subtle low level qualities of that vocal. You can
raise the level of snare rattle without compressing or changing the sound of
the snare drum itself. The plug-in also includes a peak limiter.
Uniquel-izer
Uniquel-izer features 11 different filters, each optimized for their individual
function. Users can add as many as they need. Each filter type is optimized
for just one function making for a very hi-fi EQ. Harmonic parametric filters
will not only notch the note, but up to eight harmonics of the note. Any filter
can be placed in solo mode for fine adjustments without the effects of all
other filters.
Stereo filters can be split into independent left and right filters. Loading
presets add functionality to your existing EQ settings, not replacing your
existing settings. This is a very smooth, nice sounding EQ.
Frequal-izer
Frequal-izer is an “Absolutely No Phase Shift” FIR equalizer. Users can draw
their own curve, scale it and smooth it out. A built-in spectral analyzer lets the
user compare two sources, and build an EQ-matching curve. You can save
50 snapshots for automation recall. The Frequal-izer can be split into left and
right EQ. Two workspaces are provided for EQ comparisons.
FINIS
FINIS is a mastering limiter that maintains high-frequency detail while limiting
the level – it raises levels without them sounding squashed. It features three
distinct limiting algorithms. Special metering shows how far over zero your
signal would go if not limited. This is a true brick-wall limiter.
InspectorXL
InspectorXL is a five plug-in set for all metering needs. Users can custom-set
their OVER definition. It counts overs, provides a third-octave analyzer, FFT
analyzer, balance, correlation, phase scope, stereo image, statistic alarms
and detects hidden clipping. (Content that was clipped then level-lowered to
avoid over meters.) Also featured: Peak meters, K-meters and RMS
metering. Not sure what you are getting from a client or sending out to
mastering? Inspect it with InspectorXL.
Roger Nichols Digital is an innovator of leading-edge plug-ins and applications designed to streamline the creative day-to-day operations of
recording and production engineers, producers and musicians involved in all aspects of sound creation.
DYNAM-IZER, FREQUAL-IZER and UNIQUEL-IZER are trademarks of Roger Nichols Digital, Inc.; all other trademarks remain the property of their
respective owners.
