Whether you’re planning the first trip of the Spring or getting ready to carve a pumpkin or two, September saw a bumper crop of audio innovation as well as some familiar tools getting a makeover. Perhaps most significant for many was the re-introduction of perpetual licensing for Pro Tools users. We’ve spoken about that in detail on the blog already so we’ll pass over that in favour of some of the other new releases. Below are our five choices that definitely rocked our studio world in September…

1 - Acon Digital Remix

Whether you call them un-mixers, stem separators, or re-balancers, the ability to remix pre-mixed audio is here. OK, so it’s been here for quite a while, beginning with tools such as iZotope’s ground-breaking Music Rebalance module. Following on from this trailblazer, others have followed, offering their own take on re-balancing mixed audio. Their uses range from making clean feed mixes (mix minuses) without vocals for music beds, mastering fixes, or just casual use for bedroom musicians or weekend warriors. While some of these require an upload to the service for processing, others can now work locally in real time. This is preferable not only for convenience, but also for keeping sensitive or copyright material in-house for the whole project.

With a range of tools spanning cleanup and audio utilities, as well as more creative audio treatments, Acon Digital are well-placed to enter the world of un-mix magic. Early in September 2023 we tried out Remix for ourselves with impressive results. With very simple controls for five stems, plus a couple of buttons borrowed from a DAW mixer, Remix is easy to drive, and produces good results even at the extremes of full-on stem removal. Its unassuming solo buttons provide more than just the wow factor; these make Remix useful for stem bounces when therapy from engineers’ chosen audio plugins is needed.

2 - Toontrack Stories SDX

Before the virtual instrument, composers had a stark choice: either chase down useable sounds from a machine or workstation synth of some kind, learn how to navigate its labyrinthian menu system to make even basic tweaks, or use the real thing. Not ideal. Along with the astonishing power of recording and mixing in the box, the DAW has also brought another gift that keeps on giving: the virtual instrument. With most offering stunning sounds with a finely rendered window on the instrument in its surroundings, these software marvels have become indispensable for composers. These have made the days of questionable sounds and squinting at a fridge magnet-sized windows on keyboards and machines a thing of the past.

Well known to many is Toontrack’s Superior Drummer 3 ecosystem. Landing with an already substantial core library, the company’s SDX expansions exist to supercharge SD3 with extras covering all kinds of machines, kits, percussion, and more add-on snares, kicks, and cymbals than you can shake a drumstick at. From the ear of multi-award-winning producer/engineer/mixer Frank Filipetti, and Recorded at Power Station, New England, USA. Stories SDX impressed us with its multitude of kits, new orchestral percussion, rod and mallet drum sounds, plus the now-standard SDX compliment of new MIDI.

3 - Softube Console 1 Mk III

While some happily push a mouse or trackball to command their mix, a sizeable number of mixers choose real faders, knobs, buttons, or other devices to get hold of their session. For some, this allows them to work in a way reminiscent of a previous life at the console; for others, a control surface can be an entirely new way to get hands-on. Although some set out to integrate totally into the DAW itself (such as Avid’s S series products with Pro Tools), others provide an extra layer that sits on top of the DAW, often via its inserts.

In this latter camp is Softube’s Console 1 system. For a long time this product had created its own niche for a true ‘market-in-the-gap’ solution, offering a great-sounding channel strip audio plugin with a bomb-proof bus powered control panel that drives just like various hardware pieces.

Nearly ten years after the Mk I, Console 1 Mk III doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Rather it gets rid of some of the things that were starting to show its age such as zero display real estate and non-touch sensitive encoders. Two instances per-section, a completely new core channel strip plugin, and more besides also equip Console 1 for the years ahead. Notable is the company’s reassurance to existing customers about their commitment to lifelong customers’ earlier units that cements the system as one to check out if you’re in it for the long game.

4 - Accentize DxRevive Pro

We’re lucky enough on the blog to get to try a plethora of amazing tools. Although developers and manufacturers strive to advance theirs, there is always going to be some replication with similar products appearing at the same time. That in itself is okay; choice isn’t just good, it’s essential. That said, once in a while something really special comes along that is entirely unique, or does things in a way that sets it apart from others before it.

In September 2023 Accentize added to their range of restorative helpers with DxRevive Pro. Developed for dialogue, it combines a number of seemingly magic processes. This isn’t exactly a new area, however the way of doing it is constantly shifting, and DxRevive Pro certainly raised a few eyebrows on the team when we first tried it in September 2023.

It de-noises audio yes, but it does so much more. Sucking ambience and noise out of signals, reconstructing clipped audio or missing frequencies, and breathing life back into internet calls and podcast voices are all in a day’s work for DxRevive Pro and its DxRevive sibling. What is remarkable is how well it works and how easy it is to use. Despite its enormous power, in its simplest guise it has just one control for more or less processing.

DxRevive Pro really needs to be heard to be believed. It might not be perfect (yet), and it might not be possible to know how DxRevive Pro does it, but what is easy to understand is how it has become Accentize’s biggest hit to date.

5 - Pulsar Audio W495

The idea of being able to EQ the mid and side channels separately in a stereo signal has roots in vinyl cutting, with a smattering of high-quality devices developed during the transition to the mono compatible stereo records that got, well, a bit jumpy when things got too wide or bassy. Quite aside from its practical uses it also has some pretty neat creative treatments up its sleeve for either sweetening on wax, or for end-to-end digital delectations. Although stereo EQ is pretty standard in the DAW native’s life, the choices that trade Left and Right for Sum and Difference have been fewer and further between. These have also mainly been purely original designs that concentrate on surgical precision.

Taking in the utilitarian yet musical vibes of Neumann’s revered W495b mastering equaliser, Pulsar Audio’s W495’s inspiration is hardly cryptic. This is an out-an-out recreation of the teutonic wax whisperer that does more than keep the needle in the groove. Helped along by its Haufe RK 756 transformer modelling, anyone using it will quickly forget that 15dB of boost is a lot, and that maybe three bands was all you ever needed after all…

How About You?

What were the things in September 2023 that rocked your studio world? Could it just be the re-introduction of perpertual licencing for Pro Tools that will have made studio decisions just that little bit more considered? Or maybe there’s an entirely different hidden gem that we’ve missed vying for your studio’s budget. Let us know in the comments.