Pigtronix Fuzz, UDO Keys, Waves EQ + Emotional Mixing Insights

LATEST IN MUSIC SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

The Pigtronix Gas Giant Jumbo Fuzz pedal, recently released, features an analog fuzz circuit and a built-in noise gate. Inspired by transistor-based fuzz pedals from the early 1970s, this pedal aims to capture the "sweet spot" of vintage fuzz units with modern consistency. It includes Gain, Volume, and a dual-function Tone knob with Scoop and Bump options. Pigtronix is targeting fans of bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Dinosaur Jr.

UDO has announced the availability of the Super 6 ST49, which comes with a pre-installed semi-weighted ST49 polyphonic aftertouch keyboard. Existing Super 6 owners can also upgrade their units with ST49 kits. This polyphonic aftertouch allows for individual note pressure control, enhancing expressive playing. Check with UDO Stockists for availability.

The Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, known for its clean tone and stereo chorus effect, is now available as a software effect for DAWs, including selectable stereo modes and advanced speaker simulation.

This week in music software, several exciting updates and new releases have emerged. Waves has introduced Curves AQ, an autonomous EQ plugin that uses AI to generate unique EQ profiles, offering innovative features for audio processing.

Among the most searched products are Diva by u-he, Infiltrator 2 by Devious Machines, and Store Bundle by Thenatan. Arturia's V Collection X and Air Music Tech's Xpand! 2 also remain highly sought after. These tools cater to a variety of production needs.

BLEASS Tides has received a new update, enhancing its capabilities as a delay plugin. This update includes artist presets from Alex Reid, Extra Terra, and others. Key features include seamless transitions for delay changes, deep modulation with dual LFOs, and cross-platform compatibility, making it a versatile tool for creating unique delay effects.

DEALS

• Til April 18th, enjoy 30% off on everything at Sound Particles, including subscriptions, plus a $25 gift already available at your account.

• Tone Empire is offering up to 65% off on its plugins during the Spring Sale 2025, but the sale ends on Sunday, April 20th; check out Tone Empire's store for details.

• The BFD Spring Sale offers 50% off all BFD expansions and groove packs. The promotion ends on May 31.

• During the BFD Spring Sale, BFD 3.5 software is 70% off. This offer is valid until May 31.

DEMOS, REVIEWS & TUTORIALS

Mixing is more than just adjusting levels; it's about creating an emotional experience for the listener. Spatial placement, movement, and psychoacoustics play key roles in shaping the music's emotional impact. Tools can assist in achieving this, emphasizing that effective music mixing goes beyond technical balance to craft an emotional journey for the audience.

Resonance suppression is vital in music production for achieving a balanced sound. This involves identifying and reducing unwanted frequencies that can cause sharpness or droning. Techniques include using dynamic EQs to target problematic frequencies without affecting the entire spectrum and visually analyzing the frequency spectrum to pinpoint issues, often aided by specialized plugins. Manual fine-tuning remains essential, especially in mastering, as software cannot fully replace a skilled mastering engineer.

Waves offers modern digital compressors, including RVox and IDX, designed as intuitive and precise tools to help you mix faster and sound sharper. Explore these plugins to potentially level up your workflow.