In Pro Tools LE 7.1 on a 1.25 MHz G4, X-Noise creates a 5120 ms delay while Z-Noise creates a 34702 ms delay at 96 kHz. With Pro Tools set to use 85% of the CPU, I was only able to load three instances of Z-Noise. For this reason, I recommend not using Z-Noise in real-time. So, how well does it work? I was amazed! Both these plug-ins have a Learn function which samples the noise in your track that you'd like removed. For this function to work properly, you need at least 100 ms of pure noise. In a side- by-side comparison, Z-Noise removed more noise than X-Noise, especially in the low end. Transient pre-emphasizes the transients before reduction takes place and de-emphasizes after reduction is done. This seems to add presence and an overall quality to the filtered audio. Knee adjusts the gain- reduction curve to help you fine-tune the personality of the filter. Extract is an alternative to the Learn function. It attempts to find the undesired background noise if you don't have a sample of pure noise for Learn. I was very surprised at how well this worked! Adaptive assumes that the undesired noise is constantly changing and compensates accordingly by using the settings from Learn or Extract as a starting point to create a noise profile that varies along with the whole track. The resolution optimization controls are reworked and relabeled from X-Noise. They are now called Punch, Norm, and Smooth. Smooth provides the highest frequency resolution while using the most CPU. It is best used on audio which doesn't have much attack (e.g. Punch is a setting best used on plucked or hammered instruments.
Norm preserves transients better than Smooth and has better frequency resolution than Punch. For any professional doing tape-to-CD transfer, ADR, or audiobook recording, Z-Noise is a must-have plug-in. ($800 MSRP may not have heard of skybox Audio yet, but that is about to change. They are a newly launched company specializing in sample libraries. Their team is made up of professional composers, mix engineers and programmers.
Just recently, they started their journey into the music software world with their first product: Hammers + Waves. It is a bundle of ten sampled keyboard instruments: Modern Grand, Suitcase 73, Dulcitone, Obscura Grand, UX Upright, EP 200A, J Celeste, Muted Relic, Relic Upright and J Toy Piano. There is additional info about each of those instruments here.Įvery single note for each instrument was recorded at 16 velocity levels using top notch microphones and preamps. The developer used their own robotic automation system to play each key of the instruments at the 16 velocity levels. Hammers + Waves goes beyond many standard keyboard sample libraries as there are several added features built-in. Various types of modulation, granular synthesis and other quality effects are on board to shape the tones in nearly any way that you’d like.
You will need to use Native Access to download and add the library so it can be used within the free Kontakt 6 Player or the full version of Kontakt 6. 54 GB of free drive space (complete bundle).To download the required license file, you just log in to your account on their website and click Download License File.
The ten instruments are in four smaller bundles (Acoustic, Chime, Electric and Prepared), so you don’t have to install them all at once if you don’t want to. After I had them all installed and authorized, I started out by auditioning the Acoustic bundle which has three instruments: Modern Grand, Relic Upright and UX Upright. After you’ve chosen an instrument you’ll see its main display. With a few exceptions, most of the controls are the same no matter which instrument is loaded. There is a graphic representation of the instrument you’ve loaded towards the middle of the UI. The first button in the upper-left is for the Settings page. From there you can change some of the controls that affect other parts of the instrument. This includes MIDI assignment to affect various settings on some other pages (e.g.
#Waves x noise review mod#Īssign the mod wheel for reverb amount and/or other targets). On the right side you have access for certain global settings (enable/disable all effects, extend the keyboard range, etc.). If you click on the preset name in the upper-left, a list will appear with the other presets. From there you can select one directly from that preset list, or skim through them using the left/right arrows. Presets can be marked as favorites and tags are available (e.g.