HoRNet AnalogStage MK2 1.0.1 update

We have just released an update for HoRNet AnalogStage MK2, our advanced analog console emulation plugin. This plugin faithfully captures the unique characteristics of classic analog gear, bringing a vintage sound to your digital audio workstation. Whether you’re mixing individual tracks or entire busses, AnalogStage MK2 adds warmth, depth, and the subtle imperfections of analog technology, making it an essential tool for any producer or engineer seeking to infuse their mixes with that iconic analog feel.

HoRNet AnalogStage MK2 is a powerful tool designed to emulate the sonic properties typically associated with analog gear. These include key characteristics such as harmonic saturation, subtle hiss, and nonlinear frequency response. By adding this plugin to your workflow, you can recreate the warmth and vibe that only analog equipment can deliver. AnalogStage MK2 is ideal for adding color and texture to any part of your mix. Whether you’re working on vocals, drums, bass, or even full busses, this plugin can give each element the analog touch it needs to shine.

The plugin provides three distinct modes of analog technology emulation: operational amplifiers, transistor designs, and tube technology. Operational amplifiers provide the cleanest and most modern approach to analog sound, offering transparency and clarity while still imparting some subtle saturation. Transistor designs, popular in the 70s, provide a much fatter saturation that adds a rich, vintage warmth to the sound. Meanwhile, tube technology is known for its smooth, dynamic saturation, which can enhance the low-end warmth and smoothness in your mix. Both the Transistor and Tube modes feature advanced transformer emulation, which is an integral component of the sound of those analog designs.

The flexibility of AnalogStage MK2 allows you to choose the mode that best suits the sound you’re looking for. You can apply it to individual tracks for subtle warmth or use it across entire busses to glue your mix together. The plugin offers an intuitive user interface, making it easy to dial in the perfect amount of analog flavor for any given situation.

One of the standout features of AnalogStage MK2 is its ability to work in both independent mode and linked mode. This means that you can either apply the plugin to individual tracks or link multiple instances together. When using linked mode, you can group up to 8 instances of AnalogStage MK2 together, allowing for easy control of multiple tracks or busses at once. This is ideal for larger sessions where you need to apply the same processing to multiple elements of the mix, such as all the drum tracks or multiple vocal busses. This level of flexibility ensures that AnalogStage MK2 can be adapted to any mixing or production scenario.

In addition to its core emulation features, AnalogStage MK2 also includes a stereo VU meter that is calibrated to -18dBFS. This VU meter helps you with gain staging, ensuring that your levels are set optimally throughout your session. Proper gain staging is crucial in the analog realm, and this VU meter provides you with visual feedback that mirrors the way you would set levels on real analog hardware. Additionally, the plugin includes auto-gain technology, which automatically adjusts the input levels, helping you quickly set the right gain for your mix.

One of the most innovative features of AnalogStage MK2 is the “age” slider, which simulates the effect of aging condensers. Just like any piece of analog gear, older consoles and components begin to show signs of wear over time. This slider alters both the saturation amount and the frequency response of the plugin, making it sound as though your virtual console has been used for years. This allows you to recreate the effect of an aged console, adding further character and warmth to your mix.

AnalogStage MK2 also includes intelligent oversampling, offering up to 4x oversampling to ensure that your audio is processed at the highest possible quality. The internal processing sample rate reaches 192KHz, guaranteeing pristine sound clarity and minimal aliasing, even when applying heavy processing to your tracks. Whether you’re using it on individual tracks or entire mixes, the oversampling feature ensures that your audio remains transparent and detailed, free from unwanted artifacts.

The latest update, version 1.0.1, is a maintenance release that addresses several important issues to enhance the stability and performance of the plugin. The changes include:

• Fixed link/io button not compensating gain properly, which ensures that the plugin behaves as expected when using the link function.

• Fixed quick volume jump when using auto-gain, eliminating the issue of sudden, undesired changes in volume.

• Fixed validation issue in Logic Pro, resolving a problem where the plugin wouldn’t load properly in certain instances.

These fixes ensure that AnalogStage MK2 operates seamlessly across a wide range of systems, making it even more reliable for professional audio production. As always, the update is free for existing owners of the plugin. You can easily download the update through HoRNet DoIn or from the user area on our website.

HoRNet AnalogStage MK2 is more than just a plugin; it’s an essential tool for anyone looking to capture the sound of analog gear in a digital environment. Its versatile emulation modes, intuitive interface, and additional features like the age slider, stereo VU meter, and auto-gain technology make it the perfect choice for mixing and mastering engineers, producers, and musicians who want to add warmth and character to their sound. Whether you’re working on a track for a modern production or aiming to capture the essence of a vintage sound, AnalogStage MK2 offers everything you need to achieve professional-quality analog sound in your digital workspace.