Slate Digital Releases the FG-116 BLUE Series FET Compressors
by Steven Slate
17th May 2016
Hey folks, I'm so happy to announce the release of our FG-116 Blue Series FET Compressors!
The FG-116 Blue Series adds the tone of two vintage REV A Blue FET compressors as well as two 'hot rodded' modded Blue FET compressors to your digital audio workstation. From lead vocals, to drums and almost everything in between, these two compressors might just become the favorites in your audio arsenal!
Watch the video above where I demonstrate both compressors on multiple audio sources and give pro tips and techniques on their use!
If you are a member of our Everything Bundle (formerly called Mix/Master and Mix/Master/FX bundle), you can download the FG-116 Blue Series for no additional cost right from the Gobbler app (Mac Users). If you are a Windows or Mac 10.7.5 or below user, get the installers here: https://slatedigital.zendesk.com/hc/...ion-Installers
The EVERYTHING Bundle gives you access to ALL Slate Digital plugins, as well as some of the BEST Third Party Plugins like Relab's LX480 and Scuffham Amps S-GEAR, and includes all new plugins for no additional charge. Prices are only $25 monthly, and $299 annually. However for a limited time the annual plans are on sale for $274.
I really want people to try the Everything Bundle and I'm pretty certain you're going to love how your mixes sound with all of the great analog modeled plugins, so if you try it and are not satisfied, pause it before 30 Days and I'll refund your money. If you got the free ilok option, you can return the ilok and still get your money back if paused within 30 days
EVERYTHING BUNDLES are at the top of this page:
Online Shop - Slate Digital
If you want to purchase the FG-116 Blue Series, they are available at an intro price of $149 and can also be found at: Online Shop - Slate Digital
If you are a Slate Digital customer with three or more Slate Digital products, check your emails for additional loyalty offers (contact support if you don't see the email).
The FG-116 Blue Series offer a wide variety of analog modeled dynamic processing flavors in the form of two Virtual Mix Rack Modules.
FG-116 Blue Vintage recreates the sound of two “rev A” FET compressors. Both compressors sound rich, colorful, and musical.
Circuit 1 has the classic ‘mid forward’ character that has made the blue striped FET compressors so famous. It adds a wonderful coloration to the upper mids especially, and adds a warm presence to vocals, bass, drums, and guitars. Compared to the Black 116, it will have a softer top and bottom end, and more articulate transients due to the harmonic distortion in the midrange.
Circuit 2 is modeled after a “rev A” unit that had been updated and refurbished, and had a very unique and musical sound. Compared to Circuit 1, this model has much bigger lows and smoother mids and highs, making it sound quite stunning on drum room mics as well as vocals that need to have more bigness and don’t require the midrange push of Circuit 1.
Both Circuits have a Hi Pass Detective Filter that prevents low frequency content from triggering compression, which can sound really musical on a drum buss. Finally, the Mix/Knob allows you to parallel compress right inside the module, which is an ideal way to use this type of compression.
FG-116 Blue Modern is a custom revision of the classic FET compressor that offers two unique circuits that blend the old school tone with new school topology. The output transformers have been cleaned up so that it will have no output saturation, and the attack has been decoupled from the release so that it can be set much slower than the hardware for more transient articulation. Both circuits of the Blue Modern sound hifi, punchy, musical, and yet, they still can achieve the classic aggressive tone that makes the FET compressors so famous.
Circuit 1 is somewhat similar to the Vintage in that it will have a bit of a forward sounding character, but it is much cleaner and more pristine. The attack is slow enough that this compressor can sound amazing on close drum mics with the slowest attack and fastest release. Try it on a snare to bring out the punch while extending the decay. The mix knob works great in this situation where you can slightly overcompress and dial it back. On bass you can get a very edgy sound on this same setting. By backing down the release you’ll start to tighten up the sound which can be great on kick drum.
Circuit 2 will have a more breathable and punchy low end and overall smoother response on the top end. It sounds amazing on drum buss with the Hi Pass filter engaged, and even full mixes can really benefit from this musical compressor! Yes, with the Blue Modern, with the attack on the slowest and release on fastest, then with the HP filter on, you can use it on full mix and compress about 10db, then back off the mix knob to about 25% for a seriously incredible energy and excitement.. Even in combination with another mix buss compressor like FG-Grey or FG-Red. This setting will be really great on a lot of mix material in all genres.. Try it on electronic drum beats too to make them pound out of the speakers.
Overall, there is a lot to explore with these two processors. I hope you enjoy the many musical flavors that they will give your mixes!
And because I know it'll be asked "WHAT ABOUT ALL BUTTONS IN"?? Stay tuned to this thread because we'll reveal what we have in store for this application, and it is something that is going to make people VERY happy!!
Some user testimonials on the FG-116 Blue Series:
"Just to tell you that one of my friends lent me his Rev A 1176 yesterday at my studio (blue version) and I compared it closely to the Blue and in a blind test, I couldn't distinguish the plugin from the hardware. Worse... I even liked the plugin version 4 times outta 5..."
- Anthony Spadaro
"The modern blue on circuit 1 sounds like the realest 1176 I've ever heard, and I own 2 blackface 1176 rev. Ds and use a vintage bluestripe at The Lair in Culver City all the time."
- Travis Huff
Bluey & Blacky...?
