AIR Ring The Alarm is a specialized synthesizer plugin designed to recreate the iconic dub siren sounds that originated in Jamaican dancehalls. Developed in collaboration between Akai and AIR Music Tech, this plugin aims to capture the essence of classic reggae, ska, and dub music while offering modern features for contemporary producers. Ring The Alarm is built around a simple oscillator-based architecture, reminiscent of the original dub sirens, but expanded with additional controls for greater sonic flexibility. The plugin’s interface is straightforward and intuitive, presenting all parameters on a single page for easy manipulation. It includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) oscillator, a versatile low-frequency oscillator (LFO), envelopes for amplitude and filter control, and built-in effects like tape echo and spring reverb. Ring The Alarm is designed to seamlessly integrate into modern production workflows, supporting various plugin formats and MPC standalone systems. Its focus on creating alarm sounds, synth rises, and mashed-up effects makes it a niche tool for producers looking to infuse their tracks with authentic dub and dancehall flavors.
Pros:
• Intuitive, single-page interface for quick and easy sound design
• Authentic dub siren sounds with modern flexibility
• Built-in vintage-style tape echo and spring reverb effects
• Compatible with MPC standalone systems and major plugin formats
• Affordable price point for a specialized tool
Cons:
• Limited sound palette may not appeal to producers outside dub and reggae genres
• Lack of preset management system for saving and recalling custom sounds
Ring The Alarm’s core sound generation begins with its PWM oscillator, which responds to MIDI key pitch, allowing for melodic use beyond typical siren effects. This oscillator’s character can be shaped through pulse-width modulation, creating a range of timbres from thin and reedy to thick and buzzy.
The LFO section is a key component in creating the characteristic wobbling and sweeping sounds of dub sirens. It offers four waveform shapes: sine, triangle, sawtooth, and square. The LFO affects both the oscillator pitch and pulse width, with controls for speed and depth. An optional phase reset on trigger ensures consistent LFO behavior with each note played.
Envelope control is provided through two single-stage envelopes. The first controls the amplitude release, determining how quickly the sound fades out after a key is released. The second envelope, with a decay parameter, can be routed to control the cutoff of a low-pass filter and/or modulate the LFO speed. This bipolar envelope allows for both positive and negative modulation, creating complex, evolving textures.
The filter section features a simple low-pass design, typical of classic dub siren circuits. It can be swept manually or modulated by the envelope, allowing for dynamic timbral changes over time.
Ring The Alarm’s effects section is where the plugin truly shines in recreating authentic dub sounds. The tape-style dub delay is capable of self-resonating feedback, perfect for creating spacey, psychedelic echoes. A simple one-knob spring reverb adds depth and a characteristic ‘boing’ to the sound, essential for that classic reggae ambiance.
The plugin’s interface is designed for hands-on tweaking, encouraging real-time performance and experimentation. All parameters are easily accessible, allowing for quick adjustments during a mix or live performance. This design philosophy aligns well with the improvisational nature of dub music production.
Ring The Alarm also includes MIDI learn functionality, enabling users to map hardware controllers to various parameters for even more expressive control. This feature is particularly useful for live performances or studio sessions where tactile control is preferred.
While the plugin doesn’t offer an extensive preset library, its focused design allows users to quickly dial in classic dub siren sounds or create unique variations. The lack of complex modulation matrices or hidden menus keeps the learning curve shallow, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced producers.
Comparison to similar plugins:
In the realm of dub siren emulations, Ring The Alarm stands out for its balance of authenticity and modern features. Compared to more basic dub siren plugins like Dub Siren VST by Toad DSP, Ring The Alarm offers greater sound shaping capabilities and higher-quality built-in effects. However, it lacks the extensive modulation options found in more complex synthesizers like u-he Diva or Arturia Pigments, which can also create dub siren-like sounds among their vast sonic palettes. Ring The Alarm’s closest competitors might be plugins like AudioThing Fog Convolver, which focuses on dub-style effects, or D16 Group Devastor 2, known for its distortion capabilities useful in dub production. However, Ring The Alarm’s specialized focus on dub sirens and its integration with MPC systems give it a unique position in the market.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers of reggae, dub, ska, and dancehall music
• Electronic musicians looking to incorporate authentic dub siren sounds
• MPC users seeking integrated dub effects
• Sound designers creating alarm or siren effects for various media
• Live performers needing quick access to dub-style synth effects
Ring The Alarm fills a specific niche in the plugin market, catering to producers and musicians who require authentic dub siren sounds without the complexity of more general-purpose synthesizers. Its straightforward interface and focused feature set make it an excellent choice for quickly adding classic Jamaican flavors to a mix. The plugin’s strength lies in its ability to recreate vintage sounds while offering modern conveniences like plugin format compatibility and integration with MPC systems. While its specialized nature may limit its appeal to producers working exclusively in other genres, those who frequently work with reggae, dub, or related styles will find Ring The Alarm to be a valuable addition to their toolkit. The built-in effects, particularly the tape delay and spring reverb, add significant value, allowing users to achieve authentic dub sounds without relying on additional plugins. Despite its relatively simple architecture, the plugin offers enough flexibility to create a wide range of siren and synth rise effects, making it useful beyond its primary dub context. For producers looking to infuse their tracks with the spirit of Kingston dancehalls or add a touch of reggae flavor to other genres, Ring The Alarm provides an accessible and affordable option.