Table of Contents
Company Backgrounds
McDSP
Founded in 1998 by Colin McDowell, McDSP has been at the forefront of digital audio processing for over two decades. The company is known for its innovative approach to plugin design, often combining analog modeling with unique digital processing techniques. McDSP’s plugins are widely used in music production, post-production, and broadcast industries.
Brainworx
Brainworx, founded by Dirk Ulrich in 2006, quickly established itself as a leader in analog emulation technology. The company is renowned for its precise modeling of high-end analog hardware, particularly mixing consoles and outboard gear. Brainworx is also known for developing proprietary technologies like Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT) to enhance the realism of their emulations.
Product Range and Specializations
McDSP
McDSP offers a diverse range of plugins covering various aspects of audio processing. Their product line includes:
1. Channel strips (e.g., 6050 Ultimate Channel Strip)
2. Equalizers (e.g., FilterBank, AE600 Active EQ)
3. Compressors (e.g., CompressorBank, 6030 Ultimate Compressor)
4. Limiters (e.g., ML4000, ML8000 Advanced Limiter)
5. Multi-band processors (e.g., MC2000, 6034 Ultimate Multi-Band)
6. Noise reduction tools (e.g., NR800, NF575 Noise Filter)
7. Reverbs and delays (e.g., EC-300 Echo Collection, Revolver Convolution Reverb)
8. Specialty processors (e.g., FutzBox, SA-2 Dialog Processor)
McDSP is particularly known for its innovative approach to plugin design, often combining traditional analog-style processing with unique digital algorithms. For example, their AE600 Active EQ uses a dynamic EQ approach that adapts to the input signal, offering a level of flexibility not found in traditional equalizers.
Brainworx
Brainworx specializes in emulations of high-end analog hardware, with a particular focus on mixing console channels and outboard gear. Their product range includes:
1. Console emulations (e.g., bx_console SSL 9000 J, bx_console Focusrite SC)
2. Equalizers (e.g., bx_digital V3, bx_masterdesk)
3. Compressors (e.g., bx_townhouse Buss Compressor, bx_limiter True Peak)
4. Channel strips (e.g., bx_console N)
5. Mastering tools (e.g., bx_masterdesk, bx_XL V2)
6. Specialty processors (e.g., bx_subsynth, bx_refinement)
Brainworx is renowned for its Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT), which simulates the subtle variations between different channels of analog hardware. This technology adds an extra layer of realism to their emulations, closely mimicking the behavior of actual analog consoles and outboard gear.
Sound Quality and Character
McDSP
McDSP plugins are known for their clean, transparent sound with a slight hint of analog character. The company’s approach to plugin design often results in processors that can be both subtle and extreme, depending on the user’s needs. Many McDSP plugins offer a unique blend of analog-style processing and digital precision, allowing for creative sound shaping while maintaining clarity.
For instance, the CompressorBank plugin is praised for its ability to provide transparent compression at subtle settings while offering more aggressive, colored compression when pushed harder. Similarly, the FilterBank EQ is known for its surgical precision and musicality, allowing for both corrective and creative equalization.
McDSP’s specialty processors, like the FutzBox, showcase the company’s innovative approach to sound design. These plugins often provide unique processing capabilities that go beyond traditional analog emulations, offering new creative possibilities for sound designers and mixers.
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are celebrated for their authentic analog sound and behavior. The company’s focus on precise hardware emulation results in plugins that closely mimic the warmth, depth, and subtle nonlinearities of high-end analog gear. This approach is particularly evident in their console emulations, which capture the nuanced characteristics of famous mixing desks.
The bx_console series, for example, is highly regarded for its ability to impart the sonic signature of classic consoles like the SSL 9000 J or the Neve VXS. These plugins not only replicate the sound of the original hardware but also incorporate the workflow and features of the physical consoles, providing a familiar experience for engineers accustomed to working on analog gear.
Brainworx’s implementation of TMT adds an extra layer of realism to their emulations. By simulating the subtle variations between different channels of a console or multiple units of outboard gear, TMT helps create a more three-dimensional, analog-like sound when using multiple instances of a plugin across a mix.
Unique Features and Technologies
McDSP
1. Analog Saturation Modeling (ASM): McDSP’s proprietary technology for accurately emulating the subtle nonlinearities and harmonics of analog circuits.
2. Retro Series: A line of plugins designed to capture the essence of vintage gear while offering modern functionality and flexibility.
3. Active EQ Technology: Found in plugins like the AE600, this technology allows for dynamic equalization that adapts to the input signal.
4. SA-2 Dialog Processor: An Emmy Award-winning plugin designed specifically for dialogue processing in post-production environments.
5. APB (Analog Processing Box): While not a plugin, this programmable analog processor showcases McDSP’s commitment to bridging the gap between analog and digital processing.
Brainworx
1. Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT): Brainworx’s patented technology for simulating the subtle variations between different channels of analog hardware.
2. Mid-Side Processing: Many Brainworx plugins feature built-in mid-side processing capabilities, allowing for enhanced stereo manipulation.
3. True Peak Limiting: Found in plugins like the bx_limiter True Peak, this feature ensures compliance with broadcast standards by preventing inter-sample peaks.
4. TMT Channel Linking: This feature allows users to link multiple instances of a plugin while maintaining the subtle variations provided by TMT.
5. Brainworx’s M/S De-Esser: A unique approach to de-essing that operates in the mid-side domain for more precise sibilance control.
User Interface and Workflow
McDSP
McDSP plugins are known for their clean, intuitive interfaces that balance visual appeal with functionality. The company often opts for a modern, sleek design aesthetic that prioritizes ease of use. Many McDSP plugins feature:
– Clear, easy-to-read metering
– Logical control groupings
– Customizable UI sizes
– Consistent design language across different plugins
McDSP’s approach to UI design often results in plugins that are quick to navigate and adjust, even in time-sensitive situations like live mixing or post-production work. The company also tends to include useful visual feedback, such as real-time frequency analysis in their EQ plugins or gain reduction metering in their dynamics processors.
Brainworx
Brainworx takes a different approach to UI design, often prioritizing authenticity to the original hardware they’re emulating. This results in interfaces that closely resemble the physical units, complete with realistic knobs, switches, and meters. Key features of Brainworx UIs include:
– Skeuomorphic design elements that mimic physical hardware
– Detailed emulations of original hardware layouts
– TMT channel selection options
– Built-in preset management systems
While this approach can lead to a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with the original hardware, it provides a familiar and intuitive experience for those accustomed to working with analog gear. Brainworx also includes modern conveniences like tooltips and info panels to help users navigate the more complex aspects of their plugins.
CPU Efficiency and Performance
McDSP
McDSP has a reputation for developing highly efficient plugins that don’t overly tax system resources. This efficiency is partly due to the company’s background in DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and their focus on optimizing code for real-time performance. Many McDSP plugins feature:
– Low latency operation
– Efficient use of CPU resources
– Scalable quality settings to balance performance and sound quality
This efficiency makes McDSP plugins particularly well-suited for use in large sessions or on systems with limited processing power. It also makes them a popular choice for live sound applications where low latency is crucial.
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins, particularly their console emulations, can be more demanding on system resources due to the complexity of their analog modeling algorithms and the implementation of TMT. However, the company has made significant strides in optimizing their code in recent years. Brainworx plugins often feature:
– Multiple quality settings to balance CPU usage and sound quality
– Efficient use of multi-core processors
– Optimizations for both native and DSP-based systems
While Brainworx plugins may require more processing power than some alternatives, many users find the trade-off worthwhile for the authentic analog sound and behavior they provide.
Pricing and Licensing Models
McDSP
McDSP offers a variety of purchasing options to suit different needs and budgets:
– Individual plugin purchases
– Bundle packages offering significant savings
– Subscription plans (All Access) for access to their entire plugin collection
– Educational discounts for students and institutions
McDSP uses iLok for license management, allowing for easy transfer of licenses between systems. They also offer demo versions of their plugins, allowing users to try before they buy.
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are primarily distributed through Plugin Alliance, which offers:
– Individual plugin purchases
– Various bundle options
– Subscription plans (Mix & Master Bundle, MEGA Bundle)
– Frequent sales and promotional offers
Plugin Alliance uses its own license management system, which allows for easy activation and deactivation of plugins across multiple systems. They also offer a 14-day trial period for most of their plugins.
Both companies frequently run promotional sales, making it possible to acquire their plugins at significant discounts throughout the year.
Target Markets and Use Cases
McDSP
McDSP’s diverse product range caters to a wide variety of audio professionals, including:
– Music producers and mix engineers
– Post-production sound designers and editors
– Broadcast audio engineers
– Live sound engineers
The company’s plugins are particularly popular in post-production environments due to their efficiency, low latency, and specialized tools like the SA-2 Dialog Processor. However, their EQs, compressors, and channel strips are also widely used in music production across various genres.
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are primarily targeted at:
– Professional mix engineers
– Mastering engineers
– Music producers seeking authentic analog sound
– Audio professionals transitioning from analog to digital workflows
The company’s focus on analog emulation makes their plugins particularly appealing to engineers who are accustomed to working with high-end analog gear. Their console emulations are often used to impart the sonic character of famous mixing desks across entire mixes, while their mastering tools are favored by professionals seeking to add analog warmth and depth to their masters.
Conclusion
Both McDSP and Brainworx offer high-quality audio plugins that cater to different needs and preferences within the professional audio community. McDSP’s strength lies in their innovative approach to digital signal processing, combining analog-style processing with unique digital algorithms to create versatile, efficient plugins. Their products are well-suited for a wide range of applications, from music production to post-production and live sound.
Brainworx, on the other hand, excels in creating authentic emulations of high-end analog hardware, particularly mixing consoles and outboard gear. Their use of Tolerance Modeling Technology sets them apart in the realm of analog emulation, providing an extra layer of realism that appeals to engineers seeking to recreate the sound and workflow of analog studios in the digital domain.
Ultimately, the choice between McDSP and Brainworx will depend on your specific needs, workflow preferences, and the type of sound you’re aiming to achieve. Many professional engineers find value in using plugins from both developers, leveraging the strengths of each to create the best possible results in their work.
FAQ
Can I use McDSP and Brainworx plugins together in the same project?
Absolutely! Many audio professionals use plugins from both developers in their projects. In fact, combining the clean, efficient processing of McDSP plugins with the analog warmth of Brainworx emulations can lead to excellent results. For example, you might use a McDSP EQ for precise corrective work, followed by a Brainworx console channel strip for character and cohesion.
Are McDSP and Brainworx plugins compatible with my DAW?
Both McDSP and Brainworx offer their plugins in a wide range of formats, including VST, AU, and AAX. This ensures compatibility with most major digital audio workstations. However, it’s always a good idea to check the specific system requirements and compatibility information for each plugin before purchasing.
Do I need special hardware to run McDSP or Brainworx plugins?
For the most part, both McDSP and Brainworx plugins are designed to run on standard computer hardware without the need for specialized DSP cards. However, McDSP does offer AAX DSP versions of many of their plugins for use with Avid Pro Tools HDX systems. Additionally, McDSP has developed the APB (Analog Processing Box), which is a hardware unit that can be programmed to run algorithms similar to their plugins in the analog domain.