Hello friends
Thank you for checking out our Weekly blog.
I know I told you all that I would be discussing this week how to set up Console so it will send a headphone/cue mix to your artists with effects like reverb, delay etc., and zero latency!, But I had to do this following review sooner than expected. I Think you will enjoy as much as I have learning rising this plug-in I'm about to discuss
Today I will be discussing Universal Audio’s Ocean Way Studios — the world’s first dynamic room modeling plug‑in.
Here's an illustration of what the plug‑in looks like.
What is Ocean Way Studios:
Ocean Way Studios is a legendary studio located on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. Many famous artists have recorded numerous hits there. Because of its rooms, their size, their sound, and how they capture recordings, has made this recording studio a landmark. They have an immense List of equipment that are standards in the recording industry. Their amazing collection of microphones and gear have made their sound impeccable and unique. And this is where Universal Audio comes in with their Ocean Way studios remodeling plug-in.
Universal Audio’s Ocean Way Studios — the world’s first dynamic room modeling plug‑in, is an amazing breakthrough!
For recording enthusiasts as myself and probably some of you, this plug-in is a dream come true. All though we may not all have the luxury and budget to record our music and/or our artists in a beautiful sounding place as is this, anyone can now with the invention of this plug-in, a universal audio interface, and this plug‑in installed, have access not only to Ocean Way Studio’s amazing microphone collection, but also their rooms and mic placement techniques. I say techniques because they also give you presets which you can use as a starting point.
The plug‑in allows you to pick and choose from their collection, which microphone, at what distance, and various positions in the room you choose.
Basically here are the main options you get with this plug‑in,
- a) Record live or mix through Ocean Way Recording’s legendary Studio A and Studio B
- b) Use “best of the best” vintage microphones from Allen Sides’ world-renowned collection
- c) Choose among Allen Sides’ favorite room positions with 8 source types, for stunningly accurate sound dispersion behaviors
- d) Position, blend, and process three mic pairs (Near / Mid / Far) in real time
- e) Retain mic bleed, proximity, and other naturally occurring behaviors for realism far beyond other reverb/ambience plug-ins
- f) Re-mic loops and soft synths to bring them to life
Included Mic Models
OW-47 (Neumann U 47)
OW-12 #1 (AKG C12)
OW-12 #2 (AKG C12)
OW-49 (Neumann M 49)
OW-269 (Neumann M 269)
OW-800 (Allen Sides’ prototype Sony C800G)
OW-50 (Neumann M 50)
OW-K53 (Neumann KM 53)
OW-K54 (Neumann KM 54)
OW-55 (Sony C55P)
OW-K3A (RCA KU-3A)
OW-57U3 (Shure SM57 Unidyne II
OW-47
For over 70 years, the Neumann U 47 has stood the test of time as the ultimate studio mic. Allen Sides has acquired — and sold — more than 400 U 47s, and the OW-47 is based on his favorite, serial number 2679. The OW-47 expertly emulates the original mic’s large condenser K47 capsule and a VF14 tube, giving you the same mind-blowing detail and legendary sonics for acoustic instruments and vocals.
OW-12 #1
Released in 1953, the AKG C12 is almost always Sides’ choice as a drum overhead. It’s also his prefered mic for lush, breathy vocals. One of the most complex and intricate large-diaphragm condenser capsules ever made, the OW-12 #1 emulation is an exacting model of this classic, even capturing its classic 10 kHz-ish “bump” and high-end sheen and sparkle without accentuating sibilance.
OW-12 #2
This AKG C12 is warmer and smoother than #1, highlighting the varying flavors of this classic, as it could be custom-tuned at the AKG factory to achieve different sensitivities and frequency response curves. The OW-12 #2 captures this favorite, the same one Sides’ used to record Frank Sinatra’s vocals on his 1984 album, LA is My Lady, as well as the all-star choir for 1985’s "We Are The World."
OW-49
Based on the Neumann M 49 — a slightly smoother, less-colored sounding U 47 due to a more transparent headbasket — the OW-49 faithfully emulates this late-’50s Ocean Way favorite. This mic has been used to track vocalists from Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand to Phil Collins and Joni Mitchell.
OW-269
The Neumann M 269 was designed for the German broadcast market and is a variation of the Neumann U 67, using a AC701k tube instead of an EF86 and offering a variable pattern switch. Notable artists that recorded with the M 269 at Ocean Way include Kenny Loggins, Little Richard, Alanis Morissette, and Johnny Rivers.
OW-800
Allen Sides and Ocean Way were involved in the very early development of the famed Sony C800G mic, and Sides was given two C800G prototypes for listening tests. The OW-800 emulation captures the prototype’s slightly warmer character than a production C800G.
————————————————————————————————————
I did my own experiment with just a basic drum kit, bass guitar, and some guitar licks.
I used the Ocean Way Studios plug‑in as a reverb auxiliary and sent all the instruments to it. I then gave all the Instruments room tone to taste. Needless to say I was blown away with the outcome of this test and the overall sound it helped me achieve in my little Experiment. I tried the mix with the plug-in active, and and in bypass Mode. Definitely the mix with the Ocean Way studio active had a bigger Space and nice Live sound.
I have experimented with convolution reverbs in the past, but the options and choices that this plug-in offers you, make it a winner in my book and collection of plug-ins. Also the fact that it allowed me to save on my real estate as far as CPU and my computer was a big plus!
Unfortunately the only downside of this plug-in, which really it does not have any, is the fact that we have to have a universal audio interface. So if you are considering upgrading or getting an interface, this may be a good reason to do so.
I hope you have enjoyed my review on this amazing plug-in and what it can bring to your mixing techniques and arsenal of plug-ins. I know it is a winner in my collection and I will continue using it in my future projects.
Feel free to email us with your questions and we will be happy to answer them if we can. And please do not forget to subscribe to our blog so that you can receive updates and reviews, and to receive discount coupons for our (scitscat) store.
Links of interest
https://www.ebay.com/usr/scitscat?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
https://www.uaudio.com/audio-interfaces/arrow.html
videos
https://www.uaudio.com/uad-plugins/all-plugins/ocean-way-microphone-collection.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8MK2y1wS7M
Email us: sales@scitscat.com
Truly yours
Diego L