16-channel next generation automation system
ngLEVELER – “Next generation Leveler” is analog automation system with convenient features for better studio integration. Besides its automation engine it also brings analog saturation per each channel which helps tracks to get more presence in the mix. ngLEVELER doesn’t have any controls, it is either managable via:
– DAW Plug-in
– HUI controller
– Or both
This approach gives us very convenient fader control with true total recall system via DAW plug-in. ngLEVELER was created to become studio centerpiece, and because of its simple analog connectivity it can be used in many applications!
MAIN FEATURES
ngLEVELER – “Next generation Leveler”
ANALOG SOUND, DIGITAL CONTROL
Regardless its digital control features, ngLeveler is fully analog unit.
Dedicated plugin control allows to recall and automate your analog signals with ease!
1. Opposite quad channel link: This functionality links two stereo channels in an opposite way, it means that by pushing level of channel 1 & 2, channel 3 & 4 signal will be lowered by the same amount, perfect solution to drive our stereo analog units maintaining the same signal level.
Monitoring!
MUTE – channel is muted.
SOLO – Any channel with solo active will pass the signal with full processing
unless it is not explicitly muted. Hitting solo on particular channel will
also mute all other channels unless solo or solo safe is not engaged.
TRIM MODE!
Trim mode allows us to change level of each channel on top of already setup Faders. Trim faders also work in very high resolution as whole TRIM fader work in limited scale -10dB to +5dB. Such approach gives us few important benefits.
CHANNEL GROUPS!
Assign each channel to one of 4 groups which
technically link all parameters in particular group.
Some parameters maybe disabled from groping
Convinient connectivity!
ANALOG: DB-25
DIGITAL CONTROL: USB or ETHERNET
THD – ADD COLOR TO YOUR MIXES on each channel!
THD stands for “Total harmonic distortion” and it allows to saturate your signal with beautiful analog color.
ANALOG AUTOMATION
I’m sure all of us wanted to use different device settings based on song section. Now it is possible! Just draw automation lines in your DAW and your analog device will follow!
And remember, you can use your HUI controller to record automation TO your DAW
USAGE EXAMPLES
1. Summing stage automation
ngLEVELER can be integrated in any spot in analog chain which requires signal level management or automation. One of such situation is level management or automation of signal which goes out from our outboard gear to the summing stage. This gives us few very important benefits:
POST Compression automation or level management – changing signal level which goes out from our converter (DAW automation) will cause our compressor to behave differently. This makes it impossible to automate, and is quite problematic situation to handle even with simple signal level balance changes. In this setup we can keep our summing stage signal level at same level, and leave automation and signal level management to ngLEVELER so it can be easily recalled upon session load!
OUT signal management and automation – all outboard gear have a sweet spot which usually depends on a signal level which comes in. In most cases we don’t want to automate signal going in, but signal which goes out from the device. With ngLEVELER we can easily manage this signal:
not to clip next analog stage,
Or automate it when needed!
2. Any analog outboard automation
In this particular example, ngLEVELER is integrated between each analog outboard process input, and output, of course it can be configured only to output, or only to input if needed. ngLEVELER allows us to work with very hot signals where many audio interfaces can’t deal with. Benefits:
3. Analog outboard drive
In this scenario we can configure our stereo processing before and after outboard gear, and link those channels in an opposite way. So while increasing level on the input of our outboard processor, it will automatically decrease on its output before hitting further stage. So we can easily find a sweet spot of our processor which can be fairly high for some vintage gear.
4. Recording session management
Studios of each size need some centerpiece which will help to manage recording and mixing session. Using ngLeveler in such situations, allows to precisely set levels which will hit A/D converter, add some analog saturation, and using “Solo and Mute” buttons manage our sessions with ease. Benefits: