SPL recently released their first plug-ins, emulations of their Ranger EQs and the very popular Transient Designer. I asked Dirk Ulrich, head of SPL software and Brainworx, some questions regarding the new SPL plug-ins as well as the upcoming Brainworx EQ.

How does one go about to effectively emulate a piece of hardware, and what is the biggest challenge of doing it?

Hi, this is Dirk Ulrich, happy to answer your questions.

We have developed a new way of emulating analog hardware. It is based on the so called “component modeling” which means that every single component of a circuit is being modeled and then “converted” into code…

But for the SPL plugins we have gone beyond that theory, as we have worked very closely with the original hardware developers at SPL. They pointed us to many small features, tricks and stuff that seemed to be almost “irrelevant” for the code, but once we have implemented all these details we found out that these specials made the software “come to life”…

To achieve a close emulation you actually need to know the theory of the units, but also it is VERY important to check the SOUND of the software and compare it to the hardware. To do so you need experience and some good ears I´d say… luckily enough that between the teams of SPL and BX there were some pretty skilled ears to rely on…

You went into the market with no less than four plug-ins, but have already mentioned more will come. Can you give us the word on which, and why them?

Basically we are trying to adapt ALL of the great SPL processors to the digital world. All of which make sense.. of course we won´t model mic preamps…

But we have plans to do the VITALIZER, the TWIN TUBE, other EQs, the phase-cancelling de-esser etc.

Why? Because the SPL hardware team has developed some SERIOUS circuits with these units, and we believe that software poducts will sound better than average if the knowledge of 20 years of analog designing goes into the plugs…

The Ranger EQs are a great example for this: compare them to ANY software EQ, their sound is DIFFERENT!!

Dirk rocking out

You’re head of Brainworx as well. How do these two roles (at SPL and Brainworx) work together? Do you see problems in the past with the two interfering? Or possibly a collaboration of some sort?

I know Hermann and the SPL team for years already, and Hermann has followed the BX development over the past three years.

A few months ago we decided on a mutual trip to the AES Amsterdam that the timing would be right to start SPL software, and Hermann was positive that we could achieve something good if we combine the analogue knowledge of SPL and the digital experience of BX.

There are absolutely NO problems with running these 2 companies, as the products differ quite a lot.

Also, I feel comfortable wearing the 2 hats, and we get along great with the SPL crew, no egos involved…

Right now we don´t see any special cooperation, as we are also planning new BX releases, but who knows what the future might bring…

Tell us a little about the latest Brainworx EQ…

We are eabout to release a new bx plugin within a few days, the bx_dynEQ (including the bx_boom! plugin…).

These are 2 dynamic EQs / compressors with unique M/S features. The plugin can be a “standard” dynamic EQ, but it can also serve as a de-esser, M/ S compressor, and it has an UNIQUE mode where you can actually control the bass drum “boom” and the tuning in a FINAL MIX!!

We will have demos and videos up on the BX site very soon… watch out for this new beast…

The bx_boom is actually the bx_dynEQ in ONE special setting with only ONE knob to control, but the same powerful algorithm in the background. Just EASY to operate…

Any final words?

Well, thanks for reading this. I am / we are very happy to be able to develop all these new and exciting projects, this honestly is FUN for us, it´s not (only) about the dollars… so, I´d be happy to see a lot of your readers actually TRY the software. If anybody has comments or questions feel free to email me anytime via the website(s)… Rock on!*** Dirk.