Focusrite Scarlett plug-ins
I just saw that Guitar Center advertises a bundle from Focusrite, called Scarlett. The GUI looks very ‘Redish’.
Here’s some info, copy&pasted from the GC website.
A faithful recreation of classic compressors and gates
Modelled on original ear-tuned custom hardware optos exclusive to Focusrite, the dynamics modules deliver an authentic vintage 1960s Opto sound.
Multi-modes enable creative gating techniques
The Gate can operate as a stereo gate and, in different dual mono modes, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another; ideal for tightening up a bass line, for example.
Classic Focusrite EQ curves and controls
Scarlett uses the same Focusrite 6-band EQ approach as the Red 2 and ISA EQs, with filters, parametric mids and shelving, all modelled to offer an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum.
Professional reverb with concise controls
Based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs, this reverb delivers a remarkable level of sonic quality for your recording projects. Easy to use set-up controls get you to the ideal reverb sound in seconds.
And the even shorter version, in case you don’t like to read.
Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite Features:
Unmatched sonic quality at an incredible price
Stunning GUI with life-like classic port-hole VU meters
A faithful recreation of classic compressors and gates
Multi-modes enable creative gating techniques
Classic Focusrite EQ curves and controls
Professional reverb with concise controls
It doesn’t say what formats it’s for. I wouldn’t bet on seeing a Pro Tools version though, while it might happen, it seems like Focusrite has abandoned the platform lately in favor for AU and VST. Doesn’t matter much to me to be honest, never liked the Forté Suite anyway.
Focusrite Scarlett at Guitar Center
Via: thread on Gearslutz
Forte Suite sounds ok, but the GUI is so HIDEOUSLY ugly and out of date. Focusrite have been giving the TDM version away free with purchases of ISA hardware lately, so we got three copies. Amazed they didn’t decide to freshen up the GUI and make the text readable. Not a great advert for their software to new ISA processors, surely?
By Ant ~ October 25, 2009 kl 7:09 pm
This is from the focusrite website.
“Scarlett works under VST, AU and RTAS (Pro Tools) hosts, and runs on Macs and PCs, making it the perfect bundle for any music software user.”
By Jamiecer ~ October 25, 2009 kl 10:35 pm
Ant, I agree about the GUI. I have trouble reading the text.
Jamiecer, I must be blind. Can’t seem to find it? Do you have a link?
By stiff ~ October 26, 2009 kl 3:24 am
http://www.focusrite.com/news/scarlett_from_focusrite
By coyoteous ~ October 26, 2009 kl 4:30 am
Must’ve removed it as the link sends you to news about the ISA one.
P.s. Anyone tried the ISA one for guitar, going direct to ADAT on a Digi 002, with the additional card? I love the focusrite pre’s on my MBox 1, but it won’t work with PT past 8.0.1, and the ones on the 002 are pants IMHO.
Cheers
By Ashley Smith ~ October 26, 2009 kl 8:36 am
>> “Must’ve removed it as the link sends you to news about the ISA one.”
Same here.
By stiff ~ October 26, 2009 kl 10:03 am
http://focusrite.com/products/software/scarlett/
By Ashley Smith ~ October 26, 2009 kl 4:13 pm
I hated the ISA looks as well. I own several ISA modules amongst which a 430. The Forte Suite doesn’t come near the sound of it. I think it remonds me more of the early D series plug ins. It stikes me as odd that a company that has the liquid technology worked out so well never really manages to bring us a decent native plug in. I think there are to many companies working under the name Focusrite. They kind of did the same thing with hardware. Neve designed a cool desk. They broke it up into modules. So far so good. Neve leaves, they start calling everything: based on neves original design. But the sound is gone. They sold us Forte Suite “based on something”. Now they again “recreated a classic”. Come on Focusrite!!!!!!!! Build something decent. Something modern. Stop the advertisement machine and start putting that money into design by good modern hardware/software designers.
Still love my ISA430 though
By J~P ~ October 27, 2009 kl 10:01 am
Come to think of it: got another nice focusrite story:
I bought the ISA430 when it was THE top. I think it was the most expensive channel strip at the time. When it started to have problems after a year or so I calles the importer in Holland. He said that he needed to replace the power supply because it was underpowered for the job. I was flabbergasted. It’s like Rolls Royce telling you they have put a Fiat Panda engine in their flagship modell.
They fixed it. OK. But it illustrates again how focusrites sometimes makes very VERY strange decissions
By J~P ~ October 27, 2009 kl 10:06 am
One word: Ouch!
By stiff ~ October 28, 2009 kl 4:50 am
Ouch! didn’t cover it at the time. But I won’t use the words that did
By J~P ~ October 28, 2009 kl 6:04 am
I’m looking forward to these new plugs, it’s nice to see Focusrite do some more (something new). I still love the D2/D3, and Forte Suite has worked great for me on Acoustic Guitars in the past.
By Ashley Smith ~ October 29, 2009 kl 8:51 pm
LOL! “Meh no PT version”…”Yeah doesnt sound good anyway and it’s ugly… ” … you guys are funny.
By J.Ackass ~ November 22, 2009 kl 9:53 pm
J.Ackass,
But it appears there is a Pro Tools version. Forte Suite is still ugly, and still doesn’t sound good (to me). Maybe the new plug-ins are better, I don’t know, haven’t tried them.
By stiff ~ November 23, 2009 kl 3:46 am
I just bought the Focusrite Scarlett, and very pleased!! For the price I really can’t complain. It does the trick and doesn’t use a lot of CPU on my pc pro tools 8. I’m pretty happy so far.
By Boogie ~ July 6, 2010 kl 9:52 pm
This has already been released outside the U.S. under the name ‘Focusrite plugin Suite’ and for the money is actually half decent. The ‘Scarlett’ is purely a re-badging and re-skinning, nothing more.
The compressor is transparent and smooth,akin to the opto compressors found on their Platinum range mic pre’s. In fact the compressor was regarded as the best section of those channel strips and it’s nice to have an opto emulation included here. Its decent.
The EQ is also pretty good and very light on the cpu. Not bad at all.
The reverb has been compared to those Alesis midiverb boxes from the 1990’s which while obviously budget, were simple yet still usable for a number of sources.
Add a Gate and these are a nice addition for the money and certainly better than most built plugins, though anyone with a UAD,Waves,Sonnox etc won’t be missing much.
By Psilas ~ August 29, 2010 kl 9:44 pm