Slate Digital has just released a new plug-in called Custom Opto. It’s a hot-rodded version of the developer’s FG-2A plug-in which emulates the Teletronix LA-2A optical compressor. The key difference is added Speed and Ratio controls, along with 4 new tone settings. These sound like useful additions to the LA-2A’s characteristically sparse layout. When straight-up LA-2A action is needed, the FG-2A is always there. But you really want to dial in the household opto compressor, you’d reach for Custom Opto. The two make quite a sensible bundle. ADVERTISEMENT Slate Digital Custom Opto Custom Opto has Peak Reduction, Ratio, Speed, and Output Gain controls. A Tone switch lets you choose between Flat, Smooth, Warm, Aggro, and Airy characters. That sure sounds like fun, switching things around to hear how they sound on your track. The control layout is complete with a Stereo Link switch and Mix knob. According to the man himself, Steven Slate, the speed/ratio/tone control setup is capable of “an extremely wide variety of musical opto tones.” The thing with an LA-2A is you can compress and limit audio, or insert it in the chain just to get the tube pleasantness it imparts. Both use cases will benefit from tweakable response and additional flavors to choose from. Regardless of how far you push the parameters, Custom Opto still sounds like you’d expect an optical compressor to sound and the program-dependent release stage maintains its sonic transparency. So things ought to sound quite alright from the get-go. Slate Digital Custom Opto Slate Digital Custom Opto – Price and availability Custom Opto is available now from Slate Digital with the following acquisition options: All-Access Pass subscription starting from USD 10 per month. Perpetual license – USD 149. Perpetual license (Bundle) – USD 249 for Custom Opto and FG-2A. You’ll save USD 50 compared to purchasing both individually. An iLok v2 or v3 USB dongle is required for perpetual license purchases. The All-Access pass subscription can be authorized over iLok Cloud using a free iLok account. |
