NUGEN Audio announced that it will highlight its latest utility plugins, including AB Assist 2, Jotter and Aligner, at the upcoming 2024 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center (booth 16000) in January.
AB Assist 2 is a new design based on classic ABX machines that provide engineers with a way to compare two or more pieces of material. Meanwhile, Jotter is a time-stamped annotation tool and Aligner helps to phase align audio with the touch of a button.
“These utility plugins have proven useful for sound professionals throughout the industry and have gained a lot of attention since being released throughout the past year,” says Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe, product specialist, NUGEN Audio. “Each of these plug-ins improves workflows, proving that they are valuable solutions for audio professionals, and we look forward to sharing them with NAMM Show attendees.”
AB Assist 2 enables users to receive and compare up to four different takes, plugin options, mix revisions or versions of a master, and to compare surround mixes in any channel count. It also enables multiple plugin instances to link up and communicate directly rather than using an external send. To ensure there are no biases in the comparison, a blind test function randomly re-labels the streams as X or Y for a completely unbiased assessment.
Additionally, an auto-level match function allows the user to match short-term loudness (LUFS) of sources, while a mono-check feature compares mono fold-downs and the smooth tool creates fades between sources. The software also has a “trim” function, which allows users to trim the gain on one stream to match the subjective level of the other, further aiding in its unbiased testing.
Aligner is an automatic phase and polarity alignment/correction tool designed to enhance workflows. With the automatic linking functionality, users can also connect multiple instances of the plugin during one session. It can be utilized in various instances, including when lining up a multitrack recording with microphones at different distances, or where the polarity of one microphone is reversed. Users can also apply the tool to ensure a microphone and direct input signals are lined up correctly. For those who prefer to align an audio track on their own or who wish to fine-tune the adjustments made automatically, the plugin also provides the option to make sample delay or phase adjustments manually.
Jotter allows sound editors to collaborate with each other and directly with clients, to and from anywhere. Among the collaborative tools is the ability for a client to load the latest mix of their track into the standalone Jotter app, add their notes throughout the file and then export the notes to send to the mixing engineer, who can access it via the standalone app or the plugin version. Exported in CSV format, the notes provide detailed feedback, locked to the exact positions on a project timeline. With this solution, NUGEN Audio has also rolled out the brand’s first accessibility features, such as screen reader support and keyboard shortcuts for users with visual impairments.
In addition to the fully licensed plugin that can be integrated directly into Pro Tools and other DAWs, the Jotter software is also available as a free stand-alone version that includes the same management tools and can be used by clients and other collaborators.
