Engage ‘all-buttons-in’ with this issue’s free plugin from Pulsar Digital. It’s smashing. Let’s rock…

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Get the plugin on your PC/Mac at filesilo.co.uk/computermusic

Pulsar Digital are relatively new plugin developers but with a lot of experience - their team having previously programmed plugins for Arturia and Slate Digital. They have three plugins: Mu, Echorec and Smasher, and it’s the latter 1176-type compressor that we have here for free!

Generally speaking, compressors can be used to tame audio subtly - as you might do in mastering - or used as an effect to add punch and grit. As you might expect from the name, Pulsar Smasher definitely falls into the latter camp. It is essentially emulating the ‘all-buttonsin’ effect first experienced on the classic hardware UREI 1176 compressor. Also known as ‘the four-button trick’ or ‘British Mode’ this effect was discovered when pressing all of the hardware’s Ratio buttons in at the same time. The resulting sound is aggressive and, like we say, not subtle. Engineers like using it especially on drums and to add dirt to bass sounds, but it can also be used on vocals to make them a little more forward and in your face.

In this tutorial we’ll run through how to install and use the plugin. You’ll need to have an iLok account set up (don’t worry, this is free) and you can authorise the plugin either directly through the iLok License Manager app or as you install the software (where you will need an internet connection). We detail the process opposite, and then on the following page run through some settings that you might like to use on various parts of your mix.

We’ll also briefly run through Pulsar Digital’s two other plugins as you might want to use the special 20% discount offer just for Computer Music readers. This code is on the text file on the DVD or at filesilo.co.uk. Head on over to pulsar.audio for more info on all the plugins.

> Step by step 1. Getting started

1 First you need to set up a free iLok account if you don’t already have one. Head on over to iLok.com and click the Create Free Account at the top of the page. There are also videos here that will help you through the process.

2 You’ll need to register and complete a simple security process before starting. You will then be sent a verification email and your free account should be set up. Once you click the link, you’ll be taken to the Account Activation page of the iLok website.