T-Racks 3 Deluxe Crossgrade: Hi-end Mastering and Mixing Suite.

Beyond Mastering

The new T-RackS 3 raises the bar again in high-end DAW mastering and mixing, with a suite of 9 analog modeled and digital Dynamics/EQ processors, an audio quality that is unmatched in software, and scores of new and unique features.

Modular High-End Mastering/Mixing Suite of Dynamics and EQ processors, including:

• 9 processors comprised of 3 new analog and vintage emulations (including models based on the Fairchild 670 and the Pultec EQP-1A), 2 new digital processors as well the 4 classic, award-winning T-RackS processors
• New configurable mastering/mixing chain – run up to 12 parallel/series processors
• New complete built-in metering section with Peak, Perceived Loudness, Phase, and RMS meters, plus a Spectrum analyzer with Peak, RMS and Averaging indicators
• New standalone and plug-in versions available in the same package for use in all the most popular native DAWs
• New high-fidelity oversampling with crystal clear transparency, for high quality audio processing throughout the entire signal path
• New SCC™ technology coupled with IK’s unique DSM™ technology provides the most realistic software emulation of vintage gear to date
• Extremely easy to use, with style-based presets, full chain visualization, one-click single module or chain bypass, “compare” function, multiple audio processing in standalone mode and much more

T-RackS 3 has all the tools you need to create superb, tube-toned or digital-tuned, mixes and masters. Its rich, warm sound combines new tube-modeled and state-of-the-art digital processors on top of its classic top-notch analog classics. A new modular chain gives you full control and easy navigation/compare features. A new complete metering section keeps all the most important variables of your sound under control. A truly superior mastering and mixing system that will put a polish on your tracks you may have never thought possible. All this, while adding the beautiful warmth and space of the tube devices it emulates. No other plug-in offers this kind of dedicated environment for such an important task, and nothing sounds like T-RackS 3.

New T-RackS processors:

Vintage Tube Compressor/Limiter model 670

Based on the “Holy Grail” of compressor/limiters, the Fairchild 670. With a faithful reproduction of every control, this is an incredibly accurate model that captures every nuance of one of the best Fairchild units available.

The original unit delivers a truly magic touch that makes everything that passes through it shine and sound more musical and emotional, and was analyzed for months for every single detail to unveil all of its secrets.

IK’s unique analog-modeling experience and exclusive DSM™ (Dynamic Saturation Modeling) technology push this model to the limit and beyond, so we developed a new custom, proprietary method dubbed SCC™ (Sonic Character Cloning) – with results that can only be described as magic! It took us a very long time, but we believe it was well worth the effort, and you’ll be the one who says that this is the only 670 digital recreation that actually treats music like the original.

Stereo or Lat/Vert (MS) operation.

Vintage Tube Program Equalizer

Based on what is universally known as one of the best and most musical program EQs ever made, the Pultec EQP-1A. Extremely accurate modeling of two real world units, known to have "the sound", with sonic performance that is indistinguishable from the originals, thanks to IK’s DSM™ and new SCC™ technology.

Stereo or MS operation.

Opto compressor

Optical compression has a special sonic character that audiophiles can truly appreciate. This analog-modeled module faithfully recreates that particular (and extremely musical) “movement” that characterizes only the best opto compressors. An important characteristic of optical compression is the total absence of distortion and coloration during gain reduction, and you can expect the same character and performance from this digital recreation.

Stereo or MS operation.

Intelligent, multi-algorithm Brickwall limiter

Multi-algorithm Brickwall limiter that can really make your masters loud without squashing them to a lifeless sound (unless you want that!). Accurate and transparent, digital brickwall limiting doesn’t get any better than this.

Selectable algorithms to match the best limiting style for each program type.

High precision, high definition Linear Phase Equalizer

An accurate, high definition, high precision EQ that can be trusted for delicate Mastering tasks.

6 completely identical bands that can be set to all available filter types and that can span the whole spectrum range (any kind of overlap is possible).

Switchable between minimum and linear phase characteristics.

Stereo or MS operation.

4 T-RackS classic processors

Classic T-RackS Compressor
Classic tube stereo compressor/leveler designed for mastering.

Classic T-RackS Multi-band Limiter
Multiband master stereo limiter.

Classic T-RackS Clipper
Soft-clipping stage to create warm, saturated mastering effects.

Classic T-RackS Equalizer
State-of-the-art six band parametric equalizer, modeled on classic top quality analog gear. Classic T-RackS Equalizer can now be used in Stereo or MS modes.

These are all of the original T-RackS modules that achieved cult status. They maintain their great original sonic character, and have only been improved upon to line them up with the absolute "no compromise" in sound quality of the T-RackS 3 signal path.

Classic T-RackS Equalizer can now be used in Stereo or MS modes.

Modular mastering/mixing solution with 12 processing slots

New, selectable 12-processor slot audio chain, arranged in two rows of 4 slots for parallel processing plus 4 serial final slots.

Modules can be easily switched on/off with a single click, individually or all at once, at any time for quick a/b on the monitored audio, without having to navigate or scroll around.

Single module or global chain visualization options

A "compare" function with volume matching allows comparison between the sound of the processed version and the original, so that you can really judge the sound changes, and not be mislead by a volume increase.

Accurate, complete and truly useful Metering

T-RackS 3 includes a new high quality, high precision, complete metering section. This includes:

• A precision three-scale Peak meter with accurate sample indicators and real digital “Over” indication.
• Real Perceived Loudness meter. This is an amazingly useful meter that is not included on most software processors. It shows the REAL loudness that will be perceived on your masters. Compare your preferred records with your works on this meter, and you’ll immediately see where to go with loudness management.
• Phase scope, with options to match the style and indication you’re used to
• Phase correlation
• Spectrum analyzer with Peak, RMS and Averaging indicators.
• RMS meter.
• Loudness and RMS metering “optimal” zones’ indication, selectable by genre and style.

All-platform plug-ins and standalone versions in the same packages

• Plug-ins fully integrate with all of today's popular DAWs
• Standalone mode allows for loading multiple audio files, previews them with all-independent settings and processes all of them with a single click
• Standalone mode includes extremely high quality sampling rate conversion to write 44.1 kHz CD files, starting from any sampling rate
• Built-in dithering with various options
• Automation made easy: you can take snapshots within each song and automate processing parameter changes during the song, for example, when passing from verses to choruses, etc, all with a single click
• Non-destructive basic audio editing

High transparency, extremely high quality audio processing throughout the whole signal path

You may think digital processors are transparent in general, and of a quality high enough for audio mastering. That's not always true. Very simple processing like a filter or a dynamic gain change can literally ruin your sound without any possibility of rescue if it’s not performed at the highest possible quality.

T-RackS 3 delivers incredible purity, transparency and fidelity that is far superior to the vast majority of plug-ins you could compare it with. If you are familiar with the sound of top quality analog and digital hardware equalizers that are used daily in top mastering houses, you'll immediately recognize the quality and purity typical of those units here, and if you're not, you'll experience what high quality equalization means.

Oversampling perfected. Many digital processors use oversampling to achieve better sound. Unfortunately, many of them, under critical listening sessions, can be found to achieve no significantly better (or even slightly worse) results than the regular sampling rate option. This is because the upsampling and downsampling processes are not done at an adequate level of quality, in other words: typically what is improved by running a processor at double sampling frequency is partially compromised by the loss of quality in the upsampling and downsampling process. There are only a few pieces of gear, mainly extremely expensive hardware that really realize oversampling the way it should be done. T-RackS 3 is one of them. We wanted to offer the same quality of the highest caliber mastering tools, and the result is a process that has no side effect at all on the sound: total transparency. So what you hear is exactly the same sound of the processor running at double sampling rate, with no side effects.