Prestige Racks
by NoiseAsh · Channel Strip · Modular mixing rack
Not rated yet
Prestige Racks is a single NoiseAsh plugin that holds eight analog-modeled modules, from EQ and compression to delay, reverb and a gate, in a switchable rack.
It comes with more than 200 presets, some by producer Dan Korneff, and was listed at $29.90 on sale (regular $150).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: vocals, mixing, bass, drums, classic, electric guitar, opto, tube, airy, American console, analog-sounding, British console, bus processing, fat, full mix, mastering, mix bus, built-in mix knob, neutral, organic, oversampling, preset-driven, resizable UI, sidechain input, VCA, warm.
What it does
Prestige Racks puts eight NoiseAsh processors in one plugin with "switchable rack routing", so you can build a full channel chain without loading separate plugins. The developer pitches it as "designed by sound engineers, for sound engineers", for vocals, drums, bass, guitars, acoustic instruments, effects and mastering.
- Medley EQ: five classic EQ models in one: a Modified Rule Tec low band, American console low-mid and high-mid bands (with a parametric mode and Q), a NEED 84 high band and a Sky (air) band.
- S4G compressor: a British console VCA compressor with a continuous attack knob, Mix control and an adjustable sidechain high-pass filter.
- Satura and Optical: Satura is a tube preamp for fat, warm tone; the optical compressor adds tube-circuit saturation to natural-sounding compression.
- Tamer de-esser: a 100 Hz to 8 kHz range, Peak, High-Shelf and Low-Shelf filter types, and attack and release.
- Division Delay and Reverb: a delay and a plate or room reverb, both with ducking under the dry signal.
- Gate: a classic gate at the first stage of the chain.
- Workflow: modules can be moved, swapped, removed or bypassed; there are sticky notes, over 200 presets (some by Dan Korneff), an anti-aliasing analog modeling engine and a resizable interface.
The current version is 1.0.0. The demo is fully functional but mutes briefly every 30 seconds.
When to use it
Prestige Racks is a cheap all-in-one chain that includes time effects and de-essing, which most channel strips leave out. Compared with Virtual Mix Rack, it shares the idea of a reorderable rack of modules, but it adds delay, reverb and a de-esser in the base product. Compared with Scheps Omni Channel or SSL Native Channel Strip 2, it has less metering and is less tied to one console sound, but you can finish a vocal chain, ambience included, in one window. Neutron 5 offers assistant-style mix help and more analysis, while Prestige Racks relies on analog-style modules and presets.
- Best for: building a complete vocal or instrument chain in one plugin, with gate, EQ, compression, saturation, de-essing, delay and reverb.
- Genres: any style; the Dan Korneff presets lean towards rock and pop.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a specific console emulation or detailed metering; SSL Native Channel Strip 2, bx_console SSL 4000 E or Scheps Omni Channel are more focused.
- Tip: a forum user found the analog noise button on by default, so check it before printing a mix.
What producers say
Forum users liked the look and the value, but one heard small level and tone changes from modules that should be neutral.
- Cakewalk forum users said "it looks beautiful" and called eight plugins at the sale price a good deal.
- Criticisms: one user heard slight volume changes from the phase button with the preamp on, a level rise from the compressor at 0% and a slight curve from a flat EQ, though he allowed "maybe my ears are tricking me".
Where to buy
- NoiseAsh: $29.90 (regular $150)
Tutorials and reviews
- NoiseAsh Prestige Racks
- NoiseAsh Prestige Racks Deep Dive
- NoiseAsh - Prestige Racks New Plugin
- Prestige Racks Overview & Playthrough
- DOES NOISEASH HAVE A NICE RACK? ONE STOP MIXING?
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