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Safely adjust the Bias - no tools required
With no worry of blowing up your equipment, TUBE-CULTURE lets you virtually adjust the bias of your signal to achieve different distortion textures. Limiting the flow of input gain into the distortion tube used in the hardware version, Arturia has accurately modelled the response to create a rich, uniquely customisable sound. In musical terms, adjusting the Bias control allows for ways to sculpt your sound that are not possible with the Function control or onboard EQs. Reacting differently to each different pentode or triode mode you're on, the Bias dial generally affects the thickness in the low end of your tone.
Multi tube stage design
Designed with cascading tube stages, the hardware original was able to operate in multiple different modes to achieve different distortion characters. Indistinguishable from the hardware, Arturia's TAE and Phi analog-modelling technologies have captured this perfectly with the Function control. Here, you can select the way the virtual valves operate.
There is one Triode mode (T) plus three Pentode modes (P1, P2 and P3), where each mode is a different circuit for the tube stages. Each offering a different musical flavour of distortion, the Triode mode is the cleanest, favouring even-numbered harmonics. Ideal for more subtle applications where the aim is to increase the warmth and energy, Triode should be used on mastering or mix bus tracks.
Producing a more linear response between the input and output signal levels, Pentode creates the desirable distortion tones you've come to expect. P1 mode lays in the midground between aggression levels, producing a more edgy character with odd-numbered harmonics, ideal for use as a creative effect for vocals or synthesizers. P2 has a wider drive range than the rest, capable of going from subtle saturation to pummeling overdrive. P3 is the most aggressive, capable of producing rectifier-like effects when driven to the maximum. P3 could even be used in isolation as a guitar effects processor for an authentic analog distortion tone!
Add some presence
Just as the original hardware, TUBE-CULTURE includes a Presence switch to enhance and boost the midrange and treble frequencies. Going above and beyond the original, however, Arturia has included two different modes with Presence matching the original design, boosting the high midrange and high frequencies and a new Air mode, boosting only the high-frequencies. Ideal for reintroducing some high-end that may be lost due to high distortion levels which can flatten the upper harmonics of your signal.
Boutique hardware, digital enhancements
Tastefully enhanced, TUBE-CULTURE encompasses a range of clever updates which enhance the versatility of the plug-in without affecting the overall tone. Old distortion, new tricks! Overcoming the limitations of analog circuitry, TUBE-CULTURE has been augmented with input and output EQ filters, added high-end boost, three stereo configurations, one-knob dynamics control and a mix knob.
Approaching the main panel, Dist TUBE-CULTURE provides an instantly familiar design with the added Mix knob for parallel processing and additional Air control for high-frequency only shelving. Diving into the advanced panel is where Arturia have augmented the plug-in for optimum performance in modern productions.
The input stage includes low and high-pass filters, allowing you to only let certain frequencies through to be processed. Ideal for processing instruments such as bass guitar or vocals where only the high-end requires distortion to cut through a mix. Additionally, three stereo modes let you define the width of your processing.
The input section of Dist TUBE-CULTURE also features a one-knob dynamics control. Turned clockwise from noon, it functions as an upward compressor. Turned counterclockwise, it becomes a gradual expander/gate.
The output module likewise has a 24dB/oct high and low-pass filter and tilt control. Limit the bandwidth of your distorted signal into your mix to find space within the midrange for your instruments or use it as a creative lo-fi, distorted effect for added texture in your mix.
The studio powerhouse
For any sound in your mix, the TUBE-CULTURE lets you inject warm, mix-glueing saturation all the way up to heavy fuzz and everything in between to your tracks. Versatile enough to be used as an instrument processor or as a mix/master bus processor and coupled with the flexibility of the plug-in format and the result is a powerful sound-shaping tool that's useful for anything you throw at it.
More than just a one-trick pony, the powerful distortion shaping Bias and Function controls interact with each other and the Drive control offers a wide range of distortion tones.
Enrich your guitar tracks and add crunch to the top peaks of your electric guitar. Fatten the lead vocal line to make your lyrics pop out from a mix. Obliterate your drum room microphones for a squashed, crunching sustain that helps your drums sing or use them in subtle doses to round the bottom end of your toms and bass drum for added weight and energy. Add aggression to lead synths with Triode Function mode and switch in the Presence control for searing top-end to cut above the vocals and guitars.
Many mastering engineers have adopted the use of the hardware counterpart in their workflow, despite the main function focusing on distortion. Using Dist TUBE-CULTURE on your master bus can add subtle harmonic excitement and energy, helping to give life back to digitally recorded, sterile tracks.
Powered by technology
Using proprietary modelling algorithms, Dist TUBE-CULTURE can recreate the iconic effects down to the component parts to create unrivalled realism and immersion. Unmatched in analog emulation, Dist TUBE-CULTURE is powered by TAE and Phi technologies. TAE offers component-level modelling to accurately present the characteristics and behaviour of the effect, whilst Phi's state-of-the-art physical modelling brings the acoustic properties into the virtual world for hyper-realism. The result is truly a next-level sound that is indistinguishable from the original to add to your productions.
Reviews
"The Dist TUBE-CULTURE is a BEAST. I don't think I've ever heard a plug-in that breaks up your sound as beautifully. A little bit added into your 808s or completely crushing a synth, breaking it apart bit-by-bit, then gently adding it back in, goes a long way! " - Stan Greene (Producer - Rihanna, Big Sean, Snoop Dogg, O.T, Genasis)
"Turn the drive up and then the creamy magic kick is in on the stems and the mix." - Steve Levine (Producer / Engineer - Culture Club, Beach Boys)
"These plug-ins are amazing. The results that I'd achieve with the combination of two or even three different distortion plug-ins can now be done with only Dist TUBe-CULTURE" - Thiago Baggio (Recording and Mixing engineer)
Features
- Precise model of Ultra Vulture tube harmonic distortion processor
- Interactive Drive control works alongside the rest of the parameters for complex drive sounds
- Two Presence stages adds boost to the midrange and high-end using Presence and high-end only with Air mode
- Real-time visual feedback of the frequency response, input and output EQ filters
- Process in parallel with Mix knob
- Spans transparent harmonics at lower Drive values and sizzle crunch and overdrive when turned clockwise
- Limit the amount of amount input to the distortion stage with the Bias control, altering the distortion character
- Four Function configurations alter the tube operation from Triode, Pentode 1, Pentode 2 or Pentode 3
- Three stereo mode selections let you explore valve distortion in the full stereo field with L-R, Mid and Side processing
- Fixed threshold dynamics control lets you apply gating at negative values and compression at positive values
- High and low-pass input filters let you adjust your dry signal sound before hitting the distortion for a mid-focussed sound
- Output filter EQ with Tilt function to apply global brightening or damping to your sound
- Save on CPU and adjust audio quality with two oversampling modes
- NKS-ready
- Audition two settings simultaneously with A/B switching
General
- Compatible across all major DAWs on both Windows and Mac
- Download, manage and organize your plug-in and updates in Arturia Software Center
- Fully scalable GUI fits any screen size for optimized workflow
- MIDI compatible offers real-time control with your favourite keyboard or controller
- Step-by-step in-app tutorials, showing you crucial parameters and tips inside each plug-in
- Powerful preset browser lets you filter, organise and save your favourite presets to recall in any future sessions
Specifications
- Operating system:
- Mac: Mac OS 10.13+
- Windows: Win 10+ (64bit)
- Format:
- Mac: VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only)
- Windows: VST, AAX, NKS (64-bit DAWs only)
- RAM: 4GB
- Processor: 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
- Disk space: 1GB
- GPU: OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- Product code: 1200-110