Author: E. Vlietinck, DoBs

Editor, sub-editor, writer, reviewer – 28 years of expertise. Focused on video, audio & image editing on the macOS platform. Dabbling in sound, soundscapes and attempts to creating music.

u-he’s Hive 2 wave table capable synthesiser is a beast

After having reviewed Zebra2 Legacy, I decided to have a go at Hive 2.1, u-He’s third synth plugin on the home page of their website. It looked like Hive would be complicated to master and it indeed took me a while to understand some aspects of it. That’s not because of a convoluted interface but of some features I have yet to see in other synth plugins. Hive 2.1 was used for the movie The Matrix Resurrections with Howard Scarr being a major sound design force.… Read More u-he’s Hive 2 wave table capable synthesiser is a beast

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u-he Zebra2 Legacy: if Hans Zimmer loves it, who are we to doubt?

A synthesiser for 99 Euros that is used by one of the most famous composers of our times? Is that even possible? Zebra2 Legacy is a special offer from u-he, the company behind the Zebra and Hive synths. Zebra2 Legacy is actually a bundle containing Zebra2, Zebralette, a number of Zebra effects and ZebraHZ, a special version the company developed at the request of Hans Zimmer. In addition, you get close to a whopping 4000 presets. When I read the greatest composer of film music of our times actually used a mildly modified Zebra2 for some of his movies, I had to try it out, so I purchased a licence and started experimenting. I tried both Zebra2 and ZebraHZ, the latter which this review covers.… Read More u-he Zebra2 Legacy: if Hans Zimmer loves it, who are we to doubt?

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Playfair Audio’s Dynamic Grading plugin is better, faster and more intuitive than the best compressor/expander

When your music has been recorded — or created if it’s all synths — the daunting task awaits of mixing and mastering. Mixing ensures that those tracks or instruments that you want to make sure are fully present in your end result are brought to the fore. The 149 EUR Dynamic Grading plug-in promises to make that a lot easier and better all around.… Read More Playfair Audio’s Dynamic Grading plugin is better, faster and more intuitive than the best compressor/expander

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Another way of mounting a strobe, flash or continuous light and a light modifier onto a light stand

If you are a professional photographer — regardless of whether you’re mainly shooting weddings, portraits, products or fashion — it’s understood that you have a number of light mounting options, including light stands, clamp systems, rails, etc. But if photography represents a side income for you or it’s a hobby, or you carry around a light stand with accessories most of the time, chances are you’re going to want light stand accessories that can be used for more than one purpose, and that excludes flash/umbrella holders.… Read More Another way of mounting a strobe, flash or continuous light and a light modifier onto a light stand

E. Vlietinck, DoBs

The Rogue Umbrella Travel kit, a high quality pair of light shapers in a slim package

Photographers and filmmakers rarely use light sources as they are. Pointing a lamp, strobe or flash at the subject, press the release and done — it’s not their thing. That is why you’ll see them use reflectors, diffusers, softboxes, and umbrellas. The people at Rogue Photographic Design took the latter and improved it. Enter the Rogue Umbrella Travel Kit.… Read More The Rogue Umbrella Travel kit, a high quality pair of light shapers in a slim package

E. Vlietinck, DoBs