XLN Audio

With the vinyl comeback in full swing and a
tape resurgence hot on its heels, it seems the
world at large once again values the warmth,
wobble and wonder of analogue recording.
XLN Audio’s latest efects plugin is designed to
imbue instruments and mixes with a totally
customisable blend of analogue and retro-
digital character, via an attractive and intuitive
interface that positively invites experimentation.
RC20 Retro Color (VST/AU/AAX) comprises a
parallel bank of six modules, each delivering its
own type of vintage processing. They can be
individually switched in and out, and the row of
big knobs at the bottom are essentially amount
controls, the exact efects of which vary by
module – wet/dry mix, noise level, depth, etc.
Let’s go through the modules, left to right…
Bring the Noise
The Noise module synthesises 16 lavours of
seamlessly looped mechanical, electrical,
electro-magnetic and electronic noise samples.
Two types of vinyl and two speeds of tape are at
the top of the list, but they’re not actually the
most interesting options. No, the real fun comes
with the likes of ‘VHS’, ‘8-bit Home Computer’,
‘Studio Ambience’ and ‘Apollo Lunar Lander’.
The Tone knob simply shifts the tonal balance
of the noise, tilting towards high frequencies
clockwise and low anticlockwise. The Follow
knob increases the sensitivity of an onboard
envelope follower, making the level of the noise
rise and fall with the input signal; while Duck
does the opposite, lowering the noise level as
the input signal gets louder. There’s also the
option to reposition Noise at the very end of the
signal low, after the Master EQ, so as to keep its
output unprocessed by the rest of the modules.
The animated display at the top shows the
waveform of the noise.
The Wobble module generates tape deck-
style pitch modulation with separate Wow and
XLN Audio
RC-20 Retro Color €80
A one-stop shop for all your old-school signal degrading needs, this
imaginative new plugin is the antidote to modern digital coldness
BIG KNOBS
Set the depth,
mix balance or
level of the
modules with
these six dials
MAGNITUDE SLIDER
Scales all the big knobs and
the master section controls
– great for sweeps!
MASTER SECTION
Adjust input and output levels,
stereo width, and apply basic EQ
FLUX SLIDERS
Ramp up the chaos
with these variable
randomisation controls
PRESET BROWSER
Navigate the packed
preset library and
use the main controls
while auditioning
DIGITAL MODULE
Sample rate and bit depth
reduction, plus filtering
SPACE MODULE
A simple reverb
with PreDelay
MAGNETIC
MODULE
More tape emulation,
this time applying
three degrees of
volume modulation
NOISE MODULE
Fabulous vinyl, tape
and other
background noise
types on tap
DISTORT MODULE
Six distortion algorithms can be
targeted with the Focus Filter
Flutter LFOs, each with its own Rate setting
– 0.1Hz to 4Hz for Wow, 620Hz for Flutter – and
the two blended with the horizontal slider for
gloriously wonky cross-modulations, as made
visible in the animation up top. Wobble also
features a Stereo mode, turning it into a rather
lovely chorus efect.
Waste of Space
Distort is the simplest of the modules,
ofering six fantastic-sounding and versatile
saturation algorithms taken from Addictive
Drums 2 and Addictive Keys – valve,
transformer, broken speaker and three
waveshapers – and a Focus Filter for targeting
the efect on a speciic range of frequencies,
bounded by the two sliders. Distort is a slightly
incongruous module, in that it’s the only one
without an animated graphic – all you get is a
static representation of the type of distortion
you’ve selected.
2
MINUTES
WITH…
VIDEO
96 / COMPUTER MUSIC / February 2017
> reviews / xln audio rc-20 retro color
EDITOR’S CHOICE
CMU239.rev_retro.indd 96 06/12/2016 16:11