How to Use Oxford Inflator Native VST Plugin to Add Punch, Presence, and Warmth to Your Tracks
VST Plugin Oxford Inflator Native: A Review
If you are looking for a way to increase the loudness, presence, and warmth of your mixes without sacrificing sonic quality or dynamic range, you might want to check out the VST plugin Oxford Inflator Native. This plugin is a unique and powerful tool that can add power and punch to your tracks without the pumping of compression, or use it on individual channels to bring them forward and add weight. It can also add tube-like musical warmth and provide the sonic glue you need to gel your mix together.
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In this article, we will review the VST plugin Oxford Inflator Native, explain what it does and how it works, highlight its benefits and features, show you how to use it in your mixes, and tell you where to get it and how much it costs. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this plugin. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what Oxford Inflator Native can do for your sound and whether it is worth adding to your plugin collection.
What is Oxford Inflator Native and what does it do?
Oxford Inflator Native is a dynamics plugin that was developed by Sonnox, a company that specializes in high-quality audio software for professional music production. It is part of their Oxford series of plugins, which are designed to emulate the sound of the legendary Sony OXF-R3 mixing console.
Oxford Inflator Native is not a conventional compressor or limiter. It does not reduce the dynamic range or peak level of your signal. Instead, it uses a proprietary algorithm that increases the apparent loudness of your signal without introducing any audible distortion or artifacts. It does this by adding harmonic content and enhancing the natural dynamics of your signal, making it sound more lively, full, and rich.
Oxford Inflator Native can be used on any type of audio material, from vocals to drums to full mixes. It can help you achieve louder mixes without compromising the clarity or punch of your sound. It can also help you add character and warmth to your tracks, making them sound more analog and musical. It can even restore some apparent dynamic range to previously clipped or over-compressed signals.
Oxford Inflator Native is a simple but effective plugin that can make a big difference in your sound. It is a long-time secret weapon of audio professionals, and one of Sonnox's best-selling plugins.
The benefits of using Oxford Inflator Native
Some of the benefits of using Oxford Inflator Native are:
It can increase the loudness of your mixes without losing sonic quality or dynamic range.
It can add power and presence to your tracks without the pumping of compression.
It can bring forward individual channels and add weight to them.
It can add tube-like musical warmth and provide the sonic glue you need to gel your mix together.
It can enhance vocals, drums, guitars, synths, and any other instrument or sound source.
It can restore some apparent dynamic range to previously clipped or over-compressed signals.
It can create subtle or extreme effects depending on how you set it up.
It has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to use and adjust.
The features of Oxford Inflator Native
Oxford Inflator Native has a few but powerful features that let you control how it affects your sound. Here are the main features of this plugin:
Direct and band-split modes
Oxford Inflator Native has two modes of operation: direct and band-split. In direct mode, the plugin applies the same amount of effect to the whole frequency spectrum of your signal. In band-split mode, the plugin splits your signal into two bands: low and high. You can then adjust the effect level for each band separately, giving you more flexibility and control over the sound. You can also adjust the crossover frequency between the bands, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Effect and curve controls
The effect control is the main parameter of Oxford Inflator Native. It determines how much of the inflating effect is applied to your signal. The effect control can range from 0% to 100%, with higher values resulting in more apparent loudness, harmonic content, and dynamic enhancement. The curve control is a secondary parameter that modifies how the effect behaves. The curve control can range from -10 to +10, with negative values resulting in a softer and smoother effect, and positive values resulting in a harder and more aggressive effect.
Clip protection and dithering options
Oxford Inflator Native has a built-in clip protection feature that prevents your signal from exceeding 0 dBFS and causing digital clipping. You can turn this feature on or off depending on your preference. You can also choose between two types of dithering options: triangular or noise-shaped. Dithering is a process that adds a small amount of noise to your signal to reduce quantization errors and improve the perceived quality of your sound. You can select the appropriate dithering option depending on the bit depth of your output format.
Compatibility and system requirements
Oxford Inflator Native is compatible with most major DAWs and audio hosts that support VST, AU, or AAX plugins. It is available for both Windows and Mac OS X platforms. The minimum system requirements for Oxford Inflator Native are:
Windows 7 or later (64-bit)
Mac OS X 10.7 or later (64-bit)
Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent processor
4 GB of RAM
50 MB of free disk space
An iLok account and an iLok USB key (2nd or 3rd generation) for authorization
How to use Oxford Inflator Native in your mixes
Oxford Inflator Native is a versatile plugin that can be used in different ways and for different purposes in your mixes. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the best results with this plugin:
Tips and tricks for getting the best results
Start with the default settings and adjust the effect and curve controls to taste. You can also switch between direct and band-split modes to see which one suits your material better.
Use Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin in your signal chain, after any EQ, compression, or other effects. This way, you can maximize the loudness and presence of your signal without affecting the balance or tone of your mix.
Use Oxford Inflator Native sparingly and subtly. A little goes a long way with this plugin. Too much effect can make your signal sound unnatural or over-processed. Aim for a 1 to 3 dB increase in perceived loudness, not more.
Use Oxford Inflator Native on individual channels to bring them forward and add weight. For example, you can use it on vocals to make them more clear and intimate, on guitars to make them more crunchy and powerful, or on synths to make them more lush and warm.
Use Oxford Inflator Native on buses or groups to glue them together and add cohesion. For example, you can use it on drums to add punch and impact, on bass to add depth and richness, or on background vocals to add fullness and harmony.
Use Oxford Inflator Native on the master bus to increase the overall loudness and warmth of your mix. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can affect the headroom and dynamic range of your mix. Use the clip protection feature to avoid digital clipping.
Examples of Oxford Inflator Native in action
To give you an idea of how Oxford Inflator Native can enhance your sound, here are some examples of how you can use it on different types of audio material:
Enhancing vocals
Oxford Inflator Native can make vocals sound more clear, intimate, and expressive. Here is how you can use it on vocals:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your vocal channel.
Select direct mode and set the effect control to around 30%.
Set the curve control to around -5 for a softer and smoother effect.
Adjust the output level to match the input level.
Listen to how your vocals sound more loud, present, and warm.
Adding punch to drums
Oxford Inflator Native can add punch and impact to drums. Here is how you can use it on drums:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your drum bus or group.
Select band-split mode and set the crossover frequency to around 200 Hz.
Set the effect control for the low band to around 50% and for the high band to around 20%.
Set the curve control for both bands to around +5 for a harder and more aggressive effect.
Adjust the output level to match the input level.
Listen to how your drums sound more powerful, tight, and crisp.
Gluing the mix together
Oxford Inflator Native can provide the sonic glue you need to gel your mix together. Here is how you can use it on the master bus:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your master bus.
Select direct mode and set the effect control to around 10%.
Set the curve control to around 0 for a balanced effect.
Turn on the clip protection feature and select noise-shaped dithering if needed.
Adjust the output level to match the input level or slightly lower.
Listen to how your mix sounds more loud, warm, and cohesive.
How to get Oxford Inflator Native and how much does it cost?
If you are interested in getting Oxford Inflator Native, here is what you need to know:
Where to buy Oxford Inflator Native
You can buy Oxford Inflator Native from Sonnox's official website or from authorized dealers online or offline. You can also download a free 15-day trial version from Sonnox's website if you want to test it out before buying it. You can also find some video tutorials and user reviews on Sonnox's website and YouTube channel.
Pricing and licensing options
Oxford Inflator Native costs $179 USD for a single license. You can also buy it as part of the Oxford Dynamics bundle, which includes four other plugins (Oxford Dynamics, Oxford EQ, Oxford TransMod, and Oxford Reverb) for $699 USD. You can also get a discount if you buy multiple licenses or if you are a student or an educator.
Oxford Inflator Native requires an iLok account and an iLok USB key (2nd or 3rd generation) for authorization. You can register and manage your licenses online using the iLok License Manager software. You can also transfer your licenses to another iLok key or another user if needed.
Conclusion
Oxford Inflator Native is a unique and powerful plugin that can increase the loudness, presence, and warmth of your mixes without sacrificing sonic quality or dynamic range. It can add power and punch to your tracks without the pumping of compression, or use it on individual channels to bring them forward and add weight. It can also add tube-like musical warmth and provide the sonic glue you need to gel your mix together.
Oxford Inflator Native is a simple but effective plugin that can make a big difference in your sound. It is a long-time secret weapon of audio professionals, and one of Sonnox's best-selling plugins. It is compatible with most major DAWs and audio hosts, and it is available for both Windows and Mac OS X platforms. It costs $179 USD for a single license, or you can buy it as part of the Oxford Dynamics bundle for $699 USD.
If you are looking for a way to enhance your sound and achieve louder mixes without compromising the clarity or punch of your sound, you might want to check out Oxford Inflator Native. You can download a free 15-day trial version from Sonnox's website and see for yourself what this plugin can do for your sound.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Oxford Inflator Native:
What is the difference between Oxford Inflator Native and Oxford Limiter?
Oxford Inflator Native and Oxford Limiter are both dynamics plugins that can increase the loudness of your mixes, but they work in different ways. Oxford Inflator Native does not reduce the dynamic range or peak level of your signal, but rather increases the apparent loudness by adding harmonic content and enhancing the natural dynamics of your signal. Oxford Limiter reduces the dynamic range and peak level of your signal by applying compression and limiting, but also preserves the transients and adds harmonic enhancement using its Enhance feature.
Both plugins can be used together or separately depending on your needs and preferences. For example, you can use Oxford Inflator Native on individual channels or buses to add power and presence, and then use Oxford Limiter on the master bus to control the overall level and prevent clipping.
How does Oxford Inflator Native compare to other loudness plugins?
Oxford Inflator Native is different from other loudness plugins because it does not use compression or limiting to increase the loudness of your signal. Instead, it uses a proprietary algorithm that adds harmonic content and enhances the natural dynamics of your signal, making it sound more lively, full, and rich. It does not introduce any audible distortion or artifacts, and it does not affect the headroom or dynamic range of your signal.
Other loudness plugins typically use compression or limiting to reduce the dynamic range and peak level of your signal, which can result in pumping, clipping, or loss of clarity. Some loudness plugins also use saturation or distortion to add harmonic content, which can sound unnatural or over-processed. Some loudness plugins also use multiband processing, which can alter the frequency balance or phase of your signal.
Oxford Inflator Native is a more transparent and musical way to increase the loudness of your signal without compromising the sonic quality or dynamic range.
Can I use Oxford Inflator Native on vocals?
Yes, you can use Oxford Inflator Native on vocals to make them more clear, intimate, and expressive. You can use it on individual vocal tracks or on vocal buses or groups. You can also use it on backing vocals to add fullness and harmony.
To use Oxford Inflator Native on vocals, you can follow these steps:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your vocal channel or bus.
Select direct mode and set the effect control to around 30%.
Set the curve control to around -5 for a softer and smoother effect.
Adjust the output level to match the input level.
Listen to how your vocals sound more loud, present, and warm.
Can I use Oxford Inflator Native on drums?
Yes, you can use Oxford Inflator Native on drums to add punch and impact. You can use it on individual drum tracks or on drum buses or groups. You can also use it on percussion or loops to add groove and energy.
To use Oxford Inflator Native on drums, you can follow these steps:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your drum channel or bus.
Select band-split mode and set the crossover frequency to around 200 Hz.
Set the effect control for the low band to around 50% and for the high band to around 20%.
Set the curve control for both bands to around +5 for a harder and more aggressive effect.
Adjust the output level to match the input level.
Listen to how your drums sound more powerful, tight, and crisp.
Can I use Oxford Inflator Native on the master bus?
Yes, you can use Oxford Inflator Native on the master bus to increase the overall loudness and warmth of your mix. You can use it as a final touch to glue your mix together and make it sound more cohesive and polished.
To use Oxford Inflator Native on the master bus, you can follow these steps:
Insert Oxford Inflator Native as the last plugin on your master bus.
Select direct mode and set the effect control to around 10%.
Set the curve control to around 0 for a balanced effect.
Turn on the clip protection feature and select noise-shaped dithering if needed.
Adjust the output level to match the input level or slightly lower.
Listen to how your mix sounds more loud, warm, and cohesive.
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