Antares Vocal Producer AVP-1 Vocal Processor

Antares Vocal Producer AVP-1 Vocal Processor in very good+ condition. Includes manual on CD and power supply.

Since the 1997 launch of its much-lauded Auto-Tune plug-in, Antares has become best friend to scores of pitch-challenged vocalists. Auto-Tune has saved countless singers the embarrassment of hearing their raw performances, and it has spared hordes of listeners, as well. It has also rescued the butt of many an engineer or a producer who didn't have time to wait around for a singer to turn in a “perfect†performance or who simply needed to fix a section of an otherwise stellar track.

Antares followed up with a hardware version of Auto-Tune, the ATR-1, and then set to work creating another alchemic device, the AMM-1 Microphone Modeler, which uses a proprietary technology called Spectral Shaping Tool to — at least, in theory — make a signal from, say, a Shure SM57 sound like it came from coveted transducers such as the AKG C 12 or Neumann U 87. (The ATR-1 and the AMM-1 were reviewed in the February 1999 and October 2000 issues of EM, respectively.)

Now Antares Vocal Producer AVP-1” the Leatherman of vocal processors, Combining Auto-Tune, microphone modeling, tube modeling, equalization, compression, de-essing, gating, and doubling in a single-rackspace box, the AVP-1 arms engineers with enough weapons to handle almost any vocal performance.\BOX FULL

With its 30-plus buttons and knobs, the AVP-1 looks a bit intimidating at first. Thankfully, everything is clearly labeled. From left to right, the front panel provides a 2-line, 20-character LCD; a Data Entry knob; master controls; and separate modules for Microphone Modeler, Auto-Tune, the compressor/gate, the de-esser, and the equalizer/output (which includes the doubler). Each module has its own set of controls, which minimizes annoying menu scrolling. Each module also provides its own on button, which is encircled by other buttons controlling the parameters for the given effect.

The AVP-1 is a breeze to operate. Simply push a button, and the display shows the related parameters. Turn the Data knob until the effect is set to your liking, and you're done. Move on to the next parameter and dial away. Once you're happy with the settings, you can save them in one of 35 memory locations. The AVP-1 has a wide range of factory-programmed presets, all of which can be overwritten with your own creations.

The unit's rear panel provides one unbalanced ¼-inch line input, two unbalanced ¼-inch outputs (the second one is for a doubled track), MIDI In and Out ports (allowing for real-time automation of most parameters), and an assignable ¼-inch footswitch jack that permits toggling of selected functions. Power is provided by a wall wart.

Vocal Producer AVP-1 Specifications Inputs (1) unbalanced ¼" line Outputs (2) unbalanced ¼" TS (second one for doubler output) Other Ports MIDI In and Out; (1) unbalanced ¼" footswitch Frequency Response 10 Hz-20 kHz (±0.2 dB) Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise <0.005% (@ 1 kHz) Dynamic Range 100 dB Maximum Gain +24 dB Displays (1) 2 × 20-character LCD; (4) 5-LED indicators for input level, output level, compression gain reduction, and de-esser gain reduction; (1) 4-LED tuning-correction indicator Power Supply 9 VAC external (wall wart) Dimensions 1U × 5" (D) Weight 4.5 lb. PITCH CORRECTION Auto-Tune chromatic and 24 diatonic scales, all user customizable; retune speed; pitch-detection sensitivity MODELING Microphone Modeler (available models) (1) handheld dynamic; (1) studio dynamic; (1) small-diaphragm condenser; (2) small-diaphragm condenser; (1) large-diaphragm condenser; (2) large-diaphragm condenser; (3) large-diaphragm condenser; (1) kick-drum mic; (1) snare-drum mic; (1) cymbal mic; (1) telephone Tube Saturation Drive 0 dB-12 dB COMPRESSOR Threshold -36 dB-0 dB Ratio 1:1-99.99:1 Attack 1 ms-200 ms Release 20 ms-3,000 ms Knee continuously variable GATE Threshold -96 dB-0 dB Ratio 1:99.99-1:1 DE-ESSER Threshold -40 dB-0 dB Ratio 1:1-99.99:1 Attack 1 ms-200 ms Release 20 ms-3,000 ms Highpass Frequency 2.971-20 kHz EQUALIZER Parametric EQ (2 independent bands) 6 dB lowpass; 6 dB highpass; 12 dB lowpass; 12 dB highpass; bandpass; notch; low shelf (variable slope); high shelf (variable slope); peaking Double Tracking stereo or variable mono mixt