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I.C.E. is an acronym for In Case of Emergency. This Plug-in is a result of collaboration of  Legendary Audio, and the esteemed digital design team at Sonic Studio.

What can I.C.E. do?

 

It can attack audio problems such as distortion, hot spots, over-modulation, sibilance, resonant bass and guitar frequencies, Overload, Imbedded digital harshness, clipping, vocal distortion, out-of-control cymbals, a generally unpleasant over-all tone, and other offending audio elements.

 

I.C.E. can even eliminate or diminish distortion in the source vocal or instrument which isn’t a function of the recording, but inherent in the source vocal or instrument. In short,

I.C.E. removes or reduces distortion inherent in the recording or the source elements.I.C.E. can help the user find the offending frequency band by monitoring the target area frequency band only –scanning, finding, and confirming the problem area. The audio problem can then be incrementally reduced with detailed precision. The chosen setting can be saved and recalled at any time. Once familiar with it’s operation, I.C.E. can be used on the initial recording, mixing, or Mastering.

 

I.C.E. can manicure good recordings and move them into the Audiophile category. I.C.E. can enable problematic audio to reach its enjoyable sonic potential..


 

A little background about why and how I.C.E. came about:

 

Billy Stull states: My career has included being a musician, Producer, and Audio Engineer. I started Legendary Audio by collaborating with the Legendary designer, Mr. Rupert Neve, to develop the Masterpiece Analog Mastering System, I’ve also worked for Warner Bros. Records, and operated the Norman Petty Studios of Buddy Holly fame. For the last 20 years I have been in the Audio Mastering business. Over the years, I’ve encountered problematic Audio projects were unable to be satisfactorily corrected with available tools and methods. It is said that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” I was challenged to attack these problems. Over the years, I developed ways and means to solve these problems to the delight of my clients. Working together with Sonic Studio, we can now share this technology with the Audio Industry.

 

 

Modern recording is rampant with all types of distortion. The public has tolerated and even become used to this sonic landscape full of distortion. An accurate analogy would be cheap video versus rich, analog film.I.C.E. can heal these problems and re-introduce the public to beautiful, enjoyable sound without inherent and imbedded distortion.

 

If there is more than one audio problem, you can open multiple instances of I.C.E. and use the same procedure to attack each problem. Another really “cool” feature of I.C.E. is the ability to scan the Audio for imbedded distortion not readily apparent. Starting with a small Frequency Band range you can scan from Low to High in Monitor Mode. As you scan, you may hear pockets of distorted, nasty sound. If you find an offending Frequency Band and you determine that you would not want to hear such a bad sound,I.C.E. it and then listen to the difference. You will be able to discover areas of distortion that are not easily detected by ear. Removing these distorted pockets of sound results in a purified, cleaner, and more refined Audio. This is a boon to digital recording which is so common in modern times. It is possible to return to the audio smoothness and clarity of yesteryear while still enjoying the benefits of digital recording. I.C.E. works better than EQ or compression, in that I.C.E. removes distortion as it reduces gain. I.C.E. can be set to only process when the problematic event happens. EQ will cut continually, even when the problem isn’t occurring and EQ doesn’t reduce distortion – only gain.

 

Nowadays, it’s easy to get a warm microphone, a warm pre-amp, a warm Plug-in, console and so forth.

 

Warm generally equates to “good” distortion. However, when it is applied too often, it becomes “bad distortion. Too warm needs I.C.E. to correct it.

 

Another fun way to describe it is ‘If your Audio is injured, put I.C.E. on it.”

 

But wait! There is more!

 

You can use I.C.E. to add sound to the audio in specific frequency bands. You can, for instance, add an exact copy of a frequency band to a deficient area bringing up the volume of that area without changing the tone as EQ does. For example, in already–mixed program material you can turn up a guitar solo, increase the snare drum, or add sub bass frequencies, or increase the vocal presence – all without changing the tone.

 

We call this I.C.E. Plus. This is only the tip of the I.C.E.burg.

 

There are many more uses for I.C.E.  More in-depth instruction will be available in tutorials and the accompanying owner’s manual. More uses will also be revealed as you use I.C.E. on your specific projects.

 

Happy Recording!   I.C.E. is cool!

The Plug-in Podcast #4 - Sonic Studio and Legendary Audio present I.C.E.
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