Nebula3 Pro: A Review of the Multi-Effect Plugin that Can Run on CUDA and Sample Any Audio Device with N.A.T.3
Acustica Audio - Nebula3 Pro 1.3.505 VST x86 x64: A Review
If you are looking for a versatile and powerful multi-effect plugin that can emulate and replicate various types of expensive audio equipment, you might want to check out Acustica Audio's Nebula3 Pro. This plugin is based on a proprietary audio processing technology that uses Vectorial Volterra Kernels to capture and reproduce the sonic behavior of vintage units like pre-amps, equalizers, tape devices, reverbs, and more. In this article, we will review the features and benefits of Nebula3 Pro, as well as how to install and use it. We will also take a closer look at the Nebula3 Pro Bundle, which includes the plugin itself, the FX sampler tool N.A.T.3, and a collection of commercial libraries that offer hundreds of different real hardware emulations.
Acustica Audio - Nebula3 Pro 1.3.505 VST x86 x64
Introduction
What is Nebula3 Pro?
Nebula3 Pro is a multi-effect plugin that can be used as a VST or an Audio Units plugin on macOS and Windows. It is compatible with all major DAWs and editing software, such as Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Reaper, Audacity, and more. Nebula3 Pro is designed to emulate and replicate several types of audio signal processes that are usually found in expensive and bulky hardware devices. These include equalizers, filters, microphones, preamps, compressors, reverbs, and time-variant effects like chorus, flanger, tremolo, phaser, Leslie cabinets, and more.
Nebula3 Pro uses libraries that are created using a sophisticated "sampling approach" that makes it possible to "record" aspects of the sound of audio devices and play them back. The result of this sampling process is highly realistic, complex emulations of many types of audio equipment that can be used to enhance your sound quality, add character and warmth to your tracks, or create new sonic textures and effects.
What are the features and benefits of Nebula3 Pro?
Some of the features and benefits of Nebula3 Pro are:
It offers a wide range of audio signal processes that can be applied to any type of sound source, such as vocals, guitars, drums, synths, orchestral instruments, etc.
It allows you to access and use hundreds of different real hardware emulations that are based on accurate measurements and analysis of vintage units from various brands and models.
It gives you control over various parameters that can be adjusted to fine-tune the sound according to your preferences and needs.
It supports CUDA processing techniques that can relieve the strain on your CPU and improve the performance and stability of the plugin.
It comes with a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and operate.
It is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit systems and supports sample rates up to 192 kHz.
How to install and use Nebula3 Pro?
To install Nebula3 Pro, you need to follow these steps:
Download the installer from the Acustica Audio website. You can choose between the 32-bit or the 64-bit version, depending on your system.
Run the installer and follow the instructions. You will need to enter your username and password that you have registered on the Acustica Audio website. You will also need to enter your serial number that you have received by email after purchasing the product.
After the installation is complete, you will find the Nebula3 Pro plugin in your VST or AU folder. You can also find the N.A.T.3 tool and the commercial libraries in your Acustica Audio folder.
To use Nebula3 Pro, you need to follow these steps:
Open your DAW or editing software and load the Nebula3 Pro plugin on a track or a bus.
Select a library from the drop-down menu on the top left corner of the plugin interface. You can browse through different categories and subcategories of audio signal processes, such as EQ, DYN, REV, etc.
Adjust the parameters of the selected library using the knobs and sliders on the plugin interface. You can also use the buttons on the bottom to access more options and settings, such as input and output levels, latency, quality, etc.
Listen to the effect of Nebula3 Pro on your sound source and tweak it until you are satisfied with the result.
Nebula3 Pro Bundle: A Closer Look
Nebula3 Pro (CoreII Engine): The Multi-Effect Plugin
Nebula3 Pro is the core component of the Nebula3 Pro Bundle. It is a multi-effect plugin that can emulate and replicate various types of audio signal processes using Vectorial Volterra Kernels. These are mathematical functions that can describe and model the nonlinear behavior of analog devices, such as distortion, saturation, compression, etc. Nebula3 Pro uses libraries that contain these kernels, along with other information such as frequency response, harmonic content, dynamic range, etc., to create realistic and complex emulations of real hardware units.
Volterra Kernels Series: The Technology Behind Nebula3 Pro
The technology behind Nebula3 Pro is based on Volterra Kernels Series, which are a way of representing and analyzing nonlinear systems using linear operators. A nonlinear system is one that does not obey the principle of superposition, which means that the output is not proportional to the input. For example, a guitar amplifier is a nonlinear system because it can produce distortion and harmonics when the input signal is too loud. A linear system is one that does obey this principle, such as a simple resistor or capacitor.
Volterra Kernels Series are a way of decomposing a nonlinear system into a series of linear operators that can be applied to an input signal to produce an output signal. Each operator is called a Volterra Kernel and has a different order and dimension. The first order kernel is equivalent to a linear system, while higher order kernels represent nonlinear effects. The higher the order and dimension of a kernel, the more complex and accurate it is, but also more computationally intensive.
Nebula3 Pro uses Volterra Kernels Series to capture and reproduce the sonic behavior of analog devices. Each library contains a series of kernels that describe how a device reacts to different input signals at different frequencies and levels. By applying these kernels to an input signal, Nebula3 Pro can recreate the sound of the device with high fidelity and detail.
CUDA Processing: The Performance Boost for Nebula3 Pro
One of the challenges of using Volterra Kernels Series is that they require a lot of CPU power to process. This can cause latency issues, glitches, or crashes when using multiple instances of Nebula3 Pro or other plugins in your DAW or editing software. To overcome this problem, Nebula3 Pro supports CUDA processing techniques that can offload some of the processing tasks from your CPU to your GPU (graphics processing unit).
CUDA is a parallel computing platform and programming model developed by NVIDIA that enables GPUs to perform general-purpose computing tasks. GPUs are designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks such as rendering images and videos, but they can also be used for other types of calculations that involve large amounts of data and parallelism. By using CUDA processing techniques, Nebula3 Pro can leverage the power of your GPU to run faster and smoother, while freeing up your CPU for other tasks.
To use CUDA processing with Nebula3 Pro, you need to have a compatible NVIDIA GPU card installed on your computer and enable it in the plugin settings. You can also adjust the amount of CUDA cores that you want to use for Nebula3 Pro, depending on your system resources and preferences.
Commercial Commercial Libraries: The Sound Collection for Nebula3 Pro
Another important component of the Nebula3 Pro Bundle is the collection of commercial libraries that are included with the plugin. These are sound presets that are created using the N.A.T.3 tool, which we will discuss in the next section. The commercial libraries offer hundreds of different real hardware emulations that cover various types of audio signal processes, such as EQ, DYN, REV, etc. These emulations are based on accurate measurements and analysis of vintage units from various brands and models, such as Neve, SSL, API, Lexicon, EMT, Studer, Ampex, and more.
The commercial libraries are organized into categories and subcategories that make it easy to find and select the sound that you want to use. You can also browse through the libraries by manufacturer, model, or type of device. Each library has a name and a description that tells you what it is and how it sounds. For example, you can find libraries like "AlexB Modern White eQ", which is a modern mastering equalizer based on the Weiss EQ1; "CDSoundMaster R2R", which is a tape emulation based on various reel-to-reel machines; or "Henry Olonga G-20", which is a guitar cabinet simulation based on the Marshall 1960A 4x12.
The commercial libraries are constantly updated and expanded by Acustica Audio and third-party developers. You can also purchase additional libraries from the Acustica Audio website or other online stores. You can also create your own libraries using the N.A.T.3 tool, which we will explain in the next section.
N.A.T.3: The FX Sampler
N.A.T.3 is a standalone tool that is included in the Nebula3 Pro Bundle. It is an FX sampler that allows you to create your own libraries for Nebula3 Pro using your own audio devices or any other sound source. N.A.T.3 stands for Nebula Advanced Technology 3, and it is the latest version of the tool that has been improved and optimized over the years.
Sampling Approach: The Methodology Behind N.A.T.3
The sampling approach that N.A.T.3 uses is based on a methodology that involves three main steps: input, processing, and output. The input is the sound source that you want to sample, such as an analog device, a digital plugin, a musical instrument, a voice, etc. The processing is the action that you want to apply to the input signal, such as equalization, compression, reverb, etc. The output is the result of the processing that you want to capture and reproduce using Nebula3 Pro.
To create a library using N.A.T.3, you need to follow these steps:
Connect your input source to your audio interface and select it in N.A.T.3.
Select a processing type from the drop-down menu in N.A.T.3. You can choose from different categories and subcategories of audio signal processes, such as EQ, DYN, REV, etc.
Adjust the parameters of the processing type using the knobs and sliders in N.A.T.3. You can also use the buttons on the bottom to access more options and settings, such as input and output levels, latency, quality, etc.
Click on the "Sample" button to start the sampling process. N.A.T.3 will generate a series of test tones that will be sent to your input source and processed by it. The processed test tones will be recorded by N.A.T.3 and analyzed to create Volterra Kernels Series and other information that will be stored in a library file.
Save your library file in your Acustica Audio folder and load it in Nebula3 Pro to use it.
Convolution Techniques: The Tools Behind N.A.T.3
The tools behind N.A.T.3 are based on convolution techniques that are used to create impulse responses (IRs) from test tones. An impulse response is a recording of how a system reacts to an impulse signal, such as a click or a sweep tone. By convolving an input signal with an impulse response, you can recreate the sound of the system on any sound source.
N.A.T.3 uses different types of convolution techniques depending on the type of processing that you want to sample. For example, for time-invariant effects like equalizers or filters, N.A.T.3 uses sine sweeps or logarithmic sweeps as test tones and performs fast Fourier transform (FFT) convolution to create IRs. For time-variant effects like reverbs or delays, N.A.T.3 uses exponential sweeps or noise bursts as test tones and performs time-domain convolution to create IRs. For nonlinear effects like distortion or compression, N.A.T.3 uses harmonic distortion analysis (HDA) or dynamic convolution to create Volterra Kernels Series.
By using these convolution techniques, N.A.T.3 can create accurate and realistic IRs and Volterra Kernels Series that can be used by Nebula3 Pro to emulate and replicate the sound of any audio device or process.
Sampling Possibilities: The Potential Behind N.A.T.3
The potential behind N.A.T.3 is that it allows you to create your own libraries for Nebula3 Pro using any sound source that you have access to. You can sample your own audio devices, such as analog gear, digital plugins, musical instruments, microphones, etc., and use them with Nebula3 Pro. You can also sample other types of sound sources, such as natural sounds, ambient noises, sound effects, etc., and use them to create new and unique effects with Nebula3 Pro.
By using N.A.T.3, you can expand your sound collection and customize your sound palette according to your preferences and needs. You can also share your libraries with other users and explore the libraries created by others. You can also purchase additional libraries from the Acustica Audio website or other online stores that offer high-quality and professional libraries for Nebula3 Pro.
Conclusion
Nebula3 Pro is a versatile and powerful multi-effect plugin that can emulate and replicate various types of audio signal processes using Vectorial Volterra Kernels Series. It offers a wide range of sound presets that are based on accurate measurements and analysis of real hardware units from various brands and models. It also allows you to create your own libraries using the N.A.T.3 tool, which is a sophisticated FX sampler that uses convolution techniques to capture and reproduce the sound of any audio device or process.
Nebula3 Pro is compatible with all major DAWs and editing software, and supports 32-bit and 64-bit systems and sample rates up to 192 kHz. It also supports CUDA processing techniques that can improve the performance and stability of the plugin by offloading some of the processing tasks from your CPU to your GPU.
Nebula3 Pro is a plugin that can enhance your sound quality, add character and warmth to your tracks, or create new sonic textures and effects. It is a plugin that can help you achieve professional results with minimal effort and cost.
FAQs
What is the difference between Nebula3 Pro and Nebula3 Free?
Nebula3 Free is a limited version of Nebula3 Pro that is available for free download from the Acustica Audio website. It has fewer features and libraries than Nebula3 Pro, and does not support CUDA processing or N.A.T.3. It is a good way to try out the plugin before purchasing the full version.
How much does Nebula3 Pro cost?
Nebula3 Pro costs 119 (approximately $140) on the Acustica Audio website. It includes the plugin itself, the N.A.T.3 tool, and a collection of commercial libraries. You can also purchase additional libraries from the website or other online stores.
How do I update Nebula3 Pro?
To update Nebula3 Pro, you need to download the latest installer from the Acustica Audio website and run it on your computer. You will need to enter your username, password, and serial number again to complete the installation.
How do I uninstall Nebula3 Pro?
To uninstall Nebula3 Pro, you need to run the uninstaller that is located in your Acustica Audio folder on your computer. You will need to enter your username, password, and serial number again to complete the uninstallation.
Where can I find more information about Nebula3 Pro?
You can find more information about Nebula3 Pro on the Acustica Audio website, where you can also access the user manual, tutorials, videos, forums, support, etc. You can also visit other websites that offer reviews, tips, tricks, demos, etc., such as Gearslutz, Sound On Sound, Music Radar, etc.
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