Leapwing Audio’s Joe Chiccarelli plug-in
Posted on: Monday 17th of October 2022
Here’s a good combination – one of the most prolific, technical and hands-on of our producer engineers [interview Resolution V19.1] has teamed up with innovative developer Leapwing to build a ‘Signature’ plug-in. “After going through the process successfully with the late Al Schmitt, we found ourselves a new challenge, as Joe uses much more processing to get his signature sound. So, we had to research and analyze even more pieces of gear, from EQs, pre-amps to compressors, distortion units, reverbs, and several other effects. We then used the outcomes of the research and analysis to create distinctive features that define his unique sound.”
The Joe Chiccarelli signature plugin has 11 distinct profiles: kick, snare, toms, drum overhead, drum room, bass di, bass amp, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric piano, and lead vocal. Each profile has a set of parameters controlling drive, EQs, compression, parallel compression and effects. The EQs are modeled from several units, including an API 1550, API 560 and Pultec EQP-1A. The Drive parameter is either a model of a Neve 1073 preamp stage, an API console preamp, or a blend of the two. The Sustain parameter acts like a Zener Limiter with “added character and warmth.” The Power parameter models an 1176, also available in a parallel configuration in most drum Profiles and the lead vocal.
Joe Chiccarelli is a ten-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer/mixer whose credits include such artists as Tori Amos, Beck, U2, The Strokes, The Killers, Elton John, The Shins, The White Stripes, Morrissey, Alanis Morrisette, Jason Mraz, Juanes, Julieta Venegas, The Raconteurs, Cafe Tacuba, and My Morning Jacket.
“Over the last few years, every plugin I’ve opened designed by Leapwing has become a go-to-favourite”. “Their ideas are unconventional but so useful, and the attention to quality and detail is quite impressive!” “I designed this plug-in as a starting point for crafting great-sounding ‘album quality’ sounds. When you are looking to build a new sound in your recording or finish one in a mix, this plugin serves as a perfect foundation,” says Joe Chiccarelli.
