Expanding its range of Guitar Rig-based studio effects, Native Instruments announced the Solid Mix Series and Transient Master. The Solid Mix Series of plugins delivers the EQ and dynamics sections of classic consoles, while Transient Master recreates a noteworthy hardware processor that provides highly efficient transient processing. All new products can used be used with Native Instruments' free Guitar Rig Player software, or with Guitar Rig 5.

The Solid Mix Series recreates the essential components of a classic mixing desk whose sonic signature has shaped popular music, NI says. The series consists of three individual modules -- Solid EQ, Solid Bus Comp, and Solid Dynamics -- that provide the tools to create a professional-sounding mix.

Solid EQ emulates the equalizer section of the console with its 4 parametric bands as well as the adjustable low-cut and high-cut filters, allowing for musical and transparent sound shaping of all signal types. Switchable EQ types also offer the selection between two distinctive generations of the original hardware with their specific sound characteristics.

The next module, Solid Bus Comp, is an emulation of the sought-after bus compressor, renowned for the way that it "glues" mixes together and singlehandedly creates a "finished" studio production sound, writes Native Instruments. Taking advantage of the new features of the Guitar Rig 5 generation, Solid Bus Comp also provides a sidechain input as well as a dry / wet control for parallel compression.

The third component, Solid Dynamics, provides a combined dynamics section with stereo compressor, expander, and gate that lends itself to the precise dynamics processing of individual tracks.

As for Transient Master, this studio effect was designed to provide a unique and especially efficient method to treat drums and percussive instrument sounds by directly reshaping the envelope of the signal. Through the Attack and Sustain parameters of the software, Transient Master can both add natural punch and definition, or blend individual instruments further back into the mix, without any of the sonic artifacts associated with regular compression methods.

Native Instruments plans on releasing the Solid Mix Series in September, 2011 for $229, with the individual componentes available for $119 each. Transient Master will be available at the same time, for $119. Both products will also be included in the new Komplete 8 Ultimate, and Transient Master will be available as part of the new Komplete 8.

Learn more at native-instruments.com.