Red Animal

Red Animal - The Red Tolex Combo Organ v. 1.0.0

The Red Animal plugin is a detailed recreation of the Vox Continental, one of the most iconic combo organs of the 1960s. Made famous by bands like The Doors, The Animals, and The Monkees, the Vox Continental was renowned for its bright, punchy tone and simple design. This instrument was produced in both the UK and Italy and became a staple in the rock and psychedelic scenes of the time.

Instrument Background

The Vox Continental, like many organs of its era, utilized a "Top Octave Synthesizer" (TOS) to generate the uppermost notes of the keyboard. This technology, common in combo organs and string machines, produced 12 waveforms corresponding to the highest octave. A series of "divider" circuits then halved the frequency to generate lower octaves, down to the pedal tones. The sound generator for the Vox Continental was based on a low-pass filtered square wave, giving it a distinct sound compared to other combo organs, such as the Farfisa.

The Vox offered limited tonal variation, featuring only two registers: "Sine" and "Master," each available in 4 different foot lengths. Despite this simplicity, the unique timbre of the organ, combined with its portability and style, made it a go-to instrument for live performances in the 1960s.

GSi's Red Animal plugin faithfully recreates the sound engine of the original Vox Continental using real-time synthesis, avoiding the use of samples for a more dynamic and responsive sound. This same engine can also be found in other GSi products, including the GSi Gemini and Crumar Mojo 61.

Features

The Red Animal plugin offers a variety of features that make it a versatile tool for musicians looking to capture the authentic sound of the Vox Continental:

• Component Modeling Engine: The plugin utilizes real-time synthesis to generate sound, rather than relying on samples, for a more accurate and responsive tone.
• Full Polyphony: It supports 61-note polyphony, with 12 top-octave oscillators and frequency dividers to simulate the original organ's architecture.
• Key Multi-contact Simulation: The plugin emulates the unique key-click effect of the Vox Continental, with adjustable settings for user preference.
• Vox Register Filters: The distinctive register filters of the Vox are authentically recreated, allowing users to access the same tonal variations as the original hardware.
• Noise and Leakage Simulation: Background noise and signal leakage, which were common in vintage electronics, are modeled for an added layer of realism.
• Adjustable Vibrato: Users can control the speed and depth of vibrato, a key element in shaping the Vox’s expressive sound.
• Built-in Stereo Effects: Stereo delay and reverb effects are included, offering additional sound-shaping possibilities directly within the plugin.
• Programmable Patches: Unlimited program slots allow users to save and recall custom settings, ensuring flexibility in live performance or studio use.
• Low CPU and RAM Usage: The plugin is designed to be lightweight, making it suitable for a variety of system configurations without sacrificing performance.

System Requirements

The Red Animal plugin is compatible with multiple platforms and is available in several formats, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Windows:

• VST2 x64, VST3 x64, Standalone x64
• Requires a computer running Windows 7, 10, or 11 (x64).
• Needs 10 MB of free disk space.
• An ASIO-compatible sound card is recommended for low-latency performance.

Mac OS:

• VST2 x64, VST3 x64, Audio Unit x64, Standalone x64
• Compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs (native UB2).
• Requires macOS 10.11 or later.
• 30 MB of free disk space required.

iOS (iPad Only):

• Standalone App, AUv3 plugin
• Compatibility should be verified in the App Store.

Sound Engine Integration

The sound engine of the Red Animal plugin is also utilized in other GSi products, such as the GSi Gemini and the Crumar Mojo 61. These instruments share the same real-time synthesis technology, ensuring that the classic Vox Continental sound is faithfully reproduced across different devices.

For the best results, the Red Animal plugin is ideal when run through external effects and amplifiers. Exploring the effects available in the GSi catalog can add even more depth and character to the sound.