RC-20 Retro Color is a creative effect plugin made by XLN Audio, a music software company based in Stockholm, Sweden. The plugin is designed to add vintage analog warmth and character to audio tracks, giving them a retro, classic sound.
About XLN Audio
XLN Audio was founded in 2005 by musician and software developer Axel Christensen. The company specializes in virtual instruments, effects plugins, and sound libraries aimed at producers, mixers, and recording musicians.
Some of XLN Audio’s most popular products include:
- Addictive Drums – Drum sampler and virtual drum kit plugin
- Addictive Keys – Virtual keyboard and piano plugin
- RC-20 Retro Color – Analog effect plugin for vocals, instruments, and full mixes
- XO – Virtual analog synthesizer plugin
XLN Audio is known for making high-quality, user-friendly products inspired by classic vintage gear. Their plugins aim to recreate sought-after analog tones in an easy-to-use digital format.
History of RC-20 Retro Color
RC-20 Retro Color was first released by XLN Audio in 2009. The original version, RC-20 Classic, modeled classic retro effects like tape saturation, vinyle noise, and compressor coloration.
In 2016, XLN Audio released an upgraded and expanded version called RC-20 Retro Color. This version included all the features of Classic, plus added more effects and customization options:
- Bit Crusher – LoFi digital distortion
- Digital Noise – Randomized digital artifacts
- Wobble – Tape speed fluctuations
- Distortion – Amp and speaker cabinet simulation
- 6 effect slots with drag and drop signal chain
- 122 preset effect chains
- X/Y morphing control pad
With these added features, RC-20 Retro Color became XLN Audio’s flagship creative effects plugin. It won positive reviews for its detailed analog emulation and wealth of customization options.
How RC-20 Retro Color Works
RC-20 Retro Color is an instrument effect plugin, meaning it’s designed to process audio tracks within a DAW (digital audio workstation). It runs as a VST, AU, or AAX plugin inside DAWs like Ableton, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and more.
The plugin interface features six effects modules:
- Noise – Vinyl crackle, tape hiss, digital noise
- Wobble – Tape speed variation
- Distortion – Amp/speaker cabinet distortion
- Bit Crusher – LoFi digital distortion
- Digital Noise – Randomized digital artifacts
- Roll – Treble/bass roll off
Each module has adjustable parameters to dial in the desired amount of retro coloration. The modules can be arranged in any order via drag and drop.
RC-20 also includes an X/Y pad that morphs between two different effect settings for dynamic control over the tone.
The resulting processed sound has all the characteristic warmth, grit, and unpredictability of sought-after vintage analog gear.
RC-20 Retro Color Features
Here are some of the main features that make RC-20 Retro Color stand out:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 6 effect modules | Noise, Wobble, Distortion, Bit Crusher, Digital Noise, and Roll |
| 122 preset effect chains | Wide range of pre-made retro effect combinations |
| Fully customizable | Tweak any parameter and arrange modules |
| X/Y morphing pad | Dynamically morph between two effect settings |
| Sidechain input | Trigger effects in sync with input audio |
| Multiple audio outputs | Route wet and dry signals to separate channels |
Together, these features give users in-depth control over the full range of retro coloration effects.
The Benefits of RC-20 Retro Color
There are several key benefits that RC-20 Retro Color provides:
- Adds vintage character – The plugin imparts warm, gritty retro color that makes tracks sound like they were recorded to analog tape or through vintage hardware.
- Extensive customization – With 6 modules and 122 presets, users have countless options for dialing in unique retro vibes.
- Musical tone – RC-20 applies effects in a musical way that enhances, rather than degrades, the source audio.
- Easy to use – The interface is intuitive andselectable module for quick sound design.
- CPU friendly – Careful coding ensures RC-20 won’t bog down your system, even with multiple instances.
In short, RC-20 makes it easy to get creative, musical retro sounds with endless possibilities.
How Musicians Are Using RC-20
RC-20 Retro Color has become a go-to creative effect for musicians across many genres. Here are some of the ways it’s being used:
- Vocals – Adding vinyl crackle and tube warmth to make vocals sit better in a mix.
- Drums & percussion – Distressing drum sounds with tape saturation and amp distortion.
- Synths & keys – Using the bit crusher to degrade synth tones in an artistic way.
- Guitars – Simulating the tone of amplifiers and pedals from the 60s and 70s.
- Full mixes – Providing cohesive analog “glue” when used on the master bus.
- Sound design – Warping recognizable sounds (a la The Avalanches) with extreme settings.
From subtle tape warmth to smashed LoFi effects, RC-20 provides the authentic analog tone today’s musicians demand.
How Producers Are Using RC-20
RC-20 has also earned a reputation as a secret weapon amongst mixing and mastering engineers. Some examples include:
| Producer | How They Use RC-20 |
|---|---|
| Andrew Scheps | Adds “air” and depth to guitars using the Digital Noise module. |
| Joel Hamilton | Sends drum bus through RC-20 for cohesive blend of analog character. |
| Tom Elmhirst | Uses it to emulate the sound of tape saturation on full mixes. |
| Mark Needham | Applies RC-20 across submixes to impart vintage vibes. |
RC-20 enables engineers to quickly dial in the authentic analog sound that fits the vibe of any project.
Should You Get RC-20 Retro Color?
RC-20 Retro Color is a powerful creative tool that can take your music production to the next level. Here are some things to consider when deciding if it’s right for you:
- It’s ideal if you’re mixing or mastering tracks that need an authentic analog vibe. The detailed circuit modeling delivers incredible realism.
- Musicians who do electronic or urban production can benefit greatly from the warped vinyl and bit crushed sounds.
- The easy-to-use interface makes it perfect for beginners who want vintage effects without complexity.
- If you produce pop, rock, or modern styles that don’t require retro processing, you may not need RC-20.
- It can put strain on your CPU if used heavily, so make sure your system can handle the load.
Overall, RC-20 Retro Color is a versatile plugin that can take your creativity to new places. For anyone seeking retro sounds, it should be strongly considered.
Conclusion
In summary, RC-20 Retro Color was created by XLN Audio as an advanced analog emulation tool for adding vintage character to audio tracks. With detailed circuit modeling, extensive customization, and musical tone, it’s become a studio staple for musicians and producers alike. If you need to impart authentic retro style to your music, RC-20 is an excellent choice loved by top artists and engineers.
