Virtual Sound Stage Acoustic Environment Simulation
A Unique Approach to Spatialization in Mixing
Parallax Audio’s Virtual Sound Stage (VSS) is an audio processing plugin that distinguishes itself from conventional reverbs by focusing on realistic simulation of the acoustic environment. Rather than simply applying a reverb tail, VSS allows producers to virtually position instruments in a three-dimensional soundstage. Version 2.0.2 is a free rerelease of the legacy version, with updated support for modern systems.
The Key Concept: Positioning in Space
The principle of VSS is that every point in a room sounds different, something traditional stereo reverb doesn’t address. The plugin recreates this acoustic environment, offering a much more tangible sense of space and depth in the mix. This makes it a particularly valuable tool for orchestral music, film scoring, and productions seeking a “live band in a room” sound.
Essential Features for Producers
- Realistic Room Simulation: Recreates detailed acoustic environments that go beyond simple reverb tails.
- Modeled Spaces: Includes a collection of carefully modeled rooms suitable for a variety of applications, including classical concert halls, recording stages, studios, and cathedrals.
- Instrument Positioning: Allows you to move sound sources (instruments) within the virtual space to control their panning, volume, and perceived distance.
- Microphone Configurations: Offers a selection of popular microphone configurations that can be freely positioned on the stage to shape the stereo image.
- Unified Interface: A standout feature is its user interface, which allows you to control multiple instances of the plugin from a single screen for a faster and more consistent workflow.
- Detailed Controls: Includes controls for the most important aspects of room simulation, such as Input Delay, Early Reflections, and speaker settings.
Technical Considerations
- Free and Legacy: This is a free and legacy version of the plugin, which means future support or advanced features may be limited compared to a current commercial product.
- Updated Compatibility: Version 2.0.2 has been rebuilt to ensure better compatibility with modern operating systems.
- Supported Formats: VST3, AU, and AAX.
- CPU Compatibility: Support for Intel and Apple Silicon (ARM64) CPUs on macOS.
VSS is a powerful addition to any producer’s arsenal, offering a spatialization solution that is both intuitive and in-depth, especially useful for bringing virtual instruments or dry recordings to life and realism.
