Metric Halo x Make Believe Studios Howies179 — Free Download

Core Purpose

Howie’s 179 is a plugin that emulates the sonic character of the NTP 179-120 hardware unit, specifically the pair owned by mastering engineer Howie Weinberg. The NTP 179-120 is a classic compressor/limiter known for its musicality and subtle coloration, but original hardware is rare. This plugin aims to bring that sound into the digital domain.

The development focused on capturing the nuances of Howie’s personal units, including their dynamics processing, box tone, and distortion. The result is a tool for adding glue, punch, or gentle limiting to audio, suitable for mastering and mixing applications where a vintage character is desired.

Key Capabilities

The plugin provides a streamlined interface that simplifies operation, making it approachable for in-the-box use. It includes controls essential for using a compressor/limiter without analog hardware, such as gain staging and possibly lookahead. The design reflects Howie Weinberg’s decades of mastering experience, with a focus on the most effective settings.

Unlike a hardware stereo pair, the plugin offers recallability and can be used on multiple tracks or buses without physical constraints. This allows for parallel processing or applying the same chain across a session, expanding creative possibilities beyond traditional stereo bus mastering.

Workflow Integration

In a mastering session, Howie’s 179 typically sits on the stereo bus, inserted after EQ and other dynamics. The user adjusts the input gain to drive the emulation, then sets threshold and ratio to achieve the desired gain reduction. The output gain compensates for level changes, and the mix control allows for parallel blending.

For mixing, it can be used on individual tracks or subgroups to add coloration. The recallable nature means settings can be saved and matched across sessions. The interface avoids complex menus, so adjustments are quick, facilitating a fast workflow without breaking creative momentum.

Practical Applications and Considerations

The plugin excels at adding a cohesive, polished feel to full mixes, especially in genres like rock, pop, and hip-hop where a subtle glue effect is valuable. It can also serve as a character compressor on drums or vocals, imparting a vintage tone. The streamlined controls make it a good choice for engineers new to hardware emulations.

One consideration is that the plugin emulates Howie’s specific units, so the tone may not match other NTP 179-120 versions. The distortion characteristics are part of the charm, so expect some coloration. As a plugin, it lacks the physicality of hardware, but offers the advantage of instant recall and total automation.

Key features

• Emulation of Howie Weinberg’s NTP 179-120 compressor/limiter
• Captures the dynamics, box tone, and distortion of specific hardware units
• Streamlined UI with essential controls for in-the-box use
• Recallable settings, unlike hardware
• Usable on multiple tracks or buses, not limited to stereo pairs

Best for

Mastering engineers seeking the classic glue and punch of the NTP 179-120, and mixing engineers wanting to add vintage character to individual tracks or buses, all with the convenience of a recallable plugin.