08) ORANGE CLIP 3: Redefining Parallel Processing
Orange Clip 3 features four versatile distortion circuits, each capable of dry/wet blending. The three band-based clippers can be blended individually with a traditional dry/wet mix, while the main clipper processes their combined output before passing through the true parallel mixer. This layered approach unlocks endless creative possibilities. Below, we’ll explore some of these features in action.
Vocals
Set the LF crossover to ~200 Hz and the HF crossover to ~1.5 kHz.
Solo the MF band and heavily distort it by pulling down the MF ceiling target circle.
Set the output mixer to fully dry.
Unlink the faders and blend in midrange distortion from the bottom up using the dry fader.
Drum Mix
Set a soft knee on the LF band and adjust the ceiling so the peak hold sits within the ceiling target circle.
Command (Mac) / Ctrl (PC) + Click the MF and HF band ceiling target circles to bypass their clippers.
Bypass the main clipper by Command-clicking the main Orange knob.
Adjust the LF Post Gain to achieve unity gain in the low frequencies.
Experiment with the LF Orange knob to shape the low frequencies to your liking.
Synths, Keyboards & Guitars
Set the MF crossover to ~1 kHz and the HF crossover to ~6 kHz.
Shift-click the MF and HF solo buttons to mute the LF band.
Apply heavy clipping to the MF and HF bands, using a soft knee for both.
Set the output mixer to fully dry.
Unlink the faders and blend in mid and high-frequency distortion from the bottom up using the dry fader.
Rebalance the mid and top distortion levels with the MF and HF post gains.
Orange Clip’s distinctive band-based soloing, post-gain adjustments, mix/blend options, and true parallel output mixer offer unmatched flexibility. It allows you to clip for loudness or creatively add distortion to individual frequency bands. Whether you’re enhancing instruments with bottom-up distortion or tone-shaping an entire mix, Orange Clip 3 opens up endless creative possibilities.
Tag @SchwabeDigital in an Instagram story and show us how you are using Orange Clip—we’ll repost!
Be well,
Ryan Schwabe
Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum mixing & mastering engineer
Founder of Schwabe Digital
