TriTone Digital has released ColorTone-Pro v1.1, a "super-flexible Tone Box plugin" that provides in-the-box convolution modeling of classic studio hardware coupled with model-manipulation capability.

ColorTone-Pro allows the user to load impulse response models of classic and modern studio equipment and apply that equipment's sound to their own audio. It provides the user with a number of ways to manipulate these modeled sounds.

First and foremost is the Color Intensity algorithm. This allows the user to multiply, and even reverse, the basic color signature of the model to achieve extremes not found in the natural world. ColorTone-Pro then allows the user to apply the sound of these models to their audio in two ways. First is "norm mode". Norm mode is 100% wet processing wherein the output signal contains only processed audio. The second is "blend mode". Blend mode colors the signal using a level-dependent, real-time cross-fade between the original "dry" audio signal and the colored, or "wet" signal. The higher the input amplitude, the more "wet" signal is used. The end result is that louder material is colored more and softer material is colored less. Even better, by adjusting the amplitude of the "wet" signal, the user can actually change the dynamics of their audio. If the wet signal is lower in amplitude than its dry counterpart, the final output is compressed. If the wet signal is higher in amplitude, the final output signal is expanded. And this compression or expansion is totally colored.

Finally, ColorTone-Pro features the "Warmth" algorithm. This custom process adds additional, pleasing harmonic content to the signal. When the Warmth control is set to a negative value, the audio is thinned.

ColorTone-Pro includes a number of impulse response models sampled from some of the best equipment available. The user may also sample their own equipment (precise instructions are included), or load impulse responses from a number of common online impulse response repositories. Users may also share their personal impulse responses on the TriTone Digital Users Forum.

ColorTone-Pro requires Mac OSX 10.2 or higher and a G4 1.5 GHz or faster processor is recommended. ColorTone-Pro operates up to 32 bits/96 kHz and is compatible with VST, RTAS and AU plugin formats through Pluggo. ColorTone-Pro's retail price is $129.

A free, limited-functionality version, ColorTone-Free, is also available. ColorTone-Free supports both Mac OS X and Windows XP.