Crane Song's Phoenix Iridescent plug-in is one of five tape/analog treatment plug-ins in the Phoenix bundle. Each of the plug-ins has the same interface and serves the same function but gives you a different color when it comes to adding some 'analog tape' saturation to your digitally recorded sounds. It shouldn't be at all difficult to get this installed as you'll do so within the context of the full bundle. Learning to use the plug-in should also be a piece of cake, as it shares the same interface as the other plug-ins in the bundle, so once you understand one, you'll know the others. The make up the plug-in just has a large knob for setting the amount of the effect you'd like, while it then has three modes to choose from that give you slightly different sounds. That's everything you need to know about Iridescent and in turn the other plug-ins in the bundle. A manual shouldn't be a necessary.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I've currently got the Crane Song Phoenix Iridescent plug-in running on my system at home and in Pro Tools 9. My computer is a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I can't say that I've had any issues at all with this plug-in as my system is pretty stable in general and is able to handle almost everything I throw at it...

OVERALL OPINION

The Crane Song Phoenix Iridescent plug-in is one that every DAW owner should have, as the Phoenix bundle is probably the best when it comes to livening up a track to sound more realistic in a digital medium. The best way to do this is of course to use real analog gear, but as far as plug-ins go, these are the best that I've seen. Iridescent on it's own sounds awesome as it's great for adding some low end presence in there without over doing it. I like how easy the plug-in is to use as it makes it so you can pretty much throw it up and go. The others in the bundle are just as effective but offer up other colors. Phoenix is highly recommended for anyone who is working mostly inside the box.