- Publisher: OwnHammer
- Product: Hair Metal Essentials
- Release: ARCADiA
- Format: WAV Impulse Responses (IRs)
Chasing the iconic guitar sounds that defined a decade of rock anthems and blistering solos? From the soaring leads of Sunset Strip hair metal to the aggressive crunch of classic thrash, the right cabinet tone is crucial. Now, you can inject that unmistakable 80s power directly into your amp modeler or DAW with the OwnHammer Hair Metal Essentials impulse response library.
This collection meticulously captures the sonic fingerprint of the era, providing the authentic foundation you need to build massive guitar tones. Forget thin, lifeless digital sounds – it’s time to unleash the raw energy and larger-than-life character of classic stacks.
The Sound Source: Iconic Marshall Power
At the heart of the Hair Metal Essentials library lies the sound of legendary cabinets. This collection is derived from a carefully selected mixture of multiple Marshall 4×12 cabinets, each loaded with different, complementary speaker types. This blending approach captures a versatile yet quintessential 80s character – tight low-end, punchy midrange, and that signature high-end sizzle perfect for high-gain riffing and articulate leads. OwnHammer has expertly captured the power and complexity of these coveted setups.
The Microphones: A World-Class Locker
Capturing a great cabinet is only half the battle; microphone choice and placement are paramount. OwnHammer utilized an extensive collection of industry-standard and vintage microphones, giving you unparalleled tonal flexibility:
- 7B: Based on the broadcast staple known for its smooth mids and handling high SPLs (Shure SM7B).
- 57: The undisputed king of guitar cabinet miking, delivering midrange punch and bite (Shure SM57).
- 58: A close sibling to the 57, offering a slightly different vocal-focused proximity effect (Shure SM58).
- 87: The legendary studio condenser, capturing detail and dimension (vintage Neumann U87).
- 121: A modern ribbon classic, loved for its warm, natural midrange and smooth top end (Royer R121).
- 160: A hypercardioid ribbon known for tight patterns and smooth response (Beyerdynamic M160).
- 414: A versatile large-diaphragm condenser with multiple patterns, known for clarity (vintage AKG C414-B ULS).
- 421: A dynamic mic favourite on guitars and drums, offering strong lows and upper-mid presence (vintage Sennheiser MD421).
- 441: A premium dynamic often called a “condenser killer,” known for its detailed and smooth response (vintage Sennheiser MD441).
- 906: A supercardioid dynamic designed for guitar amps, easy to place and delivering focused tone (Sennheiser e906).
Having access to IRs captured with this diverse microphone selection allows you to sculpt your tone precisely, from aggressive and in-your-face to smooth and polished.
The Mixes: Instant Gratification & Deep Flexibility
Whether you need a great tone instantly or want to craft your own unique blend, the Hair Metal Essentials library has you covered with a comprehensive set of mix options:
- Single Mic IRs: Individual files for all 10 microphones listed above, providing the raw captures for maximum flexibility and custom blending.
- Quick Mixes: Get started fast with 10 expertly crafted custom tones. These cover the essential sonic territory, ranging from sparkling cleans to searing high-gain, suitable for both studio recording (“studio”) and live performance feel (“stage”).
- (r)Evolution Mixes: Dive deep with 80 distinct mix types ported from OwnHammer’s renowned and groundbreaking (r)Evolution Bundle. This massive selection offers a huge variety of tonal colors and characters, representing countless hours of meticulous mixing and phase alignment.
- Mic Pair Mixes: Explore the synergistic potential of combining microphones. This section includes every possible dual-mic combination derived from the 10 single microphones, offering a vast palette of blended tones.
- Summary Mix: Need a solid, reliable tone right now? A single, well-balanced mix is provided in the “Summary” folder for instant access to a great middle-of-the-road sound to get you up and running immediately.
Technical Excellence: Ready for Your Rig
OwnHammer is synonymous with quality in the IR world. These impulse responses adhere to the highest standards:
- Format: Provided in standard Wave Audio Format (.wav) for broad compatibility with hardware modelers (Kemper, Axe-Fx, Helix, Headrush, etc.) and software IR loaders (DAW plugins).
- Minimum Phase Transformed: Each IR has been processed using OwnHammer’s proprietary algorithm for minimum phase transformation. This ensures accurate phase alignment when mixing multiple IRs (e.g., different mics on the same cab or blending different cabs), preventing phasing issues and preserving tonal integrity.
Download Your Ticket to 80s Guitar Glory
Stop compromising on your guitar tone. The OwnHammer Hair Metal Essentials library provides the authentic cabinet sounds that fueled a generation of iconic rock and metal. Whether you’re playing covers, writing original music in the style, or simply want that powerful, cutting tone in your arsenal, this pack delivers.
Get the sound of legendary Marshall stacks, captured with world-class microphones and offered with unparalleled mixing flexibility.