PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate

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mattplaysguitar
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2013/05/21 21:05:00 (permalink)

PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate

I've had a look but couldn't find a thread comparing these two directly. Please send me a link if there is already one out there...

I've not used the PC4k Expander/Gate but have used Sonitus Gate plenty. Sonitus looks a lot more flexible. But I'm wondering what sound difference you would expect to hear? I typically use gates mainly to tighten up drum components (often in a parallel chain which I then blend to get the right 'snap' I want). That's about it. Anything else I want gated (eg headphone bleed) I tend to just do manually when I'm comping (might as well as I'm already there). My drums are done with BFD so bleed from other drums isn't an issue for me.

For those of you who have compared, is there much/any difference in sound? Or for what I used it for, would Sonitus be fine? My hunch is I won't get anything extra that I'm not already getting with Sonitus, but I'd love to hear opinions of more experienced users of the two. I don't really use a gate for the 'sound', but more for the technical aspects of what it does. I use other tools if I want a 'sound' or 'color'.

Cheers


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#1

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    scook
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/21 21:34:30 (permalink)
    I struggle with the PC exp/gate. To me the Sonitus is easier to use. Maybe because I have had it for years but more likely because of the GUI and visual feedback of the Sonitus plug works for me.
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    clintmartin
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/21 22:19:23 (permalink)
    That's the one I haven't bought.

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    lawajava
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/22 02:08:00 (permalink)
    Wow - that's one of my most precious ProChannel modules. Works like a charm and is so easy to get right. I wouldn't give that one up!

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    BenMMusTech
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/22 02:27:41 (permalink)
    I have the PC gate, it's easy to use but it can be a bit slow.  The sonitus one is def more flexible but harder to control.  Horses for courses!

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    wmb
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/22 03:48:00 (permalink)
    lawajava


    Wow - that's one of my most precious ProChannel modules. Works like a charm and is so easy to get right. I wouldn't give that one up!

    I totally agree. I use this gate with drums and just love how quickly I get it sounding exactly like I want. I don't like gets to be too aggressive and just help the sound breath a little more. I get this result much more quickly with The PC gate/expander.

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    jb101
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/22 04:27:40 (permalink)
    +1 for the PC4K.
     
    For two reasons:-
     
    1) I find it easy to set up, and quick to use, and it sounds good.
     
    2) I love the benefit of the PC functionality and workflow.  I can have PC4K on several tracks, it's visible when the track is in focus in the inspector, they're all visible in the console view, and my screens are not cluttered up with VST GUIs.
     
    So, yes I like the PC4K Expander/Gate, and I love the ProChannel.

     Sonar Platinum
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    mattplaysguitar
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    Re:PC4k Expander/Gate VS Sonitus Gate 2013/05/22 06:54:01 (permalink)
    Thanks for the responses guys. So the main thing I'm getting is that people like it for it's simplicity and easy of use in the PC. If you need to do something that it can't do, switch to Sonitus for the extra flexibility. Sound about right? Any differences in the actual SOUND and CHARACTER of it? It is supposed to be modelled after the SSL so you'd think there should be some sort of color programmed into it as well, would you not?


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