X3b - First Overall Impression

For starts...
 
Nice job. the color setting abilities help a lot... and I'm hoping for more development along these lines (I'm gonna post a FR)...
 
The program feels solid and responsive... Maybe a little snappier than X2 was...
 
The Quad-EQ Flyout with Analyzer is fabulous! That will be a big help in time to come I'm sure...
 
I'm still just starting to play with the Speed Comp which is of major importance to me as I've been so turned off with the Lanes implementation to date. So far I had to change the default Record Mode to Sound On Sound as most of my tracking requires me to hear what's on the track as well as record on it... So I'm guessing that part of Speed Comping won't get much use here as I don't tend to track multiple takes by a whole band parallel and have usually simply let the machine fly (continue) and edit it down later.... I might try working with it when the chance arrises as I can see some benefits to working that way (Especially if I'm locked to clock/programming). But I don't get too many bands doing basics these days as so many opt to do their basics at their own studio (as well as dubs) and bring it to me for mixing.... Budget has become more important than the art itself... Sadly... But a few of my clients do the next best thing having me setup their recording and then leave them to record in their own sweet time...
 
I'm not ready to do any vocals yet and I do far more comping there than anywhere else... (surprised? ;-))
 
Gobbler integration looks to be handy. I've got mine setup but will only use it on demand... But if it works as well as it sounds it should be very handy over time...
 
Tape Emulator? I've played with it a touch.... We'll see how much I end up using it. I do use Console Emulation constantly and I use a bit of tube saturation on many things too... It's so funny... For so many years in audio prior to the digital revolution, One of the goals of many developers was trying to remove the distortions and colorizations that all these things introduced... Now we add them all back! ;-) I sometime find that over the years my ears are finally beginning to accept the pristine character of digital and use the analog colors more thoughtfully... Like changing which studio I use for which sessions... While I lean to the Neve Console for most things, I prefer SSL's for my keyboards... ;-)
 
Addictive Drums? Nice software. Well thought out and very capable... I can't wait to see it grow up into a truly full fledged device as BFD has... the bundled drum sounds are all very good and the UI is fairly user friendly... It didn't take me long to integrate it.... Or find my first peeve where it doesn't have discrete cymbals as outputs or the ability to pan the cymbals within their "Overhead" output... Id think this one a rather basic feature to go along with everything else it packages... A couple of user-adjustable stereo outs would be handy as well... For example... I don't really need each Tom as a track in Sonar... I'd prefer to mix them within AD and have them appear as a single, stereo track in Sonar, "Toms"... Much as they do with the cymbals, but with control over the discrete positioning and volume within the stereo mix.... But all in all a good tool to have with sonar for sure...
 
Blue Tube plugins? I have barely looked at them. Well see over time if I find I like working with them...
 
So, my Kudos on this release to all The Bakers. The new air of communication as was in "the old days" is very refreshing and gives me much more hope
 
Thanks For a very good product release...
 
Now... If you only manage to re-design the zoom issues for Lanes! ;-) (I'm hoping to be surprised and find it in X3c)...
 
Keni