tlawhon
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 50
- Joined: 2009/10/26 01:27:40
- Status: offline
Favorite ProChannel Modules?
Hi Folks,
I considering getting some additional modules for ProChannel, and I'm looking for feedback. Which modules are your favorites? Most useful? Redundant?
Thanks,
Terry
Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel Core i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz) 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz-2X2GB/2x1GB Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit Mackie Onynx 1640i Sonar X3e
|
GIM Productions
Max Output Level: -73 dBFS
- Total Posts : 860
- Joined: 2005/12/14 05:07:56
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 14:19:49
(permalink)
Hi,Pc4k S type channel comp is absolutely understimated....is my go to comp to snap some muddy kick and bass,very useful for guitars too......awesome for me.
Intel i7 3600,Asus Z170P,16 GIG Corsair ram,Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 i\o,Nektar Impact LX 49,Focusrite Liquid Mix,Monitors ADAM-K&H,Sonar Platinum Windows 10 SP1 Producer....more stuff in SStudio, Rome ,Italy.
|
John
Forum Host
- Total Posts : 30467
- Joined: 2003/11/06 11:53:17
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 14:31:33
(permalink)
Concrete Limiter and the CA2A. I also like the VKFX suite.
|
Keni
Max Output Level: -17.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5769
- Joined: 2003/11/04 10:42:15
- Location: Willits, CA USA
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 16:21:45
(permalink)
Ca2a, Concrete Limiter, and the two included pc76 and quad curve.... And I love the console emulator and tape emulator...
|
John T
Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 6783
- Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 16:33:52
(permalink)
Of the non-bundled add on modules I have, the CA-2A and the Concrete Limiter get the most use, though I rarely have the CL in a final mix anywhere. I use it as a bus limiter for making loud renders of works-in-progress, but always take it off the proper final mix. CA-2A though, I use a lot. It's especially good for vocals and bass. The S-Type channel compressor is also really good; I've sort of forgotten about it of late, but this has reminded me I have something I could probably use it on. I don't rate the Expander / Gate all that highly. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's a bit too basic for its own good, I think.
post edited by John T - 2015/02/02 16:42:56
http://johntatlockaudio.com/Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
|
mixmkr
Max Output Level: -43.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3169
- Joined: 2007/03/05 22:23:43
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 16:38:58
(permalink)
CA2A...In fact I'm able to use it in my Sony video program too, on the audio...as it's a VST3 as well. Concrete Limiter here too.
|
Sanderxpander
Max Output Level: -36.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3873
- Joined: 2013/09/30 10:08:24
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 17:22:45
(permalink)
I really love the CA2A too. Prefer it to my Waves LA2A emu.
|
tlawhon
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 50
- Joined: 2009/10/26 01:27:40
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 17:31:40
(permalink)
Thanks much to all who responded. Sounds like the the CA2A is a good bet!
Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel Core i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz) 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz-2X2GB/2x1GB Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit Mackie Onynx 1640i Sonar X3e
|
rodreb
Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
- Total Posts : 915
- Joined: 2003/11/06 14:59:42
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 18:56:24
(permalink)
CA2A and Concrete Limiter. Also, the Console Emulator.
|
jb101
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2946
- Joined: 2011/12/04 05:26:10
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 20:15:01
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby John T 2015/02/02 21:30:34
From the "extra" PC modules, I guess the CA-2a is possibly my favourite/most used. As John T pointed out, it is great on vocals and bass. The Concrete Limiter probably comes in second. Having said that, the PC4K Channel compressor is a much underrated module - sometimes it is the only compressor for the job, but it just took me a little longer to get used to. Unlike John T, I use the PC4K Expander/Gate quite a lot. I have it as the first module in many of my track templates. I like the way that having it and the channel compressor mimic the controls on an SSL console - not much visual feedback, but just dial it all in by ear. I know the OP was asking about the "etra" PC modules, but just wanted to add how much I like the included modules in Sonar. I use the PC76 A LOT. It is truly great. The 4K Bus compressor is also really good - I use it sparingly on my master bus aaaall the time. Danni Danzi also turned me on to how good it is on a snare track, too. The Console Emulalions are also great, and used on most of my projects as well. Ditto the Sat Knob and Tube Sat module. Breverb (and probably REmatrix, when I have time to play around with it) is my go too reverb. Tape Sim is also good, but I find I use it less now for some reason - I use to be a big fan of Tape saturation on drums.. Of the third party stuff - the Overloud VKFX modules are also vey nice, as is the Softube Mix bundle. So... You can probably tell that I like the ProChannel.. If I had to choose one extra, it would most likely be the CA-2a, but I would miss the others a hell of a lot. Edited to add - I missed the out Quad Curve EQ, which is truly wonderful, and used on pretty much every track - with the Flyout and Analiser, it only got better and better. Sorry - I will stop now..
post edited by jb101 - 2015/02/02 20:36:57
|
skitch_84
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 480
- Joined: 2012/09/23 07:14:47
- Location: Okayama, Japan
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 20:27:21
(permalink)
Before I got Slate's VMR and VCC, I used the PC equalizer and the console emulation on everything. I also used the tape emulation on most tracks and really loved it when it's all I had. I've since picked up u-he's Satin tape emulation so that's what I go to now. I do still use the PC Concrete Limiter in certain situations. However, I have nothing bad to say about any of the PC modules, I just moved on to new things. Testing the waters :)
Chris Porter www.cportermusic.comListen to my original work on Soundcloud and YouTubeGet my original soundtracks on Bandcamp Sonar Platinum "2017.04", Windows 10 64-bit, ASUS Z170-A, i7 6700K (4.0GHz), 32GB DDR4 RAM, 250GB SSD 850 EVO (OS/Sonar/Plugins), 1TB SSD 850 EVO (Sample Libraries), 3TB WD Black HDD (projects/audio), Noctua NH-D14 Cooling Unit, PreSonus AudioBox USB Interface, M-AUDIO Oxygen49
|
John T
Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 6783
- Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 21:39:14
(permalink)
If we're also talking about the included stuff, then yeah, the standard PC bus compressor is a mighty godlike force for parallel comp on drums, and the PC EQ is the only EQ you need for 90% of EQ tasks.
http://johntatlockaudio.com/Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
|
John T
Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 6783
- Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/02 21:40:45
(permalink)
Ah, that reminds me. Never liked the original tube saturation much. Have found the odd use for it, but not often.
http://johntatlockaudio.com/Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
|
jb101
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2946
- Joined: 2011/12/04 05:26:10
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 05:00:20
(permalink)
John T
Ah, that reminds me. Never liked the original tube saturation much. Have found the odd use for it, but not often.
I am the same with the tube saturation module, John, but Craig Anderton made some comments about it that make me want to go back and give it another try. I will try to find his post and put it on here. I like the Softube Sat Knob much more, although I use it less often than I did. I used to use it subtly on a lot of tracks to add a little "warmth", but now find some of the other modelled processors can do the same. It may sound odd, but since the CA-2a (or PC2a) was released, I find that it can produce a similar "warm" character, without having to resort to the Sat Knob.
|
sycle1
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 122
- Joined: 2003/11/05 21:03:14
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 05:33:44
(permalink)
Another Vote For Concrete limiter and Quad Curve EQ!
Cheers sycle1 There is no cure for stupidity, I should know!!!
|
olemon
Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
- Total Posts : 768
- Joined: 2011/10/27 05:35:19
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 08:20:42
(permalink)
https://www.reverbnation.com/scottholson Platinum, Studio One 3 Pro, Win 10 (x64), AMD FX-8350, ASUS M5A97 R2.0, 16GB, RME UCX, Digimax DP88, Faderport 8, Revive Audio Mod Studio Channel, Vintage Audio M72, Summit Audio TLA-50, KRK Rokit 5 G2 Monitors, Guitars "If you wait till the last minute, it only takes a minute."
|
musicroom
Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2421
- Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 10:18:14
(permalink)
I agree with John in his post highlighting the VKFX modules - they are really nice. I've had great fun with the chorus and delay modules and recommend them. But if I could only have one it would be the VKFX compressor. I was and am surprised at how good this compressor sounds on vocals and guitars. I use it instead of the CA-2a sometimes.
Other favorites:
CA-2a
Eq
Concrete Limiter
PC76 U-Type
Softube Knob Sat
Console Emulator
and...
The fx Chain Bin(s)!!
Dave Songs___________________________________ Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM / RME Babyface
|
gustabo
Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2591
- Joined: 2009/01/05 17:32:38
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 10:44:23
(permalink)
For me, CA2A, Concrete Limiter and since I already have the Bendeth +10dB compressor in vst form, that one once it's released in PC form!
Cakewalk by Bandlab - Win10 Pro x64 - StudioCat Platinum Studio DAW - 32 GB Ram - MOTU UltraLite-mk3
M-Audio Keystation 88ES - Akai MPD26 (hot-rodded) - Alesis DM10 - a few guitars, a few amps
Novation Launch Control - Korg nanoKONTROL2 - PreSonus FaderPort - DAW Remote HD on iPad
Adam A7X - Behritone C50A
PreSonus Monitor Station v2 (controlling the mons)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonarusergroup/
|
LLyons
Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
- Total Posts : 574
- Joined: 2004/08/25 12:48:39
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 15:42:10
(permalink)
I have all of the Cakewalk created ProChannel tools. I was thinking through the past 5 projects and have had the need to use every last one of them except TUBE. The most used of any of course is the Quad Curve EQ... Love that little tool. Then, console emulator (never on sub busses however), then FX chain, then CA2A (I use it a lot), then Concrete, then in last place, the 76 and 4K compressors. I never find the need for TUBE, because I have grown to like the Softube saturation VST, but its not a Cakewalk creation ... The gist here is, every tool the bakers have created is very worth its price in my book.. If I were to buy one, that CA2A would be it.
Best Regards,
L
L Lyons DOS and Windows Pro Audio 2-9 from 12 Tone, Sonar 2, 2XL, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8.5, Producer, Producer Expanded, X1 Producer, X2 Producer, X3 Producer and now Sonar Platinum 64 bit - 2nd year Home Built Machine 32G Ram - Corsair Vengeance DDR4 Win 10 Pro Intel i7-6700K Gigabyte Z170-UD5 Thunderbolt3 - AVB ready Planar Hellium 27 touchscreen Limited connection to internet DAW use ONLY WAVES 9.2 64 Bit MOTU 1248 - Connect Thunderbolt MOTU AVB Switch Presonus RM32ai - Connect firewire 800 CS18ai - Connect AVB
|
Anderton
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 14070
- Joined: 2003/11/06 14:02:03
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 15:55:55
(permalink)
LLyons
I was thinking through the past 5 projects and have had the need to use every last one of them except TUBE.
Try light Tube on bass and drum submixes (without cymbals). It's my secret weapon for bass. Although I guess it's not a secret any more. Aside from that, don't want to be boring but Concrete Limiter and CA-2A.
|
Razorwit
Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1235
- Joined: 2003/11/05 18:39:32
- Location: SLC, UT
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 16:10:13
(permalink)
OP - you may want to wait for the new David Bendeth channel strip to come out. I've just tried the demo but I like it quite a bit.
It should be out any day now...
Dean
Intel Core i7; 32GB RAM; Win10 Pro x64;RME HDSPe MADI FX; Orion 32 and Lynx Aurora 16; Mics and other stuff...
|
karma1959
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 515
- Joined: 2008/10/31 10:56:29
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 16:21:00
(permalink)
Another vote for CA2A, with Concrete Limiter & Tube saturation tied for #2. I find using a subtle amount of tube saturation really fattens up bass and vocals.
Sonar Platinum x64 on Win10 64, Dell T7400 w/ 8 Xeon cores, 8 Gbyte RAM, 3 hard drives, RME Fireface UFX, UAD-1, Mackie Control, Adam A7X
|
gswitz
Max Output Level: -18.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5694
- Joined: 2007/06/16 07:17:14
- Location: Richmond Virginia USA
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 16:28:32
(permalink)
The one I use the most is the EQ.
StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
|
LLyons
Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
- Total Posts : 574
- Joined: 2004/08/25 12:48:39
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 17:19:11
(permalink)
I will Craig.. I appreciate the tip.
PC is down for copying, and transferring to a new PC - so it will take a few days. I tend to go slow on a new PC build project.
Best regards,
L
L Lyons DOS and Windows Pro Audio 2-9 from 12 Tone, Sonar 2, 2XL, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8.5, Producer, Producer Expanded, X1 Producer, X2 Producer, X3 Producer and now Sonar Platinum 64 bit - 2nd year Home Built Machine 32G Ram - Corsair Vengeance DDR4 Win 10 Pro Intel i7-6700K Gigabyte Z170-UD5 Thunderbolt3 - AVB ready Planar Hellium 27 touchscreen Limited connection to internet DAW use ONLY WAVES 9.2 64 Bit MOTU 1248 - Connect Thunderbolt MOTU AVB Switch Presonus RM32ai - Connect firewire 800 CS18ai - Connect AVB
|
tlawhon
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 50
- Joined: 2009/10/26 01:27:40
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 17:27:34
(permalink)
In regard to the Concrete Limiter, I have FabFilter Pro-L, which works very nicely. Any reason why I would want both?
Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel Core i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz) 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz-2X2GB/2x1GB Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit Mackie Onynx 1640i Sonar X3e
|
BRuys
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 192
- Joined: 2011/04/26 15:13:16
- Location: New Zealand
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 20:36:39
(permalink)
As someone who records multi-track drums, the Pro Channel Expander/Gate module is a great convenience. I always used to insert a VST Gate, or the Sonitus Gate, which is a very configurable and powerful gate, on each drum track. But these days, the quickest way to tame my drums is to have the PC Expander/Gate on every drum track. I find I can control bleed on open mics in a fraction of the time it used to take to insert multiple VST gates. I will often actually keep the module in expander mode for more transparent control, so the open mics are attenuated rather than gated when not directly hit. Set the release time to cover the decay time of a nice tom tom and I'm done. Very quick and efficient!
|
BRuys
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 192
- Joined: 2011/04/26 15:13:16
- Location: New Zealand
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/03 20:39:55
(permalink)
Anderton
LLyons
I was thinking through the past 5 projects and have had the need to use every last one of them except TUBE.
Try light Tube on bass and drum submixes (without cymbals). It's my secret weapon for bass. Although I guess it's not a secret any more.
Aside from that, don't want to be boring but Concrete Limiter and CA-2A.
I actually like tape emulation on bass better than tube. I even like a little wow and flutter on Bass to make it sound retro. Amazing how many choices we have out of the box these days!
|
jb101
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2946
- Joined: 2011/12/04 05:26:10
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/04 04:20:43
(permalink)
BRuys
As someone who records multi-track drums, the Pro Channel Expander/Gate module is a great convenience..
..I will often actually keep the module in expander mode for more transparent control, so the open mics are attenuated rather than gated when not directly hit..
I am the same, BRuys. I will also use it on guitar (particularly single coils) before the amp sim (if not a miked amp), and leave it in expander mode. I can't remember when I last used it in gate mode. It is so convenient. I have it first in various track templates, turned off. If it is needed it takes no time to set it up. Transparent (when in expander mode) and convenient are the two words that sum it up for me, when used like this.
|
FastBikerBoy
Forum Host
- Total Posts : 11326
- Joined: 2008/01/25 16:15:36
- Location: Watton, Norfolk, UK
- Status: offline
Re: Favorite ProChannel Modules?
2015/02/04 05:08:19
(permalink)
Another vote for the CA-2A and as mentioned by a few others the PC4K S-Type Channel compressor has found its way into my set up a lot. Visually it never seems to be doing much but it's its effect that counts.
|