SonicExplorer
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Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
Hi,
Anybody have VST recommendations for adding shine to tracks, in particular things like distorted guitars? Something maybe in the vein of a BBE Sonic Maximer, Aural Exciter or similar harmonic enhancer? Preferably freeware or trial.
Thanks,
Sonic
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Mesh
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/13 16:28:21
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Although this isn't free, the Scheps Omni Channel is fantastic. I use it on practically everything (especially distorted guitars) which just makes everything (drums, bass, synth, keys etc...) sound better. Not sure if it's still on sale, but totally worth that $40 (give or take) price tag.
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TheSteven
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/13 16:46:56
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stickman393
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/14 03:55:23
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☄ Helpfulby jude77 2018/04/14 16:03:13
I recommend using an EQ plugin.
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Fleer
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/14 04:16:23
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SonicExplorer
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/14 04:47:03
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Thanks guys. I just found this link....anybody have experience with any of these? http://www.best-free-vst.com/plugins/effects/exciter-maximizer-enhancer-01.php The description for the Modern Exciter and FericTDS seem particularly interesting.... I can try them on my own obviously, but anybody who's used these kinds of plugs before knows they can be deceiving. Some are just plain bad but others sound good at first - until you start using them in a mix, stacked or whatever...often times it takes a while to get a solid grasp on whether the plug in is truly good or not. That's part of why I was fishing for suggestions... Sonic
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bitflipper
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/14 23:28:37
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☄ Helpfulby mettelus 2018/04/15 14:34:47
What you want is a harmonic exciter. Some are called tube, preamp or console emulators, but they all do essentially the same thing: generate gentle harmonic distortion. There are many to choose from, ranging from free to cheap to fairly expensive. Some are one-trick ponies, some are quite versatile. Here's one that's both inexpensive and fairly versatile. My personal favorite is rather pricey, and that's the standalone exciter module bundled with Ozone Advanced. Second-favorite (and second in price) would be FabFilter's Saturn. Those two account for 95% of my distortion-lite needs. P.S. Don't waste your money on the BBE Sonic Crapifier.
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SonicExplorer
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/15 04:53:36
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Thanks bitflipper. So far I've already got the Voxengo Warmifier and CurvEQ (which has a selection of harmonic variations to choose from). Do you happen to have any experience with Warmifier or CurvEQ that might offer an idea as to how they rate against some of the more expensive ones you prefer? I only need something for distorted guitars so I can dial the gain back, and then add some harmonic saturation back in during mix. The idea being to get a glassy, saturated tone that is still meaty (rather than too gainy/preampy sounding). We used to do this back in the day by slamming the tape. Or sometimes by using expensive outboard tube preamps, or even occasionally an Aural Exciter. But I'm working 100% "in the box" these days and am struggling to figure out how to achieve a similar end result when it comes to distorted guitars. Sonic
post edited by SonicExplorer - 2018/04/15 05:29:59
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eph221
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/15 05:01:48
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Zo
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/15 09:20:58
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Kush Clariphonic mkII is exellent and versatyle ...we re talking here parallel eq s so it s natural , waves vitamin also ...
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bitflipper
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/15 17:06:45
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I have used Warmifier. It was a staple for years. But being essentially a tube emulator it's got a fairly limited palette compared to more versatile exciters that have come along since. Chances are you've already got third-order harmonic distortion covered via your amp sim. What you want is to add distortion to high frequencies in particular, so you probably want to look at multi-band exciters. There's an affordable one from Audiority that combines multi-band overdrive with a limiter. I tried it awhile back but it must not have been terribly impressive, as I don't recall much about it. There is a demo, though. Another (free) approach is the DIY homebrew method: clone the guitar track, put a high-pass filter on the clone followed by whatever distortion plugin you like. Mix that back in with the original to taste. Try adding a subtle chorus or modulated reverb to the parallel track.
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SonicExplorer
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/15 18:14:54
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bitflipper
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Re: Suggestions for VST to Add Sheen to Tracks ?
2018/04/16 17:31:50
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I haven't tried that one. So far I've never found a need for that fine a control, usually applying only 2 or 3 bands with the multiband exciters I use. Definitely worth downloading the demo, I think.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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