AT
REmatrix (the full version) is killer.  You won't really get a better reverb unless you spend a lot more money on hardware.  That is where I'd put my money.  You'll hear that more than slightly different digital EQs.

I agree with everything you say in your post especially what I'm quoting from you.

lawajava

AT
REmatrix (the full version) is killer.  You won't really get a better reverb unless you spend a lot more money on hardware.  That is where I'd put my money.  You'll hear that more than slightly different digital EQs.

I agree with everything you say in your post especially what I'm quoting from you.

Once more, thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it!
 
I meanwhile had a look at REmatrix (which for no obvious reason I had never properly looked at) and it looks indeed killer. I used IR reverbs a lot on recent productions and suffered from exactly what they advertise: IR either fits or doesn't but you can't do much to adjust it apart from time, EQ and blending (which required use of a large number of buses that with REmatrix all would be hosted inside a plugin with saveable presets) ...
 
So I think REmatrix will make it onto the demo list and possibly the shopping list. I usually upgrade my system (apart from Sonar batches) only about once a year. During the year I stay away from installing demos and buying plugins - basically anything that could compromise the system ... now is the time to check-out a few new tools. I also got the new Rapture Pro on the radar and I already added BOZ 10dB (which I like a lot and probably makes the softtube bundle redundant anyway) ...
 

jb101
... a wife who reads the credit card bill.  
 

Digital delivery solved that problem for me one of positive aspects that everything is download only these days ...

mudgel
They provide a demo so why not give them a try.

Don't forget you'll need an iLok.

I'd like to demo but for demoing you still need iLok (especially as I would want to try the bigger brother of the reverb TSAR-1) ... and I haven't got one yet ...
 
Question #1: How bad is the iLok situation these days??   if you google iLok, you basically enter the gates of hell if you believe what people write about iLok2 ... and I'm not sure if I should make my life more difficult than necessary ... however, I could also demo the Lexicon PCM Reverb at the same time ...
 
Question #2: I found the softube plugs a lot cheaper at European retailers (packaged versions), but would I get access to the Prochannel versions if I don't buy @ Cakewalk store??  Are ProChannel versions included in the larger Softtube Studio Collection bundle?? I'm asking here because softube website does not give any inforamtion and if I contact the retailer they probably won't know ...
 
 
 

Have a look at iLok site and their FAQ and make some conclusions like:
a) how they start charging for this and that - licenses between accounts, ZDT etc.
They are a business of their own - if they get away with a new charge policy that is what you get.
Having plenty money on iLok licenses - who has the Aces?
 
b) vendor go in and fiddle with your licenses
Steinberg Syncrosoft at least, keep those things separately. You work with your license codes yourself, Steinberg does not mess with your account.
Demoing iLok stuff - vendor goes into your account adding license for that - at least what Avid is doing.
 
c) updating iLok software - and suddenly you account lost licenses. Well, they have a FAQ how to recover - but still - really makes me wonder.
 
d) new subscription policies also create new habits for you - be online with your daw from time to time - or your software may stop working. Thinking the new rental models of Avid to mention one - within four days after monthly expire you need to resync licenses.
 
So far stayed away from anything iLok....it probably works, but don't fancy the policies built into it and how you become a customer to a company that you never bought a product from, in the normal sense. Just a consequence from buying a iLok based product.
 
But Softube anything, is probably really good after what I read everywhere - good stuff.
Ask Softube how their products are generally bundled with PC versions or not.

I've had iLok and now iLok 2. If given a choice I prefer iLok over Challenge Response security.

It's easy to take with me from studio to mobile. It works fine off a hub so the excuse about breaking it in USB port is done with. I don't know what the argument about cost is. Apart from the dongle itself I don't pay anything. There's only a cost if transferring a licence.

There is an iLok licence manager installed on your machine that gives you an inventory of your licences and makes it easy if you want or need to transfer licences to another iLok.

I had to buy into iLok in order to run EWQLSO under their Play engine.
 
Since then, it's been plugged into the back of my machine and I forget it's even there.

I have a bunch of stuff on iLok 2 and it's been fine for me. Softube is great, but honestly these plugins are starting to get old. It doesn't mean they're bad, but analog emulation has made some hefty strides in the past two years. The MKII UAD and the latest Slate offerings are much more convincing to my ears. If you want the latest Softube plugins, look into the latest Native Instruments compressors and EQs. All done by Softube and I think better offerings than their older mix bundle. Just another opinion before you spend your hard earned cash. I personally would look at Slate VMR... You can get it with a free iLok2 for $179.

theheliosequence
If you want the latest Softube plugins, look into the latest Native Instruments compressors and EQs. All done by Softube and I think better offerings than their older mix bundle.

Thanks, Benjamin, for the tip about NI ... didn't know about that :-)

I had to use iLok back in the days when it was equivalent to willfully installing a virus. I had horrible experiences with it I won't detail here but the last straw was having to reformat my C drive for something that could incontrovertibly be traced to the iLok.
 
A few years later I had to use iLok to do some reviews. iLok2 has not given me any issues at all, although you do need to check periodically for updates to their software. However, I think Waves got it right with their new licensing scheme, which is similar to iLok but more user-friendly and flexible.