It may be subtle, but putting the A-type on drums, the S-Type on Guitars and bass, and the N-Type on vocals is a great way to work. I also have the NLS Summer, which has some awesome models, such as Spike's SSL Channel 29 on guitars, or Mike's Channel 2 on a snare, but I recommend Console emulation on every channel! Sonar has the A-type, which Waves doesn't (oddly enough). What is the A-type? Modeled after a console with amazing transient detail, obviously. Try it on a snare and push it.

Yeah, yeah, and vinyl sounds better. /troll
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm in favor of whatever sounds good, guys. Please don't kill me

Well, vinyl DOES sound much better than wax cylinders 

I don't usually use CE.  I go through transformers on acoustic input (usually a Neve channel strip).  But at times, it is just what the doctor ordered.  I had a rocker, Zz top thing, and CE on all the tracks (even those transformered ones) gave it that je ne sais quoi .  It is a tool, not to be forgotten about.  And if you habitually like it and use it, it becomes a part of your style, which is great.  There is more than one way to get from here to there.
 
@

i don't know if they are accurate- similar to the real thing, but there is no question that they sound great.  I put that sh!t on everything.

BlixYZ
i don't know if they are accurate- similar to the real thing

Well, for sure the inductors don't pick up hum 

Anderton

rscain
I seem to use the "SSL" model more than the other two, I do believe it gives a certain clarity to my mixes. May be all in my head but, like they say, "perception is reality". heh

It's not all in your head, there are measurable and quantifiable differences. I took various measurements and wrote up an article describing these in Sound on Sound.
 
One of the main characteristics is audio transformer emulation. As I've mentioned before, another use of the Console Emulator is with bass by turning up the controls beyond what you'd normally use and getting a little bit of "growl" in there.

Thank you Craig that is just what I was looking for. 

brconflict
It may be subtle, but putting the A-type on drums, the S-Type on Guitars and bass, and the N-Type on vocals is a great way to work. I also have the NLS Summer, which has some awesome models, such as Spike's SSL Channel 29 on guitars, or Mike's Channel 2 on a snare, but I recommend Console emulation on every channel! Sonar has the A-type, which Waves doesn't (oddly enough). What is the A-type? Modeled after a console with amazing transient detail, obviously. Try it on a snare and push it.

I believe the A type is supposed to model a Trident Series A console...?

I find I use the CE on essentially every track, but not as often on my sub groups... I like to use the N type on most things... Guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and the S type on keyboards, but I have occasionally done differently... I've used the A type a bit more selectively... I like it for some guitar sounds...

When I mass switch them, the difference is very definite and I prefer the sound with them than without... My sounds seem to be a bit thicker... And the type of grit I get from each seems very related to my memory of working real boards of the respective names...

Much like the quad EQ... They may not be spot on replicas of the hardware, but they do resemble them enough to be beneficial (to me)...

Keni

I've tried them all and have finally settled on the N-type as my go-to.  It's in all of my templates and I use the emulators on channels and busses.  It may all be in my perception but I feel a little bit closer to Rupert by doing this!  I fell in love with the Rupert Neve sound after working with the "real deal" console at Oceanway Nashville.  Again.....it may all be in my head but it makes me feel better about my mixes.  I guess that's what it's all about!

I discontinued using Sonar's CE in favor of Steven Slate's VCC. I felt, though subtle, the VCC was more noticeable and had more choices. I highly recommend it or at least a demo. Yes, you need that ilok thing but I never move it.