NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing

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sharke
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2015/11/02 10:41:47 (permalink)

NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing

You know how you get set in your ways with certain EQ's, well that had caused me to overlook the Passive EQ that came with Komplete Ultimate. I was already impressed with their Enhanced EQ for adding whoomph to the low end, but I'd only ever given Passive EQ a cursory glance and didn't suppose that there was anything that special about it. 
 
Boy was I wrong. This thing is amazeballs! One of the nicest EQ's I've used so far. Boosting with it is an absolute pleasure, it just adds an irresistible sweetness and warmth while still sounding natural no matter how far you go. And the mid-side mode is magical - I have a vocal that I've been remixing which is  all on one stereo track, lead vocal with backing vocals panned hard left and right. It's been a nightmare trying to get it to fit into the mix without the backing vocals getting buried. I'd tried the mid-side EQ in Ozone but for some reason just couldn't get the sound I wanted. Two minutes with Passive EQ and that vocal track is sounding as nice as if I'd processed lead & backing separately, and it fits perfectly in the mix without and harshness despite the major top end boost I'd made on the sides. 
 
Next I have to try to get to grips with the Vari Comp, which I hear is also very sweet sounding. Softube really does rock. 

James
Windows 10, Sonar SPlat (64-bit), Intel i7-4930K, 32GB RAM, RME Babyface, AKAI MPK Mini, Roland A-800 Pro, Focusrite VRM Box, Komplete 10 Ultimate, 2012 American Telecaster!
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    cclarry
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 11:32:22 (permalink)
    It is indeed...I believe it's based on the Manley Passive EQ...





    #2
    Jim Roseberry
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 11:49:55 (permalink)
    Agreed.  
    The SoftTube plugins are very good.
    The reverbs are also very nice... especially if you're into the old-school (dense) Lexicon sound.
     
    Komplete 10 Ultimate is an excellent deal... especially if you're new to plugins.
    All the basics are covered...
    post edited by Jim Roseberry - 2015/11/02 12:00:15

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #3
    sharke
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 12:10:22 (permalink)
    Yes the reverbs are superb - between them and Valhalla I think I have reverb covered.

    James
    Windows 10, Sonar SPlat (64-bit), Intel i7-4930K, 32GB RAM, RME Babyface, AKAI MPK Mini, Roland A-800 Pro, Focusrite VRM Box, Komplete 10 Ultimate, 2012 American Telecaster!
    #4
    robert_e_bone
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 12:12:10 (permalink)
    Yeah - I am still running Komplete 8 Ultimate, as other than Battery 4, there didn't seem to be much that wasn't in what I already have.
     
    If anyone thinks I am missing something worth looking at with it - PLEASE do let me know.  :)
     
    Thanks, 
     
    Bob Bone
     

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    #5
    ampfixer
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 13:47:35 (permalink)
    K9 was my last update. I didn't find anything compelling in K10. I will look at K11 when it comes out. My main concern is getting too far behind to get a good update price. If I run into a guy that wants to get into recording I usually advise biting the bullet and buying Komplete along with Sonar. 
     
    I really like the Solid series of effects that are included and I think they may be made by Softube. I would buy Softube directly but they require a dongle, and I don't do dongles.

    Regards, John 
     I want to make it clear that I am an Eedjit. I have no direct, or indirect, knowledge of business, the music industry, forum threads or the meaning of life. I know about amps.
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    #6
    Eddie TX
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 13:53:51 (permalink)
    cclarry
    It is indeed...I believe it's based on the Manley Passive EQ..

     
    Right, all 3 of the Premium Series are Manley emulations, thus the purple-accented GUIs.  I like the UAD versions (Massive Passive and Vari-Mu) a lot better, but for KxU owners these are nice to have. 
     
    For Nebula users, AlexB just came out with another Massive Passive emulation.  Well worth checking out.
     
    Cheers,
    Eddie
     

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    #7
    BassDaddy
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 14:22:14 (permalink)
    The FX with Ultimate are way better than I first thought. They come with about 50 other plugins and the plain GUI make them easy to overlook. They sound great and I love the simple easy interface.

    It's Bass, not Bass.
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    #8
    mikedocy
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 15:28:11 (permalink)
    Darn you guys. Darn all of you.
    I certainly hope there will be a good Black Friday sale for Komplete 10 Ultimate.
    Now I really need to get it.

    #9
    Ham N Egz
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 19:38:25 (permalink)
    I must be missing something
    because I don't see any passive EQ s in my list
    I have 3 solid fx bus comp,dynamics,eq
    and 4 vc modules

    Green Acres is the place to be
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    #10
    Ham N Egz
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 20:17:47 (permalink)
    thanks to the post I went back to my installer and saw I missed RC 24 RC 48 vari comp and passive EQ, and installed them , no telling what else I am missing

    Green Acres is the place to be
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    #11
    sharke
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/02 20:41:01 (permalink)
    It's always a good idea to head to the NI site, look for a list of what's included in your version of Komplete and make sure you have them installed.

    James
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    #12
    musichoo
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/05 18:56:53 (permalink)
    I bought K8 at half price during a dealer cleareance, half price upgrade to K9, and this year half price upgrade to K10 Ultimate. Call me cheapskate if you want.
     
    Robert e Bone, I am into their action strikes, action strings, session strings pro and session horns pro. Pianos are nice variety too.  Rc48 reverb is very good.
     
    Currently working on track for a client using the Gentlemen piano (old upright) and alto sax from the Session Horn Pro. Very happy with how realistic it is.
     
    Have not tried enough of the passive and enhance EQ. Will give it another look. Thanks Sharke for bringing this up.
    post edited by musichoo - 2015/11/05 19:11:06

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    #13
    Fleer
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/05 18:59:31 (permalink)
    Yeah, this is really great, sharke.
    Nothing better than (re)discovering a plug of one's own :)

    "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" (Wish You Were Here)
    #14
    BassDaddy
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/05 21:51:10 (permalink)
    I had been thinking about a notebook with the plug makers and a list of the products I have. And what I have that's not installed and why. I have notes on de activating ,authorizing and install. I have had a spreadsheet for while now with alist of the installed versions and dates, with notes. Not too hard to do while watching TV at night. This thread has been a motivation to get it more complete. My buying has slowed a good deal and Iwill be taking a plug I already have and digging into it. I should have a bunch to work with having bought Waves Gold, for less than $100. Last Black Friday, last years T-Racks group buy and Komplete 9U. I hope t have a bunch of "Sharke" moments. Maybe start with  the T- Racks API Graphic EQ. Come on, I know I'm not the only one who put that one on the back burner.

    It's Bass, not Bass.
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    #15
    Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/06 05:02:01 (permalink)
    Jim Roseberry
    Agreed.  
    The SoftTube plugins are very good.
    The reverbs are also very nice... especially if you're into the old-school (dense) Lexicon sound.
     
    Komplete 10 Ultimate is an excellent deal... especially if you're new to plugins.
    All the basics are covered...




    Totally agree.
     
    Softtube plugs (EQ but more so the Lexicon reverbs) convinced me to go from K8u to K10u

    GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER
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    #16
    Fleer
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/06 22:57:38 (permalink)
    BassDaddy
    Maybe start with  the T- Racks API Graphic EQ. Come on, I know I'm not the only one who put that one on the back burner.

    Guilty.

    "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" (Wish You Were Here)
    #17
    BassDaddy
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/06 23:21:35 (permalink)
    I'm glad this thread has kept on going. The FX in Ultimate make up 20% of the plug ins. Too big a piece to ignore.
    post edited by BassDaddy - 2015/11/07 10:28:33

    It's Bass, not Bass.
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    #18
    mudgel
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    Re: NI's (Softube) Passive EQ is amazing 2015/11/07 05:52:49 (permalink)
    Very underrated plugins.

    Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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