Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed.

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Eric Beam
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2011/10/09 00:23:28 (permalink)

Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed.

Sonar X1 Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed.

For those of you wondering how the Softube saturation differs from the stock Sonar X1 tube model, this will go over the differences.

This shows the harmonic plot of the Softube saturation driven to 3% THD+N. The harmonics after the 1st 1k tone are the added harmonics by Softube Sat.

 

 
The harmonic plot of the Softube saturation driven to 0.5% THD+N.
 
 
Softube created realistic model of an analog saturation stage.
 
 


The harmonic plot of the stock PC Tube saturation driven to 3% THD+N. Notice the lack of even order harmonics.
 
 


Stock PC Tube saturation driven to 0.5% THD+N.
 
 


This shows the level of Softube distortion added based on frequency when set to “neutral mode” driven to 3% THD+N

 


The level of Softube distortion added based on frequency when set to “Keep low mode” driven to 3% THD+N. Notice the level of harmonics lowers for low frequencies.
 
 


The level of Softube distortion added based on frequency when set to “Keep High mode” driven to 3% THD+N. Notice the level of harmonics lowers for high frequencies.
 
 


The level of the PC Tube distortion added based on frequency when set to “Type I” driven to 3% THD+N.

 



The level of the PC Tube distortion added based on frequency when set to “Type II” driven to 3% THD+N. Notice the level of harmonics lowers for high frequencies.
 


All in all the Softube is a more accurate emulation. But thats not to say that some might like the sound of the dominate odd harmonics of the PC tube on some sources.

post edited by Eric Beam - 2011/10/09 01:16:33

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#1

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    Eric Beam
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 00:46:27 (permalink)
    Removed
     

    "Any experiment of interest in life will be carried out at your own expense."
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    #2
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 08:22:30 (permalink)

    I don't get it.


    #3
    Stone House Studios
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 09:31:45 (permalink)
    mike_mccue


    I don't get it.

    Perhaps your avatar suggests that the wrong part of you got expanded! 
     
    Brian

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    stevec
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 11:27:13 (permalink)
    Nice one!
     
    So it looks like PC Tube Type II resembles the Softube's "Keep High" mode, except that it's not based on even harmonics like Softube.   Good information overall which could help in choosing which saturation to use, or at least which to try first and what to listen for...
     

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    #5
    pwal
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 12:05:14 (permalink)
    thanks for this

    list of stuff
    #6
    Razorwit
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 12:31:28 (permalink)
    Hi Eric,
    It may just be that I'm super nerdy, but I think that is a really cool analysis. Incidentally, just for comparison to the hardware being modelled, here is a frequency chart of a (roughly) 1k sine wave first by itself:







    And then driven pretty hard through a tube pre (Sebatron vmp-4000e):








    Showing the same kind of even and odd harmonics as the softube. Exactly what we expected, but still fun to actually produce.


    BTW, what app did you use to produce your results? Again, might be my inner nerd coming out but I kinda want it....


    Nice work again and thanks!
    Dean

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    #7
    pwal
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 12:55:15 (permalink)
    for normal VSTs, check out Christian Budde's VST Analyser: http://www.savioursofsoul.../measurement-programs/ (though I don't know how the PC measurements were done)

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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 12:57:50 (permalink)

    Has anyone tried with a triad?


    #9
    Jonbouy
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 14:02:33 (permalink)
    With saturation in a production context I'd rather set equal RMS levels and use my ears to make a comparison.

    http://varietyofsound.wor...-facts-about-aliasing/

    If I was developing a plugin the charts/plots would be necessary.

    It is interesting to see that they do actually behave differently though, so thanks for those.
    post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/10/09 14:12:12

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    Keni
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 15:38:56 (permalink)
    Thanks Eric...

    It's always nice to know the real data...

    ..and as you say, this doesn't make one good and the other bad, but I can now understand the differences my ears are hearing much better...

    Keni


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    Eric Beam
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    Re:Pro Channel Softube saturation & stock Tube saturation analyzed. 2011/10/09 18:05:41 (permalink)
      "BTW, what app did you use to produce your results? Again, might be my inner nerd coming out but I kinda want it..."


    It's a hardware analyzer (Prism dScope III). I'm an audio engineer by day, it's a must have tool for designing/troubleshooting. It's a tool geared "price wise" towards a company. I would recommend Rightmark audio analyzer & a good audio interface as an alternative.
    post edited by Eric Beam - 2011/10/09 18:17:29

    "Any experiment of interest in life will be carried out at your own expense."
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