ProChannel Modules: Are they worth it?

Hi, there are so many ProChabbel modules to choose from. But, they basically perform the same functions already present in Sonar... What's the deal? Arn't the default Sonar plugins good enough? I tried the "on board" effects and they all seem to work perfectly: EQ, Compression, Brick Wall limiting, tape and tube saturation etc... Why spend extra money for more of the same? Is there a big difference in sound quality? Which ones of the ProChannel suites (if any) are worth the extra money?  
 
Thanks for your input

Zargg71
Hi. The plugins included in SONAR are good enough. It is all about nuances and workflow. Make music with the tools you already have, and when you feel like missing something, then you try out new ones. Other may disagree ferociously.
(I have Concrete Limiter, PC4K S-type Expander Gate and CA2A besides the ones shipping with SONAR)
All the best.

Amen to that.  However, some of the ProChannel module are really some of the best, in my opinion.  But in the end, I don't think your listener will know whether you used the PC or not

Is this a Sonar Artist vs. Platinum type question? Or are you talking about the extra prchannels that have to be bought on TOP of Platinum?
 
If you are on Artist and wondering why Prochannel and the modules included in Platinum (or Professional) it's really quite simple.
 
You get to use them like a mixer channel strip AND they are very useful/nice sounding plugs. They are either just there or easily loaded/accessed/configurable instead of having to insert and manage inside the FX Rack/Bin. I just select the track, hit I and I can tweak the PC modules I have active. If they were in the FX bin I gotta open the individual GUI of each pluging everytime I want to tweak something (which is kind of a PITA).
 
And the quality of the effects is really good. They sound good and are easy to use. The VST/insert style effects are still useful and needed but once I got used to the PC effects I hardly put anything into the FX Rack/Bin anymore unless I really need to.
 
Also the PC EQ has a real time frequency analyzer that's super handy.
 
You'd really have to play with it a bit to fully appreciate the usefulness of the PC but seriously it is a huge time saver and the plugs sound good (and they are better/different than the included VST plugs in a lot of cases).
 
If you mean the PAID extra plugins like the CA2A, Concrete Limiter and the various other PC addons... IDK entirely but I have purchased the CA/PC2A and the Concrete Limiter and yeah... they're really good. The other stuff I don't own so you'll have to ask others.
 
Cheers.

Beepster

John
I agree with the general notion that CW plugins are very good as a whole. I would single out one however that is not very good. That would be Boost 11. I do not advise anyone using it if there is an alternative. Concrete Limiter is head and shoulders above it, a PC module. It is worth getting without a thought.  

But for those who DON'T have the Concrete Limiter the Blue Tubes limiter is a great option over the Boost11 one. It's not as harsh. I honestly find it can sound as good or better than the Concrete Limiter on certain material.
 
Boost11 is a seriously nasty sounding limiter though. It works in moderation or if you want that scranky arse sound but I generally avoid it in general now that I have other options.

I agree with all you say Beep. I like the CL though and as I said it doesn't use a lot of CPU. Also the Nomad stuff will color the sound. Not that that is always a bad thing. 

John
I agree with all you say Beep. I like the CL though and as I said it doesn't use a lot of CPU. Also the Nomad stuff will color the sound. Not that that is always a bad thing. 

I can actually hear some "coloring" going on with the the CL as well (but it could be a fig newton of my imagination... which is HIGHLY likely). It's just a different color.
 
The CL kind of sounds more tight, digital (but smooth digital) and modern whereas the Blue Tubes BW is a little warmer and analog sounding (but overdrives kind of harshly if pushed too hard where the CL seems to be able to stays consistent longer when pushed to the max).
 
Boost11... that's just kind of ear hurty beyond anything but light compression. That can be good as an effect and it's good for a quick master level boost in a pinch but something weird is going on with that plug.
 
Again... it really could be all in my head but that's how I hear these plugs when I use them.
 
I almost think maybe staging the level boosting amongst two or more of the three different plugs could be an interesting experiment.
 
From what I'm learning about mastering the level boosts should be happening in stages anyway but usually done with compression and saturation with limiters slapped in along the way.
 
Meh... I gotta play with things like that. Might even try splitting out freq bands to their own busses and using different limiters/comps to target freq ranges. It's not like we are "limited" (pun intended) in our options for experimentation in this regard.
 
Cheers.

Boost 11  has it's  place. Great for adding a little level  to a signal, but doesn'the quite cut it as a final leveling stage in a master bus

I just rediscovered boost 11 as a  limiter for the kick (BD)
Imo it´s perfect therefor.
The Ca2a and PC2a are awesome modules .

I quite like Boost 11. It has its uses. I wouldn't let it anywhere near the master bus, though. It's great on certain kinds of bass sounds. It's cheap and dirty, and sometimes that's what you need. No point sending a priest to do a sinner's job.

ProChannel Modules: Are they worth it?
 
Yes, every penny (cent, shekel etc)

jb101
The tools included in Soar are perfectly goo

I am so sorry, JB
 

The Concrete Limiter is really good.
 
It is worth getting when it is on special next time.

Concrete Limiter was one of my best purchases. I use it on just about everything I DIY master. 
If CA-2A is part of the sale I'm hoping to finally score that one too.
 

I just revived VC64 (Vintage Channel) from a former version of Sonar.. Man, this all in one plugin is a beast! Gate comperssion, EQ, Keying, bi-level processing inter rooting, opto compression mode option etc etc.. Honnestly I do not know what this pluging can be lacking compared with the PC modules... You can put this plugin on a main vocal or snaredrum and do whatever yoou want with it...

The only person who can answer the question is something worth it or not is that person, you. If you were to ask me, I would say no. I purchased them all except for the VKFX or whatever they are, and for me I never did use them, I could always get better and quicker results using other 3rd party plugins, YMMV
 
[Edit] Then again, I believe I seen them on sale for $19 or something, that may be different, I think when I purchased them they were $79 or something, one may have been $49, can't quite remember, would have to check receipts
 
[Edit 2] Then again, again, if you were referring to stuff like the Boz stuff, I can not comment because I have never used or owned them. But by all accounts they are supposed to be pretty good, I was just referring to the Cakewalk ones

Clearly you are biased, and just whistling dixie. I am just telling it how it is from my point of view.