Pro-Channel and other fx - how many do you actually need?

42.

I'm testing the Yama/Neve stuff right now.  The EQ is about the same as ProChannel although the comp is more flexible and seems a tad better.

But I still use the Sonitus comp for some stuff, too.  So, there isn't that much difference.  I think many would be better advised to learn how to use one comp or limiter etc. to its full extent rather than jumping into more software and using it half-assed.

More is nice to have, but not the answer.

@ 

I'm not a huge fan of Pro Channel, though I think it does a fairly/reasonably good job in general.
I just think there are better 3rd party plugins available.

FabFilter is definitely one company providing such plugins.

Pro-C  is one fine compressor.   And it does M/S as well.
Pro-Q is one of the finest/best EQ's I've ever used.  It does M/S, L/R, and more.
Pro-L is definitely my all-time favorite Limiter/Brickwall limiter these days.  I have never heard anything so transparent.

There are definitely some majorly great plugins out there -- too many to itemize as above, frankly.  There's also some crappy or less useful ones.   As you point out - there's plenty of everything out there.

That being said -- if Pro Channel works good for, then look no further.  At the end of the day it's your ears and judgement that matters.

mudgel

brundlefly


42.

Ah! The answer to the Ultimate Question.

It was a typo

I've always got along perfectly well with the suite of Sonitus plug-in's and the other VST's that come with Sonar Producer. Actually, the only thing I've added is Guitar Rig 4 Pro which was bundled with 8.5. And the only reason I got that was because my tube based effects pedal died and I couldn't find another reasonably priced tube based unit to replace it.

Hi Erik,
I wouldn't think in terms of a specific number, although 42 does sound about right. I would think in terms of tools that perform specific jobs. You get the right tool for the job at hand.
 
For example I use several reverbs:
Voxengo Pristine Space (convolution)
UAD EMT 140 (model of a classic reverb)
IK Multimedia CSR (models of several classic style reverbs)
TC Electronic VSS3 Stereo Source Reverb (reverb based on a mathematical calculation of sound in space)
 
And probably a few others like Lexicon, Line 6, and so on. Do I really need all these? Not really. I could probably get by with just Pristine Space and my collection of impulses. Do I like having a variety of reverb plugins? Yes, because each tool excels at a different job, and I really don't want all my tracks to have the same character.
 
You can spend a lot of money collecting tools, and invest a lot of time learning how they work, and what they work best on. In my experience, a few top quality plugins, and some good skills, will do the job very well, and then if a job comes along that you need a specific tool to accomplish, you can make a good buying decision and expand your collection.
 
Hope that helps,
Paul
 

But then I think...NAH!!!!!!!

Mine goes to 43...that's one more innit?

he'd be one of those guys you read about who live amongst 8' stacks of old newspapers, expired calendars and mummified remains of past pets.

Who among us isn't like that?

 
I had a massive clearout recently.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And then I got rid of some VST's I don't use anymore.

Most people, I guess, start off with the ones that come with the DAW.... then look around for some free ones.....  then finally decide to buy some cheaper ones........ then decide to spring a little more money on a few of the nicer ones....then realize that most of them sound OK but pretty much middle of the road so they then buy the really, REALLY  nice ones.....


 so..... lots...yeah, that's my answer. 

bitflipper


Don't ask yorolpal how many plugins one needs. If plugins were physical things, he'd be one of those guys you read about who live amongst 8' stacks of old newspapers, expired calendars and mummified remains of past pets.

Yes, I am jealous.

You must've seen my episode on "Hoarders".  I was the forearm and hand sticking up from under the pile of software boxes and download instructions.

I use Sonitus compressor, eq, gate, Reverb, Delay... Cakewalk HF Exciter (which can really sweeten a guitar track) the Vintage Channel and the Boost11. Some of the other xx-64's have hiccups in them that I don't like, and I've been trying to get used to the pro-channel, but I usually fall back to sonitus.

ErikDeluxe


Hey

Thanks for the massive response, very nice of you all:) Seem like a subject with a lots of ideas. Thanks!

42, hmm interesting and "exact" number. How come that the number is 42? Guess there is a reason for it!

I really like the following and will most likely select a few out of these

Pro Channel (off course included in Sonar X1)

Lexicon (Native, EQ
Fabfilter (Pro-C, Pro-Q, Pro-L)
Softube (FET, Tube-tech CL1B, Trident A range, Tube-tech PE 1C,  
Sony Oxford bundle
Nomad Factory (Liquid Compressor etc)
PSP Vintage Warmer

Will not go with Waves, as it will be 2 expensive;)

Which would you choose;)

FWIW, I think Nomad Factory has other plugins that are more useful than just Liquid Compressor.  I really like their Analog series, for example.  I would get some of their demos first if I were you as I think you can get more bang for the buck from some of their other plugins.

PSP Vintage Warmer is a default  / ALWAYS in my projects (master bus, last plugin before visualizer).   Though I use FabFilter Pro-L for 'mastering' my stuff, PSP VW is just too good not to use in the project.

As for Waves - I have some of their stuff and find I use almost none of them (though I do use some on occasion).  I like the Eddie Kramer Tape Saturator, for example (though it's a horrible CPU hog).

ba_midi

ErikDeluxe


Hey

Thanks for the massive response, very nice of you all:) Seem like a subject with a lots of ideas. Thanks!

42, hmm interesting and "exact" number. How come that the number is 42? Guess there is a reason for it!

I really like the following and will most likely select a few out of these

Pro Channel (off course included in Sonar X1)

Lexicon (Native, EQ
Fabfilter (Pro-C, Pro-Q, Pro-L)
Softube (FET, Tube-tech CL1B, Trident A range, Tube-tech PE 1C,  
Sony Oxford bundle
Nomad Factory (Liquid Compressor etc)
PSP Vintage Warmer

Will not go with Waves, as it will be 2 expensive;)

Which would you choose;)

FWIW, I think Nomad Factory has other plugins that are more useful than just Liquid Compressor.  I really like their Analog series, for example.  I would get some of their demos first if I were you as I think you can get more bang for the buck from some of their other plugins.

PSP Vintage Warmer is a default  / ALWAYS in my projects (master bus, last plugin before visualizer).   Though I use FabFilter Pro-L for 'mastering' my stuff, PSP VW is just too good not to use in the project.

As for Waves - I have some of their stuff and find I use almost none of them (though I do use some on occasion).  I like the Eddie Kramer Tape Saturator, for example (though it's a horrible CPU hog).

I agree about Nomad.  They used to get a bad rap for how their plugs sounded but they've really started to step things up lately it seems.  Magnetic, imo, is definitely their best to date.  Definitely would recommend checking that out and the Pulse-Tec is pretty good also.  They just released a new delay plug that is getting some pretty good feedback as well but I haven't tried it.
 
Some of the companies you mentioned such as Softube, Lexicon, and Sonnox have yet to go 64bit so you might want to keep that in mind as well.  I've heard Softube is working on making the transition but a lot of companies have been saying that for years now so who knows when it will actually happen.  A good 64bit reverb alternative to Lexicon might be 2CAudio Aether.  Really good sounding reverb that can be shaped in many ways.
 
IK Multimedia is another company you might want to look at and they have started releasing 64bit versions of some of their plugs and their latest comps (1176 and LA-2A emus) sound pretty good.  A lot are saying they prefer them over the CLA series versions that Waves offers.