first run at a mix with the plugins.
oh yes!
it's been a while for me with digital recording.
but with minimal effort - fantastic results.
 
just a touch of compression and some intelligent EQ, everything has its own space.
and POPS!
 
my main task was getting good sound from my Godin fretless A4.
i sent the mixed piezo/mag bass guitar output to one track.
and used a large diaphragm condenser to capture the acoustic/finger noise on another.
 
yow! stunning!
 
thanks for the help everyone!
fred

plainfaced
I downloaded a demo of DDMFs The Strip today.. Haven't given it a good run yet.. Found it searching for an inexpensive Channel Strip plugin..

http://ddmf.eu/thestrip-channel-strip-plugin/

i love how the graphics for some of these plugins show beat-to-crap metal panels.
tickles me.

ok, so...
so, ok...
 
i've been messing with some of the free plugins just to get a grip on proper EQ, compression...
 
i like the Melda MEqualizer and the Sonitus Compressor.
 
AND masterbus plugins like FerricTDS, BaxterEQ and a few different brickwall limiters- Limiter no. 6 seems good, can be aggressive.
 
as a juvenile, i maxed these things out trying to feel what their effects are. 
now, i am trying to get my source material at good, pleasing levels before adding any of these plugins.
 
as i add them, i keep an eye on my levels (another thread i started) and attempt to ENHANCE the original signals rather than over-process them.
 
for example, as a bass player, i've taken a lot of time building up my instruments, Aguilar/Fralin pickups, Aguilar/J-Retro onboard preamps. fretted and fretless Jazz-styled basses and a Godin fretless. i haven't really gotten into my Tele and Strat yet.
 
OY-ness.
 
These guitars sound great on their own with a bit of compression. especially live.
 
however, recording them - it's crazy how much these plugins bring out my bass and drum tracks.
 
part of me thinks they should MIX straight in - nekkid, no touchy with any plugins. nuthin'.
while the tone is there, they (my bass signals) don't "present" themselves in the mix until i spruce things up a bit.
 
---
 
ok, so...
 
2 things...
 
1. i would like to think going as sparse as possible with plugins and processing is preferred for a final mix (pre-master). but i like what the plugins i outlined above are doing.
 
i don't want to overdo it. thoughts?
 
2. rethinking the Sonar Platinum package.
           
Studio Mixing Suite
Engineering Suite
Boutique Suite
ProChannel
 
are the tools in these "suites" better than the free VSTs i mentioned above?
looks like some good stuff and i trust the Cakewalk engineers/designers know what they are doing.
 
while the free stuff is pretty good - and it's been a great rapid-fire education in less than a week, i can see the benefit of Platinum now.
 
any input appreciated.
fred

What would be really sweet is if those old Sonitus plugins got a VST3 facelift treatment. Sure, a "modern" look would be cool just cuz, but a larger GUI would be nice. I admit that I don't use those plugs much anymore and have fallen into the FabFilter fan club, but to this day, the Sonitus Delay is still my go-to.  The Blue Tubes Tempo Delay is cool and I use that quite a bit, but there's almost always an instance of Sonitus Delay in each project. Good stuff.

Jim Roseberry

dcumpian
My favorite channel strip is probably Waves SSL, but they will cost more than an upgrade to Platinum. 

Very big +1 on the Waves SSL bundle.
Used it for years... 
Works well on just about anything (does particularly well with acoustic drums)

 
ahhh yes. i'm sure it is perfect.
 
for my purposes though, i'm sure Plat will do fine.