Mr. torture
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Saturation knob
First time I have ever tried a saturation plug, this thing is pretty cool! I wonder how it stacks up against Slates?
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tbosco
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 11:17:21
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Craig Anderton's X1 Training videos give some cool tips on using the Saturation modules. They do work good.
Cheers! Tony SONAR Platinum JNCS Computer with Asus X99 Motherboard (i7) Win10 Pro 64bit, 32GB RAM Motif XF7, Komplete 11, Ozone 7, Komplete Kontrol 88 keys, Softube Console 1, PreSonus Faderport 8, Focusrite ISA 430 Mk 2 Mic Pre, Yamaha HS8s and Sub Drawmer 3.1 Monitor Controller Fractal Axe FX 2 XL Guitar Processor Lots-o-Guitars
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sharke
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 11:54:30
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I think I have a saturation addiction because more often than not I find myself using both the tube module AND the saturation knob stacked on top of each other in the ProChannel. They both add their own element to the sound that I can't seem to do without!
JamesWindows 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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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 12:11:24
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Yeah it's a cool thingamadoodle. Doesn't seem to like certain applications though. It seems to work reasonably well on bass tracks but it's quite nice on vocals and acoustic guitar. I just wish it was a little smoother. It gets too crackly too quick in my limited experience. The PC tube module thing seems a little smoother at lower levels but it's not quite as warm as the Softube knob. Meh... still learning.
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chilldanny
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 12:57:11
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Beepster - Use compression before the Tube or Saturation module to get much smoother results.
* Windows10 (x64), Focusrite Safire Pro24, Sonar Platinum (x64) * MacOS High Sierra, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live 9 * Danny M
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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:06:44
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Hmm... I'll check that out. I think it has been inserting later in the chain and I just left it there. I've got a lot to learn about creating proper chains (amongst many other things). Thanks.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:10:26
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I use the Softube Saturation knob an awful lot, on almost everything to some degree or other. Less is more here though, or at least for my use it is.
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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:14:51
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Yeah, it seems to start getting a little too crazy past 10-11 o'clock. It'll be cool for metal vocals though I think. Haven't tried any of that stuff yet.
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sharke
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:16:23
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Beepster
Hmm... I'll check that out. I think it has been inserting later in the chain and I just left it there. I've got a lot to learn about creating proper chains (amongst many other things). Thanks.
Chain order can really make a difference. I'm not experienced enough to know exactly what is happening and why, but sometimes when I'm having trouble getting a good sound I will move the saturation before the EQ or vice versa, or somewhere else in the chain, and the improvement will be very noticeable.
JamesWindows 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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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:26:16
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Ya... now that I've got a better handle on the program I'm gonna bury myself in proper recording concepts like chains and EQing. I think the Techniques forum is going to be a godsend in that regard. I don't understand half the stuff that gets talked about down there but dagummit I'm gonna try.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:29:13
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Beepster
Yeah, it seems to start getting a little too crazy past 10-11 o'clock. It'll be cool for metal vocals though I think. Haven't tried any of that stuff yet.
Mine thinks it's on a day out if it goes past nine o'clock. 
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chilldanny
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:32:06
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Beepster - Try using gentle compression with the make-up gain increased (but
not clipping) before the saturation and you'll notice a big difference.
You'll find you won't need to be dialling it in at 10-11 o'clock, more like 8 or 9.
Have a play and see what you think =)
Sharke - You're spot on, chain order will make a massive difference.
For example on a guitar track, rolling off the high frequencies with a LPF before
any saturation will result in a more controlled sound.
So the chain could be - Compressor, EQ, Saturation.
Hope this helps! =)
* Windows10 (x64), Focusrite Safire Pro24, Sonar Platinum (x64) * MacOS High Sierra, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live 9 * Danny M
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chilldanny
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:34:08
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FastBikerBoy
Mine thinks it's on a day out if it goes past nine o'clock.
* Windows10 (x64), Focusrite Safire Pro24, Sonar Platinum (x64) * MacOS High Sierra, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live 9 * Danny M
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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:36:29
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@FBB... It shouldn't start drinking that early. ;-p
@danny... Cool stuff, man. I'll definitely give it a whirl. Cheers.
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sharke
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:43:20
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Beepster
Ya... now that I've got a better handle on the program I'm gonna bury myself in proper recording concepts like chains and EQing. I think the Techniques forum is going to be a godsend in that regard. I don't understand half the stuff that gets talked about down there but dagummit I'm gonna try.
There are also thousands of articles and tutorial videos about mixing audio online, I sometimes find it more helpful to read a tutorial that begins from first principles than to dive into a forum discussion. As much as I've learned tons from forum threads, the problem when you're new to a subject is that these threads often contain many different people giving their opinion, and sometimes they disagree on things like where and how to use compression etc. Whereas if you're reading an article or a lesson, there may well be 100 different approaches out there but at least you're concentrating on one at a time. I've read lengthy forum discussions on technique at the end of which I've been more confused than when I started! Sound on Sound is a great place to find mixing tutorials. http://www.soundonsound.com/articles/Technique.php
JamesWindows 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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chilldanny
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:50:37
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Sharke - Very good point and superb advice.
It's one of those situations where as a user you need to find the education
that best suits you.
* Windows10 (x64), Focusrite Safire Pro24, Sonar Platinum (x64) * MacOS High Sierra, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live 9 * Danny M
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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 13:53:41
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Totally, but the differing opinions and approaches are cool though because I'm all about experimenting and soon I'll have nothing but time to try stuff. Also it seems there are quite a few direct links to specific articles in those threads so that's cool to.
As far as online resources I'll be digging into all that as well and have actually had SOS bookmarked since before I bought Sonar. Much of it was WAY over my head back then but I think I can handle it now. Also gonna be cruising through the digifreq stuff (I've decided to start stalking Mr. Garrigus ;-P) and I have a folder of bookmarks about mastering but it's still a little sparse. Just gotta get through the next few weeks and I can hopefully start really digging in. Cheers.
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jb101
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 15:41:08
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I use the sat knob a lot, but as Fbb says, less is more. I'll often put it on a track barely turned up. I've rarely turned it past nine o'clock either. I just like the subtle warmth it can provide.
Since getting the PC2A I've used it a little less. I find that can add a warmth, whether due to tube modeling or frequency dependent compression.
One nice feature of the sat knob is to use it gently on vocals, with the switch on "keep high". I used to use the Vocal strip to add saturation to only the high frequencies, but the sat knob sounds nicer, IMHO. Adding saturation to only the highs of a vocal help it push through, without turning it into "21st Century Schizoid Man".
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garrigus
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 16:13:22
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sharke
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 16:15:33
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JamesWindows 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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Beepster
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/18 16:17:33
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lulz...
I swear I'll draw the line at rooting through your garbage. ;-p
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/19 03:54:09
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sharke
garrigus
Beepster
can handle it now. Also gonna be cruising through the digifreq stuff (I've decided to start stalking Mr. Garrigus ;-P) and I have a folder of bookmarks about mastering but it's still a little sparse. Just I heard that... 
Seriously though... for everyone... two books (that are _not_ my own) I can recommend are...
Mixing Audio by Roey Izhaki - http://digifreq.com/?IzhakiMixing
Mastering Audio by Bob Katz - http://digifreq.com/?KatzMastering
Each one provides a lot of great info... I'm sure others here will agree.
I would add "Mixing Secrets" by Mike Senior to that list. Great book.
I have all three of these and agree 100% I also find that using the Sat Knob adds just a little something but it can get dirty pretty quickly if you overdo it. Subtlety is the key here, as it is with any Distortion/Overdrive/Saturation plugin
CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughoutCustom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
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sharke
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Re:Saturation knob
2012/11/19 11:39:22
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Bristol_Jonesey
I also find that using the Sat Knob adds just a little something but it can get dirty pretty quickly if you overdo it. Subtlety is the key here, as it is with any Distortion/Overdrive/Saturation plugin
My take is that in moderation it adds weight, but any more than that and it loses weight and sounds thin. The tube module is the same. Once it starts sounding thin then you have to back off the drive knob.
JamesWindows 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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