AT
 Or you can dock 64-bit effects

32bit plug-ins may be docked too. 32bit VST plug-ins wrapped with BitBridge (I do not have jBrdige so have no knowledge about it) may be docked using by their VST header. Maybe not as useful because the header does not contain the actual UI. Instead there is a button to display the UI. To display the header hold the SHIFT key when opening the plug-in UI. The header window will usually open behind the plug-in UI.

Just started using X3d.
 
I also installed Alloy2 and Ozone5.
 
I have to say that after using Sonar7PE since it was released, I am sort of used to those FX Plugs, but I have been diving into Alloy2 and loving it.
 
I need to try Pro Channel, as it looks like a great tool!
 
I have not seen the Blue Tubes FX...I must be missing something.
 
Every time I open X3d is searches for the plug ins and it finds 63 of them.
 
So...Blue Tubes must be in there somewhere.
 
If I sort by VST2 or VST3, etc. where should I look (while in the browser)?

The Blue Tube effects are VST2 plug-ins in the Nomad Factory folder.

nick8004
I upgraded from Sonar 7 to X2 last year and just started using it in earnest. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the effects that are available--I realize many have been there forever but there's a lot of new stuff, too. Not sure about which choices to make--PerfectSpace or Breverb? The Sonitus Equalizer or Pro Channel? I want to be reasonably proficient on the "must have" tools for recording, mixing and mastering without spending more research time than I have to. This is mainly for contemporary and acoustic jazz with saxophone and electronic/ambient music.

So what are your top-tier, A-team, "bread and butter" effects? Should I automatically choose Pro Channel over similar plug-ins, and why?
 
Intel Core i7-2600K @ 3.40GHz
8GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit

As far as you not wanting to spend more time than needed doesn't matter as we all have different internal learning curves. For example: someone who knows how each setting in a reverb works will learn the differences faster between each reverb, than someone who doesn't know how each setting of a reverb works. The same goes for every effect.
 
So you may have to so pend allot more time learning each plugin before you decide what are your go to ones.
Because its not the plugin effects that make a song sound better. Its the person using the  plugin effetcs
 
Just look at each plugin and find out what there qualities are in  regards of how they effect your individual tracks and songs. listen for the subtle differences in each of the EQ's, reverbs, compressors, delays and all the other effects.
 
CJ

+1 for the Sonitus compressor. Not only does it work well, but the GUI uses the capabilities of a computer-based display well. I really like that I can see how tweaking the controls affects the transfer characteristic curve of the compressor. I know the received wisdom is "use your ears" but using your eyes as well adds a lot. For instance, you can anticipate what the compressor will do to a signal out of the range of whatever is currently hitting it. Conversely, I don't get why the current fashion for vintage emulations means that we can't have an information-rich GUI, too. For me, that is the shortcoming of all of the Pro Channel stuff. 

Thanks.

I've come to really appreciate the Pro Channel in combination with track templates.  I could create track templates with any of my fx, but the Pro Channel is right there and so much quicker.  The bonus is that they are quality plugs.
 
I've been updating and archiving a ton of my old song ideas and I find myself using Addictive Drums a lot (over EZ and ECO) and DimPro.  Piece of cake to drag AD/DimPro from the browser with all my preferred PC fx settings, drag my old midi data, then tweak the audio in the Pro Channel.  Sound like a no brainer, but I've replaced so many instruments on midi tracks lately I couldn't help but notice how slick it is.  I don't miss scrolling through plugs...
 
However, I must say I still use the Sonitus suite a lot.  As stated, the delay is awesome, especially when you mess with the sync settings.
V

Melodyne, ProChannel EQ, ProChannel 1176, Lexion Reverb, and EZMix, the last of which requires explanation (see below).
 
Although I do not like many of the presets, there are a few inside Toontrack's EZMix 2 that I use quite often.  (I have EZMix 2 + Mastering + Vocal Toolbox).
 
In the drum department, I use the Firm Kick preset a lot.  This alone would justify the price for me.  A couple of the other kick presets are equally good depending on your style of music and the original drum sound.  (I have also used tom presets to control the bottom and hi-hat presets to turn trashy into crisp.)
 
Bass with Limiter is excellent on DI'd or clean sampled bass.  I use it on J Bass sometimes, but on a Rick, it really helps keep things under control.
 
There is a Compressor-Exciter vocal present that has helped me out a few times in getting the voice out front without making it sound too loud for the track.  (Most of the vocal presets are a little too much for me, but my style is pretty organic.)
 
It doesn't come up often, but the Pedal Steel preset gives a good amped/club sound to a pedal steel sample.
 
I never use the guitar presents in EZMix, but that's just me.
 
So, even though I use only a handful for the presets, it is rare to have a track that doesn't use at least one.  To my ears, there are a few good presets and a lot of "not for me" presets.  As mentioned in the recent Sound on Sound review, this product would be WAY more useful if it were more tweakable, but then you'd lose the low price and simple interface that are the chief marketing points.
 
~~~

ChristopherM
 Conversely, I don't get why the current fashion for vintage emulations means that we can't have an information-rich GUI, too. For me, that is the shortcoming of all of the Pro Channel stuff. 

Good point. I'd like to see a live graph for the compressors. Maybe that could be a fly out like we have for the EQ.

The pro-channel plugs are now my go-to for all my bread and butter stuff. 

• Quad-curve EQ
• Channel and bus compression
• Softtube saturation

On just about everything.
Console emulation and tape emulation on my downstream busses (Drums, GTR, Submaster, and Master)