Hi everyone,
 
I am planning to return to the Sonar fold (last update was Sonar 7) and I am taking a hard look at the differences between X3 Studio and Producer.  (The $100 difference is real to me.)  
 
I've scanned the internet for opinions on the X series console emulator and would like some input from Sonarians.
 
Do you still use it?  (and therefore presumably like it)  All your mixes or just some?  Or was it a novelty that wore off?
 
FWIW, I do rock, pop and singer/songwriter material.  Also, I have the Slate VCC RC Tube (only, not full VCC) for a console flavor.
 
Thanks!
 
 
 

I love it! I use it on all tracks and all busses. I have a long history with analog recording and grudgingly came to digital 12 or 13 years ago. Using the Console Em and the new Tape Em has really given my mixes an analog feel for the first time. All that "warm" nonsense every plugin seems to tout never got me there personally. This new one-two punch made me take notice. It's very good. Sonar has been my DAW since '07 and I just love how good X3 is.

Love it. Use it.  Every track and bus.  There are three different types, S. N, & A.  Each has a slightly different color.  I like the A usually, but sometimes for driving drums the S type is more punchy; other tracks perhaps the N does the trick.  Definitely one of the great features of the ProChannel.

southpaw3473
I love it! I use it on all tracks and all busses. I have a long history with analog recording and grudgingly came to digital 12 or 13 years ago. Using the Console Em and the new Tape Em has really given my mixes an analog feel for the first time. All that "warm" nonsense every plugin seems to tout never got me there personally. This new one-two punch made me take notice. It's very good. Sonar has been my DAW since '07 and I just love how good X3 is.

Thank you and cecelius2 for your helpful insights.
 
Re Tape Em:  How do you feel it compares against other tape sims?
 
Re analog feel:       For me, the best sounding rock material (from a recording sound quality point of view - not saying the music itself trumps other eras) was the mid-90s.  I just love the sound quality of, for example, Pearl Jam's Ten, Spin Doctors' Pocket Full of Kryptonite, etc.  I  am guessing that was when analog tech was at its peak before the digital revolution completely took over.  If this is a question even capable of being answered :-), could the console and tape ems  be used (with the right engineer, material, and other equipment) to create that kind of sound quality?
 
 

I also use the Console Emulation on every track and bus.  I use S, N and A type, depending on the material.
 
I also like the Tape Emulation.  It compares well to others I have used.  I have always like using them on drums, but am starting to find Cake's one very good on electric guitars that are going through amp sims.
 
Both are extremely good, and I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

urock
For me, the best sounding rock material (from a recording sound quality point of view - not saying the music itself trumps other eras) was the mid-90s.  I just love the sound quality of, for example, Pearl Jam's Ten

 
Funnily enough, the band have gone on to say that they hate the sound of that album and wish they could go back and remix it. Something about too much reverb. 

sharke

urock
For me, the best sounding rock material (from a recording sound quality point of view - not saying the music itself trumps other eras) was the mid-90s.  I just love the sound quality of, for example, Pearl Jam's Ten

 
Funnily enough, the band have gone on to say that they hate the sound of that album and wish they could go back and remix it. Something about too much reverb. 

They actually did have it remixed, and it sounds great!  They basically rolled off the verb and changed the mix a bit, and now it sounds fantastic.  I personally didn't really mind it before, but it sound even better now.  Guitars are a bit drier and as a result, grittier and cooler.

sven450

sharke

urock
For me, the best sounding rock material (from a recording sound quality point of view - not saying the music itself trumps other eras) was the mid-90s.  I just love the sound quality of, for example, Pearl Jam's Ten

 
Funnily enough, the band have gone on to say that they hate the sound of that album and wish they could go back and remix it. Something about too much reverb. 

They actually did have it remixed, and it sounds great!  They basically rolled off the verb and changed the mix a bit, and now it sounds fantastic.  I personally didn't really mind it before, but it sound even better now.  Guitars are a bit drier and as a result, grittier and cooler.

 
Thanks for the info.  I'll have to check out the remix.  I can the see the reverb thing (echo-y in some parts).  Regardless, I think  the original sounds really "organic". 
 
 

I upgraded to X2 the day it was available and used the CE.  After all this time, I still can't hear a difference with it engaged or not, -assuming the volume is matched-, never mind a difference between types.  I use it for fun anyways, because I like the graphic :)
 
The new Pro Channel Tape Em us awesome!  Not that anyone asked, but just throwing it out there

I use the following rules in using the Console Emulations.

I play a recording similar in style (my target sound for the project) and try the different emulations on that recording. Whichever one colours the sound the way I like then I use it on the project on all tracks and busses as if that was the console I was mixing on. If I try to mix and match there's so many possible combination I could never get to a setting I liked. This is a way of fairly quickly homing in on what works best.

That process has worked so far. But sometimes you don't need a console emulation at all.