pc4k is for busses, the response of the compressor is suited more for sub mixes/mixes than track duties, though not limited to it, whilst the pc 76 is for individual track duties

bandso


However many of us, especially me, have a bad case of gear lust and are chasing the dragon of advertising sonic excellent.

Oh yes, I know all about gear lust and gas. I play guitar and fully know about it.  I think what part of the issue is, is when you watch the videos up on Groove3. The presenter always brings out some 3rd party plugin.  As a newbie it makes you second guess the stock plugins without having any good background knowledge, thus leading you to think you need to go buy that plugin. It would be nice if the presenters stuck with stock FX.

Dave King


I'm having problems differentiating between the PC76 and the PC4K compressors in the Pro Channel.

In what situations would one be better than the other and why? 

I end up using a "76" type compressor with a fast attack and slow release on vocals. They're all (76's) similar in function and sound, although Waves has a "blue-stripe" CLA-76 that I really like for lead vocal. the PC76 is a great one, however. The PC4K is really an SSL 4K clone, and I tend to use this one on transient materials, such as Kick and Snare. Try them both and see what works on what. That's what's fun about the choices!

I use Ozone a lot. I also use the cake stock plugs a lot. 

I prefer the cake StudioVerb2 over the Ozone reverbs. 

Compression and EQ.... I use the cake plugs in the tracks all the time. I even have presets in them that I start with for drums, bass, guitars, vocals...and have the same things in Ozone. 

redbarchetta


So no need to go invest in something like IKMultimedia's toys?

so il give the real deal the stock plugs with sonar x2 are basic if anyone is saying there great they must have droped 300-400 on the Prochannel stuff. i personaly hate the PC nonsence since i use many daw and software anything bound to your daw is useless. so consider if you want to pay more after x2, i have IK classic  and ozone those are steller.and its far more uselful and flexable.bricklimiter is all i would say is worth the money but remember they are xtra not included in producer so that my honest opinion, steller thats funny steller 500 bucks later maybe.
 

Dave King

You didn't mention IK Multimedia... No go for their T Racks gear?

I like the T-Racks plugs a lot.  Their Brickwall Limiter is my go-to limiter.

i too feel the t racks is far better , i never use cake stuff besides the comps since i got that with white and black, and never looked back

This brings up a good point:

To Cakewalk: You should make the Pro-Channel a standalone plug-in shell. Make it plug-able into ANY DAW, not just Sonar, even it it has to "float" just like any other plug-in. Turn it into a better Plug-In chain for other DAW's as well. Not everyone will be using Sonar for various reasons, so this would be a great advertisement. This would allow your own plug-ins to be used with and DAW, getting you in that game, and when people love the Pro-Channel use in other DAW's, then see how well it sits in Sonar, they'll consider this bonus when looking to switch to a new DAW.

I imagine that not having to go through a VST skin offers some advantage to the integrated PC plugins.

What I and my aging eyes would really like is to be able to pop out a PC plugin's interface into a much bigger window.
All Sonar plugins are small, but the PC ones are tiny.

you guys seriosly think the Vintage channel or the VS-64 /percussion strip are just average plug ins?

im not saying their waves,but i think above average on those in perticulair.

DigitalBoston

redbarchetta


So no need to go invest in something like IKMultimedia's toys?

so il give the real deal the stock plugs with sonar x2 are basic if anyone is saying there great they must have droped 300-400 on the Prochannel stuff. i personaly hate the PC nonsence since i use many daw and software anything bound to your daw is useless. so consider if you want to pay more after x2, i have IK classic  and ozone those are steller.and its far more uselful and flexable.bricklimiter is all i would say is worth the money but remember they are xtra not included in producer so that my honest opinion, steller thats funny steller 500 bucks later maybe.
 

I am one who thinks the PC modules are great. They sound great and that is my only criteria.