I have and just remembered why I don't use them any more unless I have to....

I'm currently working on a project where I need to use the Sonitus Compressor on several tracks and I've just proven that my own theory on the PC ergonomics is correct. I'm trying to tame the peaks on a guitar track and wondering why on earth the compressor isn't working.

In desperation I start to reduce the threshold all the way down and hear the drums being squashed down to nothing. Yep...... I've got the wrong Compressor window in focus.

Back to the nice convenient prochannel as soon as possible for me.

Nice one Karl

Its getting hard to find a reason to use a normal VST. 

John


Its getting hard to find a reason to use a normal VST. 

+1
 

Couldn't you wrap an fx chain around that sonitus compressor, drag it right into the pro channel and control it via ACT?

I haven't made the flip over yet.  Reasons:-
1. Breverb -  I just can't seem to get the effects I want out of it.  I've tried but I get fed up wasting time and load Pantheon or Ozone5's reverb module.
2. It's too easy to have the wrong track in focus - 'why isn't this doing anything?' 
3. I find them fiddly.  Also, the curves on the EQ only move with massive (I'm talking 6"-10") drags with the mouse.  I wish there was some way of changing the 'gearing' here.
4. I've got FabFilter's L, C and Q modules and for me nothing beats their quality and ease of use and GUI information.

Chacun à son goût, etc.

I know that problem.  Only issue I have is that I'm finding the PC compressor very sensitive to low frequency distortion - even at relatively high thresholds and slow attack times with low ratios.  To the extent that I'm ok using it on individual tracks, but avoiding it over the master buss.  I'm working on a new X2 track at the moment and am still at the early stages, so will try a few things.  It might just be a familiarisation thing.

I hardly use VSTs anymore unless it's really, really special (amp sims and such is not included in this statement). And those VSTs I can't live without I've thrown into a FX chain. It's great!

Also, the curves on the EQ only move with massive (I'm talking 6"-10") drags with the mouse. I wish there was some way of changing the 'gearing' here.

 
Try reducing the EQ graph's range - that's worked for me.
 

I only use the VSTs anymore to possibly color my sound in a different way, but have come to rely about 90% on the PC.  I love it and it really seems to work for me.  I rarely put anything on my master bus, as I use Ozone 5 on a stereo Master track of my song these days.  I DID use Console Emulation on my last tune's master bus however, and it added a bit of openess and warmth to the overall mix.  (S-Type I believe....the middle one.  LOL)

I agree about selecting the wrong PC often...and then wondering why my EQ changes aren't doing anything... only to find out I have totally screwed up another track altogether.. LMAO.  Honestly I don't know how that happens so frequently.  ...Something about track selection and Active Track I suppose....