OK, I'll bite. First, explain to me what S-1 does that makes it unique. I know I can trust you not to use the word "mojo".

The best I can explain it is to emphasize consideration of their use of the term "imager".
 
FWIW I pretty much ignore the stereo widening aspects and just think of it as a super panner that seems to effectively place the sound in an image with more apparent effect than a simple pan adjust.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
I can do similar things with surround tools and Nugens Stereoizer, but nothing seems as simple and intuitive as simply sliding the S1 "rotation" slider and hearing the effect I've always wanted to hear when I "panned" something.
 
Drew mentioned he thought the effect must be, by measurement, minimal. I'll opine that the audible effect is unmistakable. It lets me place something just a little off center, or a lot of center with a clarity I can easily appreciate... all with one simple slider adjustment. No distractions.
 
It's the next best thing to L-C-R... maybe better.
 
It's been available, seemingly, for ever. :-)
 
If I had been able to find a suitable alternative I probably wouldn't have any Waves stuff.
 
I'm open to the idea that Melda's "rotation" knob may do something similar. Yes???
 
I really like the simple S1 GUI. It seems intuitive, almost over simplified, I just point the cone where I want it and the sound comes from where I think I just put it.
 
No kidding!
 
:-)
 
 
 

First, NONE OF US HERE are top flight Mixers or Producers...so our opinions don't mean a hill
of beans...while I DO greatly respect them....

I see so many bashing THIS plugin or THAT plugin, mostly from the standpoint of having a 
"beef" with the Company (myself not excluded ), or because they can't get it to
work properly, etc... or trying to over-scientifically analyze what it's doing.

YET
 
in regards to the S-1, it is used by some of the VERY BEST Mixers and FOH Engineers in the business.
What it does to widen or narrow, and skew, the sound field is what makes it valuable..that is all.

IR is used by some of the BEST MIXERS in the business...
Renn Verb is used extensively in studio's around the world...
Manny's Reverb has a Bricasti Model...and it's less then $50 right now...
Yes Valhalla has nice reverbs...so does 112db, Eventide, Lexicon, 
2CAudio, Phoenix, etc...

But you don't find very many TOP producers using Valhalla on their mixes...
not that it's not good enough, but they use the tools that they feel works
best for THEM.

The ToneLux Tilt and the Maag EQ's are used extensively in Studio's the world over...
Looking at a "CURVE" doesn't tell you the "SOUND" that comes from it....it gives you
a "visualization" of how the filters are effecting the frequencies....nothing more...
but that curve on a graph can NEVER show you "the sound".

We can "over-analyze" something...rather then appreciate it's characteristics for what they are.
Every plugin must serve some purpose to SOMEONE.  YOU don't have to like it...but someone else might
LOVE IT and produce Grammy winning recordings with it.

Bottom line is this...
 
These are TOOLS.  And one wrench DOES NOT fit all...be happy with what works for YOU...
and let other's be happy with what works for them, and stop the over-analyzing already...
Not everyone uses Snap-On....or Mac...or Craftsman...

MOJO is MOJO...so get on with it already....MAKE MUSIC, prove your
"expertise", and win some Grammy's....that's all I'm saying...and I say
it with all due respect...

I'm using Valhalla Room Reverb on a guitar track in my latest SONAR mix.
 
I'm hoping Sean will get past the beta stage with the AAX sooner than later.

His plugs are way under priced...and we benefit.

Great stuff for sure...

One thing that I think I haven't appreciated enough is that Waves does keep their older stuff available for the people who enjoy being able to use it.
 
The next time I complain about an "update" making something worse I'll remember that waves just adds new stuff while keeping "old favorites" around for the folks that might miss it if it became unavailable.
 
I never really realized how cool that actually is until just a short while ago.