marcL

IMO the download/installation with UA Connect is ridiculous if I look at the resulting files installed (e.g. with PolyMAX). Especially I don't understand that there are no installation options to choose and I don't like the lack of transparency of their process. Also using iLok authorization I don't see the requirement to do some additional foggy stuff in this area, everything could be done in the iLok Manager itself as usual. No meanders are required!

Also never before I had to enter my iLok password for a plugin installation and it never happened to me that I had a prompt to allow web-access during plugin scanning. It seems to be a very shady company regarding their software (oops this will cause comments I guess)! And it never happened to me that my iLok was unlinked of my system, because I forgot first to put the authorization on it (happened with UA Connect!!!).

All in all I am convinced that I will not buy their stuff, it does not matter how good the deal will be, but YMMV! Luckily there are enough good products to a fair price on the market that can be installed/authorized more easily!

^Exactly that!

There is not one plugin in the list (I don't have) that I would pay $30 plus 25% tax for! And additionally they always want you to force to buy two!

The last time I spend my money more on other companies than PA!

PSP InfiniStrip WIND for $49 on AudioDeluxe:

https://www.audiodeluxe.com/products/audio-plugins/psp-infinistrip-wind

Currently £4.47 in Plugin Boutique:

https://www.pluginboutique.com/products/9160-Groundshaker

4 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

MAutoAlign is a specialized utility, so also not likely to be a freebie or deep discount.

In July 2021 MAutoAlign was £17.49 in Plugin Boutique. That was a great deal IMHO (that's why I snapped it)!

It's not been the only case where I am lucky that I am using VST2 !  😃

https://www.bestservice.com/en/cryostasis.html

Maybe it will get to other web shops, too?

Why are they called "Mixing Night Audio"? They should be called "Toon Audio" instead! 😄

In the first moment I missed also that not everything is included. Luckily I had noticed it before I purchased! 😄 

But still I think it is a great deal!

One thing that has been important for me: Now I have the latest version of the Blue Tubes that support mouse wheel on the controls! 👍 The version that we got with Sonar Platinum did not support this and it was not updatable! Now all of their plugins except the Analog Signature Pack support mouse wheel.

18 minutes ago, antler said:

After you've registered your serial (a one-time operation), you can treat your Player libraries like your Full libraries. You can copy the folder to back them up, and you can go into Native Access to re-link a copy to re-install; no need to re-download if you've already got the files somewhere.

But you still need ONLINE access on your computer to use NA (authorization)! And also your NA gets more and more cluttered (it lacks some sort of hierarchical organization)!

9 hours ago, Fleer said:

Love these in-depth updates 

I prefer if a product is just right from the beginning! 😉

10 hours ago, cclarry said:

Well isn't that special.  They just didn't give me a serial #...I had to purchase it again
to get the NI Serial #

Still prefer "Full Kontakt" version(s), 'cos they allow offline and manual installation (as far as you have already Kontakt installed)!

I don't like NI Access and there are already too many products in it (Komplete), it is not very clearly arranged (in short a mess)!

8 hours ago, Zo said:

Marc , if ya own the arturia , you can also import those ....try it , be sure then to go in option and change velocity to taste (i've found the full velocity setting s better than the DX7 one , i guess they tweaked it for arturia keyboard or some ) 

Regrettably, I don't have the Arturia one (have only the Jup8V and AnalogLab). Their synths are quite expensive.

9 hours ago, TheSteven said:

I've heard similar complaints with other DX synths.  Apparently not all softsynths import/interpret the syx files the same.
Another thing maybe be because the FM8 was modeled after the DX7II, if the Arturia's DX7 V was 'accurately' modeled after a DX7 that might also account for some of the differences.

Thanks @TheSteven ! I didn't know that it is possible to import sysx files into FM8.

I just have loaded the factory presets (almost unchanged) that I had exported of my DX7II (bought in the 80s and I still have it). Many of the sounds are almost the same as the original, but there are some with pitch changes that sound completely awful in the FM8 (the pitch changes too much). I had noticed the same thing with Dexed some years ago, where I tried the patches the first time.

Frankly, there are not many plugins in the ANY-2999-1 range that I would buy again at this price (almost $36 - $38 with tax in Europe)! There are better alternatives from small developers for eqs, compressors, deessers, ... for less (Toneboosters, Klanghelm, ...). Though the lower priced PA plugin deals are ok.

I think some companies make a mistake if they add the whole European tax to the product prices! We do not earn 20% to 25% more than in North America. Usually prices are indeed higher here, but not at the whole tax percentage. Otherwise we would be really poor and consumption would drastically decrease!

1 hour ago, Bapu said:

Does Zildjian have a sample player on their website like Paiste does?

Thanks Bapu! That's very cool to listen to the sounds. I have found my favorite Paiste ride now: Masters Dry Ride 20" (great bell sound and the tip is not too crashy)! But regrettably I am NO drummer! 😄

It would be great if the drums VSTis had more choices for good Rides like that!

And again I have to repeat it: There is no clever and reliable plugin manager/installer! Many times you have more trouble than help with them IMHO, but YMMV!

I always have hated the Melda installer, because I don't like how it organizes the plugins in subdirectory groups as if there is only Melda Production! I have such groups on a higher level (provider independant) and it does not make sense to repeat this on their level! I.e. I always have to move their stuff around manually. Like that it is one of the most labour-intensive installations for me!

Another dislike: I don't think it is a good idea to keep the version number of a component out of its code, it's rather dangerous and confusing!

2 hours ago, Byron Dickens said:

Whatever.

I have a 1979 Marshall JMP Mk II 50w Master Lead  sitting in my room.  I get what I want with the flick of a switch

 

Or I can plug into the afforementioned Marshall 2204....

That's why I lately purchased a Marshall Studio Classic, remembering the great sound of the JCM800 that I once owned. And it did not disappoint me, they still make great amps!

I still prefer real amps over simulations, but YMMV!

Cool, I really like 1x12 and 2x12 guitar sound! Though I always preferred combos.

3 hours ago, msmcleod said:

Personally, I love this plugin.  

It's true that you can get the same results by doing everything yourself with EQ,  so it's not something I reach for often. But if you've tried EQ'ing yourself and you're still struggling trying to get something to fit in the mix, it can save you hours of tweaking.

Though one thing one should not forget with all these automatic tools: If you want to handle the frequency clash of 2 tracks (e.g. Bass and Kick), then it is advisable first to reduce some frequencies of the sidechain track IMHO. Otherwise the sound of the target track is reduced too much! What I want to say: The man behind the mix still has to decide whether the bass or the kick should occupy the lowest frequencies!

"Are you my main man
Are you now are you now
Are you my Main Man
Are you now are you now
Are you now" - Marc Bolan (T. Rex)

Do I need another EQ ... another EQ ... another EQ ???

But it's soooo cheap, a real deal for $10 !!!

But I have so many EQs plugs console strips, do I really need this one?

It's so mean, soo meeean!

2 hours ago, mibby said:

I can quit buying plugins anytime.

That's the advantage of buying instead of sub! 😄

5 hours ago, TheSteven said:

Spending more time updating & maintaining their plugin library than creating music

^^this * 100

11 hours ago, jngnz said:

Also, I don’t like that that they’re using standalone plugins because I‘m paranoid about devs upgrading slowly or not at all and me not being able to use my stuff anymore.

I share your concern not to be able to use the stuff you paid for in certain cases! But as far as my experience goes, I am more worried about online authorizations. These include the risque that you cannot reactivate/install your software on a system with hardware update anymore (many possible cases).