ensconced

Yeah I have most of what is available, to be honest I prefer Revalver's ACT Amp Clones, same type of thing, you just need R4 and the ACT Combo module and whatever amp pack (They haven't released one for a long time). Having said that I'm not a great fan of TH-U, just doesn't sound right, boxy or something, can be sorted somewhat with tweaking, but you know. Was a big fan back in the TH2 - early TH3 days, but as new/more amp sims came out, well I just don't use it much anymore, doesn't seem to stop me buying addons for it, although I might be cured, have no desire purchasing the new Vintage Collection 2. I rarely use TH2(3)(-U) or Revalver anymore, even if I do start messing around with them, they always get replaced. If I had my time over again, I would skip TH-U altogether. As for the Choptones stuff, if you have BIAS Amp 1 or 2, most, if not all (plus a lot more) of what they are putting out for TH-U is available for BIAS Amp 1 and 2, and sounds and feels much much better IMO, and then of course also available in BIAS FX1 or 2 depending which versions of Amp and FX you have. If you keep an eye on what they put out for TH-U I'd be willing to bet it follows closely to what is already available for BIAS, could be wrong, but thus far it has. https://www.choptones.com/positive-grid-bias-patches?limit=100 Of course that's just me and YMMV

If you are just after an impulse loader you could just get Two Notes WOS for cheaper, Free (almost) after the trial period, all you have to do is purchase at least 1 cab from there selection, and then you are set to go. You can just use it like a basic impulse loader and bypass/turn off the extras, EQ, Comp, etc. They have some good quality cabs available, but you can also use 3rd party cabs. https://www.two-notes.com/wall-of-sound I would suggest Kazrog's Recabinet 5, but I don't think it's available for purchase now. There are also many other alternatives, some free, some not. I'll never buy another Melda plug, good quality and all, some unique features and stuff, but the look is just nauseating to me, can't stand looking at them, but that's just me, others love the look.

Haven't tried them, or even really thought about it, they are just not up to the task really, I look at them as toys. I think they are mainly aimed at people who use the BandLab app and record with their phones or similar, just a cheap easy way of connecting to their device. I doubt anyone is really going to trade in their current interface for one of these or anything. Azlow3 put it best on the old forums http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3776855

Are you still wanting the 646?

No offense or anything of the sort was meant or intended, my apologies.

Bassdude can shine with a good dist/OD pedal in front, and also do nice cleans and good with Chorus etc, it's actually not bad, but I still don't give it much love unfortunately.

ReValver 4 (and 3.5) are pretty good, with RV4 I usually only use the ACT Amp clones as apposed to the other included content, it's kinda like TH-U's Rigs thing except better to my ears, you do need to purchase the ACT Combo module, about $40, but the amp packs themselves are only about $3 each. But I don't fire up ReValver very often, and it's let down a little by it's FX, not as comprehensive or good as say something like Amplitube, which I don't use that much either. Pretty much own everything Amp Sim wise (don't like demoing, would rather purchase and have all the time I need to access, and the ability to revisit any time I feel) Don't think much of stuff like Thermionik, the new Nueral DSP and STL stuff, it's ok, but. With regards to things like pick response etc, it's a bit like Clint Eastwoods quote about opinions being lioke a certain part of the human anatomy, some people say ReValver will have it, some will swear Thermionik has it nailed, some will say S-Gear etc, personally I can't say I notice any difference myself, don't notice it particularly lacking anywhere, maybe it has to do with set up, input levels whatever, I don't know, but it's never been anything that has stuck out for me, and by how different people will have different opinions on it, perhaps it's in the air somewhere, as long as your happy with what you use that's the main thing.

The Chandler amp mentioned earlier is pretty good, a little different because of the leaning to power amp distortion rather than pre amp distortion, get some nice sounds out of it. Can get very ZZTop ish without much effort. Personally don't think much of any of the other PA amp sims, own them, but they never get used.

Ozone 9 Advanced BFD4 Studio One 5 pretty much all I am wanting/waiting for, but there are probably a few other things that when they do pop up I would grab straight away, I would be interested to see what Amplitube 5 will be like etc. Not really anything that is currently available which I don't already own interests me much.

Agree, that is a nice plug, I've had it since it was released, works nicely if you have a use case for it, a lot of people put it down for various reasons, which is fine, but for me I like what it does when I use it, don't really care if it is 'authentic' in what it does or claims to do, just know it's a quick, easy and reliable way to better than without it. Could probably achieve it by other means, but this does nicely. Sad I can't enter this GB, already own everything, well except the Leslies, and I don't have any interest in them, plus then any freebies would be duplicates.

Don't think so, it's been like that ever since there has been standalone plugins included as far as I know.

Apparently not, note in the link below under the different moduals where it says 'Available as a plugin' only Advanced has it marked. https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone/features.html#comp I've only ever owned Advanced versions of iZotope's products (only buy the top tier of any product I purchase), and from memory that was the way it always was from what I had read, only Advanced got the standalone plugins, but hey . . .

Well, if you have the advanced version you can use the individual modules, EQ, Comp etc the same way you use your EQ's. Comps etc now, as apposed to loading up the whole shebang. Generally speaking the individual modules themselves are of very good quality. With the standard version I don't think you get the individual modules as standalone vst's (At least that's how it use to be)

Ah good, thank you for that. You didn't choose that extra sound bank as one of the yearly freebies they give out?

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade replaces VA-2 or installs separately? I was a little disappointed when Loom 2 replace Loom.

Klanghelm's SDDR2 ain't half bad https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/SDRR/SDRR.php and many others, a lot of the Waves plugs that add saturation etc. Agree True Iron is pretty cool

Got them all many moons ago (Not that cheap though), all very good if they suit your style.

Better than Klanghelm in your opinion? I purchased it anyway, but wont get to run it until tomorrow afternoon.

Code 'GROUP' comes up with invalid or whatever, however Code 'Forum' works and brings the price to $12.90

I only use LMC for a quick 'slap it on and leave it' type thing just to give a quick result, it's always replaced eventually. I like it better than Masterdesk, which I never use. How would I rate it, already mentioned against LMC, against Ozone 8 Adv? it's not even in the same class, same goes for my Waves stuff, Materdesk just can't really compete IMO. Save your money and stick with what you've got.

That's what I use, I tried a lot of others and found Acronis TI to be most reliable and easy to use. Never had an issue with it failing, been using it for years. I don't install anything though, I just create the bootable disk and boot to it and do my backups manually and off line. You can install it and set it up to do stuff automatically if you so choose, but I prefer not to install anything I don't need to install, and to have the least amount of stuff running in the background doing things automatically etc. There are a few choices, some will like one, some another, some will work better for others etc, read up try out a few of them for yourself and choose what best suits you

Or . . . $71.20 at OVERLOUD site if you already own any other GEM product with the code in your OVERLOUD account.

I'll stop checking the OVERLOUD site for a few days then

If you already own another product from OVERLOUD's GEM range you should have a code in your account for 20% off any further GEM products. SO maybe wait to see what price they have it for on the OVERLOUD site, doesn't seem to be there yet. It also seems like they have the GEM products already around $20 or so off