Craig Fowler

I'd need to go through my VSTs to check 🙂 I have a feeling that Kuassa have models that include trem. I haven't tried adding tremolo to a plugin to get that effect, though, as I don't have a trem plugin!

I held back on some things that I wanted but don't have an immediate need for (e.g., updating from Korg Collection 5 -->6, a Roland synth, SY85 emulation from Gospel Musicians, StraightAheadSamples Soprano sax). The things I bought were: Softube Atlantis Chambers ($41). With the extra 25% code, it came down to a price which is *way* lower than I've seen it before. UAD's Ocean Way Studios ($49). I've used the DSP version for years, and the native update has quite a number of new features. Embertone Honky Tonk Harmonica ($29). I'm finding lots of uses for instruments I think of as 'seasonings' to be used sparingly (e.g., Xperimenta's accordians) so I'm looking forward to playing with this. FabFilter Multiband compressor ($129). I had been considering getting Softube's Drawmer or TubeTech MBC, but neither were on sale, and I had a loyalty discount with Fabfilter on top of the 25% BF price. Plus, FF stuff is just ridiculously flexible and their tutorials are great. Plugin Alliance ProAudioDSP DSM V3. ($6 after virtual cash). It got me IK Mixbox (free) - I must be the only person not to have already had a copy. SSL saturator ($8). Bought purely as a means to getting... EW Voices of passion (free). So, $262 USD all in. I feel quite virtuous compared to some of the big spenders on VI-Control, but at this point anything else I buy is really just because I like shiny new things, not because I have anything missing. Toontrack midi packs for SD/EZD might be the exception!

I love ToneX as well, but the UA sims are fantastic, especially paired with their BX20 spring reverb. The Showman and Deluxe Reverb sims do something pretty important that ToneX doesn't, which is to include the vibrato circuit.

And you won't regret it, or ever need another virtual piano. It's the absolute best there is, IMO.

Top tier freebies, thanks for the heads up! Got the choir free with SSL saturator for 8 bucks!

The Canterbury Suitcase and Broken Wurli are fantastic and I paid much more than $99 just for those two. A couple of years ago I'd have called this a no brainer, but when you have UA offering their own keys bundle for $49, with that including their Rhodes and B3, it's a sign of how the market has shifted.

I did - apologies if I appeared to be pissing on your good deed!

Points deducted for using the word 'curated,' but some nice freebie choices there!

That Showman is a terrific sounding amp sim, so if you don't have it this is 100% something to pick up!

FWIW, I bought Nashville Strings when it was $75 or something, and have never used it because I find the workflow a PITA. I know some swear by the sound, but you really have to put some work into it in a way that you don't with something like VSL's BBO string packs.

Try it with a good external reverb of you haven't already - it really helps most piano vis.

Meldaway grand is a steal.

Seriously, this! IK seem determined to hide their light under a bushel, so to speak. Being able to run the Tonex One from a cellphone power pack should be one of the things they stress in their marketing materials!

???

It is *really* good. I tried the new version last night quickly and although it was subtle, I preferred my remic'd vocal track via OWS. I'm hoping there might be a $25 coupon for BF or something that I could apply to the upgrade or at least a discounted custom 2. From what I can tell, the upgrade price doesn't expire.