Brian Walton

For those that care about these things (I do). The one license can be used for installs on multiple machines you own as long as you are only using one at a time. This is wonderful in a world that tends to have one or two install limits, when I own multiple machines.

Never used a Huion , but have heard decent things. I'd personally consdier something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wacom-Intuos-Draw-CTL490DW-Digital-Drawing-And-Graphics-Tablet-White-GRADE-A/293320044238?hash=item444b3caece:g:MhwAAOSwIAJcDtAj Or this (gains Bluetooth connection), and comes with some software. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VS3S9RT/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07VS3S9RT&pd_rd_w=AFw2j&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=z46KN&pf_rd_r=JMCV7MV21WZV49GQ3KSQ&pd_rd_r=db3d634e-5073-499b-bae3-871da03702df&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMDkxNFpWWFdGTVlFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjYxNTMzMlg5VUpFTEhVSlJNUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDU3Njc1MjdWUVZMWlVETlBWNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= They are the smaller size, but I know full time pros that can actually use them for commercial grade art. (i.e. they are good enough). (Also the Wacom doesn't need "power" for the pen, which I think the Huion does)

I think it is more of a quesiton how your kids work and interact with electronics. Us adults have used a mouse as an input device so long it is natural. Kids used to real pen and paper, or touch screens it can feel like a disconnect. You could try downloading a demo to see how they react to what you have now. even old ipads are pretty expensive. You can get a used Wacom for like $25-30. , which then hooks up to a real computer with real applications . I agree that for kids, drawing on the same surface is the most intuitive, but that is also pretty costly. (also add in the cost of the apps). That stupid pencil is also insanely priced from what I've seen (even gen 1)

No extra software needed. But how much they love it might depend on the interfaces you have. Touch screen computer? Drawing tablet? Otherwise you are controlling via a mouse. That might be fine, but does have a different experience.

I'm curious if the Flame Painter 4 (with the "connector" photoshop plugin) will work with the newly release Affinity Photo 1.8 as a plugin.

I also agree it is absurd installing all that extra junk I'll never buy (who could afford all of that?) But I think when I did "vst3" only it dropped the expected install by about half of that (still insane). If I didn't have the Black too I prob would have skipped as well.

Perfect, got it.

Finally got around to installing these. In Cakewalk, how do you get the other plethora of T-Racks VSTs I don't own to not show up in the browser?

True. Ozone elements has Imager as well but functions like the "free" version.

Ozone Imager is a standalone free plugin, and is what I assuemd you were discussing. https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone-imager.html Yes, the very expensive Ozone Advanced (which includes an Imager module that is "advanced" will do the same type of thing and then some. For about 20 times the cost.

Ozone will spread out the width of all frequencies when used. Mongoose was developed to center the Bass while then getting the freedom to spread out (add width) to anything above a cross over frequency . I like the Ozone Imager, but IMO the Mongoose is far more useful in the bus. Limiting the bass at whatever cuttof you want to the "center" of the mix is game changing. Ozone does to stereo widening very well, but I don't want the bass wider in the image, I want that to stay put (or even collapse) most of the time.

+1 use it on every mix that has anything in the low end.

Izotope's machine learning with the Mastering Assistant isn't exactly snake oil. It works plain and simple. AI/Machine Learning is and actual thing and they have created a tool that makes judegements and adjustments based on what humans did with source material. Is it perfect to get the sound you want every time? Of course not, nor is sending it to some human. In this respect, you are sending it to someone elses ears...a virtual compilation of thousands of recordings that came before it and it is giving you and output that reflects that. It is arguably the representation of far more sets of experience than your average ME that a normal person can afford. It still has a ways to go to be perfect, but that is no different than any ME I've ever met, and I know a number that have worked on Grammy winners.

It says it needs an internet connection. Is that to run the program on a daily basis, or just the install?

As a professional photographer/videographer few thing irk me more than a vertically shot concert on a cell phone. Unfortunately the ticket prices don't even put a limitting factor on admittance of these individuals. In their defense somewhere along the way a tipping point occurs and at the rate they pay they should be allowed to do anything they want. ?

He puts on very good shows. However, there isn't a musicain alive I'd personally pay $150 for outside of a private event to see play.

nope

I just checked the songs forum (not a place I frequent on a regular basis here). Sending an IM on this might be poor form, but you do seem to have far more posts on the first page than anyone else. If your goal isn't self promotion and to teach youngins about composition I think you could take a different approach. Every piece is in a different thread. You could easily create your own thread with multiple pieces in it. If you seek to educate providing some sort of documentation on the chords, scales, time signatures, composition ideas along with your work would provide far more value than just a recording. If I posted a bunch of classical recordings (Bach, Mozart, etc) and said here you can learn from this, it would look like a joke. In this context your posts offer the same thing, albeit I wonder if you consider yourself among these greats? I wouldn't be one to send an IM such as you have stated, but I tend to agree with the assailant based on what I'm seeing. Do you think people complain about particular individuals posting too many deals in the deals section? Nope, because that provides value. If you think your posts are providing value from an educational standpoint, I'd suggest you step back and think about what could be done to add real value to a less accomplished musician. Your music is clearly very technically competent and you are accomplished in a number of ways, I'm not convinced your posts provide the education you seek to achieve as they are currently presented however.

"the biggest advance in music technology in decades" does not seem like a statement made in reality. Recording "in the box" Modeling Sampeling Software emulation of complex hardware systems (think AXE FX, Kemper, Helix) All come to mind

I'm betting this isn't true. He has been around for quite a few years. These price points are fairly new. It isn't until recently the sales feel somewhat frequent. With periods of no sales you have to imagine he still needed revenue. The average customer isn't paying retail on any plugin, but you can be assured some do. And certainly have over time.

But as an added bonus he doesn't require Waves Central and doesn't have crippiling install authorization schemes. (already own all of these, the Wall is the only one I think is generic feeling/sounding, but works fine).

Mic bleed is a legit concern with each of these. Never heard a closed back pair that even gets close though. Only use close backs for recording quiet sources with sensitive mics, and for the drummer so they don't have to compensate with damaging volume.

650s need a headphone amp to drive them. They also sound "farther away" and more laid back. (Think farther rows back at a concert). I like both, but personally think more sources sound good on the 599s. They are a good balance between in your face and not "in your head" agressive. 650s feel more distant, which is great for some music and not quite right for others. Other thing would be how are you driving the 599s, if you are not using a headphone amp, you might see some difference across the spectrum...but some sources will tend to be bright and if you compensate with darker headphones, other sources would end up being too dark sounding. I also prefer the comfort of the 599 style, the 650s while above average in comfort feel a bit "bigger" and always there on my head. Glad to hear you don't have to find a different hobby/passion.

If you don't enjoy listening to music with 599s then honestly you should forget about music and find a different hobby, that is my honest opinion. And yes $110 is worth it.

Yep, I got them during that period. Looks like it was May 2017 according to my order info for ~$75 after taxes, then got a $3.59 refund after pointing out said price drops. A good value at that price.