Brian Walton

I'm much more on the photo end of the spectrum (and do it professionally), but I have professional creative/design friends that think the Affinity suite is better than CorelDraw. Now if you are making technical illustrations, corel is just designed to do that better at this stage. But for general art and mock up creation of a number of things, the seamless Pixel/Vector/Design Layout of the Affinity Trinity is basically unmatched and paired with a seamless workflow that extends to higher end ipads, I argue it is a stronger suite. Honestly I think it has more to do with the legacy of users that learned on it and are stuck (outside of the niche things it really does excel at). Those are the ones that have to stick with CorelDraw. I've seen the same thing with Adobe where people fear switching because they have used the product for 10+ years week in and out and just don't grasp that Affinity was smart enough to keep things more the same than different. I know a few people that do use some specialized functions in Photoshop that Affinity doesn't have (yet). But those are the exception. It is all about how you use the products. I have a friend that is crazy talented, still uses a version of the Adobe Suite that is about 10 years old at this point and can create art that looks better than what Corel is even advertising with (which might not be saying much). I was surprised they are still trying to sell Painter for as much as they do. A bit of the "old guard" in place where Adobe used to sell the products for $600+ for a seat of one of the tools. Humble Bundle is also a limited audience and ran for what 2-3 weeks or so? Paintshop does have a DAM, but I never even tried to use it. The main program is just too cluttered and is too different from Photoshop to make a swift transition.

You might consider Publisher for no reason other than once you have it, you can switch between Designer and Photo instantly. All 3 have to be installed on the computer to make that magic happen. I don't use Publisher a whole lot (yet - though I expect to appreciate it to create variations on Poster/Sign designs in a way that Photo and Designer just don't do super efficiently).

And on that front. Highly recommend checking out Affinity's 30% off all products for the end of the week sale. https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/ Buying Photo, Designer and Publisher provides both Pixel, Vector and Layout editing with INSTANT switching between each. $35 each is amazing for what it can do. (and cheaper ipad versions that also have pro features)

PotoMirage was $1 at humble bundle twice now. (which also included Particle Shop - the standard set) the 2nd time they offered it.

Larry already helped me exceed any audio spending I had budeted for the seaon. So avoidance of this forum might be the best tactic.

You are correct. Depending on the settings, there might not be the clean headroom desired for normal make up gain with the CA-2A. It can add a lot of saturation when used as Output gain. I do agree that the Level Amp could also use an additional output clean gain if you need to really compress something.

We haven't convinced you it is a scam yet?

Already purchased, but you have a link to the source? Also, a new version is perhaps uncharted territory for PB's own plugins. V1.1 to 1.8 have all been free updates, some of which added quite a few decent features.

I didn't even realize the HoserXT had a PC module until today (your post above mentioning Two Boz EQs).

Since I just went through the process with the current installer, thought I'd chime in. There is a checkbox for the ProChannel Module (64 bit and 32 bit). I installed that and the 64bit VST3 stand alone. VST2 was not needed. But I'd imagine the Scan was required (though I didn't really test that part - since I knew I'd have to do a scan to get the VST3s to show up. Also, in the HoserXT ProChannel Module if you click on the Logo, it will enable a visual EQ line. I thought this was a great touch (and very pleased with the sound).

Actually all it takes is following cclarry's posts. ?

He agreed the Pan Knob was a good idea for a PC module. Hopefully that will see the light of day at some point. I can't imagine it would be a ton of work to convert it.

Hoped to get the ProChannels of +10db for a while, this deal basically forced my hand. Now Boz is going to have to start making more plugins as I own almost all of them. ? Still hoping Pan Knob gets a Pro Channel Update.

These units don't have a makeup gain. If you need more Gain turn the gain up. As you reduce the peaks, you will hit a point where it has a reduced overall output. The CA-2A works in a similar fashion. However the Gain on the CA-2A seems to add quite a bit of saturation if you crank it where the Leveling Amp can stay cleaner at higher gains. In this particular respect, I like the Leveling Amp better

Outside of the ridiculioiusly long demo....seems the main thing it lacks is the ability to have built in variable output (wihout using an external arp). Something like this Program combined with InstaChord type of "strumming/variation" on how the notes within the chord are played would take this to another level. Going to have to think about this one. My only real suggetion to Bandlab is getting a tool like this within the interface itself.

Right click download license file and select save as. It isn't a notepad file, but your browser might have treated it as such if you just opened it (i.e. left clicked on the download) It should show up as a License File

Airwindows offers some excellent quality VSTs, but the generic GUI can feel a little lackluster. I thought I'd share my solution to this by giving fellow Cakewalk users the FX Chain Preset Graphical Interface that I came up with for 3 of the plugins I get the most use out of from his offerings. The creator of Airwindows moved from a "pay" model to a free (but you can choose to support him on Patron as well). First you will need to download his VSTs (they come in this one large bundle and you can place the DLLs you want in your VST folder) http://www.airwindows.com/wp-content/uploads/NewUpdates.zip In order to use my FX Chain Presets you will need: Console Emulation = Channel764.dll Desser = DeBess64.dll Tape Emulation = ToTape564.dll After you put those DLL files into your VST folder. Download these FXC files and place them in the Cakewalk Content > Cakewalk Core > FX Chain Presets folder https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lPqV26rwvsSMawrkoJ1RBb7lCINZHB6x (note for the Channel7 FX Chain Preset, you should only select one of the Console Buttons - and turn off those you do not want to use - this was a work around to get a 3 option selection)

Airwindows has a really nice DeSser for free. The lack of a pretty UI is a little off putting perhpas. I'll have to post a Cakewalk FX Preset Skin I made for it here soon that solves some of that issue. http://www.airwindows.com/debess/

That is what you think. With v12 as an imminent release, it will fit into that new catergory. ?

I don't think you can walk more than 3 blocks without access to Coffee in any populated area in the US. It is a little disturbing if you think about it.

It isn't exaclty the same, but it does have an Optical Compressor simulation that includes the usual suspect controls which is clearly modeled after a LA-2A type of thing. Not to mention it has two other compressor types on board. Once I got the Omni, I basically didn't feel I needed the LA-2A anymore.

Not sure if new old stock would autorize to the servers properly. However, for a free VST that has some of that LA-2A flavor, these would be worth checking out: http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?plugin=SLAX&id=2593 http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=1186 (and if you eventually go the paid route via Waves, I'd recommend doing a demo of the OmniChannel while you are looking. Three compressor types - one is Opto based - i.e. LA-2A like and has a whole world of other tools included in the box. For a "WAVES" option it is the most versitiale thing they offer in a single plugin. I have and use the Cakewalk CA-2A, mostly becuase it is a Pro-Channel module. If I'm stuck in VST world, I never seem to open it up there.

25.89 at AudioDeluxe when placed in cart. Purchased.

So the random noise library is what sticks out that you would actually use? I've tried and used pretty much all the others. I'm sure I'll use that one at some point as well.

Fantastic track!