Brian Walton

Scaler 2 Amek console (full featured enough it helped minimize using different EQ and Comp on every track). For those that like the channel strip idea but always felt something like an SSL E has a barely usable comp and lack of mix knob. This could be a game changer. It isn't a game changer for everyone though. Kirchhoff EQ - didn't expect it to sound that good with big boosts and cuts with such low CPU consumption. Granted I wouldn't call it a game changer above fab filter, except I grabbed it with forever $29 so paid about $30 for it. Melodyne 5 studio for de-essing. Nothing else is that good at the task but also costs an arm and a leg. Waves ClarityVX....hate to say it, but if you are dealing with background noise on a vocal that isn't consistent, I haven't heard anything get those results close to the $30 price point. ToneX - after capturing arguably one of the best sounding amps ever made (no it isn't on tone net), I can confirm this technology while not perfect, is good enough to be very happy when playing through it. However it is only as good as the capture and there are tons of "meh" it there, including many that IKM made

The Lindell isn't a BX collaboration either. Only the Purple Audio one is Using the link at the top of the page shows the "section" of what is actually an option:

I tested and thought about the CS-5501 before I got the AMEK. It is another good option and the saturation portion is free via GSAT. I appreciated the various comp options but for some reason had trouble bonding with the in my tests. Likely a user problem. I did like the straightforward layout of the EQ. And having the multiple EQ and Comps to compound processing is a great idea with the routing but also another level of complexity and changing what is visible in the interface. Amek became my go to. But that would be my next option, there was a problem with it though at one time it was always about $80 with no discounts.

Depends on the workflow you want. I don't find it counterintuitive, it is laid out quite logically unlike some other strips. (Other than gate, which I think plugins where you see the audio are easier to set). This basically becomes your EQ, compression, gate, and limiter, and super mild saturation if you want it. It also has some stereo width control - and mono bass. Other plugins you add to this to problem solve or add extra color. Think about not having to put multiple plugins on each track and open and adjust them. This give you the main tools in a single view which 9 times out of 10 is going to save you CPU power as it is surprisingly CPU efficient for what it does. It goes on every track, and I hit the random TMT button to give the illusion of non-liniarity.

When I saw the announcement it made me wonder how much people were actually getting for these they they thought it was a threat to the business to change the model. Honestly I would have assumed you could pick most of them up used for $5-15 as plugins are generally pretty worthless when it comes to resale.

It isn't made by Brainworx and therefore not included. If they are smart, they won't deep discount it to even $50 by itself for a while. Of course this depends on what you have. Yes, I'd argue the Amek is quite a bit better than all the others. I own them all and really only use the Amek due to the layout, sound, and features. The other usual suspects that are "valuable" here: HG-2MS EQ200 SPL Iron Mastering Compressor Class A The Vertigo Plugins are also good, but seem to occasionally hit the $15 range with a generic loyalty voucher.

Because nothing free could possibly be good. ? I haven't picked up a long list of the other products they discontinued. May grab this one since it is recent enough though. Is the UI resizable like it is for the Reverb and Rough Rider 3?

I've been around for a while and am familiar with the rule. I didn't post a link or even list any specific products. The referral code gives the user of that code a 20% off discount and Starship Krupa provided quite the detail of how it works, and the 10% store credit (not money) I would get if someone actually made a purchase using it. If you want transparency I've made zero credits let alone "gain for profit" When I first used a Referral coupon from someone else, you can bet I was appreciative of it getting a 20% discount on my purchase.

I usually don't like managers either but once you have a bunch of their plugins frankly I love it. It takes no time to update compared to the 20 something installers I'd need otherwise and there is a cleanup previous versions button that takes one second to complete. It also doesn't force install a bunch of stuff you don't own ala IKM. Id understand the hate it you only had one or two. But I've come to love the single download to update...and the updates add actual features and are fairly frequent. It would be madness doing all those individually like I'm forced to with other devs.

Those things don't sound good. ?

And the Meldway Grand delivered pretty big on that promise. Everything I've seen suggests a plan to build the platform offereings out. Given that he can sell individual instruments to those not invested in the entire MSF, he also has motivation to add more. But also would be nice to see other devs or just end users create and share too.

They still do expire, which I'd argue isn't favorable for long time users as I'm pretty sure it is a ~2 year use it or lose it situation. I own the vast majority of what they have released. I don't have Modo Bass 2, but do have both the full MODO Bass and Modo Bass SE but my upgrade price is $150 to get to 2. Honestly that seems really steep for an upgrade.

Turbo ReverbLE is amazing. I've used all of them in the bundle as they really can fit the "essentials" moniker. If all the other companies licenses failed. Melda can be installed completely off-line (other than the instrument libraries which I've had some challenges with - so download those). And the essential bundle would be enough toys to do a full mix as it covers all the basics.

I wonder what the update is. Installer is updated in the UI but actual plugin itself has the same UI as far as I recall.

I don't remember a scalable UI in the first release, but it is there now! Looks like a good update.

It is stated on the website that if you buy a full version during the "pre-order" period that you get the upgrade to EZKeys 2. There are still 3rd parties to buy them from so it isn't like you have to order a v1 seat from them directly...you just need to register it in this period. I have an unregistered full Classic Electric I'm debating what to do with. It would either be a sell it situation or add it to an account to get more seats as I do use more than 2 computers (but not at the same time)

An existing user can buy a full version to get the upgrade also. This is simply a 3rd party selling it at a larger discount than everyone else is. That also looks like a pretty obscure store.

They changed it to about $12 last year from what I recall for the specific pack offered. Retail remained the same but percent off reduced.

Personally speaking I thought the upgrade price was also crazy. I think the asking price for an upgrade was more than double what I'd paid for SD 2 just a few months before release. And them they also had a very short period. I don't think I've even used SD 2 on a project and just abandoned it as there is no upgrade path.

Good, didn't need the temptation of a $50 purchase when I already have all the PA alternatives.

Toontrack isn't exactly the pinnacle of best customer practices either

Word on the street is Current serial numbers for expansions won't work for yet to be released sound expansions. If Bapu has all the current sounds of EZK1, those extra serials don't provide value to him personally as there is nothing left to expand.

That is lame. too bad they are not full product keys, those should sell like hotcakes at a discount due to the upgrade offer. You really have all the sound expansions for EZKeys? That is quite a chunk of change.

Everyone is different in the approach, but honestly don't care about the built in sounds (none of them are world class) but simply use the brain to drive other VSTs. The approach I'd tend to suggest taking is if you plan to use this to build out ideas, what instruments/sounds would you want to preview things with? Then once you have ideas together you drag to other instrument tracks or route the midi output. Thus something like a classic electric or grand piano can be a good "preview" instrument, where a mellotron is a really specific sound (and more of an expansion choice, IMO). At ~$80 for one instrument expansion - they certainly are not a "go to" for me to expand the sounds of the product. The value for me personally is in the engine. It almost sounds like they are going to make the MIDI package broader in 2 which is a free upgrade. The Add On Mini Packs I think are where to be more strategic about it. These are what can help fuel the creativity and ideas.

Ok, OK, I'm in