Brian Walton

While I agree with this idea on paper, in practice I'd say there is a component of randomization in all my final tweaks. Of course I ultimatly choose which version I think sounds better, but as it relates to something like TMT which is rather subtle there are certainly things that I add to and tweak almost randomly in a master bus or mastering chain that create even more variation by nearly random controls. Tools that add flavor where I might put it on a track, tweak some knobs and then you A/B with the on-off to see if you like the results more than before. I don't see the TMT randomization as any different than that process. My ears certainly are not good enough to eq with two different eqs bilindly to get the exact same end result that would phase cancel each other without some serious A/B during the process. Thus I think there is an element of randomization even when I think I know what I'm doing or am after. In the example specified of giving a client 2-3 mixes where the only thing you change is TMT (many clients want to hear more than a single option), the question in many respects is if that TMT variation is even noticable enough for a client to say they strongly prefer mix "A" over an alternate. That would be pretty interesting if Brainworx actually did a real world study on it to see if cients actually care about those differences, vs say putting BlackBox MS on the master vs not.

https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2022/04/12/soundwide-free/

Based on the image provided above that has "v2" written on it. I'm curious how they are going to market this thing as it frankly looks nearly identical in both layout and features to V1. Sure V2 says True Peak on the limiter section which I'm going to guess has the same algos under the hood as True Peak Limiter (which I like - but frankly only when I control some of the settings - so that is going to be interesting). But in terms of really taking it to another level, I'm a bit confused until we get more detail as I expected a little more of a visual overhaul at the least.

They gave away both the "lite" Classic version and the full version at different times.

For the latest and greatest plugins that don't get below $31 when ever you want. This plugin has been out for years. I couldn't find my receipt but I'm quite sure I got it for less than $25 after a loyalty voucher. They never marketed the forever 29 as the best deal you can get for older plugins.

High on the CPU consumption scale. Also not in the EDM genre, but things like this can be fun to make static chords, notes, etc more interesting as John mentiones above.

Yes, that is one that I picked up for $6 during the sale. It is basically the only stand alone amp option they have that I thought I could get a usable clean/low gain tone out of. It took some work to get the fizziness out of the top end on many of the settings (I used some external plugins in some cases) but certainly among the best they have to offer from what I could tell and felt it was worth the $6 to play around with. I did some A/B testing with brainworx amps during the decision making process. I would have passed at $15, for for $6 - sure why not?

It isn't just input or impedance matching (or pickup types - I own a few guitars), my issue with presets are well beyond these things - they just don't sound good. When I plugin to a well designed real world amp - I can get good tone out of a Strat, LesPaul, SG, or ES-335 with minimal fuss - the same isn't true for these presets (even if you standardize the input. But you are correct that how you hit the input on guitar sims is of utmost importance to make them usable (irrespective of presets)

I had an issue with the VST3 version of Tape Piano interface on one of my machines (worked fine on another one) and the dev was quick to respond. (and VST2 worked ok) The Dev also doesn't have horrible authorization systems, so that is a plus in my book. I tried Vybz and XLN-RC20 and I actually preferred what Vybz was giving me overall.

I haven't figured out why but so many modeler presets fail to provide a good impression. I never seem to use them, where a real amp (a great one anyway). Once setup can run a number of guitars through and get something usable without touching much of anything. Audio Assault was wise to rebrand it from the Grind Machine name. It is nice they found a niche with a genre (metal) but they are capable of more and calling it ReAmp feels less pigeonholed even if the primary focus is high gain monsters. I think this thing would get more attention if there were more non-metal demos showcasing what you can do with it. Especially given the price point and small footprint compared to other amp suites on the market. Curious what price point the Melda Turbo amp will come in at that has been in beta for about a year now.

I caved and got ReAmp Studio. I don't remember if I demoed GMII or ReAmp Studio when it came out. But ran the demo (again) and though many of the amps are just throw aways that I'd never use. There are some surprisingly decent options in such a cheap package, including some low or mid gain options. The very low CPU usage pushed me to the purchase. This is one of those that you need to demo to see if the "good amps" are the ones you are interested in. And don't be afraid to try some brands you might have zero interest in the real world...use your ears and do a lot of tweaking and you might find something rather usable. No way I'd pay retail on this one, but at $16 for all the options it does have and low CPU usage - I'm going to suggest it was worth it.

They gave away the full Masterdesk a few days ago as part of the welcome to Soundwide bundle (not just the Masterdesk Classic which is always free)

I'd run a trial. I don't think they are on the level of those personally but they do offer some variety and different sounds. The price of course is considerably less. I grabbed a couple at 5.99 (and I did grab a large percentage of their IRs for use with both their amp sims and others). I find their amp sims don't have the best dynamic touch response, seem a little flat - non-3D, and are compressed with some fizzy top end. But this will all depend on how sensitive you are to such things. I'm not a metal player (since my teenage years) so most of these amps are not really targeted to my style. The interface is nice and with tweaking and outboard effects I got some usable things out of them - fun to mess around and compare for the price. re-amp studio has lots of amps, but most say they are below the quality of the stand alone amps they offer (my comparison above is in reference to the stand alone offerings) I passed on re-amp.

They just gave away Masterdesk for free. SSL9000J is cool but the out of pocket cost with the Minimums wouldn't be worth it. You can simply buy the forever 29 voucher any day of the week and pick it up for $31. Have to see what deals come along this month, but none of what you have listed is currently on sale for use with a $75 voucher that would make any sense at all, you would be better off with some forever 29 plans.

Yes, I believe the analogy with PA deals is in line with playing Poker...you wait and call their bluff for potentially better deals. I played the game fairly well overall until the past couple months where they dropped some pretty amazing hands I didn't see coming. And paid way more for the same plugins by not waiting. I'm sure this whole increased min on the loyalty voucher thing was basically enforced by NI and Izotope so they would actually see more than a couple dollars on each bundle sold. Will have to see what happens long term if they actually start of offer NI and Izotope products within the PA store as they suggested some would be hitting the "forever 29 plan" that could cramp the loyalty voucher style as the other companies might not be on board with the sell in volume concept. Especially NI.

Note two things, this is the lite version and #2 they seem to track IP addresses so you might need to take the laptop to the nearest pub.

And those two deals you mentioned are going to be a case by case as I don't think that shows up for everyone. The potentially good news here is the bundle is good until June 15th. That gives them time to sweeten the pot with other side deals.

Yes I'm aware as I have a few from giveaways but it is all the 3rd party stuff that isn't and can be picked up cheap if you do have the full. I rarely see earth shattering deals on the actual NI stuff.

For a deal that should be in the immediate buy range this one will take some thought since I already have the vast majority of it, and quite a few of them have doubles or even triples. And I bet that is a common theme around here. No doubt there are gems in there but doesn't exactly matter when you already have them and transfers are less than worthless. All they needed to do is put the base full Kontkat in there so I could stop ignoring all of the "requires full Kontkat" threads. Would that have been so difficult for them? ?

I wasn't sure if it was that or R4. It isn't R2 or Phoenix due to the 4 knobs it the center row. I own multiple copies of each....I was hoping we would see some NeoVerb images in there.. Good call on Vocal Synth it certainly is that.

Yep, I'd purchased both of those before the give away are are keepers. Master Desk v2 in on the roadmap for this year so I'm curious what they will be bringing to the table.

Attempt at some break down. Console N BX Subsynth Digital V3 eq Neutron Elements? Nimbus? Maybe something like Komplete now (as we can see RAUM and Super Charger in the interface), or is it possible to load that stuff in Kontakt? Izotope Trash 2 bx stereo maker? (on top 2nd to the left) edit: Vocal Synth 2

I'm curious which ones you think are worse than the old offerings? Things like the Amek 9099 have some pretty cool features and have seen some critical acclaim, and the SSL J while sounding quite a bit different than the E or G always seems to be put in the "it sounds better" than the older SSL emulations.

I also would have preferred a GB related to upgrades of both of those as I use the MODO lineup but basically haven't used Syntronik at all. Your post is a good reality check. Wonder if I'll cave into temptation on this deal.

Thanks!! I may be able to afford this after all is said and done. lol It does have this in the notes, but honestly I'm surprised they actually enforce it. But if they do, that would make sense on Bassment since it is an intro price. Exception: UnitedPlugins credits cannot be used to purchase plugins sold at introductory prices.