Brian Walton

That was the first thing I looked at. I only did a 10 min test but the layout/controls and sound of CM Pluck did not match up wiht any of the "Pluck" labeled instruments in MSF_LE according to what I saw/heared. Yes and no. My thoughts 1) This isn't just a synth and it certainly doesn't come with so many samples that one could treat it like a massive instrument library out of the box. 2) Yes, if you have the FULL version (not the LE) you can get into lots of controls and as a synth have to imagine it is insanely deep.....but a synth isn't say a Saxaphone. Most end users can't be expected to sample a few hundred instruments then create a custom interface for them, etc. MSF is a hybrid of sorts in that it can act as a sample player with extra controls or a full blown synth. The Synth part has a ton to offer out of the box. As a sample based instrument the offering right now is tiny compared to the "market leader" 3) LE version gives a surprising amount of tweakability to existing sounds, patches....but honeslty still feels very "synth" like over all, when the sampling possibility like we get with the Grand Piano means there is a whole world that is untapped with this product - if those samples were included and in an instrument format (for the LE users, Full Users obviously could create using the samples. I got LE when it was the typical half off. We can expect that price to continue to increase if they really do put the development and build out into it. Since they offer free updates for life - my thinking was - get it while I can afford it. It is unlikley I'd ever jump to the full version due to the cost. But since the LE version should come with all the instruments it is less limited than many would expect. Those extra tabs of controls pack a big punch.

Agree on CM Pluck, but the free piano is a legit premium freebie. it is also a bit odd it isn't included in MSF since the premise of buying that is "you get everything we will release" but they put a foot note that there might be exceptions...though I expected the exceptions to be some sort of monster instrument(s). I'll take it as a good sign they are still developing more, I don't think it is anywhere near the potential yet.

Answering my own question, it seems to be different than anything else I have in the MSF_LE

I haven't loaded it yet. It is just a stripped down version of something MSF owners already have, or something we would actually need to download to get from CM?

Never used this, but paid more than $20 for a bottom of the line phantom power supply alone back in the day.

1. I understand the idea, but for those of us that want to build a rig and then record with it. Recreating those "patches/presets" is a major burden that even some free alternatives can get around (https://kushview.net/element/) 2. I oversee a fleet of computers and have been a guitar player using technology for over 25 years. Yes the modern systems run on software and it is possible to fail (just like hardware is also prone to fail). But there are far more things that can go wrong between an OS, External Hardware for the sound card, hardware controler, Software such as GP and the plethora of VSTs running on it than there is with a purpose built machine that was designed with the specific harware and software in mind. I do agree with the notion that I can get excellent sound quality with the computer setup - but it certainly isn't necessarily a cost effective route and it is balanced with the risk of computer systems.

Well I purchased v3 on sale and think it is worth that. What I'm saying is I don't get the hate directed towards PA here, they offered both v3 AND v4 for less than you can buy it direct from the maker no matter which way you purchased it. I havne't heard a single person say they acdtually paid full price from PA and then didnt' get teh v4 upgrade that fit in the same timeframe as would have qualified for the same treatment direct. The fact is, PA provided the best pricing for both V3 and V4 for anyone that bought v3 as far as I can tell.

Even though they offered a better deal (for total cost...sale plus upgrade price) than direct for those that bought it on sale? I don't get it.

I only picked it up becuase of the sale. I knew v4 was on the way but until it sees a lower price point I won't buy it. It just isn't a product that has the value of the MSRP to me. It doesn't run as a VST in a DAW and needs a computer, other software and a hardware controler to be of much value. Once you have all that, you are in the Kemper or other high end unit range (for a guitar player) which frankly should be less prone to bugs/failure/etc. At the sale price, I might get some use out of it. I also didn't expect a free upgrade to v4.

Yes. They sound different. I personally think the Maag sounds warmer and less clinical. Both are perfectly usable, but they get different uses from me. I started with the Luftikus, but then ran some tests with the EQ4 demo. I ended up getting the EQ4 for $15 as I thought it was worth it.

Air band is unique and very useful. Wish it was re-sizable but otherwise a great product.

Not showing up as free when I put a $2 item in my cart. Is there a missing discount code?

As long as the user it a legitimate person not abusing the sytem, I'm positive PA will reset some seats if they contact customer support like any normal person.

The hidden free one on the site is the Big Muff Pedal emulation (they call Big-Sur) that you get to keep for free if you download the "pedal bundle" https://fuseaudiolabs.com/#/pages/product?id=300982337

I don't think I've seen a single reivew that prefers the "green" over the "red" model in terms of sound.

Love the sound of 24 but CPU hit is pretty heavy. That said you can route tracks to a bus.

Lets put it this way. I setup multiparimeters and the edit screen of the MADEQ to match the interface of the Maag EQ4 that PA also has a plugin for. Well, I can't really match the air band, but the rest seems pretty close. It also took me hours to create that EQ in MADEQ and test it with multi-parimeters. The Magg EQ4 I got on sale cost me a lot less than my "labor cost" to build it out. Once you set it up though, the workflow is quite similar. it is that interface setup that frankly matters from a workflow perspective, and it also took some labor to make it that didn't come "in the box" with the Melda product.

I think Fresh Air is a fantastic plugin. However, I'm annoyed that as a free plugin they really only give you one authorization (and the second one you have to be connected to the cloud). Just give us two legit ilok authorizations. I would sign up for a 2nd account to use it, but then that negates all the other ilok plugins via the authorization manager.

Honestly with an EQ the differences to me are more about the workflow of an analog-like interface than something like MADEQ (which I also have). The almost limitless possibilites can get in the way of just making a few adjustments within a certain range sometimes. This is why Melda made MTurboEQ, as it cearly is just MADEQ with a interface thrown on it so you can't deep dive. MXXX is then on a whole different level as the options really are insane as you dive into multi-parimeters. The "system" is basically the anthesis of working with a single channel strip. (and yes, I have an love Meda plugins - it is just a different approach)

With the $20 voucher that everyone gets - many are right in that range so far. And for arguably a better product. I haven't bitten on anything yet, but sale seems comperable to others. What we haven't seen yet are deep discounts that are in line with some of the other mega PA sales where compounding with sales and vouchers gets into world class discounts. We saw SSL -G, SSL Bus Comp, and Vertigo VSC-2 for $30 if you count the voucher. Honestly that is "better" than the $29 standard given the authorizations you get, and the tech behind them. Of course we are spoiled that $29 isn't good enough, but if $29 is the standard - I'd pick these over the counterpart all day long.

I don't know about this one. But I'd argue yes, those that are fantastic seem to be a CPU hog....and many on the market are not wonderful....so yes, I'd argue there is room for more in this space.

It is unlikley you have any plugins that are the same effect but have different tollerences in each instance unless you already have one of these PA tools, part of the question is it even noticable enough to care? Some of that depth, space and interest I think I can get out of some other tools with some Mid-Side, Saturation, and Stereo Expanders, and tape emulation. Realisticaly, I end up using some of all of it in a production. Also - maybe demo the Focurite SC PA plugin to start out with, you can pick up a copy of that for about $15 from some resellers that sell their code they got from a hardware purchase.

They have fully functioning demos. Each sounds different from the EQs to the Compressors as well as the Saturation of the THD in the desk. Some people like getting used to working with the single set of controls for all sources across a mix and the efficiency it can provide, others hate the limitations. THis is one of those things I think you have to try and decide for yourself. The Console N for example is an interestign one as the settings/knobs are in many respects backwards to a traditional layout. As for something similar - well there is the prochannel which you can setup console emulation, the Quad EQ to have a particular shape, and there is a compresson module. But they also don't over the Non-Liniearity the PA ones promise and the whole thing just doesn't end up feeling like a console from a workflow perspective. Also on the "free" front, check our Airwindows Console 7 channel and Console 7 buss and Channel9

New Melda beta came out yesterday. The Turbo line of effects in particular getting an optional "traditional" hardware like GUI is the move in the right direction to get more users introduced to the platform. Always updating the products. Fantastic authorization system that doesn't treat buyers like criminals so I can put them on all of my machines and not have to think about did I transfer to this computer or not is wonderful. It is really amazing what you get out of his unassuming looking plugins. You can look at some "unique" features of other products such as Vertigo Sound's VSM-2 2nd and 3rd harmonics added to different ranges. Well MSaturatorMB offers similar functionality and perhaps arguably even more. Granted I like both of the products a lot Melda tends to make me second guess a new purchase from another plugin maker perhaps more than anyone. It just put a little more ownership on the end user to know what they want to do and how to accomplish it. I likely wouldn't have thought about using MSaturatorMB in that way if it wasn't for the VS box. Since getting TurboReverbLE, I really wonder if I threw my money away on other verbs considering how much it has to offer and how good it sounds.

Those other plugin makers actauly offer real upgrade features when they charge more. The only upgrade feature I've seen WAVES really do is the re-sizable GUI which was very poorly done and should have been done a long time ago. They are also the only plugin maker that I've personally had major show stopping authorization/install problems with...more than once. And if you don't have WUP, they won't lift a finger to help you other than pointing you to the cost of the "upgrade" to make your plugins work again. Honestly spending hundreds on those old plugins seems crazy to me. Not sure what you think you are getting in that package that you can't get elsewhere with more computer autorizations available. Do you need 4 "maximizers?" as an example. I haven't been around PA forever (was late to the party) but the upgrades seem to be a pretty big updates and the old versions still work just fine. As long as you are not buying the latest of what they bring to market, the prices and authorizations are way better than WAVES. And for comparisons sake, that Horizon bundle is filled with very old plugins.