I agree. It's totally nonsense for the CPU hit and sound wise. The new Magma BB (read Black Box Analog Design HG clone) Tubes is good even if it's trying to copy something that already exists, but at least a hpf for the saturation and CPU consumption make it a nice alternative to the PA one. I like at least.

 

Regular reverb: Waves
Plate reverb: UVI
Analog/warm feel on bass/drums: Slate
Mixbus: Softube/slate/u-he

 

@clone

It's a shame that what was once a reputable German company would fuck up so bad in terms of engineering and designing Komplete Kontrol which can only handle VSTs. Komplete Kontrol is a disaster – at least on macOS. And it also made me hate N.I. – a lot.

Let me explain:

• In Maschine V1, you can actually disable Audio Units.
  
• So I used to only use VST in Maschine 1 days.
  
• In 2013/14 Maschine V2 drops and you can no longer disable AUs at all. WHY?
  
• So then I switched to AU's only and dropped VSTs
  
• Next, Komplete Kontrol is released. I thought, "Oh, cool, I can play scales and chords in Logic and Komplete Kontrol will handle any wrong Notes – kewl. But where are all my Instruments? Oh, It works with VSTs only? Great…"

So at some point I just stopped caring about Komplete Kontrol altogether. It is a bad attempt in recreating what Maschine can do in terms of MIDI triggering (Note Repeat, Chords, Scales, etc) – Komplete Kontrol is basically Maschine without FX Inserts and the Sequencer. It's for people who buy their overpriced MIDI Keyboards with flashy LEDs who don't even know the difference between C Major and A Minor. I rather program what I need in Maschine, drag the MIDI over into an Instrument track in Logic and then just arrange from there before wasting another minute of my live giving a f about Komplete Kontrol.

 

If you actually play piano, you are going to find most of the "magic plugins" like Fluid etc, and keyswitches with whatever flashing lights to be quite lackluster no matter how much they improve. Even Logic Chord Trigger plugin is still there? Why, to not practice...

I never got into Machine because it looked like a flashing lights thing for people who can't figure out an MPC to use with hardware. All waiting on MK4 that fixes whatever in NI's usual build quality. Now Akai have their own monstrosity with lights and screens... just as bad. Gimmicks sell. Hydrasynth...who builds a unit like a tank and adds a light show to pads?! This could become a very long list and none will be as bad as NI and AU. (or half the plugins waves installs). Nice for mixing.

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2023

I'd pick Waves because of cheaper prices and no iLok. Also I'm not a huge fan of studio rack type of plugins. In terms of sound you can get good results with either Waves or Slate Digital, so it's a matter of personal preferences.

 

yes, very very very cheap, like 1 minute or two via fibre connection..my curiosity is asking if UAD is the only plugins company worth paying monthly subscription, I know this post is older, but I was hoping you guys can share your thoughts on this subject.
UAD cancel anytime
Slate cancel anytime
WAVES cancel anytime
Plugin alliance? annual only?
SSL (had no chance to check)

please share your experience, o love the UAD plugs but they still wont port Avalon and other stuff they describe as their flagship plugins, to keep the sucker hardware customers happy.

 

slate is the best in my opinion waves plugin load ridiculously slow and take alot of cpu

 

If! (very big if), I had to make a decision for PC based plugin subscription; I would go with UAD. Like you mention, there are certain ones which this won't apply to. But for the most part you can "try" the others out. If something about that changes, you can just cancel UAD and try something else.

And of course, this can differ just on what you are working on. I would go with UVI before any of these, where a guitar player might like to go with something like StlTones. For more general audio processing, I would go with UAD for quality. And I dislike them, as a company.

 

its exactly what everyone is telling me, but not all UAD plugs are worth it, their SONNEX (I think its called) the inflator can be purchased now for $40 native, no need to buy UAD's $200 version cause its identical, but their API strip, neve pre, and Chorus dimension and other comps like Manley are the best there is, I say plugin alliance maybe has something too and some waves but im not sure about slate, overloud and others as they seem to sound like they have their own signature tone while UAD sizzles like real circuits..feels like the closest I ever been to API native..

Ill try the slate then STL control hub everyone is raving about., I can assure you that a few more companies also have the same ordeal and more *even free like the NAM amp sim* are about to be public and if they sound so good the only difference is the GUI ( a pro) but the (cons ) would be that you cant really dial in like real circuitry which involves not just some eq and gain but circuit interaction, like amplifiers such as plexi (softube for example) which acts like a real amp dialing in you turn every knob you can hear the phasing like the real thing.

But I will check out slate...im in the process of cutting loose the crazy annual Plugin Alliance subscription..I own 80% of their stuff and have the 6 vouchers for the subscription now, but its ending in a few days and I might switch to Slate or UAD..if I can cancel at anytime.,

if we could only list the best of list here (best 1176, best verbs best comps and simulations) it would be great but the thread will go nuts., for example, I just watched a YouTube video where a guy who had the original hardware compared all the 1176s with software and he said some waves sounded close but when the saturation kicked in they seemed to of been brighter, then the UAD was ace.

 

Last edited: Sep 10, 2023

I don’t think Slate intentionally wants to emulate the exact sound of the hardware, that’s why some of us prefer Slate

 

also why no one prefers slate, cause they sort of use GUI to mislead this if what your saying is true.. lol

 

We know you are a waves fan waves s**** ass

 

So you're saying you like Slate digital plugins or....Steven Slate himself?

I use plugin alliance and UAD Spark., and im thinking of KUSH AUDIO now as well but they dont have that many plugs for the subscription price.

here are some poor Slate emulations, they are ok but I stir away from the whole Slate BS....maybe he will slowly fade away lol

• Brit 4k E: Modeled after the SSL 4000E console. Known for its tight but punchy low-end, warm low-mids, and a present midrange. Increase the drive for amazing saturation.
• Brit 4k G: Modeled after the SSL 4000G console. Known for its clean, punchy, wide, and slightly aggressive quality. Great transient response when driven.
• Brit N: Modeled after the Neve 8048 console. Known for its rich, fat, and warm sound.
• RC-Tube: Modeled after a vintage RCA Broadcast Tube Console from the 50’s. The all-tube design offers super thick mid-range, smooth high-end, and a fat, warm bottom end.
• Ψ: Modeled after the legendary Trident 80B console. Known for its wide soundstage, smooth highs, and fat low-end. Drive it hard for increased low-end.
• US A: Modeled after the API 1604 console. Known for its thick and fat tone with incredible vibe and mid-range punch.

I truly dont know why so many people HATE Steve Slate, I did not even know it was a persons name until I read dozens of posts by people saying he was annoying, I fallow slate on instagram and I dont see anything bad about the guy, just a normal jock who works out, walk a bull dog type of guy, big tv monitors and tons of ideas, I dont dig into people's personal lifestyles if I am looking for decent plugins.

Plugin Alilances gives you 3, 6, + plugins with annual subscriptions
but even AVID and Pro Tools gives away tons of plugins https://www.avid.com/pro-tools/inner-circle
But if you want a subscription, go Plugin Alliance, they got it all!

 

Last edited: Sep 13, 2023

its the sound and ergonomics that matters, PLUGIN ALLIANCE all the way