I don't see a free trial, just a pre-order.

Edit: Ok, I see it now. What a convoluted mess to download!

 

Last edited: Dec 24, 2016

Not yet released either but a less powerful version due to try at some point later in year apparently.

 

I've downloaded free nebula 4 and trial libraries for it, but how to activate it, is beyond me. I did a whole HDD search for *.ser file i suppose to upload to their site and it is nowhere in sight. Libraries are not working without it. By the way one of Nebula's dll crashed and refuses to open a plugin window 15 minutes in.

 

Thanks for the detailed play-by-play Bill. Always appreciate being warned and informed of the hiccups one can expect ... maybe give us a further detailed update when you hit the 3-hours-in mark.

 

no ser file usually means you forget to install as admin, will be in the repositry folder , always gets put in there.
they say this about FREE vesion:
About the free version: if you install without the trial library it simply works (just tell us if it asks for being authorized... it should not). If you install the trial library it asks for authorization. Authorize the library or it will crash, because the lacking of aut files could lead to unexpected behaviour.
If you downloaded the free, authorized it and still you get issues just open a ticket even if you didn't buy it. We could try to help.

WTF N4 released ! Was expecting nothing till feb2017 but it's already in my account. then again N4 only just made 2016 as promised last year. first impressions are welcome for speeding up workflow and core9 is pretty stable on my system so far for the low latency.

 

Last edited: Dec 24, 2016

In January we promised better compression
We did in April when we released pink
So users asked an upgrade for ALL compressors. We promised it for 2016. Last update was titanium 2, seven days ago, so before the 2016 deadline. All compressors were ported to core8, some of them even core9. Today our compressors are considered possibly the best ones or among the best ones.
Then we promised nebula4 before the end of the year. We did it, we uploaded latest file around 2 hours ago.

We are keeping promises, I'm just proud of that. It was a challenge, but I'm thankful because your support. We were encouraged to do our best. We literally didn't sleep.

About n4: sales were unexpected, we are quite surprised there is so much interest in the platform. My next promise: we'll direct a lot of company efforts to n4, it will be our special star for the whole 2017, with many free or low priced libraries.

 

I have one code with 20% off discount for a happy user that is not upgrading from Nebula 3 (since discounts don't add up, so available only for a new customer of Nebula 4). Hit me up by private message, please! Merry Xmas and happy tweaking! Intended to use it for myself, but as a Server customer I have a better deal.

 

The .SER file only appears after you run Nebula using your host at least once. It appears in the Repository folder, under the folder you installed in. What's confusing is that after uploading this, you get a .AUT file, which is not explained anywhere. By guesstimation I figured out it goes into Repository too, which makes Nebula activated.

Then if you want your existing Nebula3 repository to work, you need to copy that .AUT to that repository too, plus copy the "new" folders you can see under the new N4 repository (so, that would be the empty one under the N4 install), especially the Skins folder. After these machinations not really explained anywhere because the official N4 manual is still talking about Nebula3 (????), and doesn't even mention the activation procedure, you're basically all set.

Whew.

 

I also don't see .ser file even after running it.
However, trail compressor library does show in the menu. When loading, it loads (I think) but like Nebula 3, N4 doesn't show their names on the screen. Anybody had success?

 

IMHO, It's not exaggerated, more like there is a top end extension and a lack of low mid body giving a very open sound, which were a choice by AA it would seem. From Navy to Purple, skipping Pearl, Acqua's have that top extension to different degrees, Pink is mild up top, helping it kill on drums. I spoke out publicly with Purple, as none of the 35 plus Pultec or Pultec clones EQ's I've used have that open top end. I will also add that Purple can be used on the 2 buss because of that top end extension, whereas I've never liked any hardware Pultec on the 2 buss. So as a tool even Purple has a place.

I can say that since Sand, every Acqua sounds great and on point IMHO, It's the absolute first thing I test in beta. I've only been on the beta team since July, Sand was the first Acqua I had any input in, but AA nailed it. Since then I have had zero issues with any Acqua sound quality wise, outside of a few compressor auto release issues that AA are working on, but it's a technology issue, not a sound quality issue.

So what I always suggest is to test for yourself, if as a tool any Nebula library or Acqua works for you, then get it, if not, test the next one..... just like you would in hardware.

To each their own.

 

Yes I agree Pink sounds great on drums and the compressor sounds unlike any of my algos. Am also demoing Sand and Lime and holy crap am loving those. In terms of workflow and signal chain can you give me an idea of how to get the most analogue sounding goodness from these tools? As in what order do you stack the different Nebula/Acqua instances, do you do that at the beginning and then mix from there or the other way around? Also which nebula libraries are worth getting because once I know how to fit this into my workflow will definitely be purchasing a few.

Good to know you are on the beta team, from what I've read so far you are very critical only because you want the best sound. I vibe with that for sure.

Sorry if these are all obvious questions, just trying to get my head around how best to fit this in my projects because the sound is really something else.

Thanks and happy christmas

 

Make sure to demo Coral.... that damn compressor is the finest 2 buss comp I've ever experienced in software, it's shockingly good.

I two stage mix.
Stage one is with Nebula chains in Reaper, mimicking hardware tracking chains.
Stage two in usually in S1, mimicking console mixing with Nebula but mostly Acqua's.

 

Yep coral is crazy, I like that it comes with the separated plugs too, like lime and sand. I had to try all this acqua crazyness every one is raving about and I'm sold. I got the mixing bundle (sand, pink and amethyst 2), as well as Coral and Lime. Purple bundle is next on the list. Honestly those plugins are just something else, for those who haven't demoed them yet, give them a spin, it will probably impress you, at least it did for me. I hadn't even try any before 2017, now I have 5 of them.

 

It's just great to have real options to algorithmic plugins these days, I've said for years that the algo tech had plateaued, and AA are proving that with some innovation we can have better digital tool options. In the end we all win.