I know everyone talks about how Waves plugs are the best, but I honestly get overwhelmed when I open the lovely folder with every plug-in imaginable.... just wondering which ones are the absolute go to ones? I hear good stuff about the Kramer, what else?

 

I only use 2 or 3 but would recommend the R-Bass and the L3-Ultramaximiser.

 

Waves has a selection of surround plugins which I thought were alright. If i could make PS1 stereo maker to work that would be nice.

But as I said somewhere else, the 1GB+ of plugins got too much to manage and I uninstalled it quite quickly. Plugins with similar functionality are probably available elsewhere. And indeed, I already had plugins did most of the tasks I wanted from other vendors.

R-Bass sounds and reads like it does something like Ozone 4's exciter (I use that for jacking up the bass) and there are many other plugins that jack up the volume.


But whatever, your choice. Would be nice to have a separate installer for each bundle.

 

not that they are bad...but they are strongly over-hyped plug-ins IMO...you can get pretty much the same from Tracks or sonalksis (just to name 2)...
I spent a while trying them all to see ...but in the end...a few comp [CLA-(76...)] and EQ [API (2500...)] the Bass rider was also cool...that's all I've ever needed from Waves..and I dont use them any longer...

 

Yeah kind of feeling with these, and also the Nomad Factory bundle, it's just a lot...

 

I record people all the time and the ones I find that are a must have is the Q10 and the desser. I used to use the L3 but I feel like you can get a better sound with the Mcdsp m4000 IMO.

 

I like Q2/4/6/8/10, the renaissance eq's & compressors, the L1 is great, and the SSL buss compressor.

For creative effects I think their modulation plugs (metaflanger for instance) are awesome.

I don't bother with the new ones like the Signature bundles as i don't like the GUIs and there are better alternatives.

Heads up; I once got a letter forwarded to me from my ISP from Waves. Use Peer bloc, be sensible etc. and avoid torrents

 

SSL Channel Strip
Vocal Rider Live
IR-1
Q-10
Maxxbass
L3 Ultra and/or Multi Maximizer

Laptop with Waves Multirack + Presonus Studiolive 24.4.2 mixing desk and you have everything u could possibly need live!
I could'nt go back to the entire van of fx racks and desk it used to take to get results not even as good.

(PS, after setup, not having to be at the mixer, which can go beside/behind/under the stage is GODLIKE)
(The Ipad app to control the whole system is just pure win, sit at bar and mix the show)

 

I had a testrun on a mac some days with Waves Bundle. TBH, the plugins are not anymore "the best" on the market, but they cover a wide range of _good_ plugins. I don't like the gui of most (older) plugins, it looks very odd. You can get e.g. phase linear eq's elsewhere for less money - same with good compressors.

I like the "One Knob Series", because it does what it says, and the result is ok. Bass Rider is good for live/jam sessions.

Anyway, the whole CLA/JJP and other artist series are crap... I always got lost in mastering when I used that plugins in these tryout days I had.

So, what do you want exactly?

 

In reality, It's all a matter of taste and entirely dependent on YOUR EAR. In the end, these plugIns are just tools -- you still have to put in work to make things sound right. Over hyped or not, the folks at waves got a few things right -- they employed the use of established sound engineers in the development of their plugIns, and payed close attention to sonic detail (subtlety). I use the Eddie Kramer stuff because I am trying to reproduce a certain analog warmth in my production (those certain subtle imperfections, nuances and character). There are thousands of great plugIns out there (Waves and others) that can get the job done beautifully. SPL has some great plugIns, PSP has some, Softube, Fabfilter ProL is amazing, (bits and bobs here and there) and the list goes on.

I would love to give the UAD goods a spin but can't afford the required Audio Card needed to TRY it out -- The idea that Ampex, Studer, Neve, Lexicon, EMT and others have given them the endorsement of 'Name Rights' is intriguing (I love the realistic GUI as well), makes me want to check it out even ore -- perhaps one day (when I have the money to burn -- if such a day comes).

 

Now if UAD made a Satellite (or a rackmount version) that doubled as a (non-propitiatory) plugIn accelerator AND audio interface (w/ minimum 8 XLR & Line Inputs) -- I'd be all over it, no question.

 

Even if I don’t generally use waves’ plug-ins it happens that I get project sent to me require me to use them, so eventually I had to learn them and well since the principles are the same for any effect or dynamic, this is a bit how it works for me.
Compressors:
As far as it comes to compressors I found out that C1 Parametric Compander is a very nice dynamic compressor with lots of flexibilities. It can work as an ordinary compressor or as sidechain. What I like about the C1 is how it doesn’t colorize the sound nor give too much artifacts in the sound. Also C1 can be used as a compressor or expander or gate expander. Thanks due it’s EQ it’s very easy to know how to effect the sound. It also had an excellent way to listen and compare the A/B mix.

Then there is C4 Multiband Compressor that has the same principles as the C1, except it gives you an unprecedented control over the contours of the sound with maximum clarity and transparency. It’s easy to work with the crossover 4 bands EQ and you have very good control of what the heck you’re doing.
The C6 <MBC> is almost the same as the C4, because it uses the same engine. However, the EQ is improved alot and you can really filter out anything you want or gain it. Yes the C6 supports sidechain as well

Maximizers:
I also like the L-series, it’s simple an outstanding maximizer that really pushes your sound to an unbelievable level. I did get very impressed to hear how much loudness it’s possible to add to the soundscape without turning it into clay or muddy.
The L1 is more for individual channels while the L2 is for mastering purposes.
Same goes for L3, which has an excellent peak limiter that saves hours of work! I have to crawl to the cross and say I am sad that I’ve missed the L3!

Equalizers:
So when it comes to equalizers I’d say go for the legacy Linear Phase Equalizers ”BP/LP/MB”, they do a very nice work, even though there are some better weapons out there like the SSL or Q-series. I think it’s really hard to find a good EQ and I can’t really give too much advice when it comes to software EQ, since I am using hardware EQ most of the time(beside from the built-in EQs in my sequencer).
When it comes to the, ”signature bundles”. I am not so impressed. Sure some are good but I think that it’s better to achieve your own signature instead of mimic someone else’s signature. I mean you can’t really get the same sound anyhow and that in my ears would be extremely boring, if you know what I mean.

Anyhow I’ll try to keep this short and not write a novel heh. Hope this gave some light.
Love and Peace,
Xiny6581 _\|/_

 

Here are suggestions, based on my personal needs.
'Hope this helps.
Cheers.

COMPRESSION
- Renaissance Axxe Mono (Guitar)
- CLA-3A Mono (Guitar)
- CLA-76 Mono (Guitar/Bass) though I'd rather choose Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B for the Bass
- CLA-2A Mono + Stereo (Keys, Strings, Pads) though I'd rather choose Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B for such uses once again

CHANNEL STRIP
- SSL E-Channel

DEDICATED TOOLS
- Guitar: Maserati GTi Guitar Toner Mono/Stereo
- Vocals: CLA Vocals
- Vocals: Vocal Rider Mono
- Denoiser: X-Noise

These are the ones I use the most among the insane package they offer.
But, in my opinion, the best is to schedule some time to focus on trying them one by one regarding your needs.
Then you know what your fav are and may remove or hide unnecessary ones.


OTHER QUALITY PLUGS:
AAY-Audio - aTube
Cytomic - The Glue
Dada Life - Sausage Fattener
FabFilter - Timeless 2
IK Multimedia (TRackS3 deluxe, AmpliTube 3.7)
iZotope - Alloy
Lexicon PCM Native Plate
LiquidSonics - Reverberate
Nomad Factory (BT Chorus, Echoes, Magnetic)
Softube, everything.
Variety of Sound - NastyDLA

and so many others...


Best.

NWK

 

Nawhak:
Now that's quite a massive bushy plant you gave, but it makes sense. I can see lots of "same thinking" there. Heh, I was about to do a similar "compareance" but for a once I tried to cut the grass a bit. GRZ buddy!

 

Maserati plugs are a few of my fav!!! r-bass and vplugs are kind of cool! i wish the A-team comes out with bass rider. i really want to try that out!

 

Xiny6581:
;-)
Tried to make it relevant.
I'm glad to share my tiny little amateur knowledges as well as learning from others.

biohazardzero:
Bass Rider seems to kick ass, you're right.

 

Bass Rider is KIKASS.

Just like they said. It depends what you're trying to accomplish as to what plugins are the best for you.

I love the Master Tape, but wish I could afford a UAD/Quad and strutter (Like PYRUS MALUS)
I also have been using waves mid/side decoder, Center.
Try this for a "magic vox" AUX return:
Set up a center and cla vocal on a return in that order.In the center plug turn the center all the way down, and leave the sides up.
Then in the cla vox plug turn all the modules off except the spreader.
Now send some vox to it. Instant vocal width on an aux return, that you can adjust with a fader

*I used to use MSED, Voxengo's mid side decoder, and CMX, a hardware spreader emu from Schwa/Stillwell Audio (he makes alot of the gui-less reaper plugs too!) To achieve the same, but different, results.

Like everyone is saying. Its not too many plugins, Its a bigger toolbox! *yes*
--
sG

 

Hard to believe someone complains about having too many plugins.

If you complain about your DAW software scanning plugins, you are probably not using Reaper.

I wish all DAWs could be that efficient with plugin scanning.

It seems to scan all plugins only after a reboot. If you computer stays on most of the time, when you add a new plugin it scans only the new one.
and If you restart Reaper it takes literary 2 sec to load up.

 

Not complaining about having too many plugins, very grateful for the amazing tools at our fingertips, merely asking for some intelligent feedback to help narrow down my list of options to a manageable size.