Apogee Native Plugins

Discussion in 'Software Reviews and Tutorials' started by quadcore64, Mar 6, 2021.

  1. quadcore64

    quadcore64 Audiosexual

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    Finally took the time to finish testing Apogee Symphony ECS Channel and the Apogee-FX Bundle.
    DAWs used were Pro Tools 12.5 & Reaper 6.25 (27 real tracks on PC/16 real tracks on Mac).

    VST3 version of ECS Channel Strip is not optimized for PC.
    VST2 & AAX worked okay but, have a heavier system load compared to 2014 Mac Book Air running Big Sur.

    Only tested AU version on Big Sur & Logic Pro X which worked okay across 16 real audio trakcs.
    PC & Mac version of ECS seemed to have the same delay becoming active & ready to use.

    Imagine that Apogee DSP hardware allows for better operation & use.

    ECS loads with compression active giving the illusion of added character. Especially across multiple tracks.
    Drive tends to distort easily on various sources with lots of simultaneous frequencies such as bass guitar.

    The ModEq 6 & ModComp are comparable to stock plugins. Reaper stock plugins actually performed better
    The ones that impressed me were the LA-3A clone & the Pultec clones.

    Prefer the Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A over the Apogee LA-3A.

    The Pultec clones seem to have transformer modeling that is better or, not included in the Softube clones.

    A little adjustment goes a long way in the Apogee. The Softube sounds more open. Units used for modeling could account for the differences. Just a guess.

    Apogee Pultec EQP-1A $199
    Apogee Pultec MEQ-5 $199
    Apogee Pultec EQP-1A & MEQ-5 $299
    Apogee Opto-3A $99

    Tube-Tech Collection $449
    Tube-Tech EQ Collection $199
    Tube-Tech Comp Collection $299

    Summit Audio TLA-100A $199
    Summit Audio Grand Channel $299
    Summit Audio EQF-100 $199

    Final testing was done on PC in Reaper using just the Kick-In on separate tracks in these combinations:
    Apogee EQP-1A
    Apogee Opto-3A

    Tube-Tech PE-1C
    Tube-Tech CL-1B (Opto)

    Tube-Tech PE-1C
    Summit Audio TLA-100A (Opto)

    While the Apogee had a more weighted sound, the last Tube-Tech/Summit combination had the most defined toned (a sound that would sit still/blend in a mix).

    Already uninstalled the Apogee plugins. If you want a comparison, just download the demo(s) & try for yourself. I tend to mix mostly live/real audio tracks so, your experience may vary.
    Happy tracking!
     
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