preFIX (the official thread)

[Totolitoto]

Sorry so be so un-pro, but am I the only one who have no idea what this thing is for?

Cheers,
T.

[H.86]

I do like the free phase correction. Usually you only see 180 degrees, sometimes even 90, but not free.

There's Betabug's Phasebug.

[Compyfox]

Can somebody tell me what this plugin might be used for?

It looks like this plugin might be more a tool for badly recorded tracks. So, if I'm just tracking into my DAW with my audio interface and using VSTi's, I don't think I'll need this one too much?

Sorry so be so un-pro, but am I the only one who have no idea what this thing is for?

To sum this up (only going by the looks here), it seems like this tool is an all purpose "signal fix" (hence the name preFIX) before you apply any further processing (namely EQ, compression, send FX).

You have a gate/expander with an internal (and fully configurable due to the EQ) sidechain, external sidechain is an option as well (kick triggers a pad for example). You have a LP/HP filter to limit the files bandwidth along with a tilt-style EQ (see USEq from Togu Audio Line), a stereo rotation mode (changes the "balance" of a signal) and a phase/signal delay correction (if you have phase shifted material, or material needs to be aligned to something else.



You need this if things went wrong while recording mostly. The Gate can be used for all purposes (mostly cutting away the noise floor - gate is more hard in sound, expander more soft), but the rest is for really troublesome material or if you want to quick-fix/realign two microphones with each other (example: kick inside with kick outside).

Granted, there are other tools available that basically do the same (even freeware like Melda Productions, Cockos ReaPlugs), but this is a very handy combination of several signal correction/cleanup tools.


From the looks of it, it will complement NastyVCS (Channel Strip plugin) and/or BootEQmkII in combination with Density mkII/FerricTDS nicely. Especially since NastyVCS doesn't feature a gate and BootEQmkII doesn't feature a phase switch either. It can also complement those hosts, that don't have phase switches/poties.



@H.86:
Phasebug is indeed nice, but Betabugs is also a tad old. But thanks for mentioning it for completeness sake.

[@midnight]

i'm sorry i just don't feel like i need to filter gate and eq my track before i filter gate and eq my track. lol. that's too much dsp going on for me; i think i'll pass on this one. looks cool though!

[maxxxter]

DELETED

[sinkmusic]

Subtly phase aligning tracks/sounds in relation to each other caused a total revolution in my music production workflow. Excellent, coherent stereo image and a clear sound placement were the results and it gave my music that professional sounding "something".

Do you know any online tutorial where to know more about how to use it "in real life context" ? I am aware about bass range phase cancellation prevention when you need to cut your tracks on vinyl, and know that phase issues can also be quite tricky when recording with two mics in M/S technique, but for ITB work, is it something worth investigating for stronger and better stereo placement and clarity of the overall mix ?
Thank you

[@midnight]

i'd like to see a bootsie take on an analog filter box, something that has a moog style filter with really juice resonance and saturation with that bootsie touch.

and i'd also like to see a really good zero latency channel compressor of the api/neve/ssl/1176/ditressor variety. something like the stillwell rocket, except made by bootsie.

hey, a kid can dream right?

[sinkmusic]

i'd like to see a bootsie take on an analog filter box, something that has a moog style filter with really juice resonance and saturation with that bootsie touch.

+1
And a vintage phaser, plain simple and gorgeous

[bpblog]

i'd like to see a bootsie take on an analog filter box, something that has a moog style filter with really juice resonance and saturation with that bootsie touch.

+1 :drools:

[TristezaOrange]

It's May 16th... muthafucka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[b4serenity]

It's on his site now.

[bpblog]

available on this page:
http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/downloads/

hooray!

[Orchidius]

Big fan of the gate already. It clearly outperforms my two favourites, namely reagate and floorfish. Actually a bit sad how good it is

[Dr.Gunjah]

wow... great stuff!

The scope and phase sections can do weird things

The gate is great too... not sure if it keeps me from getting pro-G but definitely useful.

thanks bootsie!

Cheers,
Doc

[Compyfox]

Big fan of the gate already. It clearly outperforms my two favourites, namely reagate and floorfish. Actually a bit sad how good it is

While Floorfish is also an expander, reaGate is just a gate plugin.
Granted, Floorfish can be adjusted in terms of the transition courve, and reaGate has a hysteresis function, but the Variety of Sound creation takes that a step further.

You have a pure gate mode (EXP at 0% or unlimited if I see that right), or an expander mode (EXP variable). It also offers a range mode, where the signal is being attenuated if it goes below the threshold. Though I do miss a hysteresis control.

One way or another - you can't compare reaGate with preFIX to be honest. They only lack one feature each, but are as flexible as each other otherwise.

I think you can simply forget Floorfish in this case. It's discontinued and is really just a basic gate/expander compared to the other two solutions.