Hey,

Alright guys, I just chime in to share my "feeling" about the different emulations of Pultec and Fairchild.

Today, I compared 3 Pultec emulations, and 2 Fairchild emulations.

I used :
- Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
- IK Multimedia Vintage Tube Program Equalizer
- Nomad Factory PULSE-TEC

- Waves PuigChild 670
- IK Multimedia Compressor/Limiter model 670

So, let me say that there are NO BETTER. In my view of course.

They all sound great and compliment each other very well (too bad for my wallet <_<).

It's all about character. I listened carefully to each one, made comparisons, A/B with the original unprocessed file and so on...

Well, so here is what I think about each one.

Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
This one has a RICH sound. It adds nice harmonics and makes things sound fuller. It seems best on acoustics tracks and is a good compromise between round low-end and silky highs.

IK Multimedia Vintage Program Equalizer
To me, it's the most CRUNCHY of the bunch. I mean, it has a "real" tube feeling, sounds brighter than the others in a nice way. Kind of "old school". Like a "lively" piece of gear. Shines on pianos...

Nomad Factory PULSE-TEC
Well, believe me or not, I've been amazed by that one ! The low-end is especially BEAUTIFUL. Engage that "VINTAGE" switch and it colors the sound in an even nicer way, really smooth. Added to that the "CLIPPER" on the preamp section, even when not touching the gains, just engage it and it adds something, I don't know what as the peaks are not growing up, but you hear it, it's something good for sure, another subtle coloration maybe ? Perfect for Hip-Hop.

Waves PuigChild 670
That one is real cool ! It sounds punchy and bright, saturates easily in a nice colorful way, and you sure miss it when you bypass it. It has a character that I liked a lot. Makes me think that my others compressor are crappy or "sterile" sounding to be clearer...

IK Multimedia Compressor/Limiter model 670
Oh my God ! Sorry but this is a no brainer, a go-to "warming machine" plugin. It sounds sick, really. It makes things sound DEEP and FAT. Things get glued nicely together, get more definition, more round in the low-end compared to the Waves' one.

I also tested the Waves CLA Classic Compressors bundle, and I've been thrilled by these plugins. Nice colouration, great behaviour, awesome compression character...

Well, I already have the IK Multimedia's ones, so I'm gonna buy the Waves' bundles and Nomad Factory's one for Christmas.

If you really want to add some more detail, to make you mixes shine and sound "lively", you sure can't go wrong with all these tools.

I told you, modeling is getting better and better, and you clearly feel the difference.

I was an ignorant before I put myself more into training my ears to EQ and COMP, but now I "regret" it as I'm getting poor ^^.

And I know things that are coming in 2010 that will make it even more enjoyable.

So stay tunned !

All The Best,
Jay Key

Thanks K-Slash,

Always good to hear an independant review to help whip up my omnipresent gear-lust !!!!!!!

Now from someone who "has them all", what I'd really want is a sound comparison with all the similar plugins having the same settings, once with little effect and once bending the signal hard...

Is there any chance of that wish getting true? ^^
Aww, c'mon, it's Christmas... pleeeez...
(Well, soon, anyway.)



EDIT:
One of the reasons I'd like to HEAR the difference, is that I'm really wary about these Blue Tubes things... for me, they didn't work out, somehow.
But if you say their Pultec Clone sounds that good (of course, I know: taste is subjective and not disputable) it makes me curious again...

To be honest, I was sceptic a first about the Nomad one, you know their reputation and the "nice GUI crap sound".

Well, the 2 others also have nice GUIs . But all 3 sound great.

About the same settings, they do not sound the same, even after calibrating volume at output.

That's why I like them all, they have a different sound, a character if I may say it.

I'll try to come up with a comparison tomorrow.

Time to sleep .

Nice reviews.

Maybe this one should be reviewed too.



http://www.g-sonique.com/gweb/PultronicEQ110P.htm

Yeah, I recently picked up the Integral Bundle, and I find myself really enjoying their attempt at the Fairchild and especially their Pul-Tech. The IK's are also nice. It's funny how different the plugins sound from one-another, considering they are emulating the same hardware, but it's cool--it's sort of like you're using modded versions of the hardware... or something.

I have never used the Waves/UAD ones though.

Wow, thanks for the kind words about ours. That's some fine company we're keeping there, and glad we stood out with some character. That's the great thing about being meticulous with modeling specific pieces of hardware, you get a great one and try to get the nuances. Before I get long-winded, thanks again

Plus 1 for the IK stuff. they are like instant un-suck plugs for whatever I use them on. Couldn't live without them.

I'll have to forward that copy to the marketing team. "T-RackS 3 Deluxe: Instant Unsuck"

Straight and to the point Peter! Kind of catchy too. I do love how just running something through the EQ flat improves the source. Hard to make it sound bad. Love that lift at 5k as well.

And how do they compare to the originals from your point of view??

G-Sonique: Pultronic EQ110P?

Ahem . . . BASSDRIVE already mentioned it!

It's nice to see someone throw a genuine compliment at Nomad Factory for a change.

I've been using their plugs for a few years now, and I like them. I use their E-tone (EMI/TG) mastering plug in on everything, and their Analog Bundle.

Their plugs don't kill my CPU, and sound great. Regarding their Fairchild emulation, I prefer it over IK's, etc. (just my opinion) as I like that it can be pushed easily into the red like old analog gear, and enjoy how it colors my sound.

I've never been a huge fan of their Pul-Tec plug, though. IK does a great job of this, and there are some Bootsy plugs that really deliver the goods.

Happy Holidays.

Too bad for me I used the iLok auth and when they've been removed due to law suits from EMI/Abbey Road Plugins, the auth has also been removed when updating my iLok account.



What emulation are you talking about ? The Retrology Pulse-Tec or the EQ plugin from the Blue Tubes bundle ?