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First let me point out that I use cubase mainly and I compose and produce rockmusic - just as you can see on my website. I test plugins not only in cubase, but also in wavosaur, audacity and podium.
I selected only those plugins which I am interested in at the moment,
and which can be loaded in cubase (windows), so unfortunately many VSTs stay unconsidered. Every developer who participates and offers his plugin here deserves gratitudes, because he adds a value - even if only in small amounts - to the freeware world. And as we all know: Freeware is the base for a democratic access to musician's tools for everyone and thus an important cultural achievement.
Now ...
unfortunately we have only 5 points for the votes, but we have 55 contributions - so it's a dilemma! Everyone is forced to do a choice. My selection of votes is:
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5 points: --> thrillseeker xtc (by bootsie).
For me thrillseeker is an enormous improvement in the area of
"saturation". Bootsie calls it "stateful saturation" - and indeed
this milestone is the first type of saturation which is not harsh
and unpleasant when applied in low frequencies - IMO. Thrillseeker enables
changes and accentuations which I can't achieve using any equalizer
or any other saturator. It let's me tweak vocals, guitar sounds and whole
mixes in a most positive way ... mmh, it is difficult to describe. All in all
thrillseeker xtc is excellent. Bootsie provides a fine manual - and I didn't
stumble upon any bug at all. So 5 points go to thrillseeker xtc.
4 points: --> proximity (by vladg)
This little plugin enables to place the vocals in a defined distance from
the micro. The parameters can be adjusted accurately, the effect is
important in order to let the vocals sit well in a mix. For me this is a very
useful plugin if I mix vocal-lines. The handling of "proximity" is a little
intransparent, but nevertheless: 4 points go to proximity.
3 points: --> space 360 (by cytoSonic, Brad)
"Not the 1001st reverb plugin!" I hear people screaming. But this one is
different, because the GUI is different. This GUI exploits the abilities of
graphics in an excellent way: You can place the listener and the speakers in a room. You can change the roomsize. And you can change the microphone-pattern including stereo-spread etc which is graphically shown. For me it is very intuitive! 3 points go to space 360.
2 points: --> pitched-delay (by lkjb)
Wow, a 5-band delay with pitch-function and filter! Very good graphical
representation of what has been set. It is complex but the handling remains
intuitive. Remarkable: The pitch-quality is not bad, it opens a huge variety of delay-pitch-effects for psychodelic sound projects. 2 points go to
pitched-delay.
1 point: --> delay studio (Minimal System)
This one offers 3-frequency-bands to be delayed independently. So a very
good stereo-widening, bass-enhancement etc should be possible. Very subtle
effects and rather drastic extreme sounds can be achieved. 1 point to delay
studio.
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I am also impressed by:
- -- octave down: Good pitch-down quality, but only fixed to one octave.
- -- amp-sim3: Looks great, seems interesting, but I didn't do a
sound-check yet.
- -- delay tapatiki: Good GUI, very transparent handling. Fantastic if anyone
needs a multi-line-delay.
- -- limiter maxwell smart: easy handling, only two knobs do exactly
what they should do.
- -- vintager toy: Works like a time-machine, a cranky odd idea. But it
does exactly what is promises. Good GUI, transparent handling.
- -- inspiration: An aphorism-displayer. Hmm, don't know if I need it, but
it's an idea.
- -- preset-match: A complex tool. And I don't know if I'll ever need it.
Maybe this one saves you in an important moment in the future?
- -- pitch shifter sifft: Wav-player with a lot of controls and fast fourier
transformation. Thing is: It works - and I can't explore all it's features
ad hoc.
And ... ==> These were my points ... tell me your choice!
