T-Racks Vs. Ozone

[Kim Lajoie]

I believe that TRacks is a nice piece of kit - I just think that for what it does, it's a wee bit expensive. Ditto Amplitube. If either of them were half the price, I probably would have already bought them.

Damn, you would have loved the deal IK was running last year - buy T-RackS or Amplitube, and get the other free. That's basically getting both for half price. Too bad you missed it.

Forever,




Kim.

[Frippertronix]

Is Ozone really $200? I thought it was $250. Is there a way of getting a deal on it?

[danielmm]

Is Ozone really $200? I thought it was $250. Is there a way of getting a deal on it?

Try here:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Izo ... a=N&tab=wf

dano

[Squids]

Even if you have a UAD you still might want to use TRacks for specific things as well. I do.

I believe that TRacks is a nice piece of kit - I just think that for what it does, it's a wee bit expensive. Ditto Amplitube. If either of them were half the price, I probably would have already bought them.

Well, a while ago they were when there was a buy AT and get TR free and visa versa. Actually, now it is an even better deal for AT since it did come down in price by 1/4 and it is also in a promo with buy AT and get SampleTank 2 L free and visa versa. So, while you think it is $400. it is actually $229 or so and comes with a free $299 virtual instrument.

No promo on T-Racks at the moment but it can be gotten at a store for not much more than three hundred. Like I said, if you add up the cost of each module individually it isn't that much for something high end. It is certainly less than a lot of ProTools plug-ins like the URS for example. (I kind of want those myself but we all have our limits).

Anyway, the comparison to the Fairchild isn't bull from the standpoint that IK does modeling and uses the circuitry and components of particular gear to make an algorhythm that acts like it in software and then they ear tune it to get the desired result. That's just the starting point but the end point is to arrive at a suite of compressor, limiter, EQ and soft clipper that is going to do what most people want for mastering or mixing and the quality of it depends on the engineer's ears. I know the main person at IK who does this and I have incredible respect for his knowledge and ear.

I'd say this. If you hear either of those or others mentioned and you like the way it sounds and/or how it works (ease of use or not etc) then that is what matters the most. If you're not sure and you want to take into consideration what more people that make pro recordings for albums, TV, film etc then for sure more people use T-Racks and Waves than anything else at least in software. I know this from personal experience talking to a lot of pros plus also reading in magazines. Now that may or may not be what anyone here goes by but there's nothing wrong with it if you do. There are many times that I've been turned onto a hardware or software product because other musicians, engineers or producers I liked were using it. They're not going to use it if it sucks.

[AndrewSimon]

Hey Squids, where is Amplitube2 ?
I am asking cause NI is tempting me with their
new Guitar Combos.

[Squids]

Hey Squids, where is Amplitube2 ?
I am asking cause NI is tempting me with their
new Guitar Combos.

It's coming. That's a whole other subject though of course. I am sure when it is out we'll see it VS. other guitar amp plugs etc. Pre-KVR Deja Vu.

[Resonance]

I use T-Racks on a lot of my stuff. The compressor and eq sound VERY nice on single channels and sub-mixes - I still don't trust any all-in-one virtual plug for mastering though (Ozone, T-Racks, whatever). Just my opinion...

But I agree, it's a little pricey for being around this long without a major update or feature upgrades.

[ResonantOrder]

Even if you have a UAD you still might want to use TRacks for specific things as well. I do.

I believe that TRacks is a nice piece of kit - I just think that for what it does, it's a wee bit expensive. Ditto Amplitube. If either of them were half the price, I probably would have already bought them.

Well, a while ago they were when there was a buy AT and get TR free and visa versa. Actually, now it is an even better deal for AT since it did come down in price by 1/4 and it is also in a promo with buy AT and get SampleTank 2 L free and visa versa. So, while you think it is $400. it is actually $229 or so and comes with a free $299 virtual instrument.

No promo on T-Racks at the moment but it can be gotten at a store for not much more than three hundred. Like I said, if you add up the cost of each module individually it isn't that much for something high end. It is certainly less than a lot of ProTools plug-ins like the URS for example. (I kind of want those myself but we all have our limits).

Anyway, the comparison to the Fairchild isn't bull from the standpoint that IK does modeling and uses the circuitry and components of particular gear to make an algorhythm that acts like it in software and then they ear tune it to get the desired result. That's just the starting point but the end point is to arrive at a suite of compressor, limiter, EQ and soft clipper that is going to do what most people want for mastering or mixing and the quality of it depends on the engineer's ears. I know the main person at IK who does this and I have incredible respect for his knowledge and ear.

I'd say this. If you hear either of those or others mentioned and you like the way it sounds and/or how it works (ease of use or not etc) then that is what matters the most. If you're not sure and you want to take into consideration what more people that make pro recordings for albums, TV, film etc then for sure more people use T-Racks and Waves than anything else at least in software. I know this from personal experience talking to a lot of pros plus also reading in magazines. Now that may or may not be what anyone here goes by but there's nothing wrong with it if you do. There are many times that I've been turned onto a hardware or software product because other musicians, engineers or producers I liked were using it. They're not going to use it if it sucks.

Since you know all these people, will you please get us a definitive answer about the supposed latency in the T-racks individual plugs? It would be nice to get an official word. The current rumor is the only thing keeping me from grabbing it. Thanks.

[Frippertronix]

Is Ozone really $200? I thought it was $250. Is there a way of getting a deal on it?

Try here:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Izo ... a=N&tab=wf

dano

Ah, I was going by the DL. I didn't know they graduated to the box.

I'm a treehugger, so I might go with the DL anyway, plus I already have the demo so it's easier.

Thanks for the link, though!

[Frippertronix]

Ozone question:

I read a review of Ozone 2 and it said it was only suitable for mastering or in the master bus for mixing because you could only run one instance.

Have they changed that? IOW, can you use just certain modules and have them in diffrent tracks so you can use it as a track plug when mixing, (and run multiples, in other words, two comps, three eq's, etc.) or are you still stuck with only one instance?

Also, how is it on the CPU. I know it will depend on the number of modules you run simultaneuously, but what is your general sense of CPU usage?

I know I can run the demo and find out, but I'd rather wait until I have more stuff to master before I try the demo so it still sits on a CD waiting to be installed.

[Kim Lajoie]

Regarding the supposed latency in T-RackS, I use it regularly and I haven't noticed any latency. There's a demo available - you can check it out yourself.

Forever,




Kim.

[BC]

You can run as many instances of Ozone3 as your system can support. That said - I'd be surprised if it could support very many. It's very CPU hungry and seriously - it's not that type of plug (track insert). It is really best suited for the master bus.

[ResonantOrder]

Regarding the supposed latency in T-RackS, I use it regularly and I haven't noticed any latency. There's a demo available - you can check it out yourself.

Forever,




Kim.

I have a hard time trusting what people actually say about latency on plugs. If the plug doesn't report it to the host, the host can't compensate. I never install demos. If the plugs don't report lantency, then installing the demo is a moot point. I'd rather just get a real answer. I'm always amazed at the number of people I run into who could really care less about plug latency, and it shows in their tracks.

Don't take this as a personal attack, or that I'm saying you don't know anything about latency. My point is that I've seen the latency/doesn't report latency info on other forums, and I thought I could get an 'official' answer. Maybe Squids is trying to find out right now. I don't know. I'd just like a be-all, end-all answer simply because Squids actually knows the people who would know and I can put this issue to rest.

[lfm]

I tried TRacks and found it interesting at first. I put some questions to IK Multimedia and to local agent in my country, but never go any reply.

I never liked the exciter in TRacks which sounded unnatural.

That says all I need to know. A company not showing interest when about to sell something will never be of any help if needing support or assistance in any way.

When I bought a SampleTank product I found exactly this. I should have learned by my first experience.

So my choice was Ozone and I have had a smile on my face all the way. Half price to TRacks at the time, excellent support as well as excellent sounding product.

[finnbio]

You can run as many instances of Ozone3 as your system can support. That said - I'd be surprised if it could support very many. It's very CPU hungry and seriously - it's not that type of plug (track insert). It is really best suited for the master bus.

Yes, exactly....

However, a year ago, I sent an email with questions concerning CPU load to iZotope, and their tech support guy (who was extremely helpful!) wrote that they were looking into DSP card support. I'm wondering if that has advanced any - now that they're cooperating with M-audio. It's the only reason why im holding out on buying the UAD-1...


Alex