KVR Audio

AVBunyan · Post by **AVBunyan** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:07 am

I can upgrade from HS 2002 to Sonar 4 Studio for $149 - Are the plugins worth upgrading for? How good are they compared to the Classics one that I use?

Thanks

idobs · Post by **idobs** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:27 am

The plugins by Sonitus in Sonar Producer Edition are really worth it, especially if you can get them for just $150 like you said...

I think their UI isn't as snazzy as some other plugins that look more like hardware, but the UI is extremely functional. The sound quickity is fairly high in my opinion.

-Ido

hello1234 · Post by **hello1234** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:37 am

sonitus plug ing are the only really good thing about sonar........

idobs · Post by **idobs** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:41 am

One more thing...

I think the Producer edition comes with a few more effects than Studio edition(like Pantheon reverb). You may want to double check the www.cakewalk.com site to make sure that $150 upgrade gets you what you want in Studio edition...

-Ido

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:52 am

I don't think the Sonitus plugins come with the Studio Edition,just the Producer Edition.Personally I don't use them,but the EQ is ok,but Iv'e had time to build up quality 3rd party choices over the years.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:35 am

That Lexicon Pantheon might be worth it alone! I can't believe Cakewalk snagged an exclusive licence with the world's single most popular reverb designer. You can't even use it in other DX hosts!

AVBunyan · Post by **AVBunyan** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:46 am

Alan wrote:I don't think the Sonitus plugins come with the Studio Edition,just the Producer Edition.Personally I don't use them,but the EQ is ok,but Iv'e had time to build up quality 3rd party choices over the years.

You are right - the Sonitus plugins do not come with the Studio - too bad -

How about the Studio PLugins and the Pantheon Lite that does come with the Studio - anybody have any experience with those? - that is what I can get for teh $149.

By the way Alan - what 3rd party do you use and like? I need just a good Reverb, Chorus, and possibly Delay. I'm using the Classics and the Glaceverb at this forum's recommendations - not to bad but I did like the Sonitus!

Thanks

Stupid American Pig · Post by **Stupid American Pig** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:52 am

I say get the studio upgrade just so you will have a cheaper upgrade path in the future...

orangesuite · Post by **orangesuite** » Sun May 29, 2005 9:34 am

The Lexicon verb is ok although you need to use a good EQ after it. The Sonitus FX are good and for $150 you are also getting the dithering algorithms as well. Those algos are the only reason I upgraded, I've already got a wide range of 3rd party plugs.

WillieJenkins · Post by **WillieJenkins** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:56 pm

the producer plugs blow away other native hosts plugs for the most part (not sure about samplitude). So thats nice.

Before anyway attempts to flame me, please check the archive and find me the posts that said "Ultrafunk plugs suck, my native host <insert sequencer here> has much better ones"

flugel45 · Post by **flugel45** » Sun May 29, 2005 5:27 pm

S_A_P® wrote:I say get the studio upgrade just so you will have a cheaper upgrade path in the future...

I agree with this. BTW, Sonar's built-in FX, though not quite on par with Sonitus', are still very good. Before purchased by Cakewalk, they were called Power Technology DSP-FX, and I still have the issue of Recording Mag which reviewed them. In his conclusion, the reviewer said that "the DSP-FX Virtual pack really stands out for its high quality reverbs and effects, efficient DSP use, and abundant useful presets for every processor".

I've heard many users say DSP-FX reverb is still their "go-to" reverb.

JD

fac · Post by **fac** » Sun May 29, 2005 6:20 pm

The DSP-FX included with Sonar (SE/PE) are good, but they're only Chorus, Delay, Flanger (good), EQ, and Reverb. I prefer the DSP-FX Reverb over the Pantheon LE - IMO, the Pantheon doesn't compare to my MPX-500.

Unfortunately, the DSP-FX bundle doesn't include any dynamics plugin - that's too bad because the DSP-FX mastering limiter used to be pretty good.

The dynamics plugins included with Sonar SE are those from the Cakewalk FX 1 Pack. They're IMO not up to par with today's standards, although they're useful to learn how compressors, expanders, and gates work.

Other plugins like the Cakewalk Delay, Reverb, AmpSim, and TapeSim are usable to some extent but pretty basic. I'm not sure if they're also included with HS, though. They're only included with HSXL, I think.

However, you get much more than just a few plugins for your $150 - you'll get better specs, a much better workflow, a couple of good softsynths (Cyclone and TTS-1), more routing options, the VST-DX adapter (if you don't have it already), the Revalver SE amp simulator, etc.

I upgraded from Sonar 2.2 (which HS is based from) to S4SE and I paid about $150 w/shipping. I don't regret it a bit.

AVBunyan · Post by **AVBunyan** » Sun May 29, 2005 8:15 pm

fac wrote:I upgraded from Sonar 2.2 (which HS is based from) to S4SE and I paid about $150 w/shipping. I don't regret it a bit.

Thanks FAC for the feedback - after playing with the demo some more I went ahead and ordered the upgrade.

I don't think I will regret it either.

Later

kilroy · Post by **kilroy** » Mon May 30, 2005 5:57 am

flugel45 wrote:I've heard many users say DSP-FX reverb is still their "go-to" reverb.

Old...but still a decent enough reverb for native users if skillfully programmed. Here is an attempt at emulating the old EMT plate sound... www.headroomproductions.com/Audio/EMTPlateEmulation.wav *right click and Save Target As*

This uses the electric guitar source Andrew Simon provided in this thread... http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... sc&start=0

This was one of the first patches I lashed up after getting the DSP-FX plugs eons ago, as I felt that this particular reverb seemed naturally suited to plate type sounds. If you compare this sound to more recent native reverb plug ins, even the highly touted and much ballyhooed UAD Plate algo, it holds it's own very well I think.

Makes me wonder how much better the new gimmicks sound just because they are new.

Concerning Sonar's other plugins, I am a bit surprised no mention has been made of the included Timeworks plugs.

fac wrote:Unfortunately, the DSP-FX bundle doesn't include any dynamics plugin - that's too bad because the DSP-FX mastering limiter used to be pretty good.

And as long as you do not get too heavy handed with it on anything with deep sustaining bass sounds it is still a very competent, good sounding limiter. For really deep house type stuff the maximum 100ms release time can be a handicap.

Cabinfever · Post by **Cabinfever** » Mon May 30, 2005 6:08 am

i like the sonitus plugs very much. the delay is especially good, and i'm a delay sort of guy.

Are Sonar 4 Studio Plugins Any Good?