KVR Audio

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:01 am

Anyone care to reveal some settings/chains they've found useful with this thing?

Would be most appreciated!
Dave

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:24 am

Anyone care to reveal some settings/chains they've found useful with this thing?

GUP-1 -> Spectralive -> GUP-1 -> limiter

GUP-1 -> Spectralive -> SX multiband -> limiter

I use the 1st GUP-1 with maximum 1.5:1 compression but a fairly low threshold to tame some peaks initially before Spectralive (otherwise you get even bigger peaks). I like Algorithm E and F for mastering, with Process E.

For drum groups the lower algorithms and processes seem to emphasise the mids a bit more than the sparkle.

I don't go over a dry/wet mix of 50/50, but for groups - especially drums, I would entertain going 100% wet. Vitality on the higher processes starts to get a bit grainy over about 33% for me.

I'm going to play around some more with tracking and groups with Spectralive tomorrow - I think it would be a good effect to use followed by a compressor set to expansion on drumloops. Maybe on noisy prerecorded loops (that tend to be heavily compressed already) I'd throw in a gate (Floorfish being my favourite) then Spectralive, then an expander. Maybe gate -> expander -> Spectralive even....

I've tried using Spectralive with a handful of freebie multiband comps on mixes, but it shows up their deficiencies with some of them. I suspect I might like using Spectralive before a series of wideband comps at low settings rather than multibands. Something like: GUP-1 -> Spectralive -> GUP-1 -> GUP-1. Or even patch up my h/w LA comp and set it to lowpass to really beef up the bass, then follow it by Spectralive to compensate for the loss of highs, then a s/w comp ... or even use all 4 channels on the LA comp ... Lowpass LA -> Spectralive -> Highpass LA ... that should make anything fizz and boom

)wouldn't have any dynamics left in it though...

Otium compadre would work nicely with Spectralive I should imagine, because of it's highpass ability and other sidechain filters - I'll try that tomorrow. Something like Otium with the sour spot filter followed by Spectralive high algos. Or Otium highpass followed by algo A, B or C to bring back some drum mids.

Something I might also try will be Spectralive on top of FX. If you put some of the tracking presets (which are more mid emphasised) as an insert over a delay return, I should think it'll give something digital and clinical like Ohmboyz a lovely dubby feel. In fact that will be my first experiment tomorrow!

t-willy · Post by **t-willy** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:08 pm

this plugin is pretty damn amazing. i was playing with it last night and it just has the magic to make my tracks sound so much brighter. just wanted to share i guess.....

lates

t-willy

bobby yarrow · Post by **bobby yarrow** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:22 pm

I've found it real useful on individual tracks, and occasionally on the overheads or a guitar buss. I try not to use it on more than one thing -- if it's on the overheads, I won't use it on a guitar. And, as everybody's saying, a little dab'll do ya.

Rajah · Post by **Rajah** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:52 pm

Will Like to see a Surround Sound Version of this plug (5.1).

SampleScience · Post by **SampleScience** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 7:25 pm

Yep, very good plugin, it's on my buy list. Crysonic did a really good work with this plugin!

kevvvvv · Post by **kevvvvv** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:42 pm

One month later:

I'm still using this thing. It's actually very good.

There's always some part of a final mix that benefits from one of the different kinds of lift that Spectralive offers.

Frequently it picks up snare in a cool way. I also like the widening effect.

The details of all the various parts seem to show nice and clear.

Everything is so selectable and tunable that it's hard not to include it in everything.

How 'bout you? Still using it?

t-willy · Post by **t-willy** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:20 pm

yep still using it. and you're right, it is hard not to use it on everything. i tend to use it on individual guitar and vocals tracks and then again when i'm attemping to master.

the widening effect is very nice. very happy with it.

lates

t-willy

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:58 pm

rpc9943 wrote:wait okay hold on here when this was first released everyone put it down, its synthedit, etc. so what the hell is going on now? its suddenly a good product? Or is this some twisted promo thread?

RonC

I'll hold my tongue for the most part. I'll only say I have tried it and it certainly does things to the sound, but I think it's a matter of taste as to whether you like the effect it has. I think it can be a good tool but, to my ears, things come out the other end sounding more artificial somehow.

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:06 pm

How 'bout you? Still using it?

Yep...it's automatically in my final mix chain every track. I don't use it on subgroups, but then I never used enhancers on groups if I then use one on the full mix anyway. If I use an enhancer on a group, I don't enhance the full mix.

I said I was thinking of packing away my BBE...it's still in the rack, but I haven't actually reverted back to using it once since I got Spectralive. I might have a play around with the BBE on a group, followed by Spectralive on the mix...but I doubt it'll work too well.

I'm more than happy with this plugin. I rarely ever used Eq on my full mixes since several years ago...now I have no need to whatsoever. It's a definite keeper and user.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:30 pm

We do a lot of Voice Overs at work, and this thing really kicks ass on vocals, really helps give them that radio sheen everyone expects to hear, and they sit well in the mix.

Generally, I find the preset "Voice 1" works fine, but depends on the day. I'll just fart around until I hear something I like, then roll off excessive highs and lows afterwards.

kevvvvv · Post by **kevvvvv** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:02 am

Frippertronix

I think it can be a good tool but, to my ears, things come out the other end sounding more artificial somehow.

I think it can sound artificial ... yes.

But careful patience in selecting which algos, and then taking it easy on the mix amount tends to solve the problem.

Mind you, it depends what you're looking for. I'm generally after more detail and presence in my final mix.

rbet · Post by **rbet** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:15 am

I considered making a separate thread... I found the following quote on Crysonic's website:

SPECTRALIVE™ is "the" definitive secret weapon for attaining that professional "commercial" sound. The Spectralive™ process is a novel and proprietary approach for imparting Vitality and warmth to all your audio material.

Master, Mix, Track your music on an even playing field regardless of your monitor speakers setup or quality.

How valid is the claim? How is it even possible?

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:32 am

rbet wrote:I considered making a separate thread... I found the following quote on Crysonic's website:

SPECTRALIVE™ is "the" definitive secret weapon for attaining that professional "commercial" sound. The Spectralive™ process is a novel and proprietary approach for imparting Vitality and warmth to all your audio material.

Master, Mix, Track your music on an even playing field regardless of your monitor speakers setup or quality.
How valid is the claim? How is it even possible?

Oh no - not tonight!

Marybelle · Post by **Marybelle** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:22 am

In anger: In zeal? With zeal?

cryosonics spectralive