KVR Audio

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:18 am

I'm starting a new thread because I wanted to ask specifically about anyone's experiences with different hosts and PowerCore cards before Mk2 (original PCI, Element, or Firewire).

I've read these two complaints. The one about MegaReverb is from 4/05, the other is older. I don't know if any of this has been resolved in updates.

Can anyone tell me if they've had similar experiences and also, if anyone is using PoCo with Tracktion 2, please let me know how it's working.

I can't do extensive testing before I buy (I'm considering getting Element) so I'm a little worried about these complaints.

Here are the problems I read about:

"Sounds great. It's my favorite reverb plug-in when it works. Presets are fine and it's easy to make your own. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS IT CRASHES. The plug-in will lose sync with the host within 5 mins or less. The 1st software version it actually worked more than not. There have been 3 upgrades since I purchased the Firewire Powercore. The performance has gotten worse with every update."

"Within Cubase, PowerCore worked fairly well, with a few exceptions. Most notably, there are some latency problems when PowerCore effects are used as sends. In this instance, the delay (a result of pokey PCI bus speeds) must be manually tweaked by inserting the TC Delay Compinsator plug-in (also included) on every audio channel that is not using a PowerCore effect. (As a quick fix, you can route these channels though a group bus and add the Delay Compinsator as an insert.) Additionally, when activating or using more than one PowerCore plug-in at a time, there were several instances where the unit produced a few seconds of feedback that usually faded away. And to TC's credit, as I've updated their software over the past few months, the problems are getting resolved."

ozinexile · Post by **ozinexile** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:42 pm

I've had a powercore element for over 12 months now and have always found performance with Sonar 4 to be excellent. One problem I have found is the GUI on tubifex glitches sometimes, and it doesn't effect the sound.

Addressing your questions above, I think the losing sync problem with megareverb only affects the firewire versions of the powercore - I've never had a problem with megareverb. ANd two, since Sonar has full plugin delay compensation on inserts and busses I've had no need to use the TC compensator plug.

It is true that the powercore introduces additional latency but I only use it when mixing when it's not a concern. A single plug will double your system latency, additional plugs may increase latency again depending upon how they are used. If you only use one plug per insert or send, there's no more latency, if you use multiple plugs per insert / send the latency will be a function of the maximum no. of plugs per insert / send.

Overall I'm very impressed with my powercore.

djsubject · Post by **djsubject** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:03 pm

i have POCO element working fine in T2 along side a uad-1 & a rme & a emu1820m (all pci)

TBH i prefer my uad-1 to my poco

but both are good cards

Subz

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:31 pm

Okay, thanks for clearing that up.

I'm only getting it for the two reverbs and the chorus. I'm happy with my native effects I have for other things. I think when you factor in the processing power in addition to the reverbs (which I've read good things about), $350 for an Element card is a great deal!

ozinexile · Post by **ozinexile** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:10 pm

True, the reverbs are worth the money alone but don't discount the standard eq that comes with it. I find it quite useful for more surgical cutting. The tubifex plug also gets used a lot, even though I have amplitude, especially for adding some subtle saturation, for warming up parts.

The compressors don't get much use as I have a UAD-1 card as well. But I'm not a big fan of the included chorus and delay, infact I reach for the Kjaerhus classic chorus and delay before the powercore. I've been demoing the roland plugs for UAD which are much better for chorus.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:17 pm

When I was researching the PoCo myself I found most of the complaints had to deal with the FW versions,and to this day.It could be a matter of it being picky with certain FW chipsets,but I really can't say as Iv'e seen too many complaints with the FW boxes as to make me back off.I'm still contemplating the PCI card with the VSS3,but that's a steep costs for me at the moment

Problems with PowerCore?