IK CSR Reverb - few days to go :)

[Squids]

Hallo Squids,
will there be a demoversion for the CSR ?

Well, besides the little demo you get of it within Philharmonik (if you have that), I am not sure. The USB key presents a challenge for demo versions. But, we all know demos are important. There isn't one that I know of that will immediately be available, unless it is one that works if you have they key (such as if you have Philharmonik or any of the Steinberg, Arturia and other company products that use the Syncrosoft key - which from what I have heard is a growing number of companies).

One thing we would do on esoundz is sell just the key and a demo and then allow you to apply the price you paid for the key toward your order. That's not something every store would do because is a pain in the butt to keep track of for most stores. However, esoundz is highly focused on sounds and software and is designed to be a service for special upgrades, crossgrades and situations like this... things that just make sense. So, I will let you know on that. I know it isn't ideal, but it'd at least be a way to try it out for yourself.

[snooky]

@snooky: true words, but if any plug-in looks like being professional, it is the IK CSR, because it is the first reverb that has as much (and also the right) parameters as real big hardware reverb units...

aha, so IF I make a reverb in say, SE, and give the parameters the right names, it will sound like the big hardware units? ..even if the parameters are correct, it's the quality of the algo running them deciding the final quality.

I say that this is prolly nothing more than fancy PR and GUI..hell, the screenshots I've seen to date don't even have the parameter "names" spelled right...that says alot of the "quality" of this plugin.

[Squids]

It really doesn't take that much experience to hear how good the demo clips sound. However, I'm always sceptic when it comes to audio demos. You never know what the thing was really run trough. I'll wait for the demo.

- bManic

True. Although these weren't run through anything else. But, I agree it is nice to have a demo version to check out first and see how you like it in your system.

I must say that I impressed with the CPU usage. I have gotten used to the heavy load of convolution reverbs that it is very freeing to use CSR. It really reminds me of a cross between an AMS and a Lexicon. Rich and beautiful. In some cases it can really make a track. Depends on the music of course. I also like tunes with barely any reverb at all (like Bill Botrell's style). Either way though, I look at CSR as another tool in the software toolbox. On www.esoundz.com it is only $219 if you have ANY other IK product already (just for the launch) so to me it's like for THAT price why not just get it?

I am not pretending that wasn't a total sales pitch. It was. Obviously it depends a lot on each person's budget and their impulsive buying habits. I tend to be impulsive myself AND I am a gear slut so anything that is an exceptional deal that is an important element of the high end studio I tend to find a way to justify getting it. Each person is different though and I respect that.

[Squids]

@snooky: true words, but if any plug-in looks like being professional, it is the IK CSR, because it is the first reverb that has as much (and also the right) parameters as real big hardware reverb units...

aha, so IF I make a reverb in say, SE, and give the parameters the right names, it will sound like the big hardware units? ..even if the parameters are correct, it's the quality of the algo running them deciding the final quality.

I say that this is prolly nothing more than fancy PR and GUI..hell, the screenshots I've seen to date don't even have the parameter "names" spelled right...that says alot of the "quality" of this plugin.

I find it odd that anyone would be so skeptical about whether it's high quality or not. There's audio demos, product specs and a history of products from IK like TRackS which so many people respect and love. Why would a company like IK bother marketing and selling it (which is a big risk and effort at THAT level) if it wasn't at LEAST 'high quality'?

Like I said. No one can promise that each person will like the way it sounds. But, I see no reason to start off with expecting the worste.

[snooky]

@snooky: true words, but if any plug-in looks like being professional, it is the IK CSR, because it is the first reverb that has as much (and also the right) parameters as real big hardware reverb units...

aha, so IF I make a reverb in say, SE, and give the parameters the right names, it will sound like the big hardware units? ..even if the parameters are correct, it's the quality of the algo running them deciding the final quality.

I say that this is prolly nothing more than fancy PR and GUI..hell, the screenshots I've seen to date don't even have the parameter "names" spelled right...that says alot of the "quality" of this plugin.

I find it odd that anyone would be so skeptical about whether it's high quality or not. There's audio demos, product specs blahblahblah

which is all there promote the product, it's all PR..I hate PR/companies/Adds/...it is the bane of humanity.

I'll make up my own mind about the product thank you very much

[bmanic]

Hmm, not to rain on anybodys parade but to me personally IK represent, at best, mediocre quality. Sure Tracks was kind of cool when it first came out but right now it looks pretty damn long in the tooth. Totally killed by free tools. Also, amplitube, no matter the hype, at least to my ears sounds far worse than the free simulanalog plugins. Sampletank 2, the true replacement for hardware such as JV-2080, Korg Triton etc. ? Not a chance. To my ears again it sounds thin, badly sampled (can be huge difference in samples between splits) and marketing hype at it's best. So at least my personal expectations of a truly high quality product from IK have been very slim. This is all IMHO so take it as that.

The CSR demo audio clips are the first ever from IK that get me to rise an eyebrow and take notice. Amplitude 2 clips? ZZZzzzz.. boring.

- bManic

[Kingston]

good thing you said it so I don't have to.

IK is quite perfectly average today. fits the gaussian curve smack in the middle.

[MacQ]

Hmm ...

Well, I'm probably most interested because of the "proven quantity" aspect. One or more of the base algorithms for this plugin were already developed for the Scope platform (by an independent 3rd party). So, despite the fact that IKM is releasing it, I don't think it can be considered a 100%-IKM developed product in that sense.

These original reverbs received high-praise from a lot of people, and even favourable comparisons to the high-end Lexicons, for example. So, I think that if this level of quality has made it into the native realm (from the Scope DSP), then we can probably expect a certain degree of "pro-quality".

@ DevonB: You flatter me!

@ Snooky: My new website should be up in a week or so, and there are many examples of my music and production in a flash player on the site.

Thanks,

~MacQ

[snooky]

cool.

[Squids]

Well, you can't please everybody I guess. If something like TRackS sounded good before then it still does today. Something like that doesn't get "outdated" (just like a hardware tube compressor or eq doesn't). It is high quality and an industry standard plug-in that has been very well received by a lot of pro engineers and producers. That's not hype, it is a reality.

Defending CSR being high quality or not is a waste of time. If anyone is that skeptical then it's their problem. Also, anyone who hates companies, ads etc. is an idealist in my opinion if they think that it is even possible for that not to exist. Companies exist to make products, ads exist so people are aware of those products and no one is going to change the world. If you think all you need is freeware then why even talk about CSR which is a very commercial mass -market software product? But, regardless, I have always maintained the suggestion to make up your own mind. I don't expect otherwise.

[Kingston]

If something like TRackS sounded good before then it still does today. Something like that doesn't get "outdated" (just like a hardware tube compressor or eq doesn't).

I'm sorry but that just plain misinformation to say analogies like that. Yeah, good hardware doesn't get outdated. But digital DSP emulations/processes get outdated as soon as there's more DSP horsepower available. I'd say that applies to about 99% of audio DSP. and *ESPECIALLY* to EQs, compressors and reverbs. Let's just hope the ratrace stops one day.

You just can't say "it sounded great for its time" about great mic. But outdated plugins do sound outdated. There's just no way around it.

[Kingston]

Oh and just to add a little bit about the CSR reverb demos,

some of them sound really good, especially the guitar and the flute. It certainly would make an impact on the general quality of native reverbs if it did sound like that. Let's just hope it's the actual plugin in the demos.

[Squids]

If something like TRackS sounded good before then it still does today. Something like that doesn't get "outdated" (just like a hardware tube compressor or eq doesn't).

I'm sorry but that just plain misinformation to say analogies like that. Yeah, good hardware doesn't get outdated. But digital DSP emulations/processes get outdated as soon as there's more DSP horsepower available. I'd say that applies to about 99% of audio DSP. and *ESPECIALLY* to EQs, compressors and reverbs. Let's just hope the ratrace stops one day.

You just can't say "it sounded great for its time" about great mic. But outdated plugins do sound outdated. There's just no way around it.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion. But, here is why I think you are wrong. Again, if it sounded great before then the sound isn't changing later on, right? In the case of modeling tube EQs that are more about the sound than features then there really isn't anything spec-wise to outdate it.

I am not saying there aren't ANY out-dated plug-ins. But, speaking specifically about TRackS that is modeling something that doesn't require new technological advances has proven itself to be consistently popular. The fact the it is a 6 year old plug-in that still sells strong says a lot right there.

To me and many pros I know in the industry, it doesn't matter if it is hardware or software. If it does a great job on the sound of your music then that speaks above anything else.

[Squids]

Oh and just to add a little bit about the CSR reverb demos,

some of them sound really good, especially the guitar and the flute. It certainly would make an impact on the general quality of native reverbs if it did sound like that. Let's just hope it's the actual plugin in the demos.

Why wouldn't it be the actual plug-in?

[snooky]

eh, PR?