CSR is here, but how does it sound?

[hifiboom]

Squids-
I'm really tempted to get this, but I have a couple of honest questions about it. The demos sound great, but all of the IK/SR products I own have great FX racks attached. Additionally, I'm looking forward to getting my copy of AT2 soon (assuming that it ships sometime this year ). I've been using AT1 on more than just my guitar, and it has pretty much replaced everything I used to use on vocal processing, etc.

I know that CSR is supposed to be a 'high end' reverb unit, but what specifically makes it better than the verbs, etc. that I'm currently squeezing out of my current IK arsenal?

Thanks
-B

Most likely these are totally different algos that more closely emulate classic hardware and demand much more processing power than, say, the reverbs on Sample Tank.

How about it Squids? What's the official word on this?

Thanks
-B

CSR is a much better reverb than the standard reverb inside SampleTank. That one is okay and convenient but not nearly the same quality of sound and depth in programmability that CSR has.

More variety of spaces, richness, density, better resolution, depth... hard to describe in words. But, picture the difference between say an LXP-1 and a Lex 300. Something like that.

Because each plug-in has its own algo and it is programmed very well I believe this is contributing to it taking up very economical CPU for the high quality reverb that it is. This alone could make it a popular choice for producer/songwriter/engineers on the computer. It makes it a better "workhorse" reverb and then the convolution reverbs become more of the "specialy" reverbs if you have those (and makes sense because you should only use them and take up the CPU when it is really worth it).

But, you can get a much better sound if you turn the reverb OFF (especially as an insert) in ST and run it through CSR.

I def. think the same.

can someone please run these sound through 4 different reverb types, lets say inverse, hall, room and plate...

this would be really nice.....


here are the dry sounds:

http://home.arcor.de/rd50info_site/soun ... eckout.wav

I can host the result files, if webspace is a problem.....

[BERFAB]

Squids-
Thanks for your response. I think I'm going to have to start checking under the sofa cushions for some extra change...

-B

[Squids]

Squids-
Thanks for your response. I think I'm going to have to start checking under the sofa cushions for some extra change...

-B

Here's what I think about it. Relative to high priced hardware reverbs it is great option. But, not everyone was going to buy a high end hardware reverb (I wasn't about to myself... even if I'd like one though and have had some in the past). I think that at the full price of $399 MSRP (and that's even the intro price so it could even go up in the future) that it is still on the high end of plug-ins and something for professional engineers and producers who make a living at mixing -OR- hobbyists who happen to have enough money to get whatever cool toys they want. We all know there are many people who in their day jobs are successful financially and have that option so they might as well.

But, then there's the every day semi pro musician on a budget. Where I think CSR is an exceptional choice for that person is in light of this IK All-Grade/Crossgrade option. I was surprised to hear how good it was when I was first told about it. I immediately said "Now, THAT is something KVRers and esoundz customers will appreciate!"

I don't know how long that promo is going to last. I hope it will for enough time for IK users (including the IK users that use SE and LE versions bundled with hardware) to even be AWARE of that option let alone perhaps save up to get it. I mean, for just a few hundred bucks? A reverb as powerful and beautiful as this? That's a no brainer in my opinion. At $400 it takes more consideration. But, at half that price it is a phenominal opportunity to add a high end algo-based reverb to your set up.

Of course, keeping in mind that the appreciation of such things is still subjective and one should make up their minds based on the available information and demos.

If no one else does it I will try to take some of these tracks and run it through CSR myself for you. I REALLY want to do this for CSR and also for AT2 for people. We're just so busy. I have it on a different computer that is almost constantly being used for something. In fact, it is even being used right now on a new IK/SR virtual instrument that has never been announced but has also never been done before! Hmmmmm. What could that be?

[Beardedone]

Thanks Dave. I really need to see what this will do for a whole track. I actually try to avoid reverb as mush as possible either as an insert or to polish. My bias is that if a track needs it, then I have not done a good enough job on the sound of basic tracks..

[Squids]

Thanks Dave. I really need to see what this will do for a whole track. I actually try to avoid reverb as mush as possible either as an insert or to polish. My bias is if needs it then I have done a good enough job with the sound of basic tracks..

Well, that depends on your sound. Reverb is a tool. It IS in some ways a good "cheating" tool because it does help blend things together and makes it magically just sound better. But, one has to use that tool wisely if you want to retain a lot of the original recording character as well. Even STILL it is great to have a high end reverb to add that studio touch to it, especially if you don't over do it. For example, the recording styles of Bill Botrell and Kevin Gilbter (Sheryl Crow, Linda Perrry, Thomas Dolby's Aliens Ate My Buick etc.) has very little reverb on it. But, it DOES have some (secret: it is a Roland SRV2000 mostly in that case... not even the most high end verb but there's no plug-in sim of that... hmmmmm there SHOULD be though! That's a nice one.). You still need some nice sounding reverbs for different situations. Plus, if you really want something ambient and washy of course as well. Good for setting moods in a track. As Falls Witchita for example. Actually, when I went backstage at the latest Metheny concert I was talking to Pat about plug-ins and he even said to me "You know what I really need? A great reverb plug-in that is like the hardware reverbs in the studio". I am not kidding! That is what he said! So, I said "I have some good news for you then because that is exactly what is coming! CSR." He was glad to hear that. True story. He'll be using it. (they also use SampleTank, Sonik Synth 2 Philharmonik and T-Racks... he also has AmpliTube and GuitarRig he said and Lyle likes Atmosphere, which btw would sound awesome through CSR!... I never met Lyle but one of these days I would like to).

[To get Beardedone you just have to say Pat likes it. Just kidding. But, ironically that WAS the conversation I had with him.]

[Beardedone]

Actually, when I went backstage at the latest Metheny concert I was talking to Pat about plug-ins and he even said to me "You know what I really need? A great reverb plug-in that is like the hardware reverbs in the studio". I am not kidding! That is what he said! So, I said "I have some good news for you then because that is exactly what is coming! CSR." He was glad to hear that. True story. He'll be using it. (they also use SampleTank, Sonik Synth 2 Philharmonik and T-Racks... he also has AmpliTube and GuitarRig he said and Lyle likes Atmosphere, which btw would sound awesome through CSR!... I never met Lyle but one of these days I would like to).

[To get Beardedone you just have to say Pat likes it. Just kidding. But, ironically that WAS the conversation I had with him.]

OK! OK! You got me. I have great respect for Pat and Lyle.

So anybody want to buy a kidney?

[harmony gardens]

So anybody want to buy a kidney? HiHi

How much???


You know Squids is just the kind of guy who would give you a free CSR, if you donate a kindey to some needy person.

[Squids]

Actually, when I went backstage at the latest Metheny concert I was talking to Pat about plug-ins and he even said to me "You know what I really need? A great reverb plug-in that is like the hardware reverbs in the studio". I am not kidding! That is what he said! So, I said "I have some good news for you then because that is exactly what is coming! CSR." He was glad to hear that. True story. He'll be using it. (they also use SampleTank, Sonik Synth 2 Philharmonik and T-Racks... he also has AmpliTube and GuitarRig he said and Lyle likes Atmosphere, which btw would sound awesome through CSR!... I never met Lyle but one of these days I would like to).

[To get Beardedone you just have to say Pat likes it. Just kidding. But, ironically that WAS the conversation I had with him.]

OK! OK! You got me. I have great respect for Pat and Lyle.

So anybody want to buy a kidney?

See? What did I tell you all! Beardedone is so cool. Hey, you got that Danny Gottlieb Drum Head and CD coming your way pretty soon.

[Squids]

So anybody want to buy a kidney? HiHi

How much???


You know Squids is just the kind of guy who would give you a free CSR, if you donate a kindey to some needy person.

I might even swap straight across for one. I don't know what I would do with an extra kidney but you never know! They're hard to come by.

Just kidding. Yeah, I am encouraging for good deeds and we're also charitable.

[Beardedone]

Beardedone wrote:
Quote:
Actually, when I went backstage at the latest Metheny concert I was talking to Pat about plug-ins and he even said to me "You know what I really need? A great reverb plug-in that is like the hardware reverbs in the studio". I am not kidding! That is what he said! So, I said "I have some good news for you then because that is exactly what is coming! CSR." He was glad to hear that. True story. He'll be using it. (they also use SampleTank, Sonik Synth 2 Philharmonik and T-Racks... he also has AmpliTube and GuitarRig he said and Lyle likes Atmosphere, which btw would sound awesome through CSR!... I never met Lyle but one of these days I would like to).

[To get Beardedone you just have to say Pat likes it. Just kidding. But, ironically that WAS the conversation I had with him.]


OK! OK! You got me. I have great respect for Pat and Lyle.

So anybody want to buy a kidney?


See? What did I tell you all! Beardedone is so cool. Hey, you got that Danny Gottlieb Drum Head and CD coming your way pretty soon.
----

You can be sure that I am really excited about these . As far as CSR goes I will just have to wait a couple weeks.

Cheers,
Gordon

[BERFAB]

OK! OK! You got me. I have great respect for Pat and Lyle.

So anybody want to buy a kidney?

Ditto that. If Squids brings word down directly from Mount Olympus, you gotta go with it.

-B

[IK Support]

I would like to chime in hear on this one. I am working on a CD for a friend now and we are using CSR on it almost exclusively. I can't believe the difference when I use CSR compared to other reverbs I have. It just gels the mixes together and gives it a more professional vide to it. Sometimes you dont almost hear the reverb but it just makes it sit so natually in the mix, its pretty amazing.

[Paulie Phonick]

Stop it! stop it! I can't take it anymore!! I want my hands on that!!!

My CSR hasn't come before the weekend

[baggio]

I hope it is good as I am looking to flog my Wioo W2 (not because it is not good - but think with the digidesign buyout don't see much of a future) - hoping this we will be a good replacement.

[Mikem]

Just kidding. Yeah, I am encouraging for good deeds and we're also charitable.

(Mikem paces the floor, trying to think of a way quickly to become Squids' favorite charity....)

[Any points for taking the extra effort there to avoid the natural sounding split infinitive of "to quickly become"?]