CSR is here, but how does it sound?

[stephenpaulharper]

Here's an idea, Squids.

esoundz could supply registration info to their CSR buyers, so that they could keep using the demo until their physical copy arrived.

I'm sure there's a million reasons as to why not, so please list them now.

Stephen

[Squids]

We'd have to open the box and break the seal. But, also I don't think we're allowed. Nice idea though! Good to see that everyone is so anxious. We've sold quite a lot of them in the past week. I don't know if it is because of these threads or what but anyway thank you guys for suggesting www.esoundz.com I noticed some of you have been spreading the word on other forums too. It's that kind of word of mouth that keeps us going strong and able to do more.

[stephenpaulharper]

We'd have to open the box and break the seal

Nah, I meant IK could issue a temporary reg. code exclusive to esoundz customers who'd already made their purchase and were just waiting for the product. You guys are tight, right?

Still, I'm sure the drawbacks are too numerous. Never hurts to ask.

S

[Squids]

Yeah, of course we're tight. But, esoundz is lucky enough to be in the same building where the IK US office is and that is how we can get shipments pretty fast (doesn't need to be shipped to us at all in fact, just ordered). But, other than that advantage it operates under the same guidelines as any other IK dealer. Same minimum advertised price, same promotions (apart from when we add our own extra value in sounds or esoundz membership benefits, epointz etc.).

IK wouldn't do anything with esoundz like that unless it would do it with any IK dealer. No favoritism allowed which is fair. Otherwise, we'd love to do digital delivery on plug-ins like we do with downloadable sounds. Maybe that'll happen some day. But, for now we sell the physical boxes just like everyone else.

However, we will have exclusive downloadable patches for CSR and that's something not every retailer offers.

[Melodioso]

In response to Hybernation:

I tested the CSR demo a few times, so here is my (short) review ot it:

- it's a good reverb, especially for vocal, ac guitars and drums. There are many parameters to shape the sound. It can sound a bit metallic sometimes though...

- for classical or film music however, I wasn't impresed at all. I think GigaPulse sounds much better for example, it has more depth and is more natural sounding than CSR.

Depending on what style of music you are doing, it may be what you're looking for. But I don't think it's the one solution reverb... or the last one you're going to buy.

If you don't already have a good reverb, and if SIR or PristineSpace and the impulses you can find on the net are not enough, then I recommend it.

[stephenpaulharper]

Squids,

Wasn't implying favoritism, just using you guys as an example - it would work with any and all vendors.

Boy, am I beating a dead horse, but here goes:

Let's say...

I've already got the demo of product x, which expires after 30 uses or whatever. Said product x prompts me to register it every friggin' time I use it, even though it's a demo only.

I love it anyway and decide to buy it from Ajax Corp, because their bossman likes old Genesis. Ajax then supplies me with a temp.reg.code supplied to them by IK, to keep my demo working for say, 2 weeks - plenty of time for product x to appear at my doorstep. No downloads, just numbers for people with a demo, a dongle, a sales receipt and a desire to keep using something they already have, and have already paid for.

Volume 2 later...just kidding.

S

[Squids]

In response to Hybernation:

I tested the CSR demo a few times, so here is my (short) review ot it:

- it's a good reverb, especially for vocal, ac guitars and drums. There are many parameters to shape the sound. It can sound a bit metallic sometimes though...

- for classical or film music however, I wasn't impresed at all. I think GigaPulse sounds much better for example, it has more depth and is more natural sounding than CSR.

Depending on what style of music you are doing, it may be what you're looking for. But I don't think it's the one solution reverb... or the last one you're going to buy.

If you don't already have a good reverb, and if SIR or PristineSpace and the impulses you can find on the net are not enough, then I recommend it.

A couple of problems with convolution though are that it takes up a heck of a lot more CPU and that sometimes it lacks animation because it is processing a reverb SAMPLE essentially. It's definitely a COOL thing but I have a lot of convolution reverbs and none of them would I call my main go to reverb for these two reasons. Good tools to have in the shed as well. However, if there was one reverb I would take with me on my laptop or anywhere it would be CSR.

As for "metallic", I think it depends on what you run through it and what the parameter settings are. Sometimes when I think of that word I think more "grainy" and that is one of the things CSR is thankfully not (but a lot of budget hardware reverbs tend to be a bit). But, since it is subjective word maybe you are meaning something else perhaps. Each person also has their own tastes.

I like Giga Pulse. It's a good one. Although some people are on Macs too. I have AltiVerb on the Mac and Space Designer. I love it all! But, I also have a Mac laptop and a PC laptop so the only reverb I have on all 4 computers is CSR (and just move the key around).

Besides the efficiency on CPU and the rich sound of modulation and animation of a good algo reverb like CSR probably the best other aspect of it is the programmability and that Easy/Advanced mode. Ahhhhhh.... for the Easy mode when you just want to make a few tweaks and not get lost if programming isn't your thing. But, if programming and tailoring the sound IS your thing then oh boy do you have some goodies in that advanced section. A full modulation matrix????? That's awesome. Think about automation in a track! You can put different amounts of different parameters on different parts of the track and do all kinds of other EFFECTS with it beside just a static ambience.

Where convolution as a tool comes in is when you want more variety of acoustic space characters to choose from. If one can afford it I recommend getting at least one of each type reverb in your set up. At least the SIR which is free and not bad.

[peppy197]

....

At least the SIR which is free and not bad.

I dont know if it is just me but I find that SIR is a terrible CPU hog, making a 25% jump in usage. So I cannot use it, and I have a P4-3.2 with 2G dual channel

allen

[harmony gardens]

....

At least the SIR which is free and not bad.

I dont know if it is just me but I find that SIR is a terrible CPU hog, making a 25% jump in usage. So I cannot use it, and I have a P4-3.2 with 2G dual channel

allen

I have found the same thing. I actually prefer Voxengo's Pristine Space Light, which is no longer available. (I think it's basically the same thing as the Perfect Space plug included with Sonar 5)

Still, Squids makes a good point that CSR isn't going to fill that need, but really CSR is perfect for almost ANY reverb need. I personally don't do that many projects that I would need anything but CSR, now that I have it.

[Squids]

....

At least the SIR which is free and not bad.

I dont know if it is just me but I find that SIR is a terrible CPU hog, making a 25% jump in usage. So I cannot use it, and I have a P4-3.2 with 2G dual channel

allen

All convolutions tend to be. That is what I was saying. So, to me it is more of an "icing on the cake" type of product. A nice esoteric tool to use when it makes a difference. But, for everyday use something like CSR is more CPU friendly and has other advantages over convolution.

[mlyon]

Aw,geez.

Okay, you guys have finally done it. You've pushed me over the edge on this one. I just gotta stop reading these threads, they're bad for my wallet.

I think I'll wait, though, untill one or more new Mini or full-size Profiles versions are released, though. I missed out on the $10 epointz promo, so I figure I'll wait until I can accumulate enough stuff to buy so that I get free shipping out of the deal -- cheapa$% bastage that I am.

--Mark

[scottedog]

....

At least the SIR which is free and not bad.

I dont know if it is just me but I find that SIR is a terrible CPU hog, making a 25% jump in usage. So I cannot use it, and I have a P4-3.2 with 2G dual channel

allen

Try 'printing' your convo reverb to an audio track then ditch the reverb plug.
...or use CSR.

[Bobby Hull]

I just downloaded the CSR demo and ran one of my pop tunes through the presets.

WOW!!!! Things just jumped out of the monitors with crispnees and clarity. Low CPU. User-friendly graphics. With this thing, I'm gonna be the next Bones Howe.

See, Dave? I can be nice.

[Squids]

I just downloaded the CSR demo and ran one of my pop tunes through the presets.

WOW!!!! Things just jumped out of the monitors with crispnees and clarity. Low CPU. User-friendly graphics. With this thing, I'm gonna be the next Bones Howe.

See, Dave? I can be nice.

[Frippertronix]

Squids,

I just ordered my cross-grade copy today. It better go out the door tomorrow by 8 a.m.

Seriously, though, I ordered it from you although there is a distributer closer to me (in CA), for one beacause your member discount was attractive, but I also feel the thread here was a factor in my decision to buy. I suspect that the other distributer (who's name rhymes with wadio widdy) probably doesn't host a website where I can come with questions, so that's a nice plus.

About activating: I have two IK products (both bundle items from Tracktion 2) registered at the IK site. When I go to register the CSR cross-grade, will it automatically go through (as a cross-grade) because the IK site already has my two other product registrations on record?