Sonimus Satson (Console emulation) ready to buy now :)

[zeep]

Here's a bug i discovered. I just reported it too.

Easy to reproduce.

I work in Ableton on both pc and mac. If i save a project on the PC using SatsonChannel and SatsonBuss, and open it in Ableton on OSX, the SatsonBuss plugin is not found. The SatsonChannel loads without problem.

So save project on pc using Satson Channel and Buss
Open project on osx, it loads the Channel plugin but not the Buss plugin.

[LGK_Dude]

This plugin has peaked my interest, but I, like some here, do not purchase plugins on blind faith. I hear he plans on making a demo, which is GREAT, but in the mean time, was anyone able to find out if he offers an Audio Damage style "money back guarantee?"

Now I know they are not directly comparable, but how do console sims like Satson compare to tape sims? They both seem to claim to "glue mixes" right?

[bduffy]

This plugin has peaked my interest, but I, like some here, do not purchase plugins on blind faith. I hear he plans on making a demo, which is GREAT, but in the mean time, was anyone able to find out if he offers an Audio Damage style "money back guarantee?"

Now I know they are not directly comparable, but how do console sims like Satson compare to tape sims? They both seem to claim to "glue mixes" right?

I've found the best thing to do is contact the developer. He got back to me and told me there would be a demo (but he's busy with developing and stuff), so maybe he can help with the Audio Damage speculation. I contacted him here:

http://dsp.sonimus.com/pms/add/?rcpt=support

I'm not sure if people claim tape "glues" the mix as much as consoles/compressors, rather tape is more known for imparting desired character (harmonic distortion, EQ rolloff, etc) to recorded instruments. Console emus are gunning for subtle analog characteristics, like how they channels' stereo image bleeds a little into each channel (crosstalk) and some analog saturation from the desk, amongst other things. However, if you slap a tape emu on your main buss, you're bound to hear some of those same features too, and it's doubly confusing in this virtual world; "do I need a tape or a console emu? Both? Which one goes first? etc...

I like how Satson puts the emphasis on the VU metering and filters. The filters (as I've said before) are really smooth, and since I've been using it, I do get more of the feel like I'm using the dials on a desk, quickly rolling off unwanted low end and moving on to the next track. Very cool. I find I'm using tape emus less right now, but Satson is also shiny and new.

The saturation definitely has an effect, depending on how hard your drive it, and generally you don't want to push it too hard, but it sounds quite nice on bass if you go nuts (I just did a mix with 3 Satsons in a row on the bass, quite sweet). These other features can help tame peaks, and get that "glue" effect, where things aren't jumping out of the mix as much. But above all, those filters made me glad I took the plunge! I'm pretty much using EQ for problems now and letting Satson do the HPF/LPF.

Anyway, I could go on. I'm a fanboy. I do hope he makes a demo/return policy soon, to rope in some more customers. I think it could be a runaway hit if more could try it.

[DF2R]

I like how Satson puts the emphasis on the VU metering and filters. The filters (as I've said before) are really smooth, and since I've been using it, I do get more of the feel like I'm using the dials on a desk, quickly rolling off unwanted low end and moving on to the next track. Very cool. I find I'm using tape emus less right now, but Satson is also shiny and new.

The saturation definitely has an effect, depending on how hard your drive it, and generally you don't want to push it too hard, but it sounds quite nice on bass if you go nuts (I just did a mix with 3 Satsons in a row on the bass, quite sweet). These other features can help tame peaks, and get that "glue" effect, where things aren't jumping out of the mix as much. But above all, those filters made me glad I took the plunge! I'm pretty much using EQ for problems now and letting Satson do the HPF/LPF.

Same, I like the saturation and stuff, but those filters and just having the VU meters makes it one of the best $20 or whatever it was I've ever spent, if that was all it did, I'd still be happy. But as it happens I think it does nice things to sounds overall. I kinda of like the feel of it in my workflow too.

[bduffy]

I like how Satson puts the emphasis on the VU metering and filters. The filters (as I've said before) are really smooth, and since I've been using it, I do get more of the feel like I'm using the dials on a desk, quickly rolling off unwanted low end and moving on to the next track. Very cool. I find I'm using tape emus less right now, but Satson is also shiny and new.

The saturation definitely has an effect, depending on how hard your drive it, and generally you don't want to push it too hard, but it sounds quite nice on bass if you go nuts (I just did a mix with 3 Satsons in a row on the bass, quite sweet). These other features can help tame peaks, and get that "glue" effect, where things aren't jumping out of the mix as much. But above all, those filters made me glad I took the plunge! I'm pretty much using EQ for problems now and letting Satson do the HPF/LPF.

Same, I like the saturation and stuff, but those filters and just having the VU meters makes it one of the best $20 or whatever it was I've ever spent, if that was all it did, I'd still be happy. But as it happens I think it does nice things to sounds overall. I kinda of like the feel of it in my workflow too.

Agreed. I love how I'm watching needles and turning knobs more instead of the usual precise DAW stuff. Funny how mixes get easier...

[LGK_Dude]

Thanks for the posts! Yeah, the "other parts" of the plugin are cool (meters, filters), but not necessary? PSP Vintage Meter is a free VU meter, there are plenty of great high & lowpass filters out there, etc. Granted its handy to have them all in one plugin, but its not that much more effort to double click a few plugins instead of one. To me, its all about this console & crosstalk sound, but without a demo, I have no idea of knowing if this sound will work for me and my music! (Prog/symphonic Rock)

Great insight on tape vs console saturation. Again, I wish there was a decent demo of some console emulation so I could hear the difference! Any other companies perhaps (PM me if this is too off topic)

[bduffy]

Thanks for the posts! Yeah, the "other parts" of the plugin are cool (meters, filters), but not necessary? PSP Vintage Meter is a free VU meter, there are plenty of great high & lowpass filters out there, etc. Granted its handy to have them all in one plugin, but its not that much more effort to double click a few plugins instead of one. To me, its all about this console & crosstalk sound, but without a demo, I have no idea of knowing if this sound will work for me and my music! (Prog/symphonic Rock)

Yeah, don't get me wrong: I'm all about the saturation and crosstalk too, no doubt, but it is a much more subtle effect. And I agree: there are tons of great low- and highpass filters out there, but to me, there's just "something" about these ones. If you ever do get a chance to try it out, I'm sure you'd hear something sweet if you swept down the HPF on a track. (or I'm totally full of shit)

Great insight on tape vs console saturation. Again, I wish there was a decent demo of some console emulation so I could hear the difference! Any other companies perhaps (PM me if this is too off topic)

Do you mean "demo" as in demo trial, or demo audio comparison?

[sonicpowa]

AFAIK there will be a demo version on July.

[Amberience]

Don't know how useful this will be for folks....

What I have here is one drum-mix with an instance of the Satson channel on every channel in the project. The drums are all bussed together and the buss has a SatsonBuss plugin on it. There is a little EQing on the kick drum, but not drastic. The master channel of the host has another SatsonBuss on it, followed by TheGlue compressor - which is set for quite a light amount of compression on the master buss - just a bit of smoothing of peaks.

The other mix is all the Satson channel instances disabled, as well as both of the SatsonBusses. TheGlue is still active, and so is the kick EQing.

Aside from this processing, there is nothing else going. Thought about making it blind, but there really is no need - it's kind of night and day!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/630473/Satson/E ... Busses.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/630473/Satson/N ... KickEQ.mp3

I deliberately wanted to push the gains as high as I could to see the nature of the saturation, so if it seems a bit too washed out and distorted, it isn't the plugin, but rather my extreme settings. Hope that is mildly interesting for you!!

[bduffy]

Don't know how useful this will be for folks....

What I have here is one drum-mix with an instance of the Satson channel on every channel in the project. The drums are all bussed together and the buss has a SatsonBuss plugin on it. There is a little EQing on the kick drum, but not drastic. The master channel of the host has another SatsonBuss on it, followed by TheGlue compressor - which is set for quite a light amount of compression on the master buss - just a bit of smoothing of peaks.

The other mix is all the Satson channel instances disabled, as well as both of the SatsonBusses. TheGlue is still active, and so is the kick EQing.

Aside from this processing, there is nothing else going. Thought about making it blind, but there really is no need - it's kind of night and day!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/630473/Satson/E ... Busses.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/630473/Satson/N ... KickEQ.mp3

I deliberately wanted to push the gains as high as I could to see the nature of the saturation, so if it seems a bit too washed out and distorted, it isn't the plugin, but rather my extreme settings. Hope that is mildly interesting for you!!

Yeah, wow, that's really helpful, I think! I pulled those mp3s into Wavelab and matched the RMS, and the difference is fully apparent. You can really hear the saturation making the character more complex, and the dynamic range is nicely compressed, not all spiky and raw like the non-channeled mix. It just sounds overall more balanced, and amazingly not distorted or farty, considering you were pushing it hard.

And that's with no compressors on the tracks?

Very nice, thanks!

[Amberience]

Yup, no compressors on the tracks themselves, only a bit of light buss compression on the master channel.

I probably wouldn't push them this hard in the final mix, or if I did, I'd do it in parallel with some less saturated channels - like parallel compression in a way.

But yeah, I really like the character of this plugin. Think I'm gonna end up using it a lot!!

[bduffy]

Yup, no compressors on the tracks themselves, only a bit of light buss compression on the master channel.

I probably wouldn't push them this hard in the final mix, or if I did, I'd do it in parallel with some less saturated channels - like parallel compression in a way.

But yeah, I really like the character of this plugin. Think I'm gonna end up using it a lot!!

Yeah, now that I slap on the headphones, you can hear a bit of the saturation "graininess" on the cymbals; that's what I've found too when you push it hard. Still, very pleasing. Drums sound almost mixed to me! (but I like 'em compressed).

[Compyfox]

AFAIK there will be a demo version on July.

I believe it as soon as I see and will be able to (further) test it.

Until then, yet another ghost in the machine.

[lightsfadelow]

I think I know exactly what the problem is and it's not actually satson, but a trick inwas trying to make the chorus sound bigger--automating the gain into th limiter and increasing it for the chorus. I guess I overdid it

Let me do an update tonight.

Hey folks:

Ok, so I got sidetracked on a new song that I'm pretty excited about... but I never forgot I needed to come back and make the Satson mix of Touch better for you guys. (And also because it will be on my first real EP so I'd better get it right!)

New mix: http://lightsfadelow.com/track/touch
Old mix (no satson): http://lightsfadelow.com/track/touch-original-mix

[bduffy]

I think I know exactly what the problem is and it's not actually satson, but a trick inwas trying to make the chorus sound bigger--automating the gain into th limiter and increasing it for the chorus. I guess I overdid it

Let me do an update tonight.

Hey folks:

Ok, so I got sidetracked on a new song that I'm pretty excited about... but I never forgot I needed to come back and make the Satson mix of Touch better for you guys. (And also because it will be on my first real EP so I'd better get it right!)

New mix: http://lightsfadelow.com/track/touch
Old mix (no satson): http://lightsfadelow.com/track/touch-original-mix

Hey, I missed this! Downloading now...

EDIT: Yeah, that sounds better, although I find myself still missing a bit of the "oomph" from the original mix (but that could just be the extra bass) - and did something happen at the start of the second verse? It's really quiet! But you can hear the string arpeggios much better in the break, for instance. It's a cleaner mix, I think.

Yeah, A/B-ing...I think the drums have more impact in the original, so far. It's already a good mix, so it's kind of hard to say...