Waves Codex and the Current Sale

[Ingonator]

I had $19 bux in my paypal account.

So I went and bought Manny Marroquin Delay

The installation and activation this time went fast and smooth

In the past i only had both Waves instruments (recently only Element) but wit hthe current sale i i finally got 2 of teir FX plugins: OneKnob Phatter and Manny Marroquin Delay.

Final price for both including the 50$ voucher/gift code from the newsletter was 72 € (around 78 $).

In the past i used multiple plugins to fatten up the low end which usually included an EQ plugin. Waves Oneknob Phatter does this with a single knob and the result even seems to be better than with manually fiddling with an EQ or multiple FXs. just crank that single knob up and you're done...

The Marroquin Delay is simple to use and the additional built-in FXs like Reverb, Distortion and Doubler could lead to nice results. The "Doubler" when used wit ha synth actually is like detuning two instances of the current patch.
Have not played much with the Phaser yet but it looks like this could be useful too. While the single FXs in this are maybe quite basic the combination of those simply seems to work. The Marroquin Delay seems to be created to get fast results and not for endless tweaking sessions.
Actually so far my collection of Delay plugins is quite small and some i got are included with Hosts (e.g. Live 9 and Cubase Pro , Multi-FX plugins (e.g. Tone2 Warmverb, Tone2 UltraSpace and Kor MDE-X) or even free (e.g. the TAL Delay plugins).

As i got more than enough synths plugins (and some hardware synths) in the future i'll maybe focus more on effects (while now i already got some really nice ones...).

[Harry_HH]

codex is working fine in my live 9.2b12 just fine (just pulled it up to verify).

and it's not surprising that waves won't support live versions (right now) past 9.1.8... 9.1.8 is the latest released version.
that doesn't mean that it won't work in a beta (as shown above, it does), it just means that it's a beta and things might be wrong with it.

the weird thing with the waveshell is that the 'sub-vsts' are only added when live scans the VST, which it only does when the date on it changes.
but 'installing' a new VST doesn't appear to change to vst itself - it must either enable some authorizations, or add some resources somewhere else, etc.
because live won't usually rescan it unless prompted.

if you don't want to rescan anything, renaming/moving the waveshell dll usually does the trick.

How to get the Live 9.2 public beta downloaded?
Tried to find the download link in the Ableton site, but the Live 9.2 beta site instructs just to the use account site and at least I don´t have any Live 9.2 beta download option. Where´s the link?

[EnGee]

Hello people,

I too am thinking of getting Codex during this sale. How does it compare to Massive?
I would like to have only one wavetable type synth so which one would you keep if needed?

Does the fact that Codex is almost 10 years newer than Massive make a difference in the sound?
Is the sound more clear/powerful?

This could lead to a new discussion. Does the VST making technology improve over the years?
Can you say that a newer VST has the benefits of a better code thus better sound?

I'm not sure I can answer all your questions, but I have just bought it today and I already have Massive and Hybrid3 as wavetables synths (not counting Thor). So, my opinion depends on only one day experience with Codex.

I suggest you download the demo (after making account ..etc). It is fully functional for 7 days I think. That will answer most of your questions.

For me, it doesn't replace Massive and Hybrid3. It has different design and that alone make it sounds different. It supposed to be an 'easy' synth and IMO the developer succeeded in this difficult task which is easy to use with one page but without sacrificing the most important aspect which is Wavetables!

I bought it because it is easy to use. I just spent about half an hour with the manual, and I feel I understood everything. The main strength is in the oscillators. They are only 2 but powerful 2 especially when you can modulate the mix between them and many other things (start, mid, end, table ..etc) and it shows you visually what happens to the oscillators. Very cool indeed!

Anyway, for the sound, I liked it a lot, but not everything! The filter is good but not amazing (and you get few choices but within one filter, i.e. there are no many kinds like in Massive). The filter IMO is not its strength, but it's still good.

The presets are fantastic, but not the pads! Massive is way higher in this field. Of course it depends on the taste, but judging from the presets, the pads are not as great as Massive or Hybrid3 (didn't hear silky smooth pads). I think I can design better pads than the presets, but haven't tried yet.

What I like about Codex and made me bought it after few minutes from demoing it, is that it's very easy to use and grasp in spite of the complex sound method. It is easy to make your own sounds whatever they are. The seq/arp is very nice and simple to use with very good modulation matrix destinations. All that and more make Codex an inspiring synth. Oh, and you can import your wav files and Codex will convert them to wavetables!

It consumes slightly more than Massive or Hybrid3 and you need to check it in your host. It appears in Studio One and Cubase Elements 8 as VSTi 3, but in Reaper 5 (rc2) it appears as VST3! (effect!). Finally, I think it is a very good synth that is different from the rest I have and it sure worth the $50 I spent today

[chroma]

How to get the Live 9.2 public beta downloaded?
Tried to find the download link in the Ableton site, but the Live 9.2 beta site instructs just to the use account site and at least I don´t have any Live 9.2 beta download option. Where´s the link?

https://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=180996

the current beta version and link to the external beta site are always at the top of that forum.

[Harry_HH]

How to get the Live 9.2 public beta downloaded?
Tried to find the download link in the Ableton site, but the Live 9.2 beta site instructs just to the use account site and at least I don´t have any Live 9.2 beta download option. Where´s the link?

https://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=180996

the current beta version and link to the external beta site are always at the top of that forum.

But the Ableton site says that the PUBLIC Live 9.2 beta has been launched. https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/live-9- ... blic-beta/
If its public, do I have to register to some special beta user group before getting this public beta, as the link you sent seems to state?

[Apostate]

Codex is probably overall easier to use and sounds at least as good as Massive. It just doesn't have as many modulation options. You buy Codex for the great sounding oscillators, ease of use, excellent visual cues, and terrific presets. Massive is obviously the synth you'd rather have overall, but it's not the runaway winner in that "contest", each does things the other doesn't imo. Massive has a superb modulation system that Codex totally falls short in comparison, and that comparison goes for Codex against many other "wave synths".

But you can't take away the things that Codex does do and have, valuable assets that are definitely worth 99 U.S. imo.

[whyterabbyt]

But the Ableton site says that the PUBLIC Live 9.2 beta has been launched. https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/live-9- ... blic-beta/
If its public, do I have to register to some special beta user group before getting this public beta, as the link you sent seems to state?

Yes. Its not a private beta, anyone can sign up for it.

[Harry_HH]

But the Ableton site says that the PUBLIC Live 9.2 beta has been launched. https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/live-9- ... blic-beta/
If its public, do I have to register to some special beta user group before getting this public beta, as the link you sent seems to state?

Yes. Its not a private beta, anyone can sign up for it.

To me public means that there´s a open download link available for the Live license holders in the Ableton site, not that I have to register, give my computer to the use of beta testing etc. etc. It seems that Ableton has redefined the meaning of "public" (or maybe its just the common language of those who work with coding and computers - I don´t know, just try to make music and produce).

[dave dove]

Codex doesn't do high frequencies
so sounds warmer
i don't know if this is down to the filter???
maybe it doesn't open all the way....
the oscillators are interesting
the rest is average at best...

Ableton Beta is public
its not private in the sense that only a selected group get to test it
but it is a beta and not fit for daily work...
ymmv

dave

[whyterabbyt]

To me public means that there´s a open download link available for the Live license holders in the Ableton site, not that I have to register, give my computer to the use of beta testing etc. etc.

Yes, I actually got what it means to you from your previous comments on the matter. However, thats not what it really means, and its not the only way it gets done.

It seems that Ableton has redefined the meaning of "public" (or maybe its just the common language of those who work with coding and computers - I don´t know, just try to make music and produce).

No, they've not redefined it. They're using the actual definition. The availability of a public beta on an anonymous ('open' download )or opt-in ('register') basis has nothing to do with whether it is a public beta.

http://www.centercode.com/blog/2013/11/ ... a-testing/
http://www.betabound.com/private-beta-t ... ifference/

[Harry_HH]

To me public means that there´s a open download link available for the Live license holders in the Ableton site, not that I have to register, give my computer to the use of beta testing etc. etc.

Yes, I actually got what it means to you from your previous comments on the matter. However, thats not what it really means, and its not the only way it gets done.

It seems that Ableton has redefined the meaning of "public" (or maybe its just the common language of those who work with coding and computers - I don´t know, just try to make music and produce).

No, they've not redefined it. They're using the actual definition. The availability of a public beta on an anonymous ('open' download )or opt-in ('register') basis has nothing to do with whether it is a public beta.

http://www.centercode.com/blog/2013/11/ ... a-testing/
http://www.betabound.com/private-beta-t ... ifference/

As Ableton account holder and Live license owner the user is not "anonymous" as you stated. My point was that license owner could download the public betas, without re-registering.
But now I know the special definition of "public" in these contexts.

[whyterabbyt]

As Ableton account holder and Live license owner the user is not "anonymous" as you stated.

No I didnt state they were anonymous. I merely pointed out that 'registration' distinctions were irrelevant to the definition of the term 'public beta'.

My point was that license owner could download the public betas, without re-registering.

And my point was that Ableton not going down that route didnt nullify the fact that it was still a public beta.

But now I know the special definition of "public" in these contexts.

I think you'll find that most technical terms of the 'adjective noun' form are compound 'special definitions' in the first place.

Im unsure why you're so determined to quibble the minutiae of an offtopic point after a simple explanation of fact, though.

[Harry_HH]

In spite of all the hussle with the beta registration etc. which is a sideway of the main thing:

For those who want to know Codex crashes also the following DAW:

- Live 9.2b12_32 beta
- Win 8.1

Computer Lenovo laptop i5-3230M 8 GB

Waveshell V9r28

Same concerns the Live 9.1.10 and Live 8, 32b and 64b.

[cocoazenith]

Hello people,

I too am thinking of getting Codex during this sale. How does it compare to Massive?
I would like to have only one wavetable type synth so which one would you keep if needed?

Does the fact that Codex is almost 10 years newer than Massive make a difference in the sound?
Is the sound more clear/powerful?

This could lead to a new discussion. Does the VST making technology improve over the years?
Can you say that a newer VST has the benefits of a better code thus better sound?

I'm not sure I can answer all your questions, but I have just bought it today and I already have Massive and Hybrid3 as wavetables synths (not counting Thor). So, my opinion depends on only one day experience with Codex.

I suggest you download the demo (after making account ..etc). It is fully functional for 7 days I think. That will answer most of your questions.

For me, it doesn't replace Massive and Hybrid3. It has different design and that alone make it sounds different. It supposed to be an 'easy' synth and IMO the developer succeeded in this difficult task which is easy to use with one page but without sacrificing the most important aspect which is Wavetables!

I bought it because it is easy to use. I just spent about half an hour with the manual, and I feel I understood everything. The main strength is in the oscillators. They are only 2 but powerful 2 especially when you can modulate the mix between them and many other things (start, mid, end, table ..etc) and it shows you visually what happens to the oscillators. Very cool indeed!

Anyway, for the sound, I liked it a lot, but not everything! The filter is good but not amazing (and you get few choices but within one filter, i.e. there are no many kinds like in Massive). The filter IMO is not its strength, but it's still good.

The presets are fantastic, but not the pads! Massive is way higher in this field. Of course it depends on the taste, but judging from the presets, the pads are not as great as Massive or Hybrid3 (didn't hear silky smooth pads). I think I can design better pads than the presets, but haven't tried yet.

What I like about Codex and made me bought it after few minutes from demoing it, is that it's very easy to use and grasp in spite of the complex sound method. It is easy to make your own sounds whatever they are. The seq/arp is very nice and simple to use with very good modulation matrix destinations. All that and more make Codex an inspiring synth. Oh, and you can import your wav files and Codex will convert them to wavetables!

It consumes slightly more than Massive or Hybrid3 and you need to check it in your host. It appears in Studio One and Cubase Elements 8 as VSTi 3, but in Reaper 5 (rc2) it appears as VST3! (effect!). Finally, I think it is a very good synth that is different from the rest I have and it sure worth the $50 I spent today

Thanks. That's a pretty good written review.

[Apostate]

You know, as much as I obviously like Codex, I just realized that, if you used the Waves coupon, you would spend about as much on that as you would a Korg Wavestation. That changes the ballgame a bit, at least for me. The Wavestation...not sure how that stands up to Codex, or rather vice versa. If I didn't own the two, I'd probably grab the Korg first, at 50 US it's quite the steal. Vintage sound, excellent modulation options, the "stacking" parameter (not unlike PPG 3 in that way).