SoundToys plugins alternative to Devil-Loc Deluxe and Radiator

[coolstuffevents]

Hello friends, I'm interested to buy the SoundToys plugins Devil-Loc Deluxe and Radiator, but I don't like to use iLok, so I wanted to know if there is any alternative for them, but with other manufacturers that not use iLok.

I know that the Devil-Loc Deluxe is an emulation of "Shure Level-Loc mic limiter" and Radiator of "Altec 1567A tube mixer" but I don't know quality plugin alternative for these.

Thank so much in advance to help me.

[Gamma-UT]

For the preamp, you've got the choice of whether to simply use a more generic saturation plugin such as FabFilter Saturn or Klanghelm SDRR and dial in the sound or get something that is meant to be a preamp out of the (virtual) box.

The nearest direct emulation I can think of is WaveArts Tube Saturator but they use iLok as well IIRC.

Studio Devil's VTP is a single 12AX7 tube preamp emulation – they claim that simply sticking two in series will get you the same results more or less as a dual-stage design. Altec called the 1566A three stage but there are only two valves in it.

The other option is 112db's Redline Preamp which has a bunch of preamp models in it. Both companies use a form of C/R copy protection (but no iLok).

I don't think there is a direct alternative to the Devil-loc Deluxe but it's basically a very simple brick wall limiter with saturation, so something like u-he's Presswerk should be able to do the job, or maybe Klanghelm DC8C. However, the trick is dialing in the right parameters to do the same job as the Shure Level-loc on which the Soundtoys' plugin is based. Copy protection is serial for both Klanghelm and u-he.

[Tearing Riots]

For a 1566 check this: http://www.shatteredglassaudio.com/product.php?id=104
Very good sound imo, will eat your cpu though.

[coolstuffevents]

Sorry for the mistakle, Radiator is a "Altec 1567A tube mixer" emulation, your suggestion works for this plugin?

[Gamma-UT]

Sorry for the mistakle, Radiator is a "Altec 1567A tube mixer" emulation, your suggestion works for this plugin?

Well it is and it isn't. The 1567A is a five-input preamp with two outputs based on the same circuitry as the 1566A. Soundtoys presumably went with the '1567A' because it's a stereo plugin.

[coolstuffevents]

Sorry for the mistakle, Radiator is a "Altec 1567A tube mixer" emulation, your suggestion works for this plugin?

Well it is and it isn't. The 1567A is a five-input preamp with two outputs based on the same circuitry as the 1566A. Soundtoys presumably went with the '1567A' because it's a stereo plugin.

In this case the plugin that you recommend to me works fine? The best for you maybe is the Wave Arts?

[Gamma-UT]

I don't use the Wave Arts. Personally, I'd prefer to dial in a reasonable setting on SDRR and use a separate EQ, although you can tilt the frequency response of SDRR in Tube mode a fair amount.

[coolstuffevents]

I don't use the Wave Arts. Personally, I'd prefer to dial in a reasonable setting on SDRR and use a separate EQ, although you can tilt the frequency response of SDRR in Tube mode a fair amount.

ok but I have a little problem, I am still not very "pro" and need to touch the fewest number of plugins adjustments haha, for this the Radiator is perfect, but your option is more difficult for me
although I'm sure the result will be much better with your suggestion

[scalawag]

I might be wrong, but for those Soundtoys plugins you just need to have the ilok licenser installed. No need to have a real iLok

[coolstuffevents]

I might be wrong, but for those Soundtoys plugins you just need to have the ilok licenser installed. No need to have a real iLok

Right mate but really have too many problems with other iLok license plugins as Slate Digital

[ObsoleteAcc99]

[DELETED]

[coolstuffevents]

I might be wrong, but for those Soundtoys plugins you just need to have the ilok licenser installed. No need to have a real iLok

Right mate but really have too many problems with other iLok license plugins as Slate Digital

well then I *think* you might be doing something wrong i am sorry to say.

I am not *that* surprised with slate, as they are buggy plugins (and i don't think it's due to the ilok anyway), but to have ilok problems in general doesn't make sense.

I bet you if you go right now to ilok.com and download the latest license manager, and you install radiator and devil lock demo, you won't have a SINGLE problem with them. Insert 100 of them even, they will work flawlessly. The ilok software won't miss a beat.

And no, there are no replacements, no matter what anyone says. Particularly for devil loc deluxe.. radiator has alternatives but the only one that matches or beats it to me is the UAD 610.
Very good still but not AS good is the studio devil preamp, which is the one to buy if you really can't get past ilok.

The shattered glass audio 1566 is nice but it uses 10x the cpu of radiator (or more). therefore to me it's a non starter. The wavearts is most overhyped tube plugin of all time.. even pushed moderately, it breaks apart so horribly and sounds just SO digital.. radiator absolutely destroys it in every way as far as the sound of the distortion.. although the direct competitor for it is the 1566 more so, and yes, the 1566, sound wise, annihilates the wavearts IMO. That said, i think all the wave arts plugins sound absolutely terrible and some of the most undeserved praise of pretty much any plugin. Track plug is ok but that's the only one (and alloy2 poos all over it so again, pointless). Reverb, denoiser, finaliser, tube.. all really sound terrible to me, of course just personal opinion. WAY too expensive too.

Radiator and devil lock are incredible plugins that I use every single day of the year in every single song I ever make. I have compared *everything* on the market to them (well everything for mac anyway), and besides UAD for the pre amp, there is nothing as good overall. (and uad has nothing like the devil lock).

That said, if you want something that smashes, and really can't get past the ilok, try the elysia mpressor which also has a tilt eq that you can use to emulate the darkness parameter of the D lock.
the closest competitor to d lock is actually ubk , but guess what, ilok.

So the short version and my honest recommendations

1) try latest ilok manager and reboot, try soundtoys

if just no way then

2) Mpressor, Studio devil pre amp.

Wow! Thank so much, really nice explanation, I will try your suggestions

[kvaca]

Altec called the 1566A three stage but there are only two valves in it.

and what
one 12AX7 valve=up to 2 gain stages
/...two valves=up to 4 gain stages...etc/

[kvaca]

Very good still but not AS good is the studio devil preamp, which is the one to buy if you really can't get past ilok.

that studio devil preamp sounds nothing like a typical tube pre as it cuts everything above 6 kHz or so...while any decent tube pre has almost flat frequency response up to 40 kHz or more...
in this regard wavearts tube saturator sounds much closer to real tube pre

[Jax Pok]

I've never had problems with Slate or Soundtoys plugins apart from ilok driver sometimes fails to auto start with windows. That can be solved by manually starting it.