Bargain Center: discussion, gossip, etc.

[masterhiggins]

Regarding the Waldorf Nave Sale: Does anybody know if Waldorf still updates the synthesizer ? What is the latest version ?

They just released an update for Big Sur and Silicon, so yeah. It’s 1.17.

[Gabriel Garcia]

It does but they don't cover everything, for example they have 2 compressors but none of them supports sidechaining.

I know you asked for a complete set of plugins, but just in case you are interested in a good compressor with external sidechain (and since you asked for cheap options), I can recommend two FREE ones that I use and I think are great:

* pajSoil EiS
https://pajczur.com/product/pajsoil-eis/
* TDR Kotelnikov
https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-kotelnikov/

pajSoil EiS includes a really good set features including look-ahead control (that I have not seen in any other free compressor yet), attack time can be set as low as 0ms, ratio can be set to infinite and even to negative values, low-cut for the sidechain input, hold time for the gain reduction (before release), resizable GUI, resizable meter scale... As for TDR plugins, you can find a lot of topics about them here at KVR, but they are gems as well.

[ferez21]

...
I've started using Acoustica Mixcraft 9 and i want a coherent set of default plugins to replace the random plugins that come with that DAW

Doesn't Mixcraft come with the full set of (older but still great) Tonebooster plugins ???

It does but they don't cover everything, for example they have 2 compressors but none of them supports sidechaining.

TB FlX4 has sidechain input, you could use that.

But you honestly don't need in anyways in MC9, you can just use the Audio Controller function and link it to the Ratio knob, then tweak it to the amount you want.

That's true, i can definitely achieve sidechaining without any other tools.

My intention was to get a set of plugins with similar clean coherent interfaces to be used as my workhorse/go-to plugins. Mixcraft is a lovely DAW but on the plugin side, it can feel like a bit of a mess (or outdated) despite having tools to cover almost everything.
The Tracktion DAW essentials is pretty much the style of what i am after, eye pleasing interface and covers most grounds, i wonder if there are any other bundles like that.

Honestly, without spending a lot of money, options are pretty limited.
The DAW essential are alright, but I wouldn’t pay for them over the ToneBoosters Plugins. (I have both Mixcraft 9 Pro and Waveform 11 with DAW Essentials, so I have used both).
On the free side there is the Reaplugs VSTs from Reaper and Mfreebundle from Melda. I don’t think either one is better then what you have.
Some one mentioned the Plug and Mix bundle, but they have the same issues as Air Creative FX Bundle which is basic UIs with no feedback for what your changes are doing.
So, takes us out of the cheap options. Where do you look at next?
Well, you could look at the new IK Mixbox, but same thing as I just complained about, many basic UIs.
You could go subscription with Kilohearts. Or Slate Digital.
You could look at a Waves Bundle.
But the real step up is something like iZotope or Fabfilter. Neither of which ends up being affordable, but is where the real difference is from what you have now.

I've just stumbled upon this:
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-e ... k-software

It's free and seems to cover a lot of DAW basic stuff, i might give it a try.

[gerk]

Doesn't Mixcraft come with the full set of (older but still great) Tonebooster plugins ???

It does but they don't cover everything, for example they have 2 compressors but none of them supports sidechaining.

TB FlX4 has sidechain input, you could use that.

But you honestly don't need in anyways in MC9, you can just use the Audio Controller function and link it to the Ratio knob, then tweak it to the amount you want.

That's true, i can definitely achieve sidechaining without any other tools.

My intention was to get a set of plugins with similar clean coherent interfaces to be used as my workhorse/go-to plugins. Mixcraft is a lovely DAW but on the plugin side, it can feel like a bit of a mess (or outdated) despite having tools to cover almost everything.
The Tracktion DAW essentials is pretty much the style of what i am after, eye pleasing interface and covers most grounds, i wonder if there are any other bundles like that.

Honestly, without spending a lot of money, options are pretty limited.
The DAW essential are alright, but I wouldn’t pay for them over the ToneBoosters Plugins. (I have both Mixcraft 9 Pro and Waveform 11 with DAW Essentials, so I have used both).
On the free side there is the Reaplugs VSTs from Reaper and Mfreebundle from Melda. I don’t think either one is better then what you have.
Some one mentioned the Plug and Mix bundle, but they have the same issues as Air Creative FX Bundle which is basic UIs with no feedback for what your changes are doing.
So, takes us out of the cheap options. Where do you look at next?
Well, you could look at the new IK Mixbox, but same thing as I just complained about, many basic UIs.
You could go subscription with Kilohearts. Or Slate Digital.
You could look at a Waves Bundle.
But the real step up is something like iZotope or Fabfilter. Neither of which ends up being affordable, but is where the real difference is from what you have now.

I've just stumbled upon this:
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-e ... k-software

It's free and seems to cover a lot of DAW basic stuff, i might give it a try.

IMO, the MFreeFxBundle from Melda that’s mentioned is a better choice then the Dead Duck freeware. The UIs provide a lot more interaction and feedback, the quality is very high and if you like the Melda eco system they have a a ton of paid plug-ins you can expand your collection with that rotate on sale every week.

[jzero]

https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-e ... k-software
Dead Duck effects are pretty great. I find their simplicity and look more appealing than Melda...

[kevinsparks]

The Dead Duck stuff won't blow you away, but they all work and the GUI's are pleasant enough without any clutter. Sender Spike is another good free plugin dev.

[gerk]

The Dead Duck stuff won't blow you away, but they all work and the GUI's are pleasant enough without any clutter. Sender Spike is another good free plugin dev.

But, to be clear, neither of them are as good than the ToneBoosters Plugins they already have.
Honestly, I think the real issue the OP has is Mixcraft’s lack of a compressor with a side chain. Instead of trying to replace all the FX they already have (on a budget) I would just grab one if the great free compressors available that has an external side chain and use that when needed. There are a few with side chain on this list:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-bes ... r-your-daw
I would use either Rough Rider or Molotov, and then stick with the plug-ins you have for everything else.

[ferez21]

The Dead Duck stuff won't blow you away, but they all work and the GUI's are pleasant enough without any clutter. Sender Spike is another good free plugin dev.

But, to be clear, neither of them are as good than the ToneBoosters Plugins they already have.
Honestly, I think the real issue the OP has is Mixcraft’s lack of a compressor with a side chain. Instead of trying to replace all the FX they already have (on a budget) I would just grab one if the great free compressors available that has an external side chain and use that when needed. There are a few with side chain on this list:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-bes ... r-your-daw
I would use either Rough Rider or Molotov, and then stick with the plug-ins you have for everything else.

While a compressor with sidechain was the trigger, my main goal was to have a bunch of plugins with the same GUI to give me the feel of "stock" plugins and to have a pack of workhorse plugins.
I ended up getting some freewares and the AIR creative pack (with a free Audio Damage Dubdelay!) and i think that works for me for now

[Alchemedia]

I just came across this plugin and I was surprised that I didn't see any news about it's release anywhere (only few videos on youtube), because it looks and sounds very good, especially for $20. I think more people should know about this plugin:
https://plugins.oversampled.us/products/ocs-45

Has anyone compared this to Wavefactory Cassette?

[E_Anderson]

Haven't installed Entropy EQ and I am skipping MTurboEQ as well. Feeling proud of myself.

damn, this hit home.
It's a cool EQ for sure, but i'm sitting here with 15 EQs while using exactly 3 99.9% off the time:
HarmoniEQ, ProQ3, CurveBender.
Do i really need this? even for 5$?

I just got around to testing MTurboEQ tonight for high-end boosts, using an oscilloscope, and found (and my ears were also reporting) it's absolutely clean at 28khz, no ringing, no artifacts, able to reach the super-highs without issue. Really, really good accuracy and transparency and sounds amazing. Like opening a thick curtain that had been concealing Cinematic Studio Strings the entire time. I'm not at all in the same boat as either of you as I don't have anything besides Fruity Parametric EQ2 and Nova, but now I have MTurboEQ and I think I'm set forever.

I may eventually try Pro Q3 on the off chance it provides a workflow improvement, as I just used a dynamic EQ today for the first time ever, to enhancing a kick on a drum buss, and it could be nice to have some tighter controls over frequency ranges specifically for threshold and tighter attack. If that's even offered there. But then that and MTurboEQ would be my only EQs forever.

[gerk]

Haven't installed Entropy EQ and I am skipping MTurboEQ as well. Feeling proud of myself.

damn, this hit home.
It's a cool EQ for sure, but i'm sitting here with 15 EQs while using exactly 3 99.9% off the time:
HarmoniEQ, ProQ3, CurveBender.
Do i really need this? even for 5$?

I just got around to testing MTurboEQ tonight for high-end boosts, using an oscilloscope, and found (and my ears were also reporting) it's absolutely clean at 28khz, no ringing, no artifacts, able to reach the super-highs without issue. Really, really good accuracy and transparency and sounds amazing. Like opening a thick curtain that had been concealing Cinematic Studio Strings the entire time. I'm not at all in the same boat as either of you as I don't have anything besides Fruity Parametric EQ2 and Nova, but now I have MTurboEQ and I think I'm set forever.

I may eventually try Pro Q3 on the off chance it provides a workflow improvement, as I just used a dynamic EQ today for the first time ever, to enhancing a kick on a drum buss, and it could be nice to have some tighter controls over frequency ranges specifically for threshold and tighter attack. If that's even offered there. But then that and MTurboEQ would be my only EQs forever.

Human ears don't report anything at 28khz.

[Ploki]

Haven't installed Entropy EQ and I am skipping MTurboEQ as well. Feeling proud of myself.

damn, this hit home.
It's a cool EQ for sure, but i'm sitting here with 15 EQs while using exactly 3 99.9% off the time:
HarmoniEQ, ProQ3, CurveBender.
Do i really need this? even for 5$?

I just got around to testing MTurboEQ tonight for high-end boosts, using an oscilloscope, and found (and my ears were also reporting) it's absolutely clean at 28khz, no ringing, no artifacts, able to reach the super-highs without issue. Really, really good accuracy and transparency and sounds amazing. Like opening a thick curtain that had been concealing Cinematic Studio Strings the entire time. I'm not at all in the same boat as either of you as I don't have anything besides Fruity Parametric EQ2 and Nova, but now I have MTurboEQ and I think I'm set forever.

I may eventually try Pro Q3 on the off chance it provides a workflow improvement, as I just used a dynamic EQ today for the first time ever, to enhancing a kick on a drum buss, and it could be nice to have some tighter controls over frequency ranges specifically for threshold and tighter attack. If that's even offered there. But then that and MTurboEQ would be my only EQs forever.

Great choice! Melda is coded well
I have pro-q3, all Softube EQs, all Voxengo EQs, so i really didn’t need another one

[LoveEnigma18]

@E_Anderson: Glad you found MTurboEQ useful. I am also a FL Studio user, so can understand your EQ concern. For $0 (or maybe a few you spent to get it), it is a steal. Well worth having it for sure since you only have stock/free EQs. Its main advantage is that it offers a variety of EQs, so you are indeed well set from that point of view.

For me the thing is I have Pro-Q 3 and for vintage style I have a lot of other EQs already that I am used to, so even adding a free EQ just for the sake of it did not make sense. As Ploki said above.

Once you try Pro-Q 3 though, especially the dynamic and mid/side equalisation workflow, you will not look back. You WILL want to have it.

[sqigls]

Toneboosters EQ4 does most of it for a fraction of the price.
And sounds superb.

[E_Anderson]

Human ears don't report anything at 28khz.

They do hear ringing, phase rotation and artifacting within the audible range, however. And you can boost those audible-range frequencies with 28khz shelves cleanly, audible, beautifully in ways these other EQs can't NOW FEATURING MTURBOEQ AVAILABLE AT DEALERS NEA

Once you try Pro-Q 3 though, especially the dynamic and mid/side equalisation workflow, you will not look back. You WILL want to have it.

I can see that happening, pretty easily. We'll see how far I can stretch Slice EQ for dynamic uses with Multipass/Peak controller (yeah. despite using Slice regularly I still forget I own it, and it's cleaner than PEQ2 and does m/s to boot)... Pro Q3 actually sounds pretty great in the highs. It's pretty much up to that workflow though, we'll see. I may be a convert before 2023. As much as I love DIY, I love braindead easy workflow a tiny bit more.