KVR Audio

Pilonsky · Post by **Pilonsky** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:30 pm

I was wondering if there is anyone out there that does not like the tone of Soundtoys plug ins? They seem to have a very specific tone once you get to know the sound. I know it's supposed to be analog, but to me it sounds plasticky now. I had this happen to me with Waves plug ins, where a lot of the "analog" modeling eventually started sounding plasticky. And now its starting to happen with Soundtoys

Its weird cause if I just use all logic plug ins, I can used different types of effects, and they all have the same tone. But as soon as I start using Soundtoys effects (Echoboy, Filterfreak, Crystallizer, Primal Tap to be exact), it brings in a different tone. Which isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but its the quality of the tone Im questioning. Soundtoys plug ins are highly regarded, and every review you about them is stellar. So Im wondering if there is anyone out there that does not like it?

TIMT · Post by **TIMT** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:57 pm

I don't know about the others, but i would agree this is the case with Decapitator. Big reason why that one sounds so "plastic" is all of the algorithms suffer from varying degrees of quantisation distortion with it being the worst on the N setting. I don't think they've ever bothered to address this either as i have the latest update. Could be the same on Radiator and whatever else they make that saturates, or distorts but i couldn't say for certain as i don't use em

dubguy99 · Post by **dubguy99** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:01 pm

The Soundtoys plugins (except the dedicated saturation ones) have the same saturation algos built in (which you can turn off, but it's on by default) and by default some of them run pretty hot. Which means, you are getting the same kinda saturation on all their plugs. It also aliases.

Their FX coding also definitely has a certain character to it.

I'd say the "Soundtoys Tone" is pleasant but slightly cartoon-ish? There's a lot of engineers, producers etc. that have access to the most expensive hardware and still use Soundtoys all over. I think that says something. They don't sound like hardware, but people do seem to like what they do, regardless.

Also, the title made me think there's a new Soundtoys plugin lol!

jens · Post by **jens** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:17 pm

A healthy dose of ABX-testing can do wonders, lads - all of a sudden you'll realize just how much you're imagining to hear.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:23 pm

Dunno, but, I'm not super impressed by them. Got a few of them, PhaseMistress, Little Plate, Tremolator and Sie-Q. They don't "wow" me, to stick to internet talk. I definitely know better.

I'm a spoiled brat though, I know it.

j wazza · Post by **j wazza** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:38 pm

yeah i get what you mean but a lot of companies have a bit of a plasticy cartoony sound, like psp etc, but i wouldnt say its always a bad thing it works well on some sounds

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:42 pm

Yeah. Plasticky is not necessarily bad.

Haven't heard of it in terms of fx though. But, it makes sense. Some phasers sound a bit pasticky as well.

Yes, I know some people will roll with their eyes now. If you don't understand what plasticky means, stay the hell out of this thread.

Halonmusic · Post by **Halonmusic** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 9:23 pm

never owned a single plugin. they are great i suppose

scaremony · Post by **scaremony** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:56 pm

Agreed big time. They’ve just never bothered to update their algos or add over sampling and it shows. No hate for anyone who uses them and enjoy their stuff of course! But I think in every category there are plugins and devs that have really innovated since Soundtoys 5 dropped.

nusound mind · Post by **nusound mind** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:13 pm

Here I was excited to read the thread about the new "Soundtoys Tone" plugin.

Boy was I wrong. Soundtoys are still great. I keep forgetting to try using Crystalizer more, I've been meaning to so if nothing else thanks for reminding me of that.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:18 pm

nusound mind wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:13 pm Here I was excited to read the thread about the new "Soundtoys Tone" plugin.

I thought so too, TBH.

I was like "Hey... what an original name...".

Pilonsky · Post by **Pilonsky** » Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:07 am

TIMT wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:57 pm I don't know about the others, but i would agree this is the case with Decapitator. Big reason why that one sounds so "plastic" is all of the algorithms suffer from varying degrees of quantisation distortion with it being the worst on the N setting. I don't think they've ever bothered to address this either as i have the latest update. Could be the same on Radiator and whatever else they make that saturates, or distorts but i couldn't say for certain as i don't use em

Yeah, that tone on the N setting is exactly what I’m taking about! It sounds great at first, but after a while it starts sounding weird. So I just less of it, use it as a send effect, use it on mess parts, certainly not across any bus. But then I start wondering should I be using any of it at all!?

Pilonsky · Post by **Pilonsky** » Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:23 am

dubguy99 wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:01 pm The Soundtoys plugins (except the dedicated saturation ones) have the same saturation algos built in (which you can turn off, but it's on by default) and by default some of them run pretty hot. Which means, you are getting the same kinda saturation on all their plugs. It also aliases.

Their FX coding also definitely has a certain character to it.

I'd say the "Soundtoys Tone" is pleasant but slightly cartoon-ish? There's a lot of engineers, producers etc. that have access to the most expensive hardware and still use Soundtoys all over. I think that says something. They don't sound like hardware, but people do seem to like what they do, regardless.

Also, the title made me think there's a new Soundtoys plugin lol!

Yeah I suppose their saturation algo is what I’m talking about. It’s in all their plug ins. And if I let’s say use a few of their different delays on a mix (Echoboy, Primal tap, Crystallizer), that tone/saturation algorithm starts to take over the sound. And you can’t get rid of that tone. And if you use more than one instance, then you kind of have to commit to that sound. It doesn’t blend all that well, it kind of starts to take over. So if you were to use say Decap for saturation, Filterfreak for filtering, and a few of their delay plug ins, then your track would be entirely overrun by the saturation algo. It’s like if you use more than one instance of any of their plug ins, that “tone”starts to take over.

Pilonsky · Post by **Pilonsky** » Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:34 am

j wazza wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:38 pm yeah i get what you mean but a lot of companies have a bit of a plasticy cartoony sound, like psp etc, but i wouldnt say its always a bad thing it works well on some sounds

Yeah I think I’m starting to question “virtual analog” or analog modeling in general. Im not saying analog vs digital. I’m saying Analog and/or Digital. But this idea that you’re gonna model all this analog gear digitally, and have a digitally modeled analog studio in the box, is what I’m questioning. I think maybe they’re two distinct separate things, and will probably stay that way. But that’s prob a topic for another thread!

Pilonsky · Post by **Pilonsky** » Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:38 am

chk071 wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:18 pm
nusound mind wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:13 pm Here I was excited to read the thread about the new "Soundtoys Tone" plugin.
I thought so too, TBH.

I was like "Hey... what an original name...".

Yeah knowing my luck Soundtoys will come out with a Soundtoys super duper analog (‘more analog than analog — digital modeling that can wipe the floor with your favorite analog gear’) “Tone” plug in just to torture me.