Opinions on Tokyo Dawn Records mixing and production plugins?

[mabian]

Hello all,

I see that on Plugin Boutique TDR plugins are on sale.

The production bundle, with

Slick EQ GE
Slick EQ M
Kotelnikov Compressor GE
Limiter6 GE
Nova GE
Molot GE

is around 90€, and some "singles" are even more discounted (buying them all summed is around 97€).

While I don't know much about many of them the idea of getting a solid EQ/Compressor/Mastering suite intrigues me, especially for the price, so I'd like to know how they are from who's using them already, especially considering some questions:

1) Slick EQ M doesn't have the various EQ models - British, Soviet, etc. - of Slick EQ GE, right?
2) Can Slick EQ with some particular settings do the Pultec trick?
3) Can Limiter 6 GE replace a whole mastering chain—mainly about stereo image, EQ, clipper, limiter, and so on (it seems so, but how is it)?
4) Is Kotelnikov GE so much different - and superior? - to, let's say, ReaComp or KlangHelm compressors?
5) Is Molot GE a different beast than Kotelnikov (I understand Molot is much more on the coloration side, while Kotelnikov is more towards transparency)?

Thanks!

- Mario

[roman.i]

They are always on sale.
For most of these question the answer would be - use the free version and see yourself.
Molot is a general use compressor,
while Kotelnikov is an advanced tool with two detectors, something you may need on complex material.

[jethrobull]

All excellent quality that punch well above their weight.
They just work and do stuff fast and smooth.

[lobanov]

1) I don't know.
2) I don't know.
3) No, it doesn't correct stereo image. And it doesn't contain EQ, an important part of mastering chain. It's about dynamics in the broadest sense of this word.
But with the bundle you'll get Slick EQ M and Slick EQ GE.
4) Kotelnikov is extremely transparent. So it is comparable to ReaComp and Klanghelm DC8C. But Kotelnikov seems better to me. ReaComp is ugly, DC8C is more complex than we need in most cases. And DC8C (which is cool) doesn't sound as well as Kotelnikov IMO.
Kotelnikov and Kotelnikov GE aren't really different, you don't get something special with GE, just some additional options (sidechain, high quality modes etc.).
5) Absolutely. Yes, Molot is much more on the coloration side. And it is simpler than Kotelnikov. I could say that the former is a compressor for "everyday use", the latter is intended for mastering (but you can use it everywhere you want, it is not a CPU hog). Molot is very good but I don't like it as I like Kotelnikov.

With the full bundle you get the highest quality. And you can support a very good developer.

[ralfrobert]

Best bang for the buck. I've got all of them and don't regret it. The have a bit of a learning curve, but you can finish complete mixes with them. Best to pick them up when on deep sale, $10 a piece.

[FakeNatty]

The only good plugins that are sold at a reasonable price.

[ere2learn]

My most used EQ and comps, I use either stock or TDR basically at this stage, I just really like the ease of use, auto-gain for complete A/Bing, right-click drag on all knobs jumps in fixed ranges & general feel of the plugins feels so nice to use. Most plugins have these features now but when released TDR was one of the 1st, so i never felt the need to get another 15 compressors or 10 EQs

Also watch the dan worral tutorials , think he has one for most of TDR plugins

[heyheycnv]

You don't have any TDR plugins?

Nova GE is most my used plugin year after year. All the originals are very good to excellent. The new filters are killer.

[mabian]

You don't have any TDR plugins?

Nova GE is most my used plugin year after year. All the originals are very good to excellent. The new filters are killer.

I have all the freebies but I'm only using Nova frequently; I planned to get GE as soon as it got on sale and now it is.
A couple of days ago I reported a new bug in Nova free version 2.2.0, recently released, and they fixed it in literally two hours. Besides the quality of the plugins, they for sure deserve support.

Thank you,
Mario

[legendCNCD]

They are killers.
2) Can Slick EQ with some particular settings do the Pultec trick? - yes
5) Is Molot GE a different beast than Kotelnikov - yes, and it is amazing one, well they both are. Killer tools.

[Vortifex]

Slick EQ M has per-band stereo image adjustment.

TDR plugins sound great and feel really good to use. It might seem like a trivial thing, but the action on the dials is super smooth and just about perfect. You don't need to hold a key down for fine control.

Slick EQ GE is great for cutting mud or sweetening up tracks. The autogain on it is superb. Slick EQ M hasn't left my master bus since I bought it.

[whassup]

I bought Kotelnikov and Molot GE versions last Cyber Friday.
Having made a blind test with comp on a snare to my surprise Kotelnikov came out as a clear winner for that situation. This shows how strong personal bias is that is based upon things as "information", "looks" and "likes".
Without that blind shootout I wouldn't have even considered it for my snare. Because it is a mastering compressor, right? Clean... Oh no! I want character and crack and slam and.... for my snare! There it goes...
And to say it like that: TDR makes very good plugins. I haven't found one that is not useful or not good sounding and has a good functional interface like few others.
On a side note: Get everything VoS and Airwindows Consolidated. Worth every download.

[Razzia]

Audiodeluxe has some of them even cheaper. I got a few in the BF/winter sale and they exceeded my expectations hugely, especially at that price point, despite people singing their praises for years.

I have pretty limited experience with them so far, but to my ears they're as good as much pricier alternatives and they sound good at a wide range of settings. Light on CPU too. 10-20 dollars apiece is a steal

[mabian]

You're right, at audio deluxe some are even cheaper, thanks!

[osiris]

From experience I'll tell you they are equal to the 'big names'. I love me some Density MKIII.