LOUDER THAN LIFTOFF Silver Bullet mk2

[bmanic]

Sorry if it sounds dumb, but I didn't get the gain staging issue (or debate) with Silver Bullet (maybe it's a language issue).
Is bmanic recommending to lower the input level or to raise it ?
In order to obtain what results ?

His option allows you to raise or lower the input and then make up the output - so you always have the same level coming out.

Ok, thanks. But I don't get the purpose.

Same purpose as with any other highly non-linear type of processor.. experimentation.

The way the different component models within Silver Bullet react to incoming levels is not "static". They sound different at different levels.. and you can't drive them all in the same way from within the plugin. Like I said, if you disable the saturation section in the plugin but want to experience how the EQ section saturates, your only option is to do it form outside the plugin.

[sl1200mk2]

One thing I don't get with this plugin is the meter is post-FX. It seems counter-intuitive to me. At least we should be able to monitor the input level with a switch or something...

I have the MK1 hardware, and I treat the plugin the same way as I would the hardware. I put a meter before it, where I can also control the gain if needed. The free Goodhertz Loudness plugin works very well, as I can easily set a target, though I've also used Klanghelm VUMT. If I need real-time visuals, I use the Studio One metering plugin, which shows live in the plugin chain w/o needing to open the plugin.

I think if either the plugin or the hardware had metering on the input people might spend too much time with that on and not really learn the sweet spot of where you should be setting the pre-amps and how the EQs interact. I get the request though, but they're probably trying to stick to the ethos of the hardware. I agree it would make sense for the plugin to have input gain control, which would be my one wish. That said, I'm so used to the workflow that it's not that big of a deal, just a nice-to-have.

[Calagan]

One thing I don't get with this plugin is the meter is post-FX. It seems counter-intuitive to me. At least we should be able to monitor the input level with a switch or something...

I have the MK1 hardware, and I treat the plugin the same way as I would the hardware. I put a meter before it, where I can also control the gain if needed. The free Goodhertz Loudness plugin works very well, as I can easily set a target, though I've also used Klanghelm VUMT. If I need real-time visuals, I use the Studio One metering plugin, which shows live in the plugin chain w/o needing to open the plugin.

I think if either the plugin or the hardware had metering on the input people might spend too much time with that on and not really learn the sweet spot of where you should be setting the pre-amps and how the EQs interact. I get the request though, but they're probably trying to stick to the ethos of the hardware. I agree it would make sense for the plugin to have input gain control, which would be my one wish. That said, I'm so used to the workflow that it's not that big of a deal, just a nice-to-have.

Yep of course, it's not a big deal... I'm just more used to have a meter pre-FX than post-FX - but I guess in this precise exemple, it's a different workflow, a bit like the diode on some devices that tell you how much you are driving the device (the diode above the drive knob of the VSM3 for exemple, that turns from yellow to orange when driven hard).

I must say that since I bought the plugin, few months ago, I didn't use it much and didn't learn it deeply. I've got some time now so I wanted to learn it better.
I'm sure I'm wrong, but I find it a bit too complex for the benefits it brings. I've got subtle enhancers I like better (Sonimus preamps for exemple) and also more extreme devices I like better (Arturia's Coldfire for exemple). Silver Bullet is in the middle, because it adds some complex stereo and tonal moves above the saturation, but it doesn't shine (IMHO) when driven too hard, and I must admit I don't go very often in these "middle ground" territories...

Again, maybe I'm wrong with the way I think the use of this plugin

[sl1200mk2]

I've got subtle enhancers I like better (Sonimus preamps for exemple) and also more extreme devices I like better (Arturia's Coldfire for exemple). Silver Bullet is in the middle, because it adds some complex stereo and tonal moves above the saturation, but it doesn't shine (IMHO) when driven too hard, and I must admit I don't go very often in these "middle ground" territories...

You're correct, it's definitely not meant to be driven hard (as in creative distortion tool). It's not a Veritigo VSM-2, Overstayer Modular, Analog Heat, et al. If you're trying to use it for more creative purposes, you're likely to be disappointed with it, at least how it is now. Maybe some additional mojo modules in the future would change that.

That's not how I use the hardware or the plugin, though. I mostly use it in a mastering context, bringing that 5-10% of 'something' (insert your adjective of choice) to usually all digital productions. Sometimes I use it for tracking, but that's a very (for me) secondary purpose; for some folks, that's the primary role. Having the plugin is just having an easier/quicker version of the hardware when it's the right fit. The hardware sounds better, but the plugin is definitely in the same ballpark. Like many digital things, the plugin to my ears has a smaller sweet spot.

If used as intended, the plugin is an insane value, especially when it's on sale. It's a serious no-brainer. But it's not a widely varied creative tool.

[vitocorleone123]

I've got subtle enhancers I like better (Sonimus preamps for exemple) and also more extreme devices I like better (Arturia's Coldfire for exemple). Silver Bullet is in the middle, because it adds some complex stereo and tonal moves above the saturation, but it doesn't shine (IMHO) when driven too hard, and I must admit I don't go very often in these "middle ground" territories...

You're correct, it's definitely not meant to be driven hard (as in creative distortion tool). It's not a Veritigo VSM-2, Overstayer Modular, Analog Heat, et al. If you're trying to use it for more creative purposes, you're likely to be disappointed with it, at least how it is now. Maybe some additional mojo modules in the future would change that.

That's not how I use the hardware or the plugin, though. I mostly use it in a mastering context, bringing that 5-10% of 'something' (insert your adjective of choice) to usually all digital productions. Sometimes I use it for tracking, but that's a very (for me) secondary purpose; for some folks, that's the primary role. Having the plugin is just having an easier/quicker version of the hardware when it's the right fit. The hardware sounds better, but the plugin is definitely in the same ballpark. Like many digital things, the plugin to my ears has a smaller sweet spot.

If used as intended, the plugin is an insane value, especially when it's on sale. It's a serious no-brainer. But it's not a widely varied creative tool.

I'd use it more for tracking if it had a zero latency mode.

[ambientdogs]

If everyone adhered strictly to the guidelines of how any specific piece of gear was "definitely" meant to be used throughout the course of history, many techniques commonly used today would have never been discovered, genres upon genres upon subgenres of music would never have been conceived of or celebrated, this specific piece of gear (with multi-layered distortion circuits, LoFi option, and inbuilt circuit bending options) would have never came down the line to begin with, and music would be incredibly boring and one dimensional.

[bmanic]

It's definitely not just a subtle "betterizer". It can be abused very nicely. The only issue is the noise floor when using the circuit bend settings as they sound the best with rather low level audio going into the plugin, which means you need to boost on the output which in turn drags up the noise floor a lot.

.. oh and I wish it had a built in DC filter as the offset at certain settings can be extreme!

There is however a rumored update to the plugin (that you can apparently get directly from LTL) that gives the option to remove the noise. No such update over at Plugin Alliance yet tho.

[sl1200mk2]

Having spent 8+ years with the hardware, I guess that I'm seeing it from a pretty biased approach. Maybe saying 'definitely' was too narrowly scoped, but having tried the various mojo c options, none particularly grabbed me. I have a sound in my head of what creative distortion should be, and these didn't do it for me.

Of course, that's just one persons internet opinion. Use and/or abuse it however you think it sounds good.

[Calagan]

By the way, I noticed they didn't emulated in the plugin version the diode "metering" of the saturation for each amp model.
It seems that on the hardware, the diode below each amp knob is changing color with saturation, like a simplified model of the output metering.
Why didn't they emulated that in the plugin version ?
It's not a big deal, I can of course hear the saturation when tweaking the knobs, but it's useful and it seems a pretty easy thing to do. The plugin is quite similar to the hardware in any other aspect so it seems strange.
It could be nice also to have some numbers for each knob, especially precise dB indication for the output knob...

[Dr.Gunjah]

I'm pretty sure it is in the plugin. The lights are blue with low drive and go purple and pink with more drive. It takes a few seconds until the lights change color after tweaking

[Calagan]

I'm pretty sure it is in the plugin. The lights are blue with low drive and go purple and pink with more drive. It takes a few seconds until the lights change color after tweaking

mmm. Yes you're right. It just takes a long time before it changes with the levels.
Oups...

[edhombre]

There is however a rumored update to the plugin (that you can apparently get directly from LTL) that gives the option to remove the noise. No such update over at Plugin Alliance yet tho.

You can get a beta direct from LTL

https://louderthanliftoff.com/products/ ... iew-v1-0-6

I believe that you have to naturally install and if be sure to backup the current PA version in case of any problems. Seems to work fine for me tho!

[bmanic]

There is however a rumored update to the plugin (that you can apparently get directly from LTL) that gives the option to remove the noise. No such update over at Plugin Alliance yet tho.

You can get a beta direct from LTL

https://louderthanliftoff.com/products/ ... iew-v1-0-6

I believe that you have to naturally install and if be sure to backup the current PA version in case of any problems. Seems to work fine for me tho!

That's awesome! Thank you!

[legendCNCD]

That is super awesome, been waiting for the update for .. lets be frank, some time now.

Also on their page :


Ugh thats very dirty, who touched the buttons too!?

[kinkajou]

There is no "PA" or an "LTL" version, all versions and download links are hosted on the PA servers... just sayin'