please help me choose the best Plugin Alliance plugins :D
-
- KVRian
- 1408 posts since 1 Jul, 2023
I like how Shadow Hills sounds but damn, it's horrible to work with. I get the whole 1:1 GUI thing is emulating the hardware but part of the benefits of software is the ability to make annoying stuff better. The interface is so cluttered and instantly makes me feel lost. I just end up closing it and throwing Toneboosters stuff on instead.
-
- KVRian
- 891 posts since 22 Jan, 2022
Yeah, I had the Acoustica version of the SHMC. Brutal interface for a digital device.
-
- KVRist
- 151 posts since 26 Jan, 2024
The best plugin PA offers is AUDIO ADPTR's Metric A/B, I'd pass on anything else from them and wouldn't bother with any bundles because AUDIO ADPTR's plugins usually aren't included in them.
-
- KVRist
- 87 posts since 3 Aug, 2007
Yes it's clear it's dark, but actually when you get use to it, rather quickly, then you can work faster than with other devices, just set the two thresholds, then the input level, attack / release and then fine tune...True Iron is more difficult to set I found out, more sensibleswilow11 wrote: Sat Jul 26, 2025 10:29 pm I like how Shadow Hills sounds but damn, it's horrible to work with. I get the whole 1:1 GUI thing is emulating the hardware but part of the benefits of software is the ability to make annoying stuff better. The interface is so cluttered and instantly makes me feel lost. I just end up closing it and throwing Toneboosters stuff on instead.
- KVRAF
- 19842 posts since 16 Sep, 2001 from Las Vegas,USA
PA's Lindell 50 channel strip gets used here in every project in multiple instances. Its FET compressor option and 60 EQ option fit my source material very well. The Amek 9099 strip and 200/250 EQ's get a lot of work here as well among many others.
But the salient point here is "source material". We all make difference music even if we're working in the same genre so the only way to find out which plugins suite your music best is to try the demos.
Yes I realize there are a ton of PA plugins but there is simply no better way to find what works best for you than by putting in the time with demos.
But the salient point here is "source material". We all make difference music even if we're working in the same genre so the only way to find out which plugins suite your music best is to try the demos.
Yes I realize there are a ton of PA plugins but there is simply no better way to find what works best for you than by putting in the time with demos.
None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- KVRAF
- 5547 posts since 26 Apr, 2007 from Noosphere
Quite interesting search results gives DuckDuckGo with "Lindell 50 channel strip" in images section if safe search is disabled. I almost had to... nevermind.Teksonik wrote: Mon Jul 28, 2025 3:45 pm PA's Lindell 50 channel strip gets used here in every project in multiple instances. Its FET compressor option and 60 EQ option fit my source material very well. The Amek 9099 strip and 200/250 EQ's get a lot of work here as well among many others.
But the salient point here is "source material". We all make difference music even if we're working in the same genre so the only way to find out which plugins suite your music best is to try the demos.
Yes I realize there are a ton of PA plugins but there is simply no better way to find what works best for you than by putting in the time with demos.
- KVRAF
- 1787 posts since 22 Feb, 2014
You didn't accidentally search for "landing strip" did you?Igro wrote: Mon Jul 28, 2025 7:26 pm Quite interesting search results gives DuckDuckGo with "Lindell 50 channel strip" in images section if safe search is disabled. I almost had to... nevermind.
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 118 posts since 21 Oct, 2023
I ended up getting the following.
Thanks everyone for your advice! I mostly got stuff that I've been looking for for some time (amek 9099, needle point, mastering compressors) and the NEW STUFF that many of you advised to get (thor, adaptr stuff, lindel eq825, black box hg2 ms). No complaints!
needle point (I wanted it for my Unfiltered Audio collection, very nice vinyl saturation and creative effects)
amek mastering compressor
thor (really hot, thank YOU for pointing it out)
Vertigo VSS-2 (really amazing, as I heard)
cenozoix (I had it already, cool and advanced)
trinity shaper (see above)
battalion (see above)
black box hg 2 MS (reaaaally good saturation)
bettermaker compressor (thanks for the heads up, funnier than the amek as some one wrote)
adapter utopia (reallly cool)
adaptr sculpt (seems very promising and advanced, crazy, I need to learn how to use it)
adaptr hype (same as above)
lindell eq825 (Sounds really smooth, nice sound, also the octave doubler very handy)
amek 9099 (I wanted it for long, it also works with console 1)
I ditched:
eq4 ms (seems not necessary)
ssl 4000/9000 J (I'll try to get the console 1 version instead)
the oven (many of you told me unnecessary)
alpha 2 (After sea studio review, it doesn't look amazing)
Laal (after dan worral's review, doesn't look amazing)
vitalizer (ditched for now.. but interesting)
machine head (ditched for now.. but interesting)
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU
Thanks everyone for your advice! I mostly got stuff that I've been looking for for some time (amek 9099, needle point, mastering compressors) and the NEW STUFF that many of you advised to get (thor, adaptr stuff, lindel eq825, black box hg2 ms). No complaints!
needle point (I wanted it for my Unfiltered Audio collection, very nice vinyl saturation and creative effects)
amek mastering compressor
thor (really hot, thank YOU for pointing it out)
Vertigo VSS-2 (really amazing, as I heard)
cenozoix (I had it already, cool and advanced)
trinity shaper (see above)
battalion (see above)
black box hg 2 MS (reaaaally good saturation)
bettermaker compressor (thanks for the heads up, funnier than the amek as some one wrote)
adapter utopia (reallly cool)
adaptr sculpt (seems very promising and advanced, crazy, I need to learn how to use it)
adaptr hype (same as above)
lindell eq825 (Sounds really smooth, nice sound, also the octave doubler very handy)
amek 9099 (I wanted it for long, it also works with console 1)
I ditched:
eq4 ms (seems not necessary)
ssl 4000/9000 J (I'll try to get the console 1 version instead)
the oven (many of you told me unnecessary)
alpha 2 (After sea studio review, it doesn't look amazing)
Laal (after dan worral's review, doesn't look amazing)
vitalizer (ditched for now.. but interesting)
machine head (ditched for now.. but interesting)
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU
- KVRAF
- 2337 posts since 23 Sep, 2004 from Kocmoc
Should have instead checked how it fares against the hardware -video... Sea video is trash, and I usually tolerate some of his videosDaniZzz79 wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:20 am I ditched:
alpha 2 (After sea studio review, it doesn't look amazing)
Soft Knees - Live 12, Diva, Omnisphere, Slate Digital VSX, TDR, Kush Audio, U-He, PA, Valhalla, Fuse, Pulsar AUDIO, NI, OekSound etc. on Win11Pro R7950X & RME AiO Pro
https://www.youtube.com/@softknees/videos Music & Demoscene
https://www.youtube.com/@softknees/videos Music & Demoscene
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 118 posts since 21 Oct, 2023
I do have the v1 (and I love it), and I can upgrade for 20$, so there's no rush to check it outlegendCNCD wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:53 amShould have instead checked how it fares against the hardware -video... Sea video is trash, and I usually tolerate some of his videosDaniZzz79 wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:20 am I ditched:
alpha 2 (After sea studio review, it doesn't look amazing)![]()
I'm actually an Elysia fanboy: I have a 'real' Elysia Xpressor v1
- KVRAF
- 4805 posts since 21 Jan, 2008 from oO
-
- KVRist
- 470 posts since 2 May, 2015
This! It's basically just Wytse whining about how plugins are advertised. What a waste of time. Also I wanna celebrate my 400th postlegendCNCD wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:53 amShould have instead checked how it fares against the hardware -video... Sea video is trash, and I usually tolerate some of his videosDaniZzz79 wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:20 am I ditched:
alpha 2 (After sea studio review, it doesn't look amazing)![]()
-
- KVRist
- 273 posts since 6 Apr, 2024
My votes for must-have 10 PA plugins (no particular order)
- Kiive Audio Tape Face
- Lindell MBC (multiband compressor based on ap2500)
- LTL Silver Bullet Mk2
- Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS
- Brainworx Oberhausen (SEM clone synth)
- Brainworx Glue
- Brainworx AMEK 9099 console
- Vertigo VSS-2
- ADAPTR Audio Utopia (just, wow)
- Three Body Technology Cenozoix Compressor
- Kiive Audio Tape Face
- Lindell MBC (multiband compressor based on ap2500)
- LTL Silver Bullet Mk2
- Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS
- Brainworx Oberhausen (SEM clone synth)
- Brainworx Glue
- Brainworx AMEK 9099 console
- Vertigo VSS-2
- ADAPTR Audio Utopia (just, wow)
- Three Body Technology Cenozoix Compressor
