released: SlickHDR - Psychoaccoustic Dynamic Processor

[giankam]

I would pay for a 64 bit version. I like what it does but 32 bit plugs are for me

[Dean Aka Nekro]

That is ever so subtle. And to be honest, such high octane program material makes it more difficult to judge.

Maybe a slower back beat?

I picked something up. Again, very very subtle presence type of thing.
So subtle it might have been placebo.

I would never put my ears up as good ones to judge.

All I know is I can hear stuff like from Density that other 'cloth ears' can not hear.

I'm really trusting your ears here.

There is a definite place for subtle stuff in Audio. I won't go into the how it's all free crap.

I think this is fascinating. Dean, thanks for taking the time.

Is there any chance that we might get a similar demo with it cut down to half time on the beats?


Still, thanks anyway.

Edit:
Btw, I was only listening on a mid-range pair of HPs so maybe that was why I couldn't pick up on the differences.

Here is one that's 110 BPM and a lot easier going but still quick enough to make sure the attack and releases are getting a workout, I've gone a bit more heavy handed with the Slicking too mate, Hope it helps/Makes the differences very apparent for ya https://app.box.com/s/fti3psjmo46pqxbyahdb

Cheers, Best to all as always

Dean

[Compyfox]

I would pay for a 64 bit version. I like what it does but 32 bit plugs are for me

In theory, "FlowStone" (successor to SynthMaker) could go x64. But that didn't happen yet. One that is happening, and it's stable, I'm sure that x64 vesions will follow.

Most of the plugins work "bridged" (with some exceptions with the Cubase internal bitbridge). So this might be a fix for the time being.

[Agreed]

Ahh... welcome to the year 2Kxx

The notion that one HAS to understand how a piece of electronic gear works, in order to fully be satisfied with it.... (or to even use it !). and it really doesn't really matter if that notion is true (ie. one fully understand the technicalities behind it) or not (one THINKS that he understand, but in reality he doesn't)

False Economy and Mass Psychology at their best

Man, you are straight out of a comic book

I hope getting this out of your system makes you feel better!

[Dean Aka Nekro]

I've knocked up another example using SlickHDR in a manner how I would use it within the context of a mix. Its a quick metal drum track, There are four instances of SlickHDR at work, First the dry drum kit mixdown without any form of other processing and the identical except for the instances of SlickHDR. I am not going to tell people what to listen for as it is plain obvious what it did/does in this example, It wasn't driven very hard either so I'm going to have fun driving it harder along with chaining multiple instances...etc. Anyway hear for yourself
https://app.box.com/s/pfq9gxtsejefawa0m3vg
The differences are even more magnified with a decent set of headphones but still very apparent on any decent set of monitors

All the best to all as always

Dean

Dean, you know I have nothing but respect for you going back a long ways to GAM and all that, but I think on this particular plugin we might end up disagreeing (NOT in an unfriendly dickhead way like that one guy who thinks everyone who likes it is a liar, lmao) - I've tried it on some material and I just don't really like what it does. I don't dig chaining instances to try to get some more out of it, either, or running it as inserts and also on the master... Seems like there's a lot to do to get it to do its thing, and while I don't have other plugins that do exactly what this does, I can live without it because the other plugins I prefer fit into my workflow much more smoothly and are, frankly, a little less "black box" in terms of understanding exactly what they're doing and how they're doing it.

But I'm glad that you're getting favorable results with it, always good to see an old friendly acquaintance posting about useful stuff here Have you checked out Klanghelm's SDRR? There's a mode in it that can do some really interesting stuff that isn't exactly like this but does offer a great combo of a little saturation, a little excitement, some easily controlled light compression and a frankly brilliant transformer and x-talk modeling system that's tight as can be. I think in fact that if I didn't have SDRR I might get more out of this plugin, maybe, haha. I would also suggest, if you haven't tried it, Voxengo's GlissEQ for very cool, very interesting dynamic behaviors that allow a lot of shaping and control while simultaneously giving you more than just a frequency curve. Many, many uses for that plugin, I find.

The one criticism I can fully understand is that this plugin's functionality and the novel features about it are not very well documented. The earlier comparison drawn to how BBE initially marketed their Sonic Maximizer is valid at least insofar as there's a "just use it, it uses psychoacoustic processing and will make things sound better and more lively with more depth and dynamic range!" that really reminds me of how BBE talked about their unit back in the day. Now we understand what THAT does pretty well, you can even get a nice replacement for the BBE IC in the form of a third-party daughterboard if you should ever need to work on one that's given up the electronics ghost but isn't outside the realm of saving. I do wish that there was more explanation of exactly what this thing is and what it's doing, especially I wish that there was more explanation of what sort of psychoacoustics model it's using and how exactly it is high dynamic range (since really I don't think comparisons to pictures make much sense, given how HDR is accomplished in photography...) - but of course Bootsie is perfectly free to give as much or as little explanation as he sees fit, and it is a free plugin, so my criticism is intended quite lightly and not as a mortal blow against this free software. I am one of the people who likes to know exactly what the thing I'm using is doing, it's just an important part of my workflow so that I can get predictable and repeatable results. That's just a "me" thing.

In any case, I repeat, much respect and glad you're enjoying this plugin. Peace, amigo

Hello mate, Its awesome to hear from you in-depth and laying your cards straight on the table as always, A fellow guitar player/audio tinkering guy I have always had the upmost respect for as a stand up good dude always willing to offer advice, Friendly and as I remember saying years ago to you totally 'agreeable' Strangely as if you'd never have guessed I do indeed have a few old BBE rack Sonic Maximizers and will remember that if one of them goes on the blink or one ends up my way from a friend to fix up. One thing I'll never forget with BBE is when they started to aim them/promote them heavily at us guitar players and how I couldn't really put my finger on what was off but the results I never liked, Guess the best way I can put it is the mids seemed to thin out, Speaker breakup was not as it should be giving what amounts to an artificial almost speaker emulation quality to any cab/speaker combination (Funnily enough I like them in a bass guitar amp's loop), Everyone playing live in metal bands seemed to have one but the audio engineer in me always rigged the bass player in the band up with mine

The plugins you mentioned I have not admittedly tried, So they have gone straight onto my little list things of things I have to try (With a good reason penned in next to each entry for a reminder). I appreciate the suggestions and alot I haven't had the money to spend on much last year and I'm trying to save up at the moment but the price of SDRR I can definitely stretch to, So when I can do I'll pick that up

Despite my posts on this thread I am really am not absolutely certain that I will choose to use this in a mix yet since I am not working on anything at the moment I have not anything to really try it true context. I do like it so far and I'll be keeping it in my humble plugins folder. I get stuck in my ways and find it really difficult to switch things in my toolkit if they are working well, Time will be the judge on that one.

The sheer number of options we have at our disposal no matter the budget is freaking awesome/unreal and constantly improving. So with that said it is no wonder that some of them will divide opinion but hell yeah nothing/none of them are or will ever be worth a war of words about between dudes. Respect for each other is what is important, I agree that Herbert will certainly not be crushed with disappointment with dividing opinion, If anything I'd bet he will like the feedback when it has weight in the constructive criticism department, He's a genuinely nice guy without some uncessary over inflated ego as yourself and everyone else whom has interacted with and/or met him will no doubt know already

Thank you for taking the time, Its been too long but you know how life is,
When you've got the time come over to the 'your next guitar?' thread and hang out, I haven't bought a new one for ages but I love that thread and those whom post regular on it. Be to hear what setups your using with what guitars as it always is agreed

Best your way and to all as always

Dean

[codec_spurt]

That is ever so subtle. And to be honest, such high octane program material makes it more difficult to judge.

Maybe a slower back beat?

I picked something up. Again, very very subtle presence type of thing.
So subtle it might have been placebo.

I would never put my ears up as good ones to judge.

All I know is I can hear stuff like from Density that other 'cloth ears' can not hear.

I'm really trusting your ears here.

There is a definite place for subtle stuff in Audio. I won't go into the how it's all free crap.

I think this is fascinating. Dean, thanks for taking the time.

Is there any chance that we might get a similar demo with it cut down to half time on the beats?


Still, thanks anyway.

Edit:
Btw, I was only listening on a mid-range pair of HPs so maybe that was why I couldn't pick up on the differences.

Here is one that's 110 BPM and a lot easier going but still quick enough to make sure the attack and releases are getting a workout, I've gone a bit more heavy handed with the Slicking too mate, Hope it helps/Makes the differences very apparent for ya https://app.box.com/s/fti3psjmo46pqxbyahdb

Cheers, Best to all as always

Dean

Well, that wasn't over the top, but it was damn noticeable. And not in a bad way - All harmonics made richer - more perceivable (whether real or not) raise in volume.
Yes, that was noticeably better, but as I said, in a subtle way.

I'd like to see the shape of those waveforms, not that you can tell much from them, but yeah, this was definitely a bit more subtley enhanced, just what the doctor ordered.

I have messed about with bootsy's plugs for as long as. Sometimes brutal, sometimes sweet. Eh, I still have Density MK I - hit me up if you need it, coz you can't get it anywhere else anymore. That is if Bootsy says it's ok.

Man, I just love the way this guy is kicking mojo out of the field and for free.

I reckon, as he doesn't accept donations, we should organise a big party, invite Teksonik of course. What a fun night that would be.


Cheers for taking the time Dean.

Btw, that sounded bloody amazing at 110, can you not dial it down a notch or two as well with the other stuff, for us old fellas. I'd buy it!

I'm sure I asked before, but who is playing or programming those drums? Your whole band is just tight as f**k. I'm really really impressed with your music.


Nice one.

[Dean Aka Nekro]

I still have the old version of all Bootsie's plugins for probably the same reason as yourself, Thank you for the offer though as it would of been accepted for sure if I didn't

Glad that one made the differences standout for you as intended dude, I haven't slept for nearly four days now or I'd take a screenshot of the waveforms side by side. If you grab the WAV and open it in say Wavosaur or whatever you use for audio editing the visual difference is clear with peaks on both hitting -0.3 dB but the RMS a lot more meaty whilst the transients remain in good shape. Shout us tomorrow after I've slept if I forget to send you a pic of the waveforms

Thank you for the compliments, I'm humbled. I'd really like to say that there is a whole band as it'd be a lot more enjoyable but I'm afraid the whole band is just me (Well on all my stuff upto mid 2007 onwards). Sometimes I do stuff with Paul and/or the odd other friend, Paul and myself have some stuff that we are working on, Getting time is the main problem with schedules mate, Its shit. So that's it, If it is the heavier stuff then it is just me on my own and if its the fast melodic punk stuff then that is Paul on his own

Cheers and catch up soon, I'm going to have a hot chocolate then hit the hay, After 3 days awake my eyes start playing tricks on me which is a headf00k

[Tp3]

Ahh... welcome to the year 2Kxx

The notion that one HAS to understand how a piece of electronic gear works, in order to fully be satisfied with it.... (or to even use it !). and it really doesn't really matter if that notion is true (ie. one fully understand the technicalities behind it) or not (one THINKS that he understand, but in reality he doesn't)

False Economy and Mass Psychology at their best

Man, you are straight out of a comic book

Well, at least my painter doesn't need to understand the chemical formulas of the ink.

He just... well... paints

I hope getting this out of your system makes you feel better!

And then some !...

[codec_spurt]

I still have the old version of all Bootsie's plugins for probably the same reason as yourself, Thank you for the offer though as it would of been accepted for sure if I didn't

Glad that one made the differences standout for you as intended dude, I haven't slept for nearly four days now or I'd take a screenshot of the waveforms side by side. If you grab the WAV and open it in say Wavosaur or whatever you use for audio editing the visual difference is clear with peaks on both hitting -0.3 dB but the RMS a lot more meaty whilst the transients remain in good shape. Shout us tomorrow after I've slept if I forget to send you a pic of the waveforms

Thank you for the compliments, I'm humbled. I'd really like to say that there is a whole band as it'd be a lot more enjoyable but I'm afraid the whole band is just me (Well on all my stuff upto mid 2007 onwards). Sometimes I do stuff with Paul and/or the odd other friend, Paul and myself have some stuff that we are working on, Getting time is the main problem with schedules mate, Its shit. So that's it, If it is the heavier stuff then it is just me on my own and if its the fast melodic punk stuff then that is Paul on his own

Cheers and catch up soon, I'm going to have a hot chocolate then hit the hay, After 3 days awake my eyes start playing tricks on me which is a headf00k

I had a strange feeling you had one of those 'one man band' things going on. Takes one to know one and all that.

Do you mind me asking? Is that 'Paul' the tech guru guy - you know the one.

He kept it pretty quiet if it is, but it is probably someone else. Still...

Thanks for the feedback Dean. You are such an original. You got your own way of doing things, but you are always ready to share. It's a joy dealing with you mate!

[75ips]

Thought I'd chip in with a before and after as well:

slickhdr_before.mp3
slickhdr_after.mp3

It's just a master-slap, but I'm sure in connection with the right VST chain it could yield some pretty interesting results.

[Mutant]

Thought I'd chip in with a before and after as well:

slickhdr_before.mp3
slickhdr_after.mp3

The after one is too loud so i like the before one better...

[75ips]

Turned it down a notch.

[dasdeck]

Thought I'd chip in with a before and after as well:

slickhdr_before.mp3
slickhdr_after.mp3

It's just a master-slap, but I'm sure in connection with the right VST chain it could yield some pretty interesting results.

hey, i like that beat...yours?

cheers!

jm

[sidfrancis]

This plug sounds AMAZING! Unfortunately it crashed Cubase 64/7.5.10 on Win64 several times within the first 2 Minutes. I hate it. Anyone having good results with jbridge in this configuration?

[crimsonwarlock]

This plug sounds AMAZING!

Did you post in the wrong topic? This topic is about SlickHDR, not about this plugin. We all know that this plugin is a completely different beast (and of course unbeatable by any other plugin)