Hi,
Sonar 5 users out there, what do you think about the bundled Sonitus FX suite or the Lexicon Pantheon reverb? There is much talk about good quality reverb/eq/compressor/etc out there, like Voxengo or Kjaerhus, or even Waves. Do you feel the need to buy those 3rd party ones?
Well, I'm asking because I'm thinking about becoming a Sonar user in the future, perhaps Sonar 5 Studio (+ Ozone 3, considering there's no mastering package bundled with Sonar). Thank you very much.
* Edited to clarify my question a bit more.
Sonar 5 effects -- what do you think?
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- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
The Sonitus plugs have always been top notch, since long before Cakewalk bought them. They are worth every penny you pay for them.
As for the Pantheon, from what I've heard, I didn't like it. Too fake sounding to me. But then again, it wasn't me tweaking it, so it may have just been the settings that were used by somebody else. It may be fine.
But the Sonitus plugs. Get them. To me, they are so worth it.
Brent
As for the Pantheon, from what I've heard, I didn't like it. Too fake sounding to me. But then again, it wasn't me tweaking it, so it may have just been the settings that were used by somebody else. It may be fine.
But the Sonitus plugs. Get them. To me, they are so worth it.
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
Yes, the Sonitus fx Suite is great. The reverb is very nice, as are the delay, compressors, etc. A pretty comprehansive set as well - nothing much missing other than a multimode filter and mastering limiter. If you plan on buying seperate plugins, they would be good bases to consider covering.
The Sonitus Suite comes with Sonar Studio now, but if you pay more and get the Producer Edition you will also get the fantastic Perfect Space convolution reverb, which has more than 300 impulses bundled. It is absultely stunning - the best software reverb I have yet heard - and comes in VST format so that you can use it in other programmes too (in my case Live, Audition, Tracktion).
With Producer Edition you also get the Lexicon reverb (which is okay but not better than the SOnitus or Perfect Space) and V-Vocal, which is a superb pitch correction tool.
The Sonitus Suite comes with Sonar Studio now, but if you pay more and get the Producer Edition you will also get the fantastic Perfect Space convolution reverb, which has more than 300 impulses bundled. It is absultely stunning - the best software reverb I have yet heard - and comes in VST format so that you can use it in other programmes too (in my case Live, Audition, Tracktion).
With Producer Edition you also get the Lexicon reverb (which is okay but not better than the SOnitus or Perfect Space) and V-Vocal, which is a superb pitch correction tool.
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- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
Headquest, have you ever compared V-Vocal to AT? I've heard that V-Vocal introduces very synthetic results. But that could have been the person not using it right. The same thing happens in AT if used improperly.
With me, knowing AT, would V-Vocal give me comparible results?
Also, my favorite Sonitus effect IS the reverb. I didn't mention that before, but I've always liked it. It was very sad when the original developers went under. But when Cakewalk picked them up, it was a very good day. Good plugs lived on.
Brent
With me, knowing AT, would V-Vocal give me comparible results?
Also, my favorite Sonitus effect IS the reverb. I didn't mention that before, but I've always liked it. It was very sad when the original developers went under. But when Cakewalk picked them up, it was a very good day. Good plugs lived on.
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
Hi Brent. I don't have AT so I can't compare I'm afraid. I suspect that the question will get a good set of answers over on the Sonar forum, as a lot of the guys there I think also have AT.koolkeys wrote: With me, knowing AT, would V-Vocal give me comparible results?
I have played with V-Vocal and it seemed very good to me. I used it on a theremin recording and on some vocals and the results were certainly usable. I have seen comments on the Sonar forum suggesting that it is quite CPU intensive and not without bugs though. If you are deciding between SE and PE, and you have AT, then don't factor in V-Vocal if I were you - simply make a decision based on the additional video/surround features in PE and the wonderful Perfect Space (if you don't already have a convolution).
Yes indeedAlso, my favorite Sonitus effect IS the reverb. I didn't mention that before, but I've always liked it. It was very sad when the original developers went under. But when Cakewalk picked them up, it was a very good day. Good plugs lived on.
Brent
. The Sonitus fx:Suite is also now available as a seperate bundle (and includes the VST format, which does NOT come with Sonar 
). I would strongly recommend the suite as a standalone purchase to non-Sonar users who are in the market for a decent set of pro-quality effects to use in their host of choice. I would suggest it is a worthy competitor to the cheaper Waves Suites and the Wave Arts Power Suite, for example.-
- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
Well, I don't HAVE AutoTune, but I have access to it. It would be nice to have a plug for myself that is good, which is why I was asking.
I may ask at the Sonar forums. As for convolution, I have always used SIR. But to me it's a bit clunky at times, even though I do love using it.
Isn't the Sonitus plugs included with Sonar in the DX format? If so, then you can use FFX4 for a wrapper for them in Tracktion.
Brent
I may ask at the Sonar forums. As for convolution, I have always used SIR. But to me it's a bit clunky at times, even though I do love using it.
Isn't the Sonitus plugs included with Sonar in the DX format? If so, then you can use FFX4 for a wrapper for them in Tracktion.
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1628 posts since 3 Oct, 2001 from Thailand
As I don't do surround sounds, I figure that V-Vocal and Perfect Space are the only two reasons that make me toss between SE and PE. I'm also looking for alternatives to those 2 plugs that would not end up with me paying more than getting the PE alone.
I don't have much knowledge on convolution reverb. As for Perfect Space, is what set it apart from other convolution reverbs the included sample set? There are some free convolution reverbs, what do you think about getting Sonar Studio + a free convolution reverb?
As for V-Vocal, I am the sole singer on my projects, so perhaps the best way to correct the pitch is to train myself to sing better.
I don't have much knowledge on convolution reverb. As for Perfect Space, is what set it apart from other convolution reverbs the included sample set? There are some free convolution reverbs, what do you think about getting Sonar Studio + a free convolution reverb?
As for V-Vocal, I am the sole singer on my projects, so perhaps the best way to correct the pitch is to train myself to sing better.
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
Ah, I see. I knew you were considering Sonar recently and wondered if you were simply looking to choose between versions. PE, including V-Vocal, is perhaps a more attractive option if like me you don't *have* AT.koolkeys wrote:Well, I don't HAVE AutoTune, but I have access to it. It would be nice to have a plug for myself that is good, which is why I was asking.
Perfect Space is in a really different league to SIR (which I used to use prior to Sonar). Try the PS demo. I think it is worth the price difference on its own. One of the really big things with it is of course the impulses themselves, which are top-drawer.As for convolution, I have always used SIR. But to me it's a bit clunky at times, even though I do love using it.
Ooooh! Do you have a link for that? I thought the wrappers available were the other way around (VST to DX). I would love to use the (yes, DX only) versions of Sonitus in Tracktion and Live.Isn't the Sonitus plugs included with Sonar in the DX format? If so, then you can use FFX4 for a wrapper for them in Tracktion.
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- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
http://perso.orange.fr/vb-audio/us/prod ... dxrack.htm
Scroll down, it's below the parts about the FFx16, which is the full version. The difference? You can only load 4 plugs into each instance of the free one. But it works very well on them.
Go ahead and try it! I think you'll be happy with it. Hey, it's free!
Brent
Scroll down, it's below the parts about the FFx16, which is the full version. The difference? You can only load 4 plugs into each instance of the free one. But it works very well on them.
Go ahead and try it! I think you'll be happy with it. Hey, it's free!
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
By the way, if you notice, there is a DX wrapper for Winamp also. Use your DX plugins in Winamp!
Just to say this, but there really are no restrictions to the free version. The 16 version sells for 100 Euros.
Brent
Just to say this, but there really are no restrictions to the free version. The 16 version sells for 100 Euros.
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
The differences between Studio and Producer are that Producer exclusively has the following:poonna wrote:As I don't do surround sounds, I figure that V-Vocal and Perfect Space are the only two reasons that make me toss between SE and PE.
Roland® V-Vocal™ vocal processor
PSYN™ II subtractive synth (which isn't special in my view)
Pentagon™ I analog synth (which IS special - great synth)
RXP™ REX Player groove box
Perfect Space™ Convolution Reverb
Lexicon® Pantheon™ Stereo & Surround Reverbs
Sonitus Surround Compressor
Multi-format surround mixing
SurroundBridge™
Per-channel EQ (i.e. the Sonitus EQ is fully integrated into every mixer strip)
Assignable FX controls
POW-r dithering (very good)
MPEX 3 time scaling (definitely worth having)
Video thumbnail track
I doubt you'll find a pitch correction plug that comes close in terms of the cost.I'm also looking for alternatives to those 2 plugs that would not end up with me paying more than getting the PE alone.
For an inexpensive convolution effect chack this:
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1469.html
One of the main differences with Perfect Space are indeed the 300+ included impulses, which cover everything from "Real Spaces", through stunning "Plates", including some digitally synthesised ones, right through to "Speaker Cabinets". Every base is very well covered.I don't have much knowledge on convolution reverb. As for Perfect Space, is what set it apart from other convolution reverbs the included sample set? There are some free convolution reverbs, what do you think about getting Sonar Studio + a free convolution reverb?
Other differences are that it operates at lower latencies than for example SIR, and it is fully 64-bit.
As for V-Vocal, I am the sole singer on my projects, so perhaps the best way to correct the pitch is to train myself to sing better.
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
Just downloading it now! Thankskoolkeys wrote:http://perso.orange.fr/vb-audio/us/prod ... dxrack.htm
Scroll down, it's below the parts about the FFx16, which is the full version. The difference? You can only load 4 plugs into each instance of the free one. But it works very well on them.
Go ahead and try it! I think you'll be happy with it. Hey, it's free!
Brent
Do you use this - is it completely stable, etc?
I don't use Winamp, but the idea of using the Sontinus Multidynamics or EQ in that environment is quite a tasty thought!
Cheers Brent.
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- KVRAF
- 1644 posts since 18 Mar, 2004 from Lincoln, CA
The Sonar effects (Sonitus, Lexicon) are absolutely first rate. In the book Guide to MIDI Orchestration (third edition), the author rates them as the only included effects of a host sequencer that's high quality enough for highend orchestral compositions. All the other host sequencer's included effects were deemed too low quality for the very demanding chore of making high quality orchestral music. (This excludes Logic's Space Designer, as convolution reverbs were a different topic).
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- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
Yes, I actually use this wrapper all the time. On another computer, I have actually used AutoTune with it and noticed no flaws myself. So it's completely stable from what I've seen. Let me know if it works for you!headquest wrote:Just downloading it now! Thankskoolkeys wrote:http://perso.orange.fr/vb-audio/us/prod ... dxrack.htm
Scroll down, it's below the parts about the FFx16, which is the full version. The difference? You can only load 4 plugs into each instance of the free one. But it works very well on them.
Go ahead and try it! I think you'll be happy with it. Hey, it's free!
Brent
Do you use this - is it completely stable, etc?
I don't use Winamp, but the idea of using the Sontinus Multidynamics or EQ in that environment is quite a tasty thought!
Cheers Brent.
Brent
My host is better than your host
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
Cheers! I'll be testing it later and will let you know.koolkeys wrote: Yes, I actually use this wrapper all the time. On another computer, I have actually used AutoTune with it and noticed no flaws myself. So it's completely stable from what I've seen. Let me know if it works for you!
Brent