SPL Vitalizer by Brainworx

[art&sound]

What do ya'll think of this thing? The update looks interesting, and it seems to be a somewhat novel processor. I'm trying the demo currently.

I have the older one; I got it with a bundle or something and never tried it. I've noticed that PA doesn't really offer normal upgrade pricing, which is kinda lame btw.

[Funky40]

i had an upgrade offer. it was $29 or so.
Came with an email.
Can´t find an upgrade offer on their page as well. (i´m logged in)

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... mk3-t.html

[rj0]

I think that their upgrade and cross-grade offers are usually in the user account under Manage Your Licenses for the plugins that qualify. But, sales prices are often cheaper than even the straight upgrades, and I seem to recall that sale/voucher/upgrade/bundle codes are typically a pick-one (no stacking) deal.

[plexuss]

The prices will change on the product cards when you are logged in to reflect your specific upgrade price. I picked up the upgrade but havent used it yet. I use the original quite a bit - it really dpepenmds on the source etc how effective it is.

[dj ray]

I think it's quite useful as a finisher, but (and I wrote to them about this), it desperately needs an analyzer. The way the curves are designed, it can be really easy to completely muck up your mix. Back in the 90s, when mystery black boxes were all the rage, manufacturers tended to be coy about what was really going on behind the hood. Now that we can see exactly what things like Vitalizers do (essentially very specific EQ dips and boosts) using things like Bertom's excellent Curve Analyzer, why not just add one on to the product? They've done it with several products already (both the Bettermaker EQ and the HG-Q have them), so why not with something that could actually benefit from one? I'll wait until they do; I have the older version, and it's fine but it's never quite as intuitive to use, as it would be if it had a nice graphic display.

[bmanic]

It's also very program dependent in that the whole system depends on the amount of drive and several things are in parallel so it's indeed a bit of a mystery box. Luckily there aren't all that many knobs to tweak so it won't take a huge amount of time to learn it.

IMHO it's a very hit and miss kind of box. Either it works wonders or it doesn't work at all.. but it is worth owning as a plugin in my opinion. Not sure I'd ever be able to justify the cost of the hardware though. It's such a weird thing.

[Funky40]

agreed, alots depends on the audio material. it might cut or not. It really depends.




I had the MKII-T in HW over several years.
I never liked the SW mkII-T, though. It did not fell right to me somehow.
I loved the bass adjustment *alots* with the HW.

I had a go with the new SW mkIII-T, but only with a very specific, very uncommon signal. Creative sample mangling with FFT based FX behind. So i can´t really judge on it vs, any normal signals. But from what i heard, i really liked the Bass section. Very useful for me. It definitly reminded me of my old HW Vitalizer days. Can´t say how close or how not it is to the MKII HW ( bass section).

The mids and highs did at least not feel or sound wrong to me. It was definitly already useful. ("already" means: compared to my little time with it)

I personally think after that first impression that this SW mkIII will become a gem in my plugin FX fundus. Even if just for the bass.

With my signals the Kush Clariphonic might be mostoften the better choice for the highs. quicker and easier "to hear it".

The MkIII edition ( HW and SW) has a mode with a doubled Bass section. This seems to be something. This thing could be gold.....but can´t say for sure for now.

[art&sound]

I was playing around and got it to do something really nice sounding in a drum bus, then I tried it on something else and literally couldn’t hear it doing anything at all. Such a peculiar plugin.