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Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

I'm looking for a good plug-in bundle with some good compressors, processors, and effects. I'm relatively new to production but I'm at the point where I'm very comfortable with Logic and now need to focus on the sounds I'm creating. I'm assuming I can get better results getting better plug-ins than the one's come with Logic.

Hopefully there are some reasonably priced ones you can recommend.

Thanks for your help!

Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell I'm assuming I can get better results getting better plug-ins than the one's come with Logic.

I would not make that assumption. Loads of Logic users turn to the built in plugins and effects in Logic. They are some of the best out there.

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell Hopefully there are some reasonably priced ones you can recommend. Thanks for your help!

What is your budget? "Reasonably priced" is kind of subjective.

I bought the Wave Arts Power Suite bundle earlier this year and it has replaced Waves as my go-to plugins. The only bread-n-butter effect effect that it is lacking is a dedicated delay, but I'm sure that your Logic-bundled delay would work as well as just about any, aside from some of the mangling-type delays.

Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

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Originally posted by Eric J I would not make that assumption. Loads of Logic users turn to the built in plugins and effects in Logic. They are some of the best out there.

Not even a Logic owner, but I agree. When I've played around with Logic I've found its effects are some of the nicest I have used. Especially the Space Designer, the delays, and the Ringshifter.

Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell I'm assuming I can get better results getting better plug-ins than the one's come with Logic.

I'm wondering myself what to get for xmas. In terms of getting a better sound, I think I've decided buying a particular sofsynth to get the sounds I'm missing, is better than spending the same on fx.

For me I think I want something that has the poential to excel with lead sounds.

In the end I don't think high end soft dynamics processors really make much difference. You could get good effect with careful sound choice, automation, using the inbuilt valve emulations, compressors and EQ.

Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

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Originally posted by Eric J I would not make that assumption. Loads of Logic users turn to the built in plugins and effects in Logic. They are some of the best out there.

Ok this is where I don't have much knowledge. I'm just working off the assumption that Logic's plug-ins are not as good. So maybe I'm wrong.

Do you think the compressor is good enough?

quote:

What is your budget? "Reasonably priced" is kind of subjective.

Well, I'm not prepared to spend thousands at this stage but a few hundred would be worth it if I felt i was getting a lot of value in my current stage of learning.

Re: Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

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Originally posted by cammaxwell Ok this is where I don't have much knowledge. I'm just working off the assumption that Logic's plug-ins are not as good. So maybe I'm wrong.

Yeha, I'm still not sure why you would assume that but, no matter. Logic's plugins are really great, almost all of them. Thats one of the most attractive things about the DAW package. As a bonus, the built in stuff is not traditional plugins but actually built into the core code of Logic, so they run very efficiently.

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell Do you think the compressor is good enough?

Absolutely. One of my favorite things about it is the multiple circuit types. It almost acts like 6 compressors in one. Highly recommended. Platinum mode is great for general purpose duty. Opto is a good choice for side chaining due to its fast response. Class A_R is great for giving a bit of emulated analog "warmth".

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Originally posted by cammaxwell Well, I'm not prepared to spend thousands at this stage but a few hundred would be worth it if I felt i was getting a lot of value

Well there are going to be very few "bundles" that you can pick up for only a "few hundred". Most of the really good plugins are going to run you about $300 and up per plugin. SoundToys bundle comes to mind at $395. Waves Native Power Pack is a good starter kit of basic Waves plugins at $300. IK Multimedia ran a 6 for 1 special a few months ago that had some great plugins available for only $99. Sometimes I like the IK Fairchild 670 emulation better then the UAD one.

Obviously there are other good plugin packages out there but they are going to be more expensive. UAD is a popular choice, but its going to be $500+ depending on which card you get. The Sonalksis stuff is outstanding, but its about $300 per plugin.

Honestly, I have all this stuff. UAD, Sonalksis, URS, PSP, SoundToys, Waves, etc. but I find myself turning to the Logic built in plugins first for almost everything. Logic EQ, Compressor, Auto Filter, Space Designer, Tape Delay are some of my most used plugins for effects. ES2 is a monster synth that is on par with any of my 3rd party synths. EVP88 sounds fantastic. Sculpture is a truly unique instrument unequaled by any 3rd party software instrument. Ultrabeat has so many uses beyond just a drum synth (try dropping a sample into OSC2 and chopping it up with the built in sequencer!) EXS24 is where I source ALL of my drums, and I often use some of the factory sample banks for things like synths and drums. The EXS24 x0x samples are the best I have heard and get lots of usage in my tracks.

Bottom line, the built in stuff for Logic is simply outstanding, and there is nothing stopping one from making quality music with nothing but the built in units.

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell my current stage of learning.

This statement concerns me a bit. I just want to make sure you are not in the mind set that better plugins will automatically make you a better producer. Its a trap that a lot of us have fallen into early in our production careers. I think you'll find that the more experience you gain, the less you'll need. So that being said, make sure you are not spending money needlessly, when in fact, maybe all you need is a bit more practice and experience.

A+ Eric. Superb information. Couldn't agree more with everything you said.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

+1. I agree with everything Eric wrote, but with one exception:

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Well there are going to be very few "bundles" that you can pick up for only a "few hundred".

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PowerSuite5/

Seriously - download the demos. The TrackPlug alone will blow you away with its capabilities and sound.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

quote:

This statement concerns me a bit. I just want to make sure you are not in the mind set that better plugins will automatically make you a better producer. Its a trap that a lot of us have fallen into early in our production careers. I think you'll find that the more experience you gain, the less you'll need. So that being said, make sure you are not spending money needlessly, when in fact, maybe all you need is a bit more practice and experience.

Thanks Eric, I really appreciate the advice. I'll just stick to the Logic plug-ins for now and keep practicing.

And thanks for breaking down the compressor uses for me as well!

When you need something "better" than what comes with Logic (though "different" would be a better word to use), you'll know it, and you'll also know exactly what to look for.

producers often make the mistake of thinkin that plugins are going to make a massive difference in ure sound...if it dont sound good before plug-ins then its not going to sound good.
Logic effects are the best u will get ....unless you buy WAVES

Waves is mainly just expensive and somewhat exclusive. Competition is getting tough for them as more and more very capable players are entering the audio plugins market at lower price . I don't think waves plugins are as special as they were - let's say - 5 years ago.

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Logic effects are the best u will get ....unless you buy WAVES

By what criteria?

You do know that "best" mostly comes down to personal preference as far as this stuff goes, right?

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Originally posted by hexadecimal By what criteria? You do know that "best" mostly comes down to personal preference as far as this stuff goes, right?

No, it's a scientific fact that Waves > Logic bundled plugins > everything else (even if you've never heard of it or used it). It was proven in a paper authored by Tiesto and Armin (2009) in the Journal of Audio Processing.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller Waves is mainly just expensive and somewhat exclusive. Competition is getting tough for them as more and more very capable players are entering the audio plugins market at lower price . I don't think waves plugins are as special as they were - let's say - 5 years ago.

Totally agree - there was a real gap between waves products and the rest of the FX market a few ago but so many manufacturers have caught up now and in some cases surpassed, especially for the money.

Eric's advice is spot on - The best advice is to learn logic and it's plugin inside out so it all become second nature. Then I would start to think about additions.


Also watch the videos here:

http://www.wonderhowto.com/software...c-studio-video/

Finally check out logicninjaSF's tutorials, but basically, don;t worry about other plugins until you're sure you've explored everything you've already got, and with Logic, that's quite a bit.

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Originally posted by cryophonik No, it's a scientific fact that Waves > Logic bundled plugins > everything else (even if you've never heard of it or used it). It was proven in a paper authored by Tiesto and Armin (2009) in the Journal of Audio Processing.

Well, if those guys like it, it has to be the best. After all, they are "#1".

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Originally posted by hexadecimal Well, if those guys like it, it has to be the best. After all, they are "#1".

What do you mean "those guys"? - you do realise they are one and the same person, don't you?

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik No, it's a scientific fact that Waves > Logic bundled plugins > everything else (even if you've never heard of it or used it). It was proven in a paper authored by Tiesto and Armin (2009) in the Journal of Audio Processing.

I read that paper and it was excellent. The only thing they missed out was the Vengeance plugin that was > everything.



Seriously though, i'd seperate out effects from stuff like mastering and compression. Some of the best effects are free or bundled but i'm starting to see the difference a good mastering processor can make. If you want to get something to stick on your master channel then Ozone 4 is superb, but it'll take time to learn to use and get the best out of. I've just bought a used Powercore Firewire for the equivalent of about $500 and it has 14 mostly excellent DSP processors inside the box.

I always see people on here talking about Waves and I have a few ideas why. One is the price of it and its reputation along with its availability for free. What I wonder is why nobody is talking about the Algorithmix plugs. I have used both the red and orange (prefer the red) PEQ's and they are AMAZING.

WAVES and PSP (are what I use mostly) and a lot of people use Sonnox and Sonalkiss.

Those 4 are the best in the sound processing bundle market imo.

With honorable mention to Voxengo.

Waves
PSP
Sonnox
Sonalkiss
Voxengo

quote:

Originally posted by DjStephenWiley I always see people on here talking about Waves and I have a few ideas why. One is the price of it and its reputation along with its availability for free. What I wonder is why nobody is talking about the Algorithmix plugs. I have used both the red and orange (prefer the red) PEQ's and they are AMAZING.

they have great 24/7 support
And they really aren't expensive when you consider how many plugins you get.
The algorthmix plugins are about 3 times the price of waves plugins btw.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PowerSuite5/ Seriously - download the demos. The TrackPlug alone will blow you away with its capabilities and sound.

Cryo - sometimes I think I'm on another planet. There are plenty of people on various forums using all these bits of kit but they are'nt getting some extraordinary result, and often thier output is no where near as good as someone got using very limited equipment in years past.

Am I just plain wrong on this, or is there really aneed for all this endless stuff?

Some background; Me and my best mate have been using hardware for years, and we got on the treadmill that is GAS (gear aquisition syndrome), yet after a while we took a step back and concluded the vast majority of those purchases did not bring anything outstanding / unmissable.

We've had most of the Roland synths, various Yamaha synths inc the AN1X, Korgs, Kawai k4 and k1,EMU orbit and planet phatt, various classics such as Moog and Oberheim, novation, various mixing desks inc a Ghost, and more recently some softsynths such as sylenth and gladiator. Various hardware compressors and fx.
I've only scratched the surface, but over the years we've come to the resolution we must refrain from the endless gear quest.
The only things I'd really want are a Nord wave or Alessis Andromeda - but even then I see some producers saying they are'nt all that.


So this is an ongoing debate for me and my mate. We like to think we've conquered GAS, although it's hard what with the constant stream of must have new products thrust our way.

I recently bought TRACS deluxe as the write up's said they were in some instances 100% indistinguishible from the highest quality hardware units - and guess what, they're ok, but again certainly nothing to get excited about.

So I could be wrong on this, but I'm fairly sure 95%+ of all new gear si'nt really going to make any difference.

PS - yes I'm very competent and at home getting very deep into editing - I mention this because the usual retort is that I dont understand the equipment deep enough.

Maybe try the u-he Uhbik set, you can DL a demo without too many restrictions while working with it.I've not used it myself but I have heard good things.

http://www.uhbik.com/

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you recommend a good effects/processor bundle?

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Cryo - sometimes I think I'm on another planet. There are plenty of people on various forums using all these bits of kit but they are'nt getting some extraordinary result, and often thier output is no where near as good as someone got using very limited equipment in years past. Am I just plain wrong on this, or is there really aneed for all this endless stuff? Some background; Me and my best mate have been using hardware for years, and we got on the treadmill that is GAS (gear aquisition syndrome), yet after a while we took a step back and concluded the vast majority of those purchases did not bring anything outstanding / unmissable. We've had most of the Roland synths, various Yamaha synths inc the AN1X, Korgs, Kawai k4 and k1,EMU orbit and planet phatt, various classics such as Moog and Oberheim, novation, various mixing desks inc a Ghost, and more recently some softsynths such as sylenth and gladiator. Various hardware compressors and fx. I've only scratched the surface, but over the years we've come to the resolution we must refrain from the endless gear quest. The only things I'd really want are a Nord wave or Alessis Andromeda - but even then I see some producers saying they are'nt all that. So this is an ongoing debate for me and my mate. We like to think we've conquered GAS, although it's hard what with the constant stream of must have new products thrust our way. I recently bought TRACS deluxe as the write up's said they were in some instances 100% indistinguishible from the highest quality hardware units - and guess what, they're ok, but again certainly nothing to get excited about. So I could be wrong on this, but I'm fairly sure 95%+ of all new gear si'nt really going to make any difference. PS - yes I'm very competent and at home getting very deep into editing - I mention this because the usual retort is that I dont understand the equipment deep enough.

have you considered getting a blog ? You tend to use most threads as a launch-pad for your self directed equipment/compentency prose.

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