good alternatives to waves plugins?
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Posted on Jun 02, 2008 04:37 pm
tr999
Member Since: Jun 02, 2008
What are some good alternatives to the waves plugins? Back when i could use waves with my old G4 (I'm not advocating piracy but my friend gave me access to the plugins and I wasn't going to say no) I'd just throw on the C4 compressor set to multi electro mastering, L1/L3 ultramaximizer and the REQ2 equalizer on my drums/sample and my music would sound very clean. is there anything out there that is comparable to this combo? I've been trying the PSP vintagewarmer/Wave arts finalplug 5/PSP master q combo, but the quality is not comparing to the waves with these plugins, and with most of the different presets i've tried with the vintage warmer my beat ends up sounding really overcompressed. I'm not well versed in mixing or mastering but the fact of the matter is I got a real professional sound using the presets with the Waves plugins that at the beggining of this post. It would be greatly appreciated if someone who is knowledgeable in mixing and mastering can give me a combo comparable to c4/L1 or L3/Req2. Thanks in advance.
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CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 02, 2008 05:31 pm TMI dude :) Next time just say "I used to have access to waves and now don't".
Amnyway, sorry I can't help but atm I also use Waves. I am looking to grab one of the UAD packs of ebay though. Hardware plugin processing to save my poor ole PC from all the work.
Recently I updated to Adobe Audition 3 and I am really liking the effects built into the app. So far so good.
My best guess would be hit up KVRaudio and search for limiters and then filter by user rank. That would at least get you into the better quality stuff, might get some great user comments that will help too.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jun 02, 2008 05:40 pm UAD packs, eh? Gonna have to research just what that means now.
Edit: oh i get it.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jun 03, 2008 12:00 am Cpt - I didn't see anything wrong with his mention of his previous use of waves. IN fact he prefaced with saying he doesn't advocate it. Good eyes though :)
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 03, 2008 12:14 pm I know, he mildly hinted at it. I recently had a TMI moment myself and then thought afterwards, why did I even tell them that? Just a little fun pokin :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 03, 2008 07:19 pm The UAD gear is killer indeed. I've installed it on a few systems, not mine of course. But it works killer and really takes a load off the PC. The pluggins are killer as well. But you can use it with your VST and VSTi's as well so its a sweet deal for those that need it.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jun 03, 2008 07:34 pm So you can use it with VSTs and not just use the included plugins?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 04, 2008 12:41 pm Not at all, they have to be specifically written for the hardware. I believe it just adds them to your FX list, and when you insert a UAD plug it is processed on the card. So no, they will not process your Waves VSTs, but you can use both at the same time.
I just want it for the CPU intensive processes really.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 04, 2008 10:37 pm Ya, my bad. The UAD-1 cannot host VST or VSTi. There are a couple DSP cards out there that do though. I'll have to go look and find em. I do like the Universal Audio pluggins though but am more apt to go with a unit that host's VST, AU and the like.
TC Powercore is one and I think another is Waves API or something like that. There is another older unit that I have used before and it is killer.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 07:46 pm then theres always units like the receptor, which are for all intents and purposes just a rack mounted computer that you can run all your vst and dx effects from to save cpu power.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 11:37 pm Thanx Loki, that is the big one I was trying to think of. The Muse Receptor is killer. I used one of the very first ones out and it is one powerful machine. I've installed a couple for other studio's and they are very cool.
