When adopting console emulations, is always better to activate it as the first step and then do all the mixing on top of it. Otherwise, activating console emulation on top of an already mixed song will make it fall apart
I like the Waves mix smooth with and added top end. The Slate has a great sound but more lows and low mids, since I do dance tracks I want a balanced low so I can judge beter on the low end
I stumbled on this looking for some mic preamps... I have to say the ctc-1 tube console emulation sounds wild. It brings that light "pressurised" feeling like driving through a tunnel f.e., gives a bit warmth especially in the lows and some soft beautiful highs. The bypassed mix sounds really dull in comparison. Plugins I should be using more often.
Really useful thx 👍 I’m looking to emulate a Neve 70’s console ITB & to my ears the NLS Nevo sounded like it had the most character. Especially useful comparison with the noise floor lifted as consoles impart such subtle changes. My only gripe with the NLS is the CPU usage seemed high on my S1 system, so I’ll have to try it again.
Hi nice comparison. In my tired state at the moment through my Sony 7506's I heard/ felt more lift / top end with the Waves plugin. I liked it, thank you for showing this.
I haven't listened to this on my headphones, but from what I can hear from my desktop speakers, I really liked the sound of the CTC-1. I'd like to know your opinion, though.
I'm late to the party with this video, but I just recently switched to S1 this year after using PT for years. I just messed around in a unmixed session and did a little shootout between VCC and CTC and I have to say, I actually prefer CTC. The tube section is not my cup of tea, but the classic is nice. I actually preferred the custom section and I just dialed in what I liked. Get that crosstalk down and it's game over. To my ears, it immediately goes from sound, well....digital, to sounding more "analog." More full, more space in the stereo image, more depth etc. I will also say, another plus for CTC is not having to have an instance on EVERY track like with VCC and NLS. Just throwing it on the busses and master out is quite nice vs having to slap an instance on every track in the mix.
The dry sound is always the most pleasing here in my opinion. Worst being the CTC-1 Tube, sounds harsh. Remind of first cheap live desk ^^. Waves Nevo is pretty aggressive. VCC Neve is killing the snare too much. VCC Tube was not bad overall. But still the overall sound is loosing its forwardness and punch in a not so enjoyable way. NLS Mike is nice, although it tames the high-end a lot more than VCC Tube or CTC-1-Tube, so the comparison is not totally fair (it's because it's a tube desk that it should sound similar :)). If I'd pick a favorite I'd chose NLS Mike, not to put across all channels or so, but to use it to color some tracks. Although I think they should update their algorithm and made them cleaner, the NLS Mike is quite full of digital artefact. All in all, I've never been really satisfied with those console emulation plugins. The only one I found usable for now is Sonimus Britson and Satson. Not sexy, no marketing hype, so hard to dive into, but the sound of it is pretty outstanding regarding the age of the code, relatively clean in terms of digital artifact, able to retain the punch of instruments while embellishing them. Still, most of the time, it's better to leave the instruments as they are in my opinion (except when you are after that softer sound).
I thought they were quite subtle overall. But to me I could hear the effect most on the Waves ones. I guess it's impressive enough alone that Waves modeled loads of separate channels to make that plugin have lots of different unique voices. I think I'll give it a demo trial to see for myself.
I listened through Sony MDR-7506 headphones with my eyes closed, couldn't tell when it was on or off even. Can you guys really tell? With your eyes closed that is.
I didn't care for any of them on the tube setting. The CTC just added high and low EQ. Slate added a muddy thickness. Waves sounded dark and murky. I don't use console emulations, as none of them out there have won me over.
Hey @Tim quick question. What do you think of driving instruments (let’s say the drums for instance ) into the red on your console emulations vs keeping it fairly around 0. is there a right or wrong there or is it a question of taste for you ?
really good job presenting and level-matching. I have ctc, I really always liked the classic and hated the tube one which is reflected here lol too scooped. I've had slate for years, liked them all, used the ssl 4k mostly but thought the tube had a special sweetness and now I hear a bit of widening as well. the others were close for me...slate trident is great too. I use softube now exclusively as they sound fantastic and I have the controllers. good work will sub and check your other videos
Hi Tim! Great video as usual... I personally use the waves nls more often than not. I do have a question though... I recently upgraded to studio one professional and I don't have the ctc-1, only the console shaper. How do I access it?
@@SeriousTipStudio I didn't pay for CTC-1 either. Presonus included it as a "getting started gift" when I bought Studio One Professional in 2019 (version 4.5.1). Guess I was one of the lucky ones
Tim, great job doing a comparison, unfortunately audio processed in RU-vid has limitations, so its impossible to hear the audio quality to make an informed decision from your presentation. I have done my own comparisons with CLA Mix Hub which I love, and UA SSL console plugin, love that too. I am picking the CTC-1 Tube setting because of how the crosstalk brings out some really cool vibes when I use it on the main bus channel in studio One. I will have to check out the slate plugins. thanks again for an excellent video.
Yes, RU-vid does cause some limitations, and I usually try to push audio comparisons a bit harder then needed to help them come through a bit more. Thanks for watching and leaving feed back!
