Just putting something interesting out there: TB Pro Audio makes a plugin called DSEQ which I prefer to Soothe (as I think DSEQ sounds less obvious while performing the same function). It doesn't look as sexy but it sounds amazing and costs a fraction of the price. Look it up!
Other than audio examples what made me decide to get Smooth Operator was the price since I already had $12 worth of virtual cash in Plugin Boutique. I’m loving it so far. Great video
Exactly what the people needed and wanted. Thanks for this comparison. It is true, that soothe 2 does more/is more finetuneable. But I judge results. I like the smooth operator results and let's not forget it's soothe 2 not soothe 1. Maybe smooth operator will get an update for more control (side/mid + attack & release) one day too. I liked the smooth operator better on this track.
Good comparison--I've been using Soothe 2 for about a year and it's one of the best plugin investments I've ever made, but I was curious about Smooth Operator, so thank you for answering any questions I've had with this review. Also, who is the artist featured in this video? She's super talented and I'd love to support her work by following on Spotify, etc.
I have DSEQ3 and Smooth Operator. Today I installed sooth 2 demo. To be honest I was disappointed. it is easier to use than DSEQ#, looks a lot sleeker as well, harder to use in some cases than smooth operator, but gives more controls. Sound wise it does some thing better, others not so much. It is a very nice plug in, like nothing bad to say about it, but my disappointment came from the fact that lots of my friends were praising this plug in like a god particle, I have downloaded it to check if it can handle resonant frequencies, which I've tried to remove manually, but ive maxed out two Q3 instances cause I had to do L/R processing. (Forget L/R and M/S mode with smooth operator). But when used Soothe 2 on the track and tweaked, it did not perform better than DSEQ3, to be honest, manual work sounded better than all three plug ins, but it took me 1,5 hours and I wasn't even finished yet. Smooth operator excels in my opinion as a quick rough fix, for more detailed and fine-tuned processing either soothe 2 or DSEQ3. Soothe 2 is a lot sleeker and I know that's not the point, but DSEQ is just hurting my eyes, but it is more surgical, and the price makes my eyes hurt a bit less.
Soothe2 gives you more control and i really like the results, for me soothe2 is extremely natural. That being said they are extremely similar and baby audio is really good as well. Thing is the diference in price doesnt translate to the difference in quality of the final product. So if i had to buy one i would buy Smooth Operator for sure. It is cheaper, sounds extremely similar and can achieve the same results, i guess even in most extreme cases, provided you actually take your time to dial in the controls and stuff.
i think you need to back on soothe a little it sounded too processed but baby was able to make it sound less processed compression wise but did change the timbre of the vocals by making it a little wider which soothe did not do i think soothe can be more neutral to the timbre of the sound but baby audio is more forgiving when messing with the dynamics.
Great comparison! I use them both for different things! That Studio One layout looks amazing in 4k resolution. Damn, I'm upgrading my monitor right away!
@@levondarratt787 My work tells my clients I'm a pro. I still own Protools and Logic X. I switched to Studio One about a year ago and I'm never looking back. And everything's running smoothly in my 3 MAC computers. Get your "facts" straight. L O L
@@sonidojamon why did you downgrade to Studio one by PRESONUS (maker of cheap gear)? is it cheaper or what are the benefits that would prompt away from the professional scene?
Nice video bro i copped smooth operator today but been using soothe on the trial, I would say soothe is better but that price is too much for me rn & it seems like smooth operator will suit my workflow a lot more tho mayb even get better results 🤘🏻
@@akagerhard Of course it does ! Instead of stacking the plugins and having to bypass them manually, you can switch faster without any audio interruption...
@@louisrmusic I must have misread/misthought. I thought you mean duplicating, putting plugin on one each and then switching phase on one (to hear how much is "different"). However, when I use "solo" other tracks that are in solo don't get muted, instead all tracks that are in solo play.. so it would still be two clicks for me (in pro tools), but your way would work in ableton (10). Best way for comparing that works in every daw is automating the bypass-buttons on a single track and simply playing it - but that needs preparation obviously.
@@akagerhard In Cubase, Ctrl + Click on Solo mutes everything else. I bet other daw have the same functionality, you just have to find out what’s the shortcut.
soothe2 offers more control and better quality (oversampling, ...) . but the introduction price for smooth operator is a really really good alternative to soothe2 that gets the job just also done. nothing is the best, everything is just a different alternative
My experience suggests otherwise: Soothe2 is part of my macro'd fx chains. between gainstaging and EQ. I'll easily have 20+ instances of it running at any time with no problems. No knock to Smooth Operator. It looks great and I'm certainly keen to trial it and see if it has any utility for me. (Reaper. 96khz. 512 buffer. i5-10400, 32gb ddr4, Scarlett 2i2.)
@@levondarratt787 yes I have Focals clear, and they tell me the same thing. To be completely honest, I have a treated pro studio, and those Genelecs make the resonances sing like a horny bird, way better than headphones. Believe me, there is no comparison, soothe 2 is another planet
