STL ControlHub - Mix with Entire Signal Chains In Depth! Pros & Cons! 

Good comprehensive demo. Thanks!

Very helpful review! Thanks.

Nice review, I'm going to try the ControlHub out!

I really like the concept of this plugin, but I have a hard time justifying the cost when a lot of the models included are of other pieces of software that a lot of mixers already own. If STL implemented your mix-and-match suggestion, and even gave the option to load external VSTs (like Waves StudioRack), I would be all over it. Thanks for taking the time to review this 🤘

Great review. I agree with all of your points. Just bought it today with several preset packs. It’s good, some of them are great, not all. I worked on my signal chains in my DAW template for many, many years. I mean we know what we want, this has potential and I love STL, damn I’ve gotten killer guitar tone with STL, but I’m hoping to really unlock this and seeing their upgrades from user feedback.

Thanks for the clarity. Seems like slate rack or similar is the way to go to get the same sorta sound and to maintain control of the order etc

I totally understand your point however i see more this like a kemper but for studio units in a plugin format from top studios and mixers

Make sense what you says about the reordering but considering there are 2 EQs in different places that may not be such a big deal really/// yes it is very cool to be able to use and combine all the modules of each expansion pack....now I see you bought them all!

1st thing love your video & honesty!!!! There are quite a few plugins that have a similar concept & I don't think they're geared towards experienced mixers! They help new mixer get a sound fast & stay focused. Also I have the best emulations of most of these units so $200 is a waste for some of us.

good point! I was almost sold until i saw the cons. We definitely should be able to interchange the presets

My question is: is there a default setting where everything is set at zero, And not based on any specific preset for example kick or snare, But rather a ground zero to start from scratch from. Does this exist in this software? if it does I havent found it. I would love to be able start start with an SSL for example and crafting from that point

I constantly expected to hear Geddy Lee's voice at some point :)

Can you record vocals with the plugin

I think you raise some valid points however I think the guard rails they put in place were on purpose. The existence of the artist packs gives me the impression that it's being marketed so that you can get their signal chains/processing that they would typically use on busses or tracks. If they components are indeed modeled after the specific hardware they use, that's pretty cool. To be fair though, having the flexibility to move the modules around how you see fit is something that the Slate All Access Pass already provides. The honest review and impressions of it are much appreciated!

Can you actually record tracks on this unit, or is it strictly used for mixing?

I would like to be able to close the side menu on the left with the settings and the packs

You make some good recommendations that I think would be very cool for them to add. It’s kinda hard to review these signal chains that were made for metal on this source material you have here. I think the starting points might be better if it were more gear towards the style of music you’re doing.

ok so i'm having a tuff time understand what this thing even is. I'm thinking this plugin is basically a virtual MIDI controller and that the signal chains that it captures can be from external units such as a physical NEVE 1073 preamp that I have sitting in my rack. This plugin then saves the signal somehow and now I have a 1073 in side of this plugin that I can use anywhere I want essentially converting a piece of analog hardware into a plugin. If thats not what it does then don't tell me this just uses the modules inside of it to save presets because there are already plugins that do that. So what does this thing even do?

When comparing on/off, you need to gain-match it. Louder is always better to human ears, so....Else : I'm looking into STL, and I got some tips and info from your video.

Appreciate the honest review... It essentially mimics Izotope modules in one wrapper. I should add that your own signal path sounds better than control hub on most of the instruments IMO. I think I'll pass on this for $200.

The whole point of controlhub its to keep the signal chain set in stone so you don't fuck it up and if it isn't on some kind of path to producing major label results your source material is to blame, while it is nice to have more control and move things around this concept needs to take priority if they do let you have more control

Hope you didn't click "automatic gain makeup" on the compressor section. It adds 5000000db.

I don’t like it when you click on one of packs for a preset and the picture of the dude is starring at you, it’s just like my dad use to do when he was pissed off at me Or when I was in college and I was trying to cheat on a test and the teacher was watching me like a hawk

I believe the biggest issue you're facing is you're hearing each preset with the instrument in isolation, (you soloed the bass, then diid the same for the guitar, and then the acoustic) never once checking how they fit into the mix. Unless you're planning on making a seperate song from each track, I would check them again in the context of a mix before deciding a certain sound doesn't "fit." Also, you mentioned that guitar presetwasn't as bright as yours, and that's where the Master EQ comes in. It seems you are set in your ways, not seeing the presets as starting points to "season to taste" and believe that since you "did a lot of stuff" on a compressor, that you know more than a named Producer. Do you nthink you could maybe learn something from them instead of brushing them off without asking yourself "why" they chose a certain rig? Again, you should listen to presets not only in isolation, but within the context 0f a mix, and then tweak any preset that gets you in the ballpark. The main problem I see is you're treating this like a Channel Strip, and while it MAY look like a channel strip, it is actually a snapshot of each Artist's rig and the settings they used for any given preset. Unlike a product like EZmix, where you have 2-knobs to generally tweak the preset, you have a plethora of tools to take concept and season it to your liking. Nobody is telling you to like it, but I believe the things you dislike about it are for the wrong reasons, one of those being failure to understand the tool you're working with. Your thoughts on what I've written here?

Sounds like it's just adding gain. It's louder.

This is the weirder plugin, #1 the Default Preset already has a sound! even if you bypass all the modules, has a sound!! WTF! ...then when you use any preset or even the artist's chains..... you get a profile of the chain and then the controls to adjust each module ..if you bypass the modules you still get the sound of the chain that was emulated (basic sound)..... but you do not get sound of each module in default mode as when you get a plugin emulation, again what you get is the emulation or profile of that gear setting and then controls to adjust them.... you can not bypassed the process of each module and just use one module as you wish