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Sorry for the late shout, but I came back to this refresher as I have a choice of adding this amek 9099 channel strip to my collection or I was looking at the new soma eq, any opinion on what freebie I should get big sir?? Appreciate all your insights...
@@DJeMo I can't answer that, sorry. I've not tried most of the options, I don't know your tastes, or what you have already. Just pick one, don't overthink it. :)
@@DJeMo the amek 9099 is my main channel strip, i find it saves overusing too many different plugins having all the features it does. I think out of all the brainworx channel stips plugins its capable of sounding the most modern. The SOMA looks really overwhelming in terms of gui for a mixing plugin, but might be good for mastering
Same with me. After watching the video of Paul Third ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BoIboZsBiRk.html it was already clear that I would never buy it.
@@NikolausBrocke Paul Third is a newb who's only qualification is he has a decent camera.. You probably know more about audio than him. Dan is someone you can learn from.
This is how a plugin review should be done. Great job! BTW, I like the TMT mode. If you run mono signals through the stereo version of the plugin it can give them a subtile stereo image. Interestingly this even happens with all EQ settings at 0. In addition the "Stereo Width" knob is placed at the very end of the signal chain and therefor affects the TMT differences between two channels. So you basically have a stereo maker knob for mono signals.
I did acknowledge that those differences can be useful on stereo channels. But equally, how hard is it to dial in separate L/R EQ with Pro-Q3? And then you get to control exactly where the differences are and how much, instead of just trusting to random chance.
@@DanWorrall manually dialing in something on Pro-Q is much more tedious and mundane vs just clicking a button a few times and then adjusting from there, IMO.
I owned an Amek with the digital dynamics and never loved them. The computer was an old 486, running on DOS. I was also certain that it was a VCA compressor. The gate was also controlled from the computer, which did sound pretty good. The best part was to recall a mix, you had Rupert Neves voice telling you where each know should be.
This was a quite interesting insight in the same "problem" I have when trying to choose analog style channel strips versus the fabfilter toolbox. I came to a very satisfying conclusion. When mixing traditional rock and old rhythm and blues (recorded with real instruments) I prefer old channel strips (like the bx_consoleN) as they are kind of made for this music. I don't have to fiddle around with finding the right frequency or Q. The preset Eq frequencies just fit. That makes me incredibly fast in comparison. On the other side if I mix EDM or modern style pop where lots of outlandish virtual synths and electronic stuff is going on I prefer the Fabfilter stuff. In this case the old-style channels strips just are far too limited to tame the electronic stuff where the frequencies are all over the place (which does not happen so much with traditional instruments). Just me too cents ...
@DrMax0 your two cents are helpful to me. I do sync licensing and vacillate between rock & EDM every week. I just picked up bx_digital V3, Pro-Q3 and have Pro-C2 & Pro-G. I’ll try out your strategy on the two styles. Thx.
Great point, I have a client who loves RnB and soul- as well as the "neo-" versions of both. That means a lot of my production for her will oscillate (lol) wildly between Isley Brothers, Grover Washington, Minnie Ripperton, Syreeta style production that is weird and creative but also beautiful and organic in its instrumentation and the kind of Aaliyah, Kelis, early Beyonce style production that takes its cues from new jack, late 80s hip hop, later worship/gospel music, etc. and I have noticed exactly the same thing. For the former I find more success in mixing the production with outboard gear or PA/UAD analog emulations and for the latter the more surgical and "clean" style is way more beneficial. Intuitive sure but great to see it in writing! Appreciate the comment.
What do mean "well done of you've meade it this far"? I'm sure all of us enjoyed every second of this and would still keep watching if there was more. I have so much respect for the way you break down plugins and review their features. For me, your tutorials and plugin reviews are so packed with useful information, I'm still watching these videos time and time again. I had a moment of self consciousness when you said the channel strip EQ won't judge you like a visual one. I can honestly recall countless times where if mine were able to, they most certainly would be. Thanks again Dan.
Well, the ongoing hunt for “analogue.” What I like with modeling plugins is that they challenge me to listen to the mix instead of watching the curves. In companion with my Fabfilter plugins which I can't be without. Another analogue modeling topic is that so many (well known and not well well known) mixing engineers claim the “sound” is so apparent. The Neve sound, SSL sound, the AMEK ‘magic’ sound. And so on. What I would like to see is a blind test with these mixing engineers claiming this, between a mix made with modeling only compared to the same mix done with non modeling plugins. Maybe some will actually hear the difference but my guess is that it will be just that. A 50% chance as it often is.
@@CerealKiller just addressing your aside: I think it's more realizing that they might come to digital from analog and then get worse results not because you can't get the same sounds, but because they don't know the tools as well. That would result in them saying it "sounds worse" when really it just requires a different way of working. Because they've been doing it forever, they aren't likely to invest the time into learning the new tools properly, so analog is stuck sounding better until people come around and learn the new tools well enough to disprove it (which I think has already happened, we just haven't lost the stigma yet).
@@mattheasboelter5217 I'm always happy when I can satisfactorily approximate the sound of an analog processor in the box. The fact that it takes more work (or more time or more plugins) is one kind of proof that analog does sound better, even if only in a "by default" sense of the word better. But there is more than one standard of proof for that statement, and more than one sense of the word "better." I also find, as someone coming from digital and moving into analog a little bit, that stuff often sounds better without me having to work at it when I'm using an analog tool. For whatever that's worth. One thing's for sure--I'm digging the workflow on these channel strip style plugins lately.
Dan's voice is so soothing that I keep falling asleep over this video, but I want to learn so I have to keep trying until I've watched it all
3 года назад
Dan's voice with only the waveform as visual is starting to feel like Hal: "This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."
3 года назад
I wish he would use that line in one of his future videos.
Excellent video as usual Dan! Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm a big fan of both PA and FabFilter and have many full licenses for PA plugins and a Mega bundle subscription I've had since it was launched. I also have licenses for FabFilter EQ, comp, MB comp and limiter and find myself using a combination of PA and FabFilter extensively on most of my mixes and mastering work. I actually completely agree with almost all of your praise AND criticisms of this console and PA in general. I almost always have the TMT feature set to the same channel number in both channels (what they call digital mode). I too find the frequency shifts with the sheen and glow options rather odd but I haven't used the real console so can't comment from experience there. I do like that they offer quite dramatic differences though and that can sometimes inspire creativity. Oh, I must mention that it was your videos that got me into FabFilter a few years ago. So, a big thank you for that!
Great to have a such profound review! This is really outstanding from all the other small reviews. Thanks very much, Dan!! It would be great to have this kind of review on the other console that the plugin world is talking off these days, the BlackBird BBN105.
Great review, i know nothing is likely to change but its worth mentioning that bx_console Amek 9099 is actually in beta stage at the moment hence why it is not for sale yet
The Neve E 9098i was/is an amazing console, much respect to Brainworx's assiduity and diligence for using it as reference. I very much respect what Brainworx does with its Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT). I can't say I like when companies make an emulated matrix off vintage hardware and add extra parameters that they claim 'enhance' the plugin when they are trying to create a plugin that is utilizing CPU emulation to recreate vintage hardware. But regardless I think this is a pretty bloody spot on job Brainworx. Thanks for the insight Dan.
This is a great presentation wityh some real commentary. Thanks for your forthright approach and hands on techniques. It makes understanding the differences more apparent. I just bought 9000J BTW. (on sale) Cheers
I do all my mixes of plugins by ear, and when I reach that one spot in the zone I'm attempting to get to, that's when I rest all my plugins, with all knowledge and markings of where I'm at, before attempting to push and play, sometimes leading to a better more creative sound on top, or a return to my starting point, and further play, once satisfied, that's where I leave it. Many times I've even surprised myself from where all this leads. Mixing does make a difference and the more real it can make all the instruments sound, the greater the overall sound. I once took an average recording of the Beatles on stage, and made it sound as clear and clean as if you were standing with them on the same stage. Never underestimate the dynamics and ability of plugins, you just have to work them over and over until they're like second nature to you, once you've got it, you're off to the races. Great video, I will be getting this plugin in the future, as you said, when Plugin Alliance puts it on sale. Thanks.
I'll be honest and say that I know nothing about the things you make videos on but thoroughly enjoy the format and presentation you use. I continue to watch and hope that my brain absorbs some of important bits so thanks for that.
I am new to mixing, 3 years to be exact. I recently acquired the SSL 9000J from plugin alliance . It’s working for me. I am still training my ears and as a young mixing engineer I am working not overdoing things, Working with board eq’s makes me really think of every move
Thanks for this review. I plan on grabbing this if it's a decent price largely for the insanely low CPU hit. I work with tons of tracks and can work quickly. If I need more specific saturation and things I'll load more plugins as needed.
Another welcome master class, in a sea of opinions. Thank you! In my opinion, your videos foster dialogue and true conversation-- a real gift that keeps on giving.
I love your opening rant/rhetoric. I don't understand why companies do that ridiculous pricing. Just sell a good tool for a good price and do occasional storewide discounts. I love companies like Sonimus that have reasonable prices all the time. I'm much more inclined to purchase from a company with realistic and reasonable pricing expectations as opposed to a company charging a "premium" price and randomly changing that to something affordable to a hobbyist.
I was originally harsh on this video, but after watching it again, it is very accurate, and honest. I will sub. Excellent video, and breakdown of what is going on under the hood.
I use the bx console focusrite se. On the topic of tmt, I actually like the effect on stereo channels, as it seems to add some extra stereo depth to everything more naturally (and with less work) than something like a stereo widening plugin. And doing it manually could also take more time and not sound quite as authentic. That’s just my opinion.
This was fascinating. It's nice to see all the detailed testing. It's nicer to see that your end result matches what I already heard with my ears... It's a perfectly decent plug in, but is just 'different'. I picked this one up (on sale, of course) and am happy with it, but it won't replace my "go-to" standard of using the SSL Native Channel Strip 2 as my default insert on every channel. However, if I didn't already have the SSL channel strip, I wouldn't have any hesitation with using this plugin as a default on every channel. I also grew up mixing live in the analog era, and I love these plug ins that force us to mix with our ears again.
Dan, would you consider analyzing Scheps Omni Channel in a video someday? It's a particularly powerful channel strip -- with color from not just the saturation but also the compressor (use Plugin Doctor to see it.) It also has interestingly different EQ curve shape differences between "mid" and "tone." All frequency knobs are full-range so it doesn't suffer from some of the limitations you criticized in other channel strips. Anyhow, your detailed analysis would probably yield interesting criticism that would make for a very interesting video.
Thanks Dan, you have quite clearly pointed me in the direction i need to go. All these so called emulation channel strips have a unique customization of the work flow. I started using the SSl EV and i found i got similar results using various other plug ins only much faster with the SSL strip. I just couldnt articulate what i was doing. This video has quite clearly given me a slap in the face. I now understand a bit better . I dont need to spend a whole heap of money on " legendary" channel strips, I just need to understand what the hell i am doing a lot better. I will be using the EV more as a template from now on rather than the final arbiter of what i do. The journey has just got a kick along.
Thought I'd watch a quick plugin review (for a plugin I'm not interested in lol) and ended up getting my mind blown. Thanks Dan. Please keep the videos coming.
Such a good and precise analysis and comparison. Thank you so much! I would like to see more plugin review like this. It has help me to make the choice I wasn't sure about
Interesting review. I think it speaks to how many of us mix today- we have a Pro Q-3 as our first plug on every channel; and then a console plugin or a Slate style mix rack on every channel as the next one. Best of all worlds.
One thing that could be worth looking into is whether the Glow and Sheen modes distort more (or differently). Even though, judging by the easier nulls with them turned on, I'd say that's not the case, or maybe these modes actually distort less rather than more. If they're modelling console saturation, there ought to be EQ-related saturation and not simply a saturation at the end of the process (even though this is actually more manageable than lots of moderate amounts of saturation going on all over the place).
Great video as usual Dan! Thank you! For a limited time, those who own the "Soundwide Welcome Bundle" from PA, bx_console Amek 9099 can be grabbed for $30.99.
Yes I made it to the end. I am a subscriber to Plugin Alliance, and I do find the plugins to be generally good and useful. This video was very helpful, detailed, and unbiased, which can be hard to find in the RU-vid clutter. So thanks for that. I enjoyed it so much, I became a member.
i think the randomized eq curves might be useful for differentiating double tracked rhythm guitar parts being amplified through the exact same chain, but honestly, i would rather explicitly state they have to be different from one another, like using different cab-speaker-mic-position combinations or even different amplifiers, for that matter.
interesting video cheers Dan. my thoughts on eq in the box has changed a lot. I have most of the usual plugins, including a bunch of aqua plugins. using the aqua plugins as an example because they're so high in CPU, my question became - if the pre isn't activated in the aqua, does a carefully matched (in plugin doctor) curve in pro q sound any different? my conclusion - no. so if you use a carefully matched pro q followed by the pre instance of the aqua, you get the same result at a fraction of the CPU. this goes for any ITB eq. it's all just different curves that can be matched in pro q3, then you add harmonics (pre) to taste. now if you like the look of a particular plugin interface, or it's natural curves, and don't want to be bothered with finding the matching curves, fair enough. this was the conclusion I came to, but would welcome any observations if I have overlooked something. I find it hard to see a reason to use anything other than pro q3 for the actual frequency curve part of the manipulation, harmonics outstanding.
Exactly it's my way of doing it too. Use a modern EQ and rebuild the curve of your favorite vintage EQ once. You can even "improve" it to taste. Then add some harmonics. You can use a free plugin for this (Hornet Harmonics) and your're done. In general: my experience is that some free or very cheap plugins don't sound worse than expensive ones.
apparently the glow and sheen option is also present in other brainworx console plugins but instead it's being labeled as multiplied by 3 (glow) and divided by 3 (sheen) for the shelves' set frequency respectively.
This video was amazing both scientific with a slight hint of snarkiness. Your voice is amazing. Like you should be narrating peoples lives or some shows.
For optimum realism, each channel should have a random obscure issue with some control or processing bit. Fader 5 was replaced with a knockoff and has an different curve, there's a crackle in the channel 3 pan just left of center, the shelf button on 12 is stuck in the ON position, the solo button on 7 has to be pressed with massive force, and for some reason the sidechain on 15 has never worked, Oh and strip 23 is just a burned out shell- don't ask. Stuff like that.
Hello: I appreciate your curation and critical look at this plug-in. I'm a Plug-in Alliance/BrainWorx user. So thank-you for this video. One thing that I do with ALL my plug-ins is to check them all for unity gain in their default, starting positions. I've had to go thru with a 1k tone and tweak their respective gains and save that new setting as "default." I was really surprised about how the different manufacturers have failed to do this! To anyone who is reading, I suggest that you look for yourself.
Thanks for another great video Dan. Recreating the EQs in Fabfilter with 1/2 bands and the plugin doctor graph that showed the 'magic sauce' in an analogue recreation, i.e. the subtle distortion and eccentricities is just... normal looking distortion... really blew my mind and changed how I view analogue recreations
I've read somewhere that MANY "analog modelled" softwares simply introduce waveshaping via hyperbolic functions, commonly the hyperbolic tangent - "tanh". Try recreating a similar curve in a waveshaper plugin (Melda has a free one, and funnily enough FL Studio's free waveshaper includes a preset called "kinda tanh-ish"). Drive your input and compensate with the output for immediate "analog" warmth.
Hi Dan, have you tried putting the plugin inside DDMF's metaplugin to add 8x oversampling? I would be curious if this improves the issue with the digital artifacts. Also, have you tried anything by DMG Audio? I am curious what you think of their Equilibrium and Limitless.
I appreciate your detailed analysis (always have) but 8 minutes into the review and no hands on is a bit taxing. One can map hardware knobs/buttons/faders and Id exoect you have with any time clocking in. Anyway thanks for the great in-depth review! The 9099 reminds me of my old Tac Scorpion console (Amek components). I love those British EQ's with their punch and subtle color. The Neve 9098 (9099) gets a cherry on top from its Rupert Neve design. I welcome the add-on features Plugin Alliance have given this channel strip. Its a winner for using on my channels. I still admittedly use the BX Console Focusrite for my master out and final mastering work. TY Plugin Alliance. Fab..who? (Joking). ; )
You are right on everything you said. But this plugin sounds so 3d on my tracks and makes all sounds more alive and natural. So there must be a thing going on that nobody can tell bout. It is the best sounding console from pa so far. I have them all exept for the 9000j but here the demo sounds also unique and very musicle. So for fab filter the treble sounds lifeless and not pleasing imho. But this amek sounds just pleasent even with the same curves. So there must be a difference you cant measure...
when the three RGB knobs controlling the color go near zero, it goes quite dark, almost invisible over the black background :( I kinda solved it by modifying the starting point and the strength of the LFOs so that they never drop below 30%, but there's still very dark moments
