Waves API and V Series

[raal]

mario c and myself quickly A/Bd the V series to a real 1084 tonight and were very (as in very) impressed. tweaked the crap out of both the plug and hardware - 12k, 220Hz w/hi pass - and they were so close it really is worth noting. didn't do a blind test but without doing one i can tell you right now i probably wouldn't be able to tell which was live and which was memorex. for this comparison we put the hardware on an insert through aurora 16.

don't have a real API 2500 but using the tone control on the the plug (on med and loud), we got a very effective de-esser happening. nicest i've seen ITB yet. look forward to trying the new Eliosound de-esser, but i'd use the 2500 as a de-esser no problem. can't say the same for any other ITB de-esser i've heard. as far as using the 2500 plug as a comp, i'll have no problem with that either.

thought i'd share, and of course YMMV.

[SergioS]

Yeah, I hate waves products, but they really nailed it with API. Incredibly soft mids and highs. Haven't tried V series.

[Andreas G]

I was very interested in the V-series bundel. I spend one night to install the demo, followed their installation guide step by step but finally i was somehow to stupid to install it. That was really very frustrating.

Raal, how did you like the top-end of the eq and did you also try the compressor? Is this compressor able to smooth harder sounds a bit.

Thanks, Andreas

[raal]

Originally Posted by Andreas G

I was very interested in the V-series bundel. I spend one night to install the demo, followed their installation guide step by step but finally i was somehow to stupid to install it. That was really very frustrating.

with Waves stuff i've gotten used to the fact that it takes one day to install, another day ot two to troubleshoot write/call tech support to iron things out and finally get them going. i really wish Waves made an effort to make installation easier... but that's for the moan zone, so:

Raal, how did you like the top-end of the eq

if you're referring to the Neve, it pretty much nailed the real thing (@ 12k). if you're asking about the APIs, i don't have the hardware to compare to, but i liked the API plug just as much as the V. would i use them both? thumbsup

and did you also try the compressor? Is this compressor able to smooth harder sounds a bit.

if you're asking about the API, again i don't have the hardware, but was very impressed by the plug. behaved very much as i'd expect the real box to. with tone on med or loud it shaved the esses off very nicely. medium was very unobtrusive. as we understood from the manual, these settings engage a high pass filter, leaving the low end alone.

if you're asking about the V comp, i listened to it too briefly to give an intelligent description, and i have no box to compare it to, but from memory i think it did do the molasses thing one would expect. sorry for being so vague.

[Andreas G]

Again thanks raal!

So if I ever have three days left I might try to install their demo again
I was refering to their V-serie stuff btw.

Have a nice day, Andreas

[PettyCash]

raal I got a question for you.

Have you ever tried the N-Series eq from URS? and if so, are there any really big noticable contrasts between the N-Series eq and V-Series eq?

I think there is. I dont have the actually hardware unit though for making any direct comparisons with, but to me the V-Series sounds like the more Neve-like emulation than that of the N-Series.

Either way they both sound great.

[raal]

Originally Posted by Andreas G

Again thanks raal!

So if I ever have three days left I might try to install their demo again
I was refering to their V-serie stuff btw.

would be cool if someone that has a real 2254 let's us know what they think.

Have a nice day, Andreas

it's 3AM in mexico. gotta love the internet.

[miqer]

Mhhhh, good to hear. I have the V-series, but still go for the SSL eq as my go to eq. Perhaps cause I didn't have time to check it out yet... but the SSL seems to have a bit more... ... euu, perhaps its harmonic distortion, I don't know... it's got something very effective.
But after reading this I will give the v another chance!

m.

[raal]

Originally Posted by PettyCash

raal I got a question for you.

Have you ever tried the N-Series eq from URS?

no sir, sorry.

[raal]

Originally Posted by miqer

Mhhhh, good to hear. I have the V-series, but still go for the SSL eq as my go to eq. Perhaps cause I didn't have time to check it out yet... but the SSL seems to have a bit more... ... euu, perhaps its harmonic distortion, I don't know... it's got something very effective.
But after reading this I will give the v another chance!

m.

the cool thing about the SSL stuff is it has a comp/gate right there, so it's easy to get things popping, just like on the real board. but i have to say the V and API stuff impressed us greatly.

[lumpo]

Well having being underwhelmed by plug-in EQs, the V series actually has real class. It is NOT subtle.

However, I found myseld struggling to appreciate any specialness in the V-compressor (compared to onme's usual suspects).

I note the API and SSL Waves plugs get a lot of attention - the V plug EQs really are something special (WUP be damned).

[nukmusic]

I just compared the Waves API vs the URS API...and the Waves(EQs) were much smoother. Kinda shocked me. when I get time...I try to compare them both to the hardware units.

[bforest4]

Not a huge plugin fan but Waves is starting to change my mind. Just got the Mercury bundle and SSL bundle, and the API, Neve, and SSL are in a new league for plugin EQ and Comps. Sony was my #1 before, and it sounds dead and 2 dimensional compared to the Waves new generation. I was not a big fan of the older waves rennaissance stuff, but these newer simulations are killer! So far after a small shootout, Neve is best for vocals, API is best for drums, and SSL is a good all around flavor.


I installed on 2 computers with no problems in a couple of hours. The stuff is spendy but you get what you pay for, I am sick and tired of all the waves haters, these plugins are a whole new world and a relative bargain compared to high end hardware.

[computa]

Originally Posted by bforest4

Not a huge plugin fan but Waves is starting to change my mind. Just got the Mercury bundle and SSL bundle, and the API, Neve, and SSL are in a new league for plugin EQ and Comps. Sony was my #1 before, and it sounds dead and 2 dimensional compared to the Waves new generation. I was not a big fan of the older waves rennaissance stuff, but these newer simulations are killer! So far after a small shootout, Neve is best for vocals, API is best for drums, and SSL is a good all around flavor.


I installed on 2 computers with no problems in a couple of hours. The stuff is spendy but you get what you pay for, I am sick and tired of all the waves haters, these plugins are a whole new world and a relative bargain compared to high end hardware.

mercury, v series, ssl, & api damn thats almost $15,000 (tdm) or $7,000 (native) Thats not much of a bargain.

I have the v series, api and ssl and wont mix without them. I'm still stuck on ren vox for vocals though

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by computa

mercury, v series, ssl, & api damn thats almost $15,000 (tdm) or $7,000 (native) Thats not much of a bargain.

I have the v series, api and ssl and wont mix without them. I'm still stuck on ren vox for vocals though

I don't know where you buy your plugs from, but I got mine from for 550.00 each. That's 1650.00 for all three bundles. Anyone could do with just 1 of those bundles, I happen to own all three.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

I don't know where you buy your plugs from, but I got mine from for 550.00 each. That's 1650.00 for all three bundles. Anyone could do with just 1 of those bundles, I happen to own all three.

ok, you gotta tell us where you got the mercury bundle for $550!

[Dan]

and expect Waves to be knocking on your door.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by Dan

ok, you gotta tell us where you got the mercury bundle for $550!

I missed where it said Mercury, but I meant API, V, and SSL. However, I could get Mercury for 5k which includes V and API. All said and done, still a lot less than 7k.

Personally, I would not get Mercury, but I do own and use SSL, V, and API and they are awesome.

[nukmusic]

Originally Posted by Dan

ok, you gotta tell us where you got the mercury bundle for $550!

yes, pretty please...I'd buy a few and re-sell them

[Duardo]

mercury, v series, ssl, & api damn thats almost $15,000 (tdm) or $7,000 (native)

No, it's not that much because the V-Series and API plugins are part of the Mercury bundle, so you wouldn't be buying both.

[lpkyer]

just tried Waves API demo.
The difference is huge while tracks are piled on. Doesnt sound too digital.
Presets are very good. Looking forward the V series. That might make me sell my UAD .... !!!!

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by nukmusic

yes, pretty please...I'd buy a few and re-sell them

OK, take it easy. I already mentioned that I made a mistake and missed the Mercury Bundle when I made my post. Quit ripping me!!!!

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by lpkyer

just tried Waves API demo.
The difference is huge while tracks are piled on. Doesnt sound too digital.
Presets are very good. Looking forward the V series. That might make me sell my UAD .... !!!!

Don't get ahead of yourself. I've got the API, V, and SSL and UAD and you want them all. Well, at least 1 of the waves bundles and the UAD. Never get rid of your UAD Card, you will come to regret it.

[jmarkham]

Don't forget that if you're a member of the Recording Academy,
you get a one-time 50% discount from Waves.

jeff

[KEYBEEETSSS]

I gotta say that waves really did nail those plugs...SSL,API,NEVE....their policies suck but these plugs can't be denied....I had the SSL plugs since they 1st dropped & got the URS EVRYTHING BUNDLE shortly after; I got the V_SERIES & API plugs a couple mths ago & I put the URS plugs in the UNUSED folder.....

[Autocrat]

Don't mean to hijack...

Is it worth getting the SSL or API pack if I'm on a G5 Powermac (Dual 2Ghz)? I know on the IntelMacs you get better bang for the buck.

[Pepe Ortega]

Originally Posted by raal

if you're asking about the API, again i don't have the hardware, but was very impressed by the plug. behaved very much as i'd expect the real box to. with tone on med or loud it shaved the esses off very nicely. medium was very unobtrusive. as we understood from the manual, these settings are supposed to engage a high pass filter, leaving the low end alone. will be using the comp definitely.
.

I own a lunch box with 550 and 525 vintage units raal call me if you want to make some comparisions

Saludos

[raal]

Originally Posted by Pepe Ortega

I own a lunch box with 550 and 525 vintage units raal call me if you want to make some comparisions

Saludos

hola pepe! do you have the plugs? if you do what do you think? if you don't let's get together sometime! i have a BA rack so the only thing that's necessary is a module or two.

[heathen]

Even though the waves API 2500 sounds pretty good compared with other plugins it really does not sound much like the real thing.

A friend who has the waves bundle and I did a test between the 2. Still as with most plugins the bottom end was lacking in fullness and the mid range a bit harsh and grainy.

We did a null test and there was still quite a bit of level remaining, I can get similar null test results with 2 totally different analog compressors.

I've had the real 2500 about a month now and am loving it.

The plug still sounded pretty cool though.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by heathen

Even though the waves API 2500 sounds pretty good compared with other plugins it really does not sound much like the real thing.

A friend who has the waves bundle and I did a test between the 2. Still as with most plugins the bottom end was lacking in fullness and the mid range a bit harsh and grainy.

We did a null test and there was still quite a bit of level remaining, I can get similar null test results with 2 totally different analog compressors.

I've had the real 2500 about a month now and am loving it.

The plug still sounded pretty cool though.

I also did a comparison with the hardware unit and the plugin 2500.

The biggest difference I heard was the way the release reacted on the plugin vs the hardware. The plugin wasn't able to duplicate the way the release of the hardware unit worked.

But, I still like the plugin a lot.