FLUX Solera+

[The Listener]

I've been testing it for some days and it seems really outstanding. A very serious tool. Any seasoned mastering engineers willing to share your opinions? Could it be by any chance on par with Weiss digital compression or at least in the same league?

[DSD_Mastering]

I use Solera in my Pyramix rig. I wouldn't put it in the same league as the Weiss or other digital hardware units, but it's close. I would though put it up against any software comp available. It's as good if not better than the Oxford/Massey/UAD plugs in my PT rig.

Regards,
Bruce

[The Listener]

Thanx for the insight, just to be sure - are we talking about the latest version which is the same as the plug that is just now being released separately - I guess it would be some version 5 of the Pyramix package or something like that. There is some talk it is a big difference between the older (v.4) and the newer version. But It's just what I've been reading.

[DSD_Mastering]

Yes, I'm using Pyramix 5.1 DSD/PCM Mastering/Post system. These are the latest plugs.

Regards,
Bruce

[zenmastering]

The Latest revision of the Solera+ plug-in is same in Pyramix and the standalone version.

Solera never actually ran in Pyramix V4 (at least not here...). The "+" was added a while back when some major improvements were made (Range controls and clipper enhancements", amongst others).

It's a different animal than the Weiss - I'd say that they're complimentary - low level enhancement is better on the Solera+ and De-essing is better on the Weiss.

I've been using Solera+ for a while now and still feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of what it can do.

Best,

Graemme

[NoWo]

Originally Posted by zenmastering

... low level enhancement is better on the Solera+ and De-essing is better on the Weiss.

Solera+ has a Deesser? Did I miss it in the Demo? Where can I find it?

NoWo

[bcgood]

I'm more into the Flux Capacitor myself, especially at 88 miles per hour.

bcgood

[zenmastering]

you'll have to make one using the sidechain EQ and the compressor...

Originally Posted by NoWo

Solera+ has a Deesser? Did I miss it in the Demo? Where can I find it?

NoWo

[NoWo]

Originally Posted by zenmastering

you'll have to make one using the sidechain EQ and the compressor...

I feared you´d say that -:)
Well I did and the result was anything than sufficient. It really makes me wonder why it is so difficult to build a good Deesser for the vst world, I tested them all and none of them can reproduce the official sound impression ( which is dictated by the Weiss IMO).
Anyway, I find the Flux plugs extremely impressing and think about buying them. Unfortunately I have the feeling that the Epure (or the Solera) is providing me a severe computer crash now and then when it is mixed with other plugs within Wavelab 5. Maybe a buffer underrun? Reminds me of other plugs that showed the same behaviour on their first release.
I like the Epure and the "normal" Pure comp even more than the Solera+ because Solera seems a little bit overcomplicated.
But soundwise the Flux plugs are ruling, no question.
Maybe they can add a good desser too? -:)

NoWo

[The Listener]

Hi,

nice to hear some more opinions. Solera+ seems to me one of the best "Dynamics" plug-ins.
I don't think it is overcomplicated. Just take a day or two just exploring it - no serious audio business around. Just relaxed testing with no hurry.
Probably you know about the laws of classic parameters like treshold, ratio, knee, etc. And also how do release settings affect the signal. Now play around with different advanced release functions and compare with auto release, listen to what Angel Share does in different % and what Hysteresis does.
Don't approach with fear, but read manual first and then approach it like a sculpturing tool with which you can shape the final loudness/softness of the master. Sit behind it like behind the wheel of a powerful racing car and play with the settings. Listen how the sound reacts - when does it open, when it gets louder, but transparent and warm at the same time. When it is too much.
Really not complicated. Imagine how complicated must The Legendary Audio Masterpiece look like at the first try...(not that I know first hand).

It is very usefull to adjust "Hysteresis" to some 65% when adjusting compressor and decompressor - I tend to compress with lower ratios and softer knee and use higher settings for decompressor - it opens sound more - you hear it when Hysteresis is applied some more - but then reduce it to the desired amount of "freshness"... Same with Angel's Share. I haven't touched the expander yet and also experimented just a little with the sidechain EQ... But you can achieve some nice roundness and very light deessing with it. Compressor/decompressor with angel's share and hysteresis and advanced release functions are THE tools for me. I have to find some use for the expander section - sounds so nice to have around.
And I put "Clipper" on as default. Don't need any overshoots... but it doesn't do anything dramatic soundwise (when everything else is applyed properly) - it is just there to "serve and protect". ;)

Any Flux member reading - do I get a discount on Solera+ purchase for that post? :)

P.S. It is very nice that you can actually test it (fully functional) for a long time if you remember or write down the settings and don't need 96k option. Until I save enough it will do for me.

[Stiff]

Oh yeah, the Flux stuff is awesome. Possibly the best plug-ins for mastering I have ever used.