Alternatives to Valhalla Room and Ubermod?

[seancostello]

Originally Posted by Kane

What we need is for DAW and plugin makers to agree on a standard, small size window which can be docked so that when you select a channel you can see all the plugins assigned to it. It could still use more than one block if it had lots of parameters.

Current plugin standards for major DAWs:

VST2.4
VST3.x (pretty different from 2.x)
AudioUnit
RTAS
AAX (the replacement for RTAS)

If the DAW makers can't even agree on the basic plugin coding standard, I hold little to no hope for the window sizes to be quantized to any sort of unit size. Which is too bad, as plugins designed to a quantized "grid" could make for some nice design, if done correctly.

[thirdsun]

I know it doesn't really belong here but if we are talking about UI design anyway I would like to mention Fabfilter which have done a terrific job with their recent interfaces. Not as reduced as Valhalla, I love those plugins by the way, but also very focussed on actually working with a computer instead of emulating analog hardware. Where other plugins show a fake and static brushed metal panel Fabfilter uses the background to show the waveform of the processed audio, often as main element, with the parameter controls overlayed. While this might sound pretty gimicky it's actually very useful as those waveforms and analyzers show very important information. In case of their Limiter and compressor for instance the waveform visually shows how the parameters change the sound allowing you to compare original and effect waveforms as overlay. This can be helpful even before your actually hear the effects.

One could argue whether Fabfilter is the way to go as there are other reputable options to most of their solutions available, however I thought their approach to UI and workflow was very refreshing and I would recommend it especially to beginners as the plugins go to great lengths to explain what is actually happening with every parameter.

When it comes to user interfaces I'll take Valhalla, Ableton and Fabfilter over any other optical hardware emulation. These developers got it right, providing designs for a truly digital workflow.

[Doc Mixwell]

Not sure if anyone suggested it, but if you get an external control surface, [that looks cool enough for you to use] you can control these plugs, without them being in the foreground of your workstations GUI.

Good luck

PS; I love VALLHALLA room and use it on every session. The GUI could make my eyes bleed, and send electrical signals down my spine, and I would still use it.

[energizer bunny]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

I love VALLHALLA room and use it on every session. The GUI could make my eyes bleed, and send electrical signals down my spine, and I would still use it.

Haha thats awesome. Can't argue with that.

[Sotsirc]

Does anyone else feel that Ubermod is fantastic but Valhalla Room not as much ...?

[jrhager84]

^ You're on your own buddy... Lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

[omtayslick]

Originally Posted by thermos

Nothing sounds like these plugs as far as I'm concerned. I love the guis, I can navigate them super fast.

exactly.

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by jrhager84

^ You're on your own buddy... Lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

[omtayslick]

I have been demoing the Valhalla room for the last 2 days after hearing the raves on another thread. I almost didn't try the demo because I have so many reverbs already, but I'm glad I did.

The dark settings in particular are something special, as IMO most reverb plugs are too bright. Also I find the bold, easy to read, and easy to manipulate GUI a breath of fresh air, and I hope they don't change it.

And a great and fair price! Valhalla will be receiving my dough soon.

[TheLastByte]

Well, you see that why I just refuse to use Fairchild's & Pultecs - The Livery is just dreadful - all those old Bakelite knobs & stuff - ohhhhhh! UAD do Much nicer versions!

[login]

Originally Posted by seancostello

Current plugin standards for major DAWs:

VST2.4
VST3.x (pretty different from 2.x)
AudioUnit
RTAS
AAX (the replacement for RTAS)

If the DAW makers can't even agree on the basic plugin coding standard, I hold little to no hope for the window sizes to be quantized to any sort of unit size. Which is too bad, as plugins designed to a quantized "grid" could make for some nice design, if done correctly.

For example Ableton Live has this basic idea implemented: a dedicated space for plug ins, with standar knobs and parameters.

users can use any plug in there, without opening the GUI, but they dont provided vertical sliders or knobs, which defeats the usefullnes of the idea. It would be nice if Ableton expanded this feature so developers could customize a layout for their plugs.

I like Valhalla GUI's, Live is also brilliant, Its much more easy on the eyes. fabfilter GUI's are fastanstic too but I dont like their knobs, a combination of the visual feedback of their plugs with the simplicity of valhalla or live gui's would be a winner IMHO.

[chk23]

Originally Posted by nopattern

most people probably wouldn't like this, but i would rather not have interfaces for plugins. forget even specifying devices. i would love to look at an insert channel full of effects which are shown to me just as a bunch of parameters in a list. i appreciate nice looking interfaces but at the end of the day the windows are too much. id rather see all parameters and automation (scrolling values) in one list

In cubase you can switch every plugin window into "generic interface" mode which is a window with just the parameters listed as a column of sliders (but I'm not sure if this would list only those parameters that are available for automation).

[TheLastByte]

Sean Makes great plug In's - and some are 100% free - often what a plug In does...once in a while is totally unique, Sean seriously has looked over hundreds if not thousands of Hardware Spaces & Algo's to give you.....then end user the most bang for the buck! No... not everything can be done in one simple Plug in - if this were so Waves would charge $3,800.00 for a Console Plug in - It kinda works the same way here!
Valhalla Plug's are serious software for the measly bucks$ IMO - If you the end user do actually Support guys like Sean with plug In's like this...and you'll get even more diverse Plug In's over the next 5 years! And Please.....Let's keep the comparisons to a small degree - if anything Ask Sean Costello why these plug In's are...the way they are?

Cheers
TLB.

[mon]

Valhalla GUIs are outstanding. I wanted to add that I was attracted to the plug-ins immediately not just because of the sound but by their similarity to the 60's - 70's Quad hi-fi equipment aesthetic - some of the most wonderful hardware stuff ever. Thanks to both of you. I think I'll be buying ÜberMod also soon.

[gussyg2007]

I have a ton of plugs that do what Valhalla room does... but nothing that does Ubermod

[uptown jimmy]

Originally Posted by ep1c0ne

I'm looking for alternatives to Room and Ubermod. I'm sorry, but I just can't stand the GUI's... I'm willing to pay more for the same sound quality with better GUI's. Recommendations?

Wow.

[Pedro Blanco]

I suspect that Sean is in reality, the current incarnation of Odin, giving us great weapons like mjölnir, for the imminent audio ragnarök. With Vahallaroom and übermod, i can face Loki and is sons with a big smile on my lips!