WAVES Introducing the JJP collection

[Absolute]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Is it just me or does this dude look exactly like one of the bad guys from the first DieHard movie with Bruce Willis? When he started talking, I was shocked he didn't have a deep voice with German accent...



Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mister Cowboy?

Yippee-ki-yay, mother****er!

"Hans ?.......Boobie"

[Absolute]

Originally Posted by sonicdefault

Well, most people here would find it presumptuous to infer that there is some sort of lack of understanding that plug-ins have shortcomings when compared to hardware. Of course hardware is better... that's the point! I think the general consensus about plugs which try to emulate many of the innate characteristics of hardware, is that it's a step in the right direction. If you like hardware, why is the development of plugs that aim to sound like them such a "lame" idea? Your posts are simply coming across as insulting because you're saying that we're foolish for appreciating them.

Don't you remember how awful some of the older plugs sounded compared to the newer emulations? I would never want to return to that! Most guys around here realize the limitations of the current technology, but at the same time have found a certain usefulness for these types of plugs ITB. I use hardware all the time and have very expensive eqs and compressors which I use at all stages of production. However, I have found many occasions where using plug-ins has advantages... usually because of convenience or over issues of conversion. So why in these moments would I not be happy that I can reach for a plug that sounds superior to others?


-SD

Good post.

Its very hard to read through any forum on the internet and not run into clueless comments. There is intelligence and then there is wisdom--and wisdom is sorely lacking. Some people just cant see the big picture.

But even worse is Bias. I believe it is bias that causes so much stubbornness. Some people just dont want to understand because it nullifies their opinion..

The only other thing I'll say is that I disagree that plugins are not as good as hardware. Its not that absolute anymore. There are some that are better than the hardware. This was inevitable because once you achieve a one on one copy by all critical measurments(phase cancellation from the original gear)--you actually have beat the hardware due to the softwares versatility(many instances, presets, recall, ease of use). At that point you can even improve on the sonics, add features, bands, and parameters that the hardware does not have.

This is where the bias comes in because some people feels threatened, or mad, that others have virtual gear that matches their higher priced hardware. But there are also many men around here wise enough and secure enough to see its their skill that truly sets them apart.. so there's nothing to fear. You cant model skill.

[Farshad]

I hope Waves models a high end reverb as well (Lex 480 anyone?) So we can be done with it forever

[noiseflaw]

Originally Posted by Absolute

...You cant model skill.

So true, and a aspect sorely neglected in the pointscoring stubborness of Waves v UAD v hardware debates - it just gets really petty and silly after a while.

Loads of killer plugs out at the mo' and more to come...

Just have at it.

[Synergy Media]

Originally Posted by Absolute

You cant model skill.

Ah but you can, just not in plugin format

[ddageek]

Ah Man I thought he said skin because I wanted that JJP skin then again mine sort of looks like is studio!

[manthe]

Originally Posted by Farshad

I hope Waves models a high end reverb as well (Lex 480 anyone?) So we can be done with it forever

I think PSP already did a bang-up job at that!

[Football]

Originally Posted by manthe

I think PSP already did a bang-up job at that!

Are you sure? I am not aware of them making a 480 style plug.

[manthe]

Originally Posted by Football

Are you sure? I am not aware of them making a 480 style plug.

My mistake, they did the PCM42....still a great plug!

[T_R_S]

Originally Posted by Farshad

I hope Waves models a high end reverb as well (Lex 480 anyone?) So we can be done with it forever

I use the L480 stuff all the time in Waves IR-1
The IR samples are fantastic

[Farshad]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

I use the L480 stuff all the time in Waves IR-1
The IR samples are fantastic

I have the Waves IR abd agree ut us great but since I got my Lexi PCM 91 I aminlove againwith high quality algo reverbs and combine the two typesin my projects. Istill hope Waves do it!

[Farshad]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

I use the L480 stuff all the time in Waves IR-1
The IR samples are fantastic

By the way I always preferred the Waves IR to Altivebr. To me the Altiverb was more good looking than sounding better.

[ProducerBoy]

I decided to demo these plugs for the heck of it while I am demoing a bunch of other plugs (waves API, chandler, sonnox).
At first glance, I didn't think this would be a very flexible bundle, but after trying them out on a couple mixes I am very impressed.
I could care less how they compare to the UAD (though I totally understand why many would), I also couldn't care less wether or not they nail the hardware. I just want to love what I'm hearing... and I do.

The puigtech eqs are slick. Kind of a polished sound. In contrast to the Waves API 560s, which are lean, punchy, and in your face, the JJP eqs are more refined.

The puigchild... you know, the only way Waves could have done any worse with these names would be to call them the turdchild, or sploogetech, but I digress...
The puigchild is sweeeeet. Loved it on guitars, vocals, drums.

My fiance (who can blindly spot a neve, api, or tg preamp and told me i needed a Vox AC30HH after hearing one...oh, and a major fan of the FATSO Jr... I know, she's a-mayyy-ziiing!) was half napping half resting on the couch while I mixed with the JJP plugs. After mixing a while with them, my toughest critic gave her unsolicited approval. She agreed, having no idea and not really caring what I was using, that the mix began to sound really good. Very pleasing to the ear. Not fatiguing, pleasing.
That's quite a feat for an ITB mix.

last note - I pulled 5 plugs off of a rough vocal track i was trying to repair, replaced them with the JJP meq & child comp and it wasn't simply better than before, it just sounded really good.

[sonicdefault]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

...

My fiance (who can blindly spot a neve, api, or tg preamp and told me i needed a Vox AC30HH after hearing one...oh, and a major fan of the FATSO Jr... I know, she's a-mayyy-ziiing!) was half napping half resting on the couch while I mixed with the JJP plugs. After mixing a while with them, my toughest critic gave her unsolicited approval. She agreed, having no idea and not really caring what I was using, that the mix began to sound really good.

...

Sounds like you found the right girl! Congrats on the engagement!


-SD

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by sonicdefault

Sounds like you found the right girl! Congrats on the engagement!


-SD

Thanks!

[spockstudio]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

I decided to demo these plugs for the heck of it while I am demoing a bunch of other plugs (waves API, chandler, sonnox).
At first glance, I didn't think this would be a very flexible bundle, but after trying them out on a couple mixes I am very impressed.
I could care less how they compare to the UAD (though I totally understand why many would), I also couldn't care less wether or not they nail the hardware. I just want to love what I'm hearing... and I do.

The puigtech eqs are slick. Kind of a polished sound. In contrast to the Waves API 560s, which are lean, punchy, and in your face, the JJP eqs are more refined.

The puigchild... you know, the only way Waves could have done any worse with these names would be to call them the turdchild, or sploogetech, but I digress...
The puigchild is sweeeeet. Loved it on guitars, vocals, drums.

My fiance (who can blindly spot a neve, api, or tg preamp and told me i needed a Vox AC30HH after hearing one...oh, and a major fan of the FATSO Jr... I know, she's a-mayyy-ziiing!) was half napping half resting on the couch while I mixed with the JJP plugs. After mixing a while with them, my toughest critic gave her unsolicited approval. She agreed, having no idea and not really caring what I was using, that the mix began to sound really good. Very pleasing to the ear. Not fatiguing, pleasing.
That's quite a feat for an ITB mix.

last note - I pulled 5 plugs off of a rough vocal track i was trying to repair, replaced them with the JJP meq & child comp and it wasn't simply better than before, it just sounded really good.

Originally Posted by Absolute

Good post.

Its very hard to read through any forum on the internet and not run into clueless comments. There is intelligence and then there is wisdom--and wisdom is sorely lacking. Some people just cant see the big picture.

But even worse is Bias. I believe it is bias that causes so much stubbornness. Some people just dont want to understand because it nullifies their opinion..

The only other thing I'll say is that I disagree that plugins are not as good as hardware. Its not that absolute anymore. There are some that are better than the hardware. This was inevitable because once you achieve a one on one copy by all critical measurments(phase cancellation from the original gear)--you actually have beat the hardware due to the softwares versatility(many instances, presets, recall, ease of use). At that point you can even improve on the sonics, add features, bands, and parameters that the hardware does not have.

This is where the bias comes in because some people feels threatened, or mad, that others have virtual gear that matches their higher priced hardware. But there are also many men around here wise enough and secure enough to see its their skill that truly sets them apart.. so there's nothing to fear. You cant model skill.

Waves has been doing great plugs for years.



No, the plugs will NOT equal the 660/670/MEQ/EQP hardware. Please.

[anon]

Originally Posted by spockstudio

No, the plugs will NOT equal the 660/670/MEQ/EQP hardware. Please.

And the Hardware will not Equal the software, it just is what it is and it all depends on so many things, If I had all the money in the world I would still use these plugs.

[jamwerks]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

I know, she's a-mayyy-ziiing!)

If I were you I'd hang on to the plugs but dump your babe (I'm pm'ing you my phone number for her !)

p.s. what did you think of the sonnox plugs compared to all the others?

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by spockstudio

Waves has been doing great plugs for years.
No, the plugs will NOT equal the 660/670/MEQ/EQP hardware. Please.

Like I said in my post you quoted... I couldn't care less if they, or any other plugin for that matter, sounds anything like the hardware they are supposed to model. : )

Originally Posted by jamwerks

If I were you I'd hang on to the plugs but dump your babe (I'm pm'ing you my phone number for her !)

p.s. what did you think of the sonnox plugs compared to all the others?

So far, I've only tried the Inflator and Limiter. Love the Inflator, really like the Limiter. Both solid. Both very different plugs. Increased loudness is all they have in common. If I had to choose one, it would definitely be the Inflator.
I'll be trying the Sonnox EQ & Dynamics next. (fun week! ...and I'm definitely keeping my lady!)

[belgarath]

Plugins are only "emulations" of hardware and are only a "tool" to make good recordings and to give those of us who don't have access to the original hardware products emulations.
I don't understand why there is always a debate on which one sounds or is better.
For instance if you wanted to mix using your laptop and you need a specific type of eq or compressor you can choose the specific plugin emulation and in this instance a plugin is better
I would also add people using plugins already know they will not sound exactly like hardware in the first place and the usefulness of the plugin is only relative to the user and what desired results are expected.

I am glad companies such as Waves, Sony, Universal Audio and a host of others are producing great plugins emulating classic compressors, eqs and the like as tools to get better sounding recordings. It makes my life a whole lot easier.

[barryjohns]

When I first gave these plugs a try, I didn't really care for them. Then as I usually do when running a new plug through it's paces, I pulled up a previous mix, stripped the plugs I used and replaced with the ones' being demo'd. With these plugs I did 2 different songs, one rock and one a ballad. The plugs were stellar on both songs. They are very, very smooth, polished. Rounding out any harshness that my have existed.

I find the Waves V series to very smooth and polished as well, compared to the SSL and API bundles. I of course bought this bundle as well.

After all is said and done, when is it going to stop for me? At some point, really, how many EQ's do I need?

[Amorican]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

Thanks, I will check out the Jellyfish stuff. I've heard about that band, mainly through Jon Brion.

Honestly, I was kinda thinking "Who gets excited about the Goo Goo Dolls and Fergie?"

I mean, I know that kinda stuff gets played at the Supermarket and on Clearchannel radio, but I can't imagine anyone who actually makes records gets excited about that stuff. That's just, y'know... product.

Imagine this conversation in a studio:
"It's a Fairchild... it sounds amazing. I mean, like, they used one on that Goo Goo Dolls song..."



I mean, come on, please tell me I'm not the only one chuckling.

Anyway, I haven't bought these plugins yet. I'm about to. I'm sure they're great. The Waves API bundle is killer. I wish it wasn't (not a fan of the company at all) but it is.

- c

p.s. JJP also worked on a Beck record? Anyone know which one?

Definately check out the Amorica Black Crowes record. Great natural tones

[Paul Vicory]

I'm not in any sense an expert on Fairchilds and Pultecs but I really liked what I heard when I demoed these plug-ins, and just bought them after being >so< close to buying a UAD-1 expert pak (something I've wanted for a very long time).

The deal killer for me was that I've been recording at 96 KHz on my new DAW system and could see that even with 2 UAD-1 cards, I would be out of DSP before I could finish a simple mix, given the plug-ins I wanted to use (mostly the Neve bundle, Fairchilds, etc.). I easily had 12 SSL and JJP plugs going on top of another dozen or so other plug-ins at a reasonably low latency. UA is really shooting themselves in the foot with not updating there DSP platform, but I digress . . .

I also found the SSL channel strip to be great on certain material, and I really like the G-Master buss compressor. Booth the JJP and SSL plug-ins seemed to reinforce a warm analog sound I 've been trying to achieve with my mixes (I'm just a songwriter/musician/home studio sort of guy - not a professional but I know what I like).

Honestly, having demoed the Waves Gold bundle in the past, I was not expecting much from these plugs - I never liked the harsh sound I got from things like the L2 Maximizer and LinEQ (I may have not understood how to use them but oh well) - and the bundle prices seemed ridiculously high to me. I've been using Voxengo for several years now, and loved the sound but these new Wave plugs are above and beyond what I've ever used before. Really nice stuff.

[Ben F]

The difference that I've noticed with the UAD emulations compared to real analogue is that they have some of the character that analogue devices have, that I miss with other plug-ins emulations. Even if they don't sound identical that is enough for me.

I think that the essential aspect that UAD-1 plug-ins manage to capture is the 'vibe' of some of the older equipment. In our studio we have real Pultecs, Neves, and a few vari-mu compressors but not the 670. In a mix situation I'd happily use UAD. For mastering that tiny difference is enough to use the hardware. But the difference is getting remarkably smaller- plug-ins have really come a long way.

Big fan of Waves as well, especially the renascence series.

[anon]

Originally Posted by belgarath

Plugins are only "emulations" of hardware and are only a "tool" to make good recordings and to give those of us who don't have access to the original hardware products emulations.

Or those of us that just don't want to use the hardware, hardware can be a pain in the ass, I love working with plugins because I can do several different mixes easily with instant recall, which allows me to be much more experimental, and anyway the quality of many plugins are just as high quality as the hardware, maybe not an exact replica, but just as relevant.

[Alexi]

Originally Posted by ddageek

Tim the world needs a great LA2 and 1176 emulation that can be used without dedicated hardware and on multiple platforms!!!

i second that

[ProducerBoy]

I tried to match the Puitech and Puigchild with my URS CSP and had great results. I was looking to purchase the JJP collection and the PSP Vintage Warmer, but I found I could get way too close with the CSP to justify the purchase. In fact, with the exception of the Puigtech, I actually preferred the CSP everytime. The Puigtech had a subtle sheen I could get close to, but not nail with the CSP.

However, I think the waves API trounces the CSP 1967 models.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

However, I think the waves API trounces the CSP 1967 models.

Probably because the way the Q changes on the Waves API, whereas you have to do it manually on the CSP. If you use a wide Q at low boost, and bring it narrower as you boost with the CSP you can get similar results, but the fact that it happens as you turn the knob with the Waves makes it much easier to use.

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Probably because the way the Q changes on the Waves API, whereas you have to do it manually on the CSP. If you use a wide Q at low boost, and bring it narrower as you boost with the CSP you can get similar results, but the fact that it happens as you turn the knob with the Waves makes it much easier to use.

Totally. I had to adjust for the attenuate knobs and the Q on the CSP to match the puitechs. (oddly enough, the Iron A 15ips input setting brought the CSP closer)
I do however prefer the over all color of the Waves API plugs. Just instantiating one affects the sound in a really positive way.

[barryjohns]

I’ve read a lot of hype on the URS Channel Strip Pro. So, I demo’d it last week. I have to say, I just don’t get it. I found the lows to be muffled and the high’s to be harsh, regardless of which emulation I was using.

I had read that the compressor part of the channel strip was as good as UAD’s LA2A and 1176, although the compressor was decent, it was nowhere near the UAD.

I had hoped it would be a really great plug, if I had liked it, I was going to buy the TDM version for tracking purposes, not only did I not find the love, I didn’t find the like. I can actually say this about URS plugs in general, I’m just not a fan really with all the other options out there.