Kush Clariphonic DSP Plugin

[Silver Sonya]

Greg has a particular combination of four different geniuses.

1. He's obviously got an impeccable and physical-level appreciation for tone.
2. He has design vision at nearly every level, sonic and visual.
3. He's an AMAZING hyper of his work. It's almost like Jay Z or Muhammad Ali. It's bananas. Shameless and effusive and fantastic.
4. He's an AMAZING truth-speaker. The man quite simply does not equivocate. Ever.

These last two you would think would contradict each other, but there's no reason that need be: Hype that comes out of passion IS truth, albeit subjective truth.

This is instructive to other gear manufacturers: Emphasize not so much the objective --- "This is the best compressor on the market" --- which feels shrill and unwelcome. Emphasize the subjective: "I don't know what to tell you. This compressor is amazing to us, we worked hard, it does the things we want it to, we hope you check it out!"

- c

[Macaroni]

I know the Clariphonic is not exactly the same as the SPL/UAD Vitalizer, but I wonder how they compare in terms of similar approaches and results, etc?

SPL Vitalizer MK2-T Plug-In

I'm curious about the Clariphonic, but not so anxious to buy an iLok.

[K-Slash]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

Greg has a particular combination of four different geniuses.

1. He's obviously got an impeccable and physical-level appreciation for tone.
2. He has design vision at nearly every level, sonic and visual.
3. He's an AMAZING hyper of his work. It's almost like Jay Z or Muhammad Ali. It's bananas. Shameless and effusive and fantastic.
4. He's an AMAZING truth-speaker. The man quite simply does not equivocate. Ever.

These last two you would think would contradict each other, but there's no reason that need be: Hype that comes out of passion IS truth, albeit subjective truth.

This is instructive to other gear manufacturers: Emphasize not so much the objective --- "This is the best compressor on the market" --- which feels shrill and unwelcome. Emphasize the subjective: "I don't know what to tell you. This compressor is amazing to us, we worked hard, it does the things we want it to, we hope you check it out!"

- c

Spot on !

[antithesist]

5. He has cool hats and sweaters.

[Andy Warren]

I always enjoy and learn a lot from ubk's posts.

Using ubk-1 regularly, and look fwd to the Clariphonic plugin!

[solveforq]

Originally Posted by Andy Warren

I always enjoy and learn a lot from ubk's posts.

Using ubk-1 regularly, and look fwd to the Clariphonic plugin!

Same here. Hey Jules... any chance we could get Greg for a Q&A month?

[neon]

Originally Posted by solveforq

Same here. Hey Jules... any chance we could get Greg for a Q&A month?

I think the best thing UBK can do is to write a book, he can be an awesome writer, i would buy his books, but the UBK-1, what a whatever plug in.

and I am sure the clariphonic plug in will make more sense.

[DanGo]

Agreed on all points, Chad. Never noticed the sweaters, but hats, yes! Greg's a fella who appears to know what he likes and is lucky enough to be able to make his tastes reality in the form of hardware and software. And yeah, I really do appreciate that his hype is followed up by comments that indicate that he speaks what he believes and that he won't lie to you: i.e. the

[joe_04_04]

Greg is quite mysterious. He's a trendy artist. His company is called "Kush," he sells shirts on his site that are made of hemp. I'm starting to see a trend here.

[antithesist]

[sakamoto]

Originally Posted by antithesist

Sweater and hat...Freddy Krueger of Audio Industry

[Mixtree Audio]

Originally Posted by sakamoto

Sweater and hat...Freddy Krueger of Audio Industry

LMAO

[NYMo]

Haha...very good. !

I used to own a clarifonic...interested to see how this software one stacks up.
I trust Greg, he's one of the good guys !

[lakeshorephatty]

Originally Posted by sakamoto

Sweater and hat...Freddy Krueger of Audio Industry

*spontaneous burst of laughter*

[foamboy]

Okay,back to the plugin.

So it looks cool and the hardware seems cool,but how is this different than say something like the BBE plugs?


Wait.....wait...wait....

Okay,my flame suit is on.........


GO!!!!!!!!!


fb

[joe_04_04]

Originally Posted by foamboy

Okay,back to the plugin.

So it looks cool and the hardware seems cool,but how is this different than say something like the BBE plugs?


Wait.....wait...wait....

Okay,my flame suit is on.........


GO!!!!!!!!!


fb

Guess you'll just have to wait another week like the rest of us :(

[sbackdoor]

For starters, it's brown!

I've had one for a while and it's very different. It opens up your mix entirely in a way I had never heard before (on the mix buss). "expensive" like Greg calls it is a good description.
Hopefuly the plugin can do the same!

[Jeast]

Originally Posted by sbackdoor

For starters, it's brown!

I've had one for a while and it's very different. It opens up your mix entirely in a way I had never heard before (on the mix buss). "expensive" like Greg calls it is a good description.
Hopefuly the plugin can do the same!

It seems like everyone in this topic who owned the hardware box got rid of it...
Why?

[sbackdoor]

Originally Posted by Jeast

It seems like everyone in this topic who owned the hardware box got rid of it...
Why?

Ha! Now that you mention it...
I had it on trial, together with a UBK Fatso. I chose that.

[u b k]

Not gonna lie, the Freddie Krueger thing cracked me up too, but in all fairness it's not the first time someone noticed; on one of the original Clariphonic threads someone posted side-by-side pics of me and Freddie, and there was a pretty striking resemblance. Maybe I'll see you all in your dreams!

Anyway, thanks for kind words and the support. I know I hype the living crap out of my stuff, and I appreciate that people see the honesty that sits alongside it.

Ok, Q&A time:

Originally Posted by mattyc

will the demo be ilok 2 only or ilok OG as well ?

iLok 1 or 2 for the 32-bit versions. When the 64-bit plugs are released, those will require iLok 2 because that's how PACE decided it needs to be.

Originally Posted by Jeezo

...are you oversampling in it or are we really have to go 96k to really appreciate the top end ?

No to both questions: there is no oversampling, nor do you really have to go to 96k to appreciate the top end. The top end on this plug sounds as good to me at 44.1k as any other eq plug I've heard at 44.1k, regardless of whether they oversample or not.

Imho oversampling is great for non-linear processes like distortion, but for static filters like eq as soon as we downsampled all the same issues cropped up near the nyquist, same as if it hadn't been oversampled. Every plugin exhibits this same set of issues up top and to the best of my knowledge there's nothing any of us can do about it other than run the whole session at a higher rate so the hash moves way beyond the audible band.

I've advocated 88.2 since forever, it gets all the plugin muck out of the way but is significantly more efficient than 96k, most computers made in the past couple of years should have no trouble running sessions at 88.2. My Burl is parked there, and has been since I got it :-)

Originally Posted by Nevelous

I bought the unit just a couple of weeks ago used for 1000€. I sure hope that when I A/B the two, I get a smile that is worth the 851€.

I can't promise you will, but I can say without reservation that I do.

Originally Posted by frenkonio

So, as a one of the first buyer of UBK-1 (I paid the full price so I was "lucky" to have a voucher of 150$ if I remember correctly) I hope to have it for free because 199$ - 150$ = 49$...

The Clariphonic DSP is $149, so your voucher gets you a free plugin, which is exactly what I wanted it to do :-)

Originally Posted by Macaroni

I know the Clariphonic is not exactly the same as the SPL/UAD Vitalizer, but I wonder how they compare in terms of similar approaches and results, etc?

Couldn't be more unalike. The SPL uses phase distortions across all of the delicate upper midrange, presence, and air bands to add harmonics and overtones to the sound that don't actually exist in the source. Phase distortions, especially in the high end, are incredibly fatiguing because the brain works hard to constantly try and pull together the misaligned time information, and the ears get worn out in the process.

The Clariphonic, otoh, is a starkly simple eq with extremely wide, genetle filters whose distortions -- be they phase, harmonic, intermodulation, etc. --- are by design as low or lower than any eq on the planet.

Exciters are inherently zingy, hashy, and hyped sounding, and only sound passable in small doses; but you can crank the top on the Clariphonic by 10 or even 14dB and while it will probably be too bright, it won't be harsh or brittle. It's an addictive piece that needs to be respected or you can overdo it without realizing it, but once you get a feel for what it does you'll find your sweet spot and you'll have a hard time living without it.

You've been warned.


Gregory Scott - ubk

[sbackdoor]

Originally Posted by u b k

(...) but once you get a feel for what it does you'll find your sweet spot and you'll have a hard time living without it.

I had this. After 15 minutes on the 2bus, taking it off caused a shock. Like a blanket falling over it.

[Jeezo]

Thks Greg for the infos ....

[eb7]

Originally Posted by Jeast

It seems like everyone in this topic who owned the hardware box got rid of it...
Why?

Yes... I too am curious about this.

[bigfurry]

I have the hardware box and there is ZERO chance I ever get rid of it.


Will try the plug and hope to love it! But no way the brown and black leaves the rack...

[eb7]

Originally Posted by bigfurry

I have the hardware box and there is ZERO chance I ever get rid of it.

It seems to be a split between those who feel this way and those who initially felt that way and later changed their minds. To that latter group: Was there a novelty that eventually wore off? Or was the hardware unit just too much of an investment for the amount of use you got out of it?

[Bryce]

Originally Posted by Jeast

It seems like everyone in this topic who owned the hardware box got rid of it...
Why?

sbackdoor (to whose post you responded) said "I've had one for a while, not "I had one". Unless I'm missing something, "I've" indicates he still has it.

dB

[True North]

By personal studio standards I own a lot of hardware of various types (pre's, compressors etc..)

The Clariphonic is one of my favorite hardware pieces and it is glued to my master buss. Really excited to hear the software version

Any chance we could work out a special GS price for existing Clariphonic owners

BTW Greg you have come A LOOOONG way from the guy who was ready to leave the industry a few years ago....I for one am very glad you stuck it out

Good luck with your latest and future releases

[joe_04_04]

Originally Posted by True North

By personal studio standards I own a lot of hardware of various types (pre's, compressors etc..)

The Clariphonic is one of my favorite hardware pieces and it is glued to my master buss. Really excited to hear the software version

Any chance we could work out a special GS price for existing Clariphonic owners

BTW Greg you have come A LOOOONG way from the guy who was ready to leave the industry a few years ago....I for one am very glad you stuck it out

Good luck with your latest and future releases

I didn't know he was going to leave the industry! Dang, glad he didn't. The UBK1 saved my life! Jk, but really!

[antithesist]

6. He's an enigma.

[frankymax]

Originally Posted by True North

Any chance we could work out a special GS price for existing Clariphonic owners

As an owner of the hardware version I emphatically say .... +1!!!!