A question for Waves Plugin users

[Chris F]

I'm looking to get into the world of plugin FX for my MOTU setup, and am having a bit of trouble deciding what to buy. I'll only be recording acoustic music, mostly but not exclusively jazz-based stuff, so I won't need any "tripped out" effects, just a decent reverb, EQ, and possibly a tiny bit of compression. If there was a mastering plugin included, that would be great, but it's not required.

One person suggested that I look into Waves Native Power Pack as a starter. Their "paragraphic" EQ looks interesting, and I hear the Waves reverbs are good. Does anybody use either the Waves Power Pack or the effects included with it? If so, how do you like it/them? Are their any other bundles out there that I should be looking at of similar of better quality? For the type of music that I'll be recording, are there other effects that I should be looking at that are not included in the NPP? (If it matters, I'll be running the plugins with Digital Performer on a G4...No Mac flaming, please!!! )

Any and all comments welcome. (Hope this is in the right forum). Thanks in advance.

[tdukex]

I like the Waves stuff, especially the Renaissance Collection. But I'm not a pro.

Here's some reviews of the Waves stuff over at prorec.com

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...2566730052b465

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...2566E70067B116

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...2566EC00260DF5

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...25673F001B3960

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...256B7F0077FBA6

[wx3]

They SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gordone]

Waves are the only plug-ins I use. I have the RenCollection and NPP. Just about every vocal track I do has the RCL on it and the L1 is great in getting stuff just a tad louder (to impress the girls!) I also like the RVerb and the REQ if I need any EQ. I don't use the C1 as much (I like the color from the RCL)

Disclaimer - The only other plug-ins I've tried were the blueline which I though sounded horrible (especially the compressor) I have read that other plug-in packs are great and a bit cheaper than the Waves (PSP I think is one?)

[LongWaveStudio]

I have the Waves Gold Bundle and the Masters Bundle. i got a good deal on them with my Nuendo system.

these plug ins are EXCELLENT. really good compressors, some of the mastering eq's are really good. i dont think many people have bad things to say about the L2 limiter.

get waves, i dont use much plug ins, im a hardware person myself, but when i do use plugins, waves is the first place i go.

[LongWaveStudio]

yeah, what ed says about waves!hehe:-)

seriosuly though, id bite the bullet and spend the money. i dont really think you'll find better plug-ins really.

[Michael Jones]

Originally posted by LongWaveStudio
yeah, what ed says about waves!hehe:-)

seriosuly though, id bite the bullet and spend the money. i dont really think you'll find better plug-ins really.

Longwave - You're a Nuendo user, don't you find the reverb in Nuendo to be horrendous! I think the compressors are pretty good though.
How does the 'verb in Waves compare to the ones in Nuendo?

[Chris F]

Originally posted by sonusman
Yeah, what LongWave says about Waves! They are pretty good plugin's. The new Master Gold Bundle with the Linear Phase eq's and the L2 are quite pleasing compared to earlier eq's and limiters from Waves.

Ed

How different are the effects in the Gold bundle from those in the Native Power Pack and Ren. collection? Also, anybody have any idea where the best prices on these things are?

[LongWaveStudio]

Nuendo reverb was ok. not as good as i expected. they're ok for very short settings. but the waves reverb is a hell of a lot better. saying that, i dont use software reverb at all. as my mixing is all done on an analog desk, i use lexicon boxes and stuff, i still think they have a touch over software. there's just something about hardware!

[c9-2001]

i'm also a nuendo user.. the reverb in it isn't horrendous, but tis not waves trueverb either..
i use waves platinum bundle along with my nuendo system. i love waves plugins..though soon i will be getting a Uad-1 or a powercore.. or maybe both

[Michael Jones]

I'm a long time user of Nuendo too - I just don't like their reverbs.
I'm with Longwave, as I reach for the Lex as well.
I do think Nuendo's compressors are pretty darn good. Any thoughts on those? What are you guys using for compression when you need it?

[LongWaveStudio]

if i HAVE to use software for compression, i use the RCL a lot.

[c9-2001]

for compression i use the waves Rcomp or the C1. i've used the RCL a few times

[ecs113]

Yes, i thoroughly enjoy the new master bundle. The linear phase multiband compressor is extremely versatile.