DSP's, are they worth it?

[urobolus.com]

Wow, it is nice to be back at HR after being locked out for the past 6 months. After GS got blocked at my work, I didn't know where I was going to go. Nothing against RP, but it is just way too slow over there, so I was quite happy to hear dragon fixed the registration, but only for new registrations (good bye rep points). Anyway....

Basically, the topic says it all.

I've heard from some people to not even bother with DSP's if you have a nice computer; they don't add anything that you couldn't do with native plug-ins.

One thing that has caught my eye is the Focusrite Liquid Mix.

Are the DSP plug-ins that much better than native ones like Waves, or some freeware? In case of UAD, are the cards worth it and purchasing new plug-ins? Does having the multiple cards mess with your overall system bandwidth? I guess I'm just wanting to see what the arguments are for, and for not, having DSP's.

Thanks again.

 

[urobolus.com]

1 and only bump.

 

[xfinsterx]

Personally i think Dsp's rule.

Im running an old g4.

Most of my mixes have around 30-40 tracks.....theres no way id get a good mix in the box with only naitive processing.

I use the UAD, and PTHD2 and think they are great.

Thats one side of the coin.....

 

[Robert D]

Still very happy with my Powercore card. Really good reverb takes a lot of MIPs. Three instances of really good reverb will put the hurt on even the latest CPUs, especially when you start running several VSTIs and 32+ tracks, and a handfull of other plugins. Keeping those verbs and other TC plugins off of the host CPU leaves me with lot's of headroom in the MIPs department. Also, it lets the codewriters for hosted plugins do whatever they want and not worry about host CPU load, focussing instead on the sound.

 

[urobolus.com]

Thanks for the replys!

From what I can tell from what I've read the quality of the plug-ins is generally much better with outboard DSP's than native, so I think I might invest in one. How much does it cost for expansion cards for the UAD, by the way? It looks like you can only purchase cards with the plug-ins.

I'm thinking about getting the Liquid Mix in addition to a UAD package. Any opinions on how this might work?

Thanks!

 

[Reggie]

Thanks for the replys!

From what I can tell from what I've read the quality of the plug-ins is generally much better with outboard DSP's than native, so I think I might invest in one. How much does it cost for expansion cards for the UAD, by the way? It looks like you can only purchase cards with the plug-ins.

Four hunerd bucks, or less if you buy used on the Ebays. Some basic plugins are included in the lowest package. You can even download them off of the UA website if you want the latest versions.

 

[pacman9000]

i don't get it


I though a computer is a dsp, a digital signal processor??


there's another kind of dsp that you need an extra pci slot for? a hardware dsp that I can't use if I don't have an available pci slot after installing my souncard?

 

[Bulls Hit]

I'm thinking about getting the Liquid Mix in addition to a UAD package. Any opinions on how this might work?

Thanks!

I have the LM and a UAD card. They both run happily together - the UAD is pci, the LM is firewire.

The problems arise with the host s/w you're using. Sonar for example has trouble running mono instances of LM. Likewise it has some issues with the UAD plugs. FWIW I've found Reaper to behave itself very well with outboard dsp

 

[bigwillz24]

Honestly I think the UAD-1 card is one of my best purchases ever. I'll put it this way the Native plugs that I used have pretty much been replaced. The cards sound that much better. I knew I was hooked when I purposely tried to do a mix without the card and just couldn't achieve the same sonic results I was getting with the card.

 

[ikijapan]

Wow, it is nice to be back at HR after being locked out for the past 6 months. After GS got blocked at my work, I didn't know where I was going to go. Nothing against RP, but it is just way too slow over there, so I was quite happy to hear dragon fixed the registration, but only for new registrations (good bye rep points). Anyway....

Basically, the topic says it all.

I've heard from some people to not even bother with DSP's if you have a nice computer; they don't add anything that you couldn't do with native plug-ins.

One thing that has caught my eye is the Focusrite Liquid Mix.

Are the DSP plug-ins that much better than native ones like Waves, or some freeware? In case of UAD, are the cards worth it and purchasing new plug-ins? Does having the multiple cards mess with your overall system bandwidth? I guess I'm just wanting to see what the arguments are for, and for not, having DSP's.

Thanks again.

I hardly ever use my DSPs. It's kind of nice to have to throw in some effects while tracking, but I basically always use native plug in's after the fact.
It seems to me that you would have more control using the native plug in's and probably better quality, but I've heard a lot of people rave about their UADs, and I don't have any experience with that, so maybe I'm missing something with that.

 

[urobolus.com]

What are some native plugs that are on par with DSP's? I've always heard good things about Waves and the SSL plug.

 

[pacman9000]

i don't get it


I though a computer is a dsp, a digital signal processor??


there's another kind of dsp that you need an extra pci slot for? a hardware dsp that I can't use if I don't have an available pci slot after installing my souncard?

answer my question assholes or suck my dongle

 

[Bulls Hit]

answer my question assholes or suck my dongle

There's a funny smell around here.


And what's that buzzing noise?

 

[lo beam]

answer my question assholes or suck my dongle

OK, since you asked so politely

You're right. A DSP is a computer, or a microprocessor to be more accurate.

(And anything that you put in your signal path in the digital domain is also a DSP, technically speaking )

But here these guys are referring to hardware-powered plugins like the UAD stuff.... which live in your PCI slot, yes.

 

[urobolus.com]

I have the LM and a UAD card. They both run happily together - the UAD is pci, the LM is firewire.

The problems arise with the host s/w you're using. Sonar for example has trouble running mono instances of LM. Likewise it has some issues with the UAD plugs. FWIW I've found Reaper to behave itself very well with outboard dsp

If you don't mind, how big is the LM controller? I'm building a desk and know for certain that I am going to get a Novation Zero SL and a Presonus Central Station with the controller, and am still tossing around the idea of getting the LM. I've looked all over the net for the measurements on it, but can't find anything. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind helping me out.

On another note, I've been using Sonar for a couple years and can't say I am to committed to it especially with what I've heard in light to conflicts it has with DSP's and other outboard gear. I'm going to be building a dual quad core 64-bit system; what is a good alternative DAW software? I've heard good things about Reaper in that is plays nicely with virtually everything, utilizes dual quad's nicely, and doesn't drain your system. I don't know how intuitive it is though. Any other suggestions?

 

[Bulls Hit]

The LM is 215mm wide by 150mm deep, so around 8 1/2" x 6".

Best thing to do with Reaper is just download & start using it. It's unrestricted so you'll find out pretty quick if it doesn't work for you.

If you don't like it, my next recommendation would be Sonar. There are some issues with dsp gear but the Cakewalk guys are pretty good

 

[urobolus.com]

The LM is 215mm wide by 150mm deep, so around 8 1/2" x 6".

Best thing to do with Reaper is just download & start using it. It's unrestricted so you'll find out pretty quick if it doesn't work for you.

If you don't like it, my next recommendation would be Sonar. There are some issues with dsp gear but the Cakewalk guys are pretty good

Thanks for the specs. With the little extra room I'm working with next to the control surface, it seems like it'd fit nicely next the Central Station controller. How tall is it by the way?

 

[technominds]

For the cost of a DSP card, id rather buy a new PC, get it on my network, and run FXTeleport.

Then I have the same VST choice, alot more processing power, and probably for less money.

Just my personal oppinion. =]

 

[Bulls Hit]

Then I have the same VST choice, alot more processing power, and probably for less money.

Just my personal oppinion. =]

You'd probably have more processing power, possibly spend less money but you won't have the same choice of VSTs. Without a UAD card for example, you won't be able to run their emulations

 

[technominds]

You'd probably have more processing power, possibly spend less money but you won't have the same choice of VSTs. Without a UAD card for example, you won't be able to run their emulations

Maybe not the same choice. But you can run ANY VST that you can install on a PC. So you could have the entire Waves collection running from an independant machine, for example. Mind you, they are £5,000 here themself. But you know what I mean =]