Waves Dilemma

[gordone]

So I downloaded the Waves 3.0 demo and I've been playing with them in N-Track (10 days left!), let me just say I love the Renaissance stuff!!!! I was using the Blue Line and I though the Parametric EQ was ok, but the REQ is about a million times better and much more musical sounding. Ditto for the RCompressor. Now for the dilemma (don't worry I'm not requesting a crack!) Basically I'm looking to buy either the Ren. bundle or the Native Power Pack. I can't use the RenReverb as it eats up about 80% of the CPU. But like I said I love the REQ and RComp. The Native Power pack includes the Q10 parametric and the C-1 compressor. I've been playing with them a little bit but they just don't seem to mesh as well with my music as the Ren stuff (I guess I like the classic/vintage/analog flavor of the Ren package). Now the PowerPack also includes TrueVerb which sounds pretty kickin' and doesn't chew up my CPU, as well as the L-1 limiter which also kicks b*tt. I already have the D-B Audioware Mastering Limiter which is decent, but the L-1 seemed to give my stuff a much better shine/glean/whatever (and I was just using the presets!)
So which pack do I buy? They're both around $300US...Ideally I would prefer to make my own bundle consisting of the L-1, TrueVerb, REQ and RenComp, but I don't think you do this economically! Maybe I need to spend more time with the C1 and Q10? I really like the L-1 and the Ren stuff Aghhhh what do I do?
BTW, I record mainly acoustic guitar/vocals stuff, sometimes with Piano/other keyboard sounds.
Thanks for any suggestions!

-Evan

 

[keith turner]

i don't know if this will help your decision but i only paid $199 @ mars music for the renaissance 3.0 collection. granted, i have mars, ash,gc,8thst. all very close to where i live,but you may still find it on the web for that price.

 

[gordone]

mmmm, I leave outside of Philly (Main Line), I know they just opened a GC in Plymouth Meeting, and there's a Sam Ash in King of Prussia, but where is this Mars you speak of? Also, did you remember how much the Native Power Pack was? Thanks!

 

[dachay2tnr]

You can buy from Mars online at http://www.marsmusic.com

I took a look and they have the Native Power Pack 3 for $259.98. Didn't see the Rennaissance package.

You might want to shop around a bit online. Generally you can get pretty good deals.

I also downloaded the Waves demo. Unfortunately, I went away shortly after installing it and never got to fully use it before it expired. However, I did use the L-1 UltraMaximizer and loved it. Similar to Sound Forge's Wave Hammer, but much nicer sounding IMHO. This is on my list of stuff to buy (unfortunately it's a long list ).

 

[keith turner]

mars is behind the garden st. racetrack in cherry hill next to home depot. rte. 70. i only stumbled across their product because GC had it advertised for $229 or $249 but was out.when i went into mars they had it in their case but pricing was confusing so they looked up the price. lesson i learned was mars is lower then ash or g.c. they just don't advertise it and their selection is sometimes lacking.their employees however are some of the freindliest and easy going helpful people i have ever dealt with.way better than ash or gc. btw this isn't the only item i've gotten that blew away ash and gc.