On the first example the hardware sounds more open in general and the plugin sounds muffled, without the beautiful high frequencies that the hardware created. The other examples show more high frequency information on the plugin, but harsh and thin sounding, whereas the hardware just shines on the top end. Additionally, the low end on the plugin is lifeless and lose, and on the hardware it sounds tight and punchy. The differences are there and are quite noticeable, I don't even want to test out the plugin after this comparison haha. Happy New Year Paul and thanks for making these great videos!
@@milo-ki-music but it should make you want to test out the hardware. You've come to pretty much the exact same conclusion I have. I don't necessarily think that the plugins bad. It's just that's the sound of plugins when compared to analogue. Another pultec emulation matched to the same curves would probably sound the same.
@AudioAnimalsStudio I completely agree Paul! This comparison made me want to try out the analog version haha, and the fact that BM and Wes Audio units are plugin recallable is simply amazing, because you get the lovely sound of analog with the convenience of digital, just pure magic! Have a Marvelous day Paul!
Thanks for your unflinching perspective, very helpful. The differences across every example are quite compelling in favor of the HW. I really appreciate the way that you do these examples, the short loops and back and forth in the manner that you've done here makes it really evident. The plug-in is narrower, more mid forward (with concomitant loss of low and high detail).
@@ThisGuyDude I've took a lot of feedback from these kinds of videos in the past from the comments. I think this approach with the written text and greyed out video of the passed unit, quick switches between audio of the same loop gives us all the best chance of assess the difference.
As always, your video is excellent Paul, thanks. I had a "scared" with this video; I'm trying out some new, more pro headphones that I just bought and I heard this video on them, and the truth is that unlike 99.9% of the comparisons between HW and SW that I've heard, this time it was hard for me to find a big difference, I thought two things: a) my headphones are garbage, and b) I'm going to rescue my Bettermaker SW. But when I went to your website to listen to the files, everything went back to "normal": a) the headphones sound incredible, and b) nothing to do with the SW compared to the HW! The truth is that HW emulations should say that what they sell is the emulation of the physical image of the HW, but not that of the sound!!!! Happy New Year Paul, and hopefully 2025 brings us more videos and comparisons like these that we like so much. suggestion, I wish you could also add the unprocessed audio versions to your website, and, better yet, the possibility of downloading the files. Happy holidays again.
@patricioandres2562 it could be the way youtube converts the audio that you are just hearing not a lot of difference. On the website you'll be streaming a lossless wav file. Happy new year 🎉
With all these shootouts, except for a few, it's missing that sonic thing. Why is that? What is in all your hardware, that 5%, that they cannor recreate? Honest question.
@@barrythave if we knew the answer to this developers could work on changing that. I just can't see it being possible to achieve a sound that sounds truly analogue. I've tried and tried myself by adding extra plugins to make up for the difference. There's something about audio entering the analogue domain that digital just can't emulate.
Nice. The hardware has more exciting top end and the low end sounds a little more... focused. Nonetheless, the plugin sounds really good! I got it recently, and I'm having a lot of fun with it.
I do some hardware vs plugins with my own hardware & always have to use a curve analyzer cause the settings never match. How can you be sure these two things are doing the same amount of eq? Of course they never sound the same but these aren't even in the same ball park.
@@fb8541 yeah the curves match up pretty much identical. So it is an emulation of creating the curves. Which just highlights the sonic difference with analogue processing and digital processing.
Thanks for your answer. Sure, I understand what the software is supposed to do. I did a lot of hardware / software comparisons e.g. with my SPL Passeq and the Curvebender. In both cases Hardware wins over the emulations. But in both cases the curves with the same settings can be quite different and sometimes it requires a bit more playing with the plug-in to match them. Keep it up and happy new year.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio well, in both cases mentioned those are the officially endorsed plugins to the hardware. Sometimes it is just that you need to increase the gain a bit more or less to match them. Sometimes the hardware can produce curves - particularly when bands interact that the plug-in can not…
@@fb8541 in order for an EQ to be called an emulation it needs to generate and emulate the same EQ curves as the hardware. If it can't do that it might as well be a stock plugin with the GUI skin of the hardware. Just my opinion on what an emulation should be.
Hi. Why in first exemple hardware setup in 12kh hi boos and plugin in 8kh high boost? In bass sample is the same problem. Hi boost frequency doesn't match.
It’s less close than I thought, the hardware is leagues above. Tempted to get something from bettermaker. Slowly been getting everything from Wes and next is def the Tube Eq. 🙏
I can hear the difference on my phone. The plugin version is pretty forgettable. The analog version really seems to pop out more and sounds more lively.
Different vibes. First example plug-in sounds more laid-back than the hardware, the second example at 3:25 the hardware sounds more like jazz and the plug-in sounds more like a rave if that makes sense. Third example hardware sounds like house, plugin sounds like hip hop.
Analog is definitely punchier and more lively, but the differences aren't as great as you describe, and are these slight enhancements worth paying an extra 2,800 dollars for?
@@tramer76 for a producer no. For a mixing engineer delivering mixes for clients and charging them for it 100% yes. This is accumulative across the entire mix. With one instance the difference is noticeable. With 100 instances it's night and day. So for me
Excellent comparison, the plugins sound more closed and dry , There will always be an energy provided by the hardware, which will never be on an emulation curve due to the algorithms of a plugin, I am sorry because they do not want to accept it to avoid the investment of cost, they do not recognize the result by putting it in little, but the news is that Today and always the success of the musical works awarded for best sound has and will have transit through an analog piece
The hardware seams to have more definition or more information coming through. They almost seem like they were mixed or eq’d different. Both are good. Hardware sounds more pleasant to my ears. But it is New years and I’m drunk.
@ I’m being serious. I bought the Michelangelo xl because you guys and the grandchild. Still want you to test the D.W. Fearn VT-7. I know the guys so I can set something up. I know you would love it. Best compression out there.
@Javarrockamore how are you finding the Michelangelo XL? Has yours been built yet? Every time I see someone got one, I get envious of their colour choice. Red and white looks amazing. I went engineer black and white. I love to sit with the VT-7 in the studio. I've only ever used one in other people's studios so I don't really have an opinion on its sound. Would love to review one if they ever have a demo in the UK. Thank you appreciated.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio yes ive had it for a few weeks. I went with a mauve colorway and off white knobs. im actually loving it. it's hardwired in on master bus as a color eq. question: ive noticed my tube eq (top) and mosfet eq (bottom ) dont exactly match frequencies. Is that the case for yours? it sounds incredible although I thought I would use it how you were using it. but the frequencies dont quite match. I haven't raised any concerns because it sounds amazing.
@Javarrockamore they are slightly different. I don't know the ins and outs of it, Chris would know. But it's basically two different EQs so the curves they create are slightly different. If you look at it in plugin doctor you will see the differences. I'm sure if we setup the same settings the curves would look very similar. I tested against my other one and they are almost identical. Glad you are enjoying. Makes me pleased to know my ideas in another engineers studio. I was going to keep it exclusive to us and call it the Audio Amimal. But I'd much rather the XL be out there for anyone to use.
Paul, You are right. There is a huge difference. I would not buy the plugin. The plugin seems lifeless and and 2 dimensional compared to the real deal. I listen to that bass sample and it is like night and day. Like the rest of the samples
There are good emulations, and bad ones. This one, at least as it is set, seems to be one of the bad ones. Some others (not many, but they are out there) take you much closer to the hardware, to the point you can't pick them apart in a blind test.
@alemarrena8792 I've personally tested over 30 plugins vs their hardware and yes some are closer than others but in every blind test you can tell them apart. Even untrained ears can tell them apart. Later this year I'll do a blind test video for everyone to take part in and see if they can tell.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio There is an excellent example of a very good plugin emulation of the Sontec by Metric Halo in the Panorama Mixing and Mastering channel. Nicholas, which I believe we both could agree has a trained ear, can't pick them apart in the examples (mastering), and I couldn't either. He did some sort of "scientific" blind test, more accurate than usual. I own several high end mixing and mastering hardware, and I really understand what you're saying, hardware has an edge most of the time, and in other situations is just as good as the plugin but sound different. Other times they sound nearly identical, especially if you set them right and run both through the same converters. I guess it depends on how much work the developers put into the process, and I believe in the next few years neural networks, AI and better coding will narrow the gap between the two. I love the topic and think your channel helps us get a better understanding of what goes on in this universe. Thank you!
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Well, you don't need many of them to put together a convincing mastering chain that sounds very close to analog :) And definitely more are on the way. If they did it, others will do it too. The Unisum for example can replace hardware compression any day. And is much more flexible than hardware.
@alemarrena8792 let's do a challenge plugins vs hardware to put it to the test. I'll use 100% analogue and you use 100% plugins. I can then create a video for all to see and compare. Best way to test
can you do an audio null test on these? They sound different but also they sound the same. A/B test is kinda pointless I feel. You can hear or not hear whatever you want to hear or not hear.
And ? i'm not a professional, I produce for fun and sometimes I release my music on small labels (electronic music). I had a superb discount on the plugin = 19$. So ok, hardware sounds better as always. But I use the plugin for what he is (a good plugin made in collaboration with Bettermaker, low CPU, beautiful GUI) and I have good results with. I do no take in consideration if the plugin sounds same/close to the hardware. I don't care... On my perspective, this kind of comparaison is not relevant, considering the marketing ("it's the perfect emulation of blablablabla") most of users are not stupid. I owned Bettermaker Mastering EQ for my pleasure (and I had a very good price), but it's my only piece of gear. I'm in love with this EQ, but I don't want to invest more in hardware pieces of gear. For me, means no sense.
@@PossiblyMaybe-k8n ok so it's not the video for you and wasn't made specifically for you. Don't take it so personal. Others requested to hear how it compares to the hardware. It's made for them. It's perfectly fine for you to love the plugin and have your reasons for using it. All power to you. The video you want is a plugin review by someone who only uses the plugin. As someone that owns the hardware it's nice to compare how close the emulation is. Because you see and hear a lot of claims from people saying these emulations are 1 for 1. I'm just here to say they are not and here's the proof. Will hopefully help people not get sucked into the marketing tactics of some youtubers who want to make money off their affiliate links by saying, if you have the plugin you pretty much have the hardware. It's dishonest and I like to come with facts so people have informed knowledge that it's not true. Then like you, can weigh up £19 vs £3600.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio If it's also for me, insofar as I make it clear that hardware will always have the upper hand (I confirm in my initial post). And I'm talking about the marketing effect and the importance of using the plugin for what it does and not for what he is “supposed” to do (i.e. emulate a piece of gear). There will always be people who are sensitive to marketing. But understand that your videos, while very interesting, are made for professionals and therefore more of a niche market. Indirectly, you say “buy hardware and you'll get better results”. Finally, you'll always have people who don't hear things the way you do. We all have different perceptions of sound, and depending on each person's skills, some will hear strong differences, others will say they're weak. Whatever the case may be, it's the price that will make the difference when it comes to choice, depending on the musician's status. Sorry for my english, I'm french and maybe do not understand fully your explanations. Regards,
@@PossiblyMaybe-k8n I understand you. If I wasn't doing this as a professional I'd not buy any hardware. It's lovely to have but ultimately there's better things to be spending that kind of money on as a hobbiest. This is why services like our mixing and mastering using equipment outside of the reach of many will always be so popular, because we are able to achieve a sound unachievable in the box. Which is down to both knowledge and equipment. For someone like yourself it's just interesting to hear the differences and have more of an insight into why people like myself work with analogue equipment when plugins are so much cheaper.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio I released 5 albums as a drummer, then I released several EPs in electronic music. For mastering, I've always worked with professionals. On my perspective it was "non-negociable", because Mastering Engineer is a real profession, and a way of enjoying moment to share with Engineers and learn a lot. I released an album in 2004 mastered in a renowned Parisian studio, and I'm still blown away by the sound, because even after 20 years it still sounds great. One of my best friends is Mastering Engineer and I've been lucky enough to have access to some superb pieces of gear : Weiss, Maselec, Neve MBT, Elysia Alpha, Manley Passive EQ, Dangerous Music, etc... Your videos are interesting. I've chosen to keep music as a hobby. But when I'm talking with musicians, I always said "I you can, and considering your budget and objectives, have your record mastered by professionals, and be there - it's a moment you'll remember for a long time" Your videos are interesting. Waiting for the next ones Cheers,
.... do not agree. The mids and transients are much better on the plugin. Esp. the top end on the HW is just hyped, nothing else. I took your video, put a pro q4 after the plugin and within a MINUTE I had absolutely the same sound as the HW. It is just different eq curve, with hyped top end, scooped lowmids etc. Blind test A/B did not work after this at all. Because I could not distinguish any reasonable difference. Extremely slight difference / really a little bit mor harsh, saturated "highs" area/. Listened on my Kii3 mastering speakers/SPDIF from Nuendo - so not any "cheap" confusion here.
@@BertVollmer-f5m and there's been quite a few release. I predict at least another 5 pultec emulation coming in 2025 along with at least 10 la2a and 1176 emulations.
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Thanks for the real tests! Great work and help for all of us! (analog forever=better!)
On the first example the hardware sounds more open in general and the plugin sounds muffled, without the beautiful high frequencies that the hardware created. The other examples show more high frequency information on the plugin, but harsh and thin sounding, whereas the hardware just shines on the top end. Additionally, the low end on the plugin is lifeless and lose, and on the hardware it sounds tight and punchy. The differences are there and are quite noticeable, I don't even want to test out the plugin after this comparison haha. Happy New Year Paul and thanks for making these great videos!
@@milo-ki-music but it should make you want to test out the hardware. You've come to pretty much the exact same conclusion I have. I don't necessarily think that the plugins bad. It's just that's the sound of plugins when compared to analogue. Another pultec emulation matched to the same curves would probably sound the same.
@AudioAnimalsStudio I completely agree Paul! This comparison made me want to try out the analog version haha, and the fact that BM and Wes Audio units are plugin recallable is simply amazing, because you get the lovely sound of analog with the convenience of digital, just pure magic! Have a Marvelous day Paul!
Thanks for your unflinching perspective, very helpful. The differences across every example are quite compelling in favor of the HW. I really appreciate the way that you do these examples, the short loops and back and forth in the manner that you've done here makes it really evident. The plug-in is narrower, more mid forward (with concomitant loss of low and high detail).
@@ThisGuyDude I've took a lot of feedback from these kinds of videos in the past from the comments. I think this approach with the written text and greyed out video of the passed unit, quick switches between audio of the same loop gives us all the best chance of assess the difference.
I think the difference is very noticeable and I don't need to say which I think sounds better 😉 Nice video Paul 👍
Day and Night difference (for trained ears that understand depth and stereo image).This doesn't mean that the plugin suffers quality !Good job dude
As always, your video is excellent Paul, thanks. I had a "scared" with this video; I'm trying out some new, more pro headphones that I just bought and I heard this video on them, and the truth is that unlike 99.9% of the comparisons between HW and SW that I've heard, this time it was hard for me to find a big difference, I thought two things: a) my headphones are garbage, and b) I'm going to rescue my Bettermaker SW. But when I went to your website to listen to the files, everything went back to "normal": a) the headphones sound incredible, and b) nothing to do with the SW compared to the HW! The truth is that HW emulations should say that what they sell is the emulation of the physical image of the HW, but not that of the sound!!!! Happy New Year Paul, and hopefully 2025 brings us more videos and comparisons like these that we like so much. suggestion, I wish you could also add the unprocessed audio versions to your website, and, better yet, the possibility of downloading the files. Happy holidays again.
@patricioandres2562 it could be the way youtube converts the audio that you are just hearing not a lot of difference. On the website you'll be streaming a lossless wav file. Happy new year 🎉
Do you know the Tegeler brand that makes also analog digitaly recallable hardware ?
@@bakerlefdaoui6801 yes. I'm not a huge fan but I haven't used it enough to make an informed judgement on their gear.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio They seem to be the only company offering a proper 19inch recallable varimu compressor alongside the 500 Wesaudio RHEA.
@bakerlefdaoui6801 let's wait to see what comes out next year. Fingers crossed 🤞
With all these shootouts, except for a few, it's missing that sonic thing. Why is that? What is in all your hardware, that 5%, that they cannor recreate? Honest question.
@@barrythave if we knew the answer to this developers could work on changing that. I just can't see it being possible to achieve a sound that sounds truly analogue. I've tried and tried myself by adding extra plugins to make up for the difference. There's something about audio entering the analogue domain that digital just can't emulate.
Nice. The hardware has more exciting top end and the low end sounds a little more... focused. Nonetheless, the plugin sounds really good! I got it recently, and I'm having a lot of fun with it.
Thanks for the video! Wonder why they couldn't match the stereo width on the plugin or is that so hard?. Best/Mathias
I do some hardware vs plugins with my own hardware & always have to use a curve analyzer cause the settings never match. How can you be sure these two things are doing the same amount of eq? Of course they never sound the same but these aren't even in the same ball park.
@@VinceJackson1 can it really be called an emulation if it doesn't even emulate the same curves?
Thanks for the test. I agree the difference is quite noticeable. Have you checked if the curves are identical e.g. using Bertoms Curve Analyzer?
@@fb8541 yeah the curves match up pretty much identical. So it is an emulation of creating the curves. Which just highlights the sonic difference with analogue processing and digital processing.
Thanks for your answer. Sure, I understand what the software is supposed to do. I did a lot of hardware / software comparisons e.g. with my SPL Passeq and the Curvebender. In both cases Hardware wins over the emulations. But in both cases the curves with the same settings can be quite different and sometimes it requires a bit more playing with the plug-in to match them. Keep it up and happy new year.
@@fb8541 if the curves aren't the same can it be called an emulation?
@@AudioAnimalsStudio well, in both cases mentioned those are the officially endorsed plugins to the hardware. Sometimes it is just that you need to increase the gain a bit more or less to match them. Sometimes the hardware can produce curves - particularly when bands interact that the plug-in can not…
@@fb8541 in order for an EQ to be called an emulation it needs to generate and emulate the same EQ curves as the hardware. If it can't do that it might as well be a stock plugin with the GUI skin of the hardware. Just my opinion on what an emulation should be.
Day & Night! Hardware all day!!! 🔥
I couldn't notice any difference until the 3rd example. The hats in that beat sounded a bit crisper on the analog version.
Hi. Why in first exemple hardware setup in 12kh hi boos and plugin in 8kh high boost? In bass sample is the same problem. Hi boost frequency doesn't match.
@@HeartDrumMachine yeah I only noticed this after watching back the video. That's just human error.
It’s less close than I thought, the hardware is leagues above. Tempted to get something from bettermaker. Slowly been getting everything from Wes and next is def the Tube Eq. 🙏
@pluginhoarder you'll need to change your name on youtube soon, to hardware hoarder.
@ 😂😂😂
PA "analog" eq's are scam.
This would be a great subject for a video
I can hear the difference on my phone. The plugin version is pretty forgettable. The analog version really seems to pop out more and sounds more lively.
Different vibes. First example plug-in sounds more laid-back than the hardware, the second example at 3:25 the hardware sounds more like jazz and the plug-in sounds more like a rave if that makes sense. Third example hardware sounds like house, plugin sounds like hip hop.
Analog is definitely punchier and more lively, but the differences aren't as great as you describe, and are these slight enhancements worth paying an extra 2,800 dollars for?
@@tramer76 for a producer no. For a mixing engineer delivering mixes for clients and charging them for it 100% yes. This is accumulative across the entire mix. With one instance the difference is noticeable. With 100 instances it's night and day. So for me
Is it just me or does the hardware seem like it's wider?
Excellent comparison, the plugins sound more closed and dry ,
There will always be an energy provided by the hardware, which will never be on an emulation curve due to the algorithms of a plugin, I am sorry because they do not want to accept it to avoid the investment of cost, they do not recognize the result by putting it in little, but the news is that Today and always the success of the musical works awarded for best sound has and will have transit through an analog piece
You called tha plugin limp 😂😂 im dead
The hardware seams to have more definition or more information coming through. They almost seem like they were mixed or eq’d different. Both are good. Hardware sounds more pleasant to my ears. But it is New years and I’m drunk.
omg, the difference is ridiculous
This is at 24 - 48khz or 96khz ?
@@sideast the video was renderered out in 48k. The audio was recorded at 96k for both plugin and hardware.
I’ve definitely heard better emulations than this. The low end sounds different but not bad. But something weird is going on with the top end.
Obvious difference, I can hear it on the iPad speakers … that says a lot
Bettermaker should give you free gear because you might’ve just convinced me to get one
@Javarrockamore haha let them know and if anything, I'll be able to buy new gear with early access to it to review and test.
@ I’m being serious. I bought the Michelangelo xl because you guys and the grandchild.
Still want you to test the D.W. Fearn VT-7. I know the guys so I can set something up. I know you would love it. Best compression out there.
@Javarrockamore how are you finding the Michelangelo XL? Has yours been built yet? Every time I see someone got one, I get envious of their colour choice. Red and white looks amazing. I went engineer black and white.
I love to sit with the VT-7 in the studio. I've only ever used one in other people's studios so I don't really have an opinion on its sound. Would love to review one if they ever have a demo in the UK. Thank you appreciated.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio yes ive had it for a few weeks. I went with a mauve colorway and off white knobs. im actually loving it. it's hardwired in on master bus as a color eq. question: ive noticed my tube eq (top) and mosfet eq (bottom ) dont exactly match frequencies. Is that the case for yours? it sounds incredible although I thought I would use it how you were using it. but the frequencies dont quite match. I haven't raised any concerns because it sounds amazing.
@Javarrockamore they are slightly different. I don't know the ins and outs of it, Chris would know. But it's basically two different EQs so the curves they create are slightly different. If you look at it in plugin doctor you will see the differences. I'm sure if we setup the same settings the curves would look very similar. I tested against my other one and they are almost identical. Glad you are enjoying. Makes me pleased to know my ideas in another engineers studio. I was going to keep it exclusive to us and call it the Audio Amimal. But I'd much rather the XL be out there for anyone to use.
Hardware way cleaner
Ear fatigue comes to mind with the plug-in.
Paul, You are right. There is a huge difference. I would not buy the plugin. The plugin seems lifeless and and 2 dimensional compared to the real deal. I listen to that bass sample and it is like night and day. Like the rest of the samples
@braxal6983 yeah I purposely put that bass sample in because it shows off the differences in the low end really obviously.
Yeah the plugin is boxy sounding. The analog version is way more open and, crisp.
There are good emulations, and bad ones. This one, at least as it is set, seems to be one of the bad ones. Some others (not many, but they are out there) take you much closer to the hardware, to the point you can't pick them apart in a blind test.
@alemarrena8792 I've personally tested over 30 plugins vs their hardware and yes some are closer than others but in every blind test you can tell them apart. Even untrained ears can tell them apart. Later this year I'll do a blind test video for everyone to take part in and see if they can tell.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio There is an excellent example of a very good plugin emulation of the Sontec by Metric Halo in the Panorama Mixing and Mastering channel. Nicholas, which I believe we both could agree has a trained ear, can't pick them apart in the examples (mastering), and I couldn't either. He did some sort of "scientific" blind test, more accurate than usual. I own several high end mixing and mastering hardware, and I really understand what you're saying, hardware has an edge most of the time, and in other situations is just as good as the plugin but sound different. Other times they sound nearly identical, especially if you set them right and run both through the same converters. I guess it depends on how much work the developers put into the process, and I believe in the next few years neural networks, AI and better coding will narrow the gap between the two. I love the topic and think your channel helps us get a better understanding of what goes on in this universe. Thank you!
@alemarrena8792 the sontec is one plugin that actually sounds like a sontec. Impressive sounding plugin. But that's 1 out of 1000 plugins.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Well, you don't need many of them to put together a convincing mastering chain that sounds very close to analog :) And definitely more are on the way. If they did it, others will do it too. The Unisum for example can replace hardware compression any day. And is much more flexible than hardware.
@alemarrena8792 let's do a challenge plugins vs hardware to put it to the test. I'll use 100% analogue and you use 100% plugins. I can then create a video for all to see and compare. Best way to test
use 2 intances of the plugin with thesame settings.... and it will beat the hardware... fizics my friend
@@babylittlebaby will just become double brittle and double muddy.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio you are funny
can you do an audio null test on these? They sound different but also they sound the same. A/B test is kinda pointless I feel. You can hear or not hear whatever you want to hear or not hear.
And ? i'm not a professional, I produce for fun and sometimes I release my music on small labels (electronic music). I had a superb discount on the plugin = 19$. So ok, hardware sounds better as always. But I use the plugin for what he is (a good plugin made in collaboration with Bettermaker, low CPU, beautiful GUI) and I have good results with. I do no take in consideration if the plugin sounds same/close to the hardware. I don't care... On my perspective, this kind of comparaison is not relevant, considering the marketing ("it's the perfect emulation of blablablabla") most of users are not stupid. I owned Bettermaker Mastering EQ for my pleasure (and I had a very good price), but it's my only piece of gear. I'm in love with this EQ, but I don't want to invest more in hardware pieces of gear. For me, means no sense.
@@PossiblyMaybe-k8n ok so it's not the video for you and wasn't made specifically for you. Don't take it so personal. Others requested to hear how it compares to the hardware. It's made for them. It's perfectly fine for you to love the plugin and have your reasons for using it. All power to you. The video you want is a plugin review by someone who only uses the plugin. As someone that owns the hardware it's nice to compare how close the emulation is. Because you see and hear a lot of claims from people saying these emulations are 1 for 1. I'm just here to say they are not and here's the proof. Will hopefully help people not get sucked into the marketing tactics of some youtubers who want to make money off their affiliate links by saying, if you have the plugin you pretty much have the hardware. It's dishonest and I like to come with facts so people have informed knowledge that it's not true. Then like you, can weigh up £19 vs £3600.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio If it's also for me, insofar as I make it clear that hardware will always have the upper hand (I confirm in my initial post). And I'm talking about the marketing effect and the importance of using the plugin for what it does and not for what he is “supposed” to do (i.e. emulate a piece of gear).
There will always be people who are sensitive to marketing. But understand that your videos, while very interesting, are made for professionals and therefore more of a niche market. Indirectly, you say “buy hardware and you'll get better results”.
Finally, you'll always have people who don't hear things the way you do. We all have different perceptions of sound, and depending on each person's skills, some will hear strong differences, others will say they're weak.
Whatever the case may be, it's the price that will make the difference when it comes to choice, depending on the musician's status.
Sorry for my english, I'm french and maybe do not understand fully your explanations.
Regards,
@@PossiblyMaybe-k8n I understand you. If I wasn't doing this as a professional I'd not buy any hardware. It's lovely to have but ultimately there's better things to be spending that kind of money on as a hobbiest. This is why services like our mixing and mastering using equipment outside of the reach of many will always be so popular, because we are able to achieve a sound unachievable in the box. Which is down to both knowledge and equipment. For someone like yourself it's just interesting to hear the differences and have more of an insight into why people like myself work with analogue equipment when plugins are so much cheaper.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio I released 5 albums as a drummer, then I released several EPs in electronic music. For mastering, I've always worked with professionals. On my perspective it was "non-negociable", because Mastering Engineer is a real profession, and a way of enjoying moment to share with Engineers and learn a lot. I released an album in 2004 mastered in a renowned Parisian studio, and I'm still blown away by the sound, because even after 20 years it still sounds great. One of my best friends is Mastering Engineer and I've been lucky enough to have access to some superb pieces of gear : Weiss, Maselec, Neve MBT, Elysia Alpha, Manley Passive EQ, Dangerous Music, etc...
Your videos are interesting. I've chosen to keep music as a hobby. But when I'm talking with musicians, I always said "I you can, and considering your budget and objectives, have your record mastered by professionals, and be there - it's a moment you'll remember for a long time"
Your videos are interesting. Waiting for the next ones
Cheers,
You shouldn't poison the well....let us see if we can tell the difference etc.😂😂😂😂
@@mrmorpheus9707 close your eyes whilst watching
.... do not agree. The mids and transients are much better on the plugin. Esp. the top end on the HW is just hyped, nothing else. I took your video, put a pro q4 after the plugin and within a MINUTE I had absolutely the same sound as the HW. It is just different eq curve, with hyped top end, scooped lowmids etc. Blind test A/B did not work after this at all. Because I could not distinguish any reasonable difference. Extremely slight difference / really a little bit mor harsh, saturated "highs" area/. Listened on my Kii3 mastering speakers/SPDIF from Nuendo - so not any "cheap" confusion here.
@@PetrFink saved yourself £3600 then
@@PetrFink that's why I used past tense. Saved not save
Funny enough, the old UAD Pultec EQ emulation never has been surpassed and most of the newer emulations are weaker, not better.
@@BertVollmer-f5m and there's been quite a few release. I predict at least another 5 pultec emulation coming in 2025 along with at least 10 la2a and 1176 emulations.
Rage bait its best. 🤣