Waves API emulations

[Medway]

Well no sooner did I realize they've offered the N series as a separate package from the Mercury bundle now they've gone and modelled the API series eqs and compressor as well.

http://www.waves.com/Content.aspx?id=3565


Will be interesting to see how these sound.

[13]

I can't wait either! Should be phenomenal

[Rambunkcious]

Me too, Ive been looking at the api and v series bundles by waves for a while now.

From past experience with processors found in waves gold bundle, Ive found their plug ins to be a bit too thin, do I need my ears checked or does anyone else feel that too? Granted these new processors are recreations of classic pieces, so I am assuming theyll sound more musical.

On the same note I was wondering if anyone has tried the UAD versions of the 1071, 1081, Helios 69, and how they compare to the URS versions of the 1071, 1081?

Also the UAD 33609 seems very interesting any thoughts? or user comments???

[Medway]

As far as the Waves Gold bundle it depends on which plugins you're talking about when you say they are thin.

The Q1-10 series is deffinatly just a clinical/surgical eq, same goes for the C1 (but a compressor).

The Ren Eq is actually somewhat modeled on the Pultec and exhibits some of the phase shift known from that unit. It also carries over the cut/boost bell curve that you can achieve on the Pultec.

I would describe the Ren Eq a little grainy and phasy, but that's kinda what they were going for.

The Ren Comp can be amazing when using the opto/warm settings to saturate the output as well.

A big part of what makes the classic eqs musical is the choice of curves/bells they employ. Its harder to make a bad setting because of this. You can achieve the same curve with something like the Ren Eq but you can also do a lot of unmusical things with it. The classic pieces with their steped freq and fixed Q's (for the most part) help limit your choices, in a good way.

I did try out the UAD 1073 before I sold my last UAD. It was good but didn't blow me away. Same goes with the 33609. It had a decent color to it, but in the end I got a better master compression sound from the Waves SSL4000 comp.

I still use the URS Neve and API, they do the job although I have a feeling the Waves versions will have a bit more color and depth to them. The URS stuff is pretty simple modelwise, they didn't try to go for any nonlinearities from what I understand, just the curves (and maybe phase).

A good one to try out is the Waves Q-clone. Not as adjustable but a great sound. I captured my Daking eq and it comes in handy when using with Q-clone. If anyone wants the presets I made (basically all the freq settings at different db marks) I can post it here.

[sven hauck]

Please do.

[Rambunkcious]

Jes, thanx for the info, in fact it was the Q1-10 that i was talking about, amongst other things, dont think I got to use the Ren eq much, but the Rverb was nice.

Ive really enjoyed the URS neve emulations they are my go to eqs right now, and Im looking at picking up the API emulations too from URS. Thanx for posting the presets for Q-clone.

Ok just to clarify, you want musical eqs to enhnace, and boost so as to add those even number harmonics, and you want to use surgical eqs to............cut frequncies and clean up certain sounds???????

I guess my question is what is the meaning of surgical?
Ive heard it being used everywhere.

Concering the original 1073 and 1081, I understand that the 81 has an additional mid range band with Q, I was wondering if the rest of the circuitry was the same???

Any help would be greatly appreciated