'The TRUTH about audio plugins

Audio engineer REACTS to 'The truth about audio plugins' | Is this the worst audio video on youtube? This video perpetuating the idea that
all analog gear is better than digital plugins (https://youtu.be/OoTpnjsAGXw) has been doing the rounds on a lot of audio forums and I felt
that I had to address a lot of the purposeful inaccuracies and narrow minded views and opinions voiced by this mixing engineer of 15 years.
As a youtuber with an audio channel based around testing hardware vs plugins in an objective manner I think its important that topics
surrounding the analog vs digital debate is discussed objectively so beginner music producers and audio engineers at the start of their audio
journey have all of the facts delivered in a subjective medium so there is no bias to be distracted with. The original video discusses waves l2
ultramaximiser, waves audio plugins, universal audio plugins, why he believes plugins cant replicate analog circuitry, as well as lengthy
discussion into phase and how it affects the stereo image. I am giving my opinions and reflections on each point made as there are many
points I feel are very one sided. There is no talk of other plugin developers ie acustica audio plugins (convolution sampling), plugin alliance,
fabfilter, noiseash, slate digital etc) 🌠SUPPORT THE CHANNEL https://www.patreon.com/mixingwedesdays ️PRODUCT LINKS
https://audient.com/products/audio-in... 🎶 FOLLOW MY DEBUT ALBUM JOURNEY https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm... 🎤 RELEASING
A SONG? Music distribution playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm... Songwriting playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm... ⬇️
OTHER VIDEOS LIKE THIS 📖 CHAPTERS ️CONTACT ME Email: Paul.Third@dundeeandangus.ac.uk Instagram:
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Paul Third
2 days ago (edited)
Want to help me create more analog and digital comparisons? Check out the patreon campaign 🤓
https://www.patreon.com/mixingwedesdays
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Levon Darratt
1 day ago
Love your sense of humor,!!! Great video. ..
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Thank Levon 🤓 I'm like this every day but it can get me in a bit of trouble sometimes 😅
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Levon Darratt
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  😊👏
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Rock Aguilar
2 days ago
I was in a big studio in Houston. We were in the mastering room. There was all of this hardware
gear on the desk. The head engineer leaned over to me and said. "I never use any of this
hardware anymore. It's just here to look good for the clients. I master 100% in the box now. my
old clients can't tell the difference and my workflow is so much more efficient."
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Paul Third
2 days ago
That's the reality these days. A lot of the time gear is kept for prestige and history. You watch a
lot of the greats and they talk about gear being noisy and intermittent. Having good and bad
days. A ton of hardware is still used. Undoubtedly but i'd say most big engineers are now hybrid
or mostly ITB for mixing. There are still some mostly analog guys but less common these days
I'd say. Especially in the past 5-6 years
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nichttuntun
1 day ago
Great insights. Thank you for sharing.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I love hearing everybody's stories 🤓
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Levon Darratt
1 day ago
🤣🤣
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Los Ficos
1 day ago (edited)
I dont know about that Buddy.. from my experience plugin do a great job in emulating or
mimicking the frequencies or flavor... but in terms of headroom and 3D open feel! Analog all
DAY! I use both (hybrid). I cannot see my self using only one side.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
If I had the money I'd definitely get some burl converters, a 33609, fairchild and probably buy
the aphex exciter again for parallel stuff 🤓
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Mr Nelsonius
1 day ago
I’ve had the privilege of working with some very successful producers and mixers the last couple
of years. The mix engineers are a bit more guarded about their tools, but what I’ve seen lately is
producers who like to track through some nice source specific hardware (like my live drums
always go through this, I like my bass through this unit, hardware vocal tracking chain etc) but
after that it’s 100% ITB mixing. Hardware seems like a luxury color box for tracking but after
that it’s plugins. Mix engineers need instant recall, everyone wants stems for live performance...
it just makes sense
Read more
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Levon Darratt
1 day ago
 @Los Ficos  3D and open feel , what does that even mean ? Everybody is throwing these terms
around. I know what you mean to say - but some plugins can do that too.
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Paul Third
22 hours ago
Ive actually got a terrible temper so see if I was working analog and somebody lost the recall
sheets or somebody tweaked something without telling me and I could hear it. I'd properly lose
my shit 😂😂 I agree, working ITB makes absolute sense compared to fully analog. I was
watching some mutt mange vids and I swear if we were working on something for weeks and he
just went bang all faders down, everything back to scratch he'd probably end up with half a
studio 🤣 Or especially if I had a mix and a piece of gear broke and you the had the sound
absolutely nailed and was basically finished.. I just don't have the temperament. I actually really
feel for them back in the day 😅😅
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100 states
2 days ago
Your new chair makes you look like a boss!
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100 states
2 days ago
Theres a top mastering engineer mastering entirely in the box and on headphones! His studio got
pure concrete walls!
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View 7 replies from Paul Third and others

Seenbelow
2 days ago
Mostly agree. Seems like he only encountered Waves emulations :) I had similar feelings until
discovering brainworx/PA and Acustica.
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Tori Barron
2 days ago (edited)
I was just talking about this with a producer. Plugins. We can argue all day about their quality.
But they sound good enough to the ear for kids to listen. And a computer, an Apollo, and some
good plugins are cheaper than a good guitar and amp these days. It hardly matters what is best.
Kids can produce Ocean Eyes in their bedroom now.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Totally. Drivers license by olivia rodrigo was number 1 and sounds great. 'Despite his love of
analogue, McCarthy has, like many of his colleagues, come to the conclusion that it’s no longer
practical to work purely on analogue. “I don’t want to spend hours recalling on a desk, so I am
only incorporating analogue pieces that fit in my workflow. I have a hybrid setup in my studio.
My ‘All Groups’ in Pro Tools go via my Apogee Symphony into the Dangerous Music 2-Bus+
summing box' As much as he still prefers analog he still mixed it hybrid and nobody listened to
that record going.. "that's hybrid.. I can hear there's plugins in this mix' Ocean eyes as well. The
engineer nixed with lots of UAD. Stuck a 1073 on loads of track's just for the colour not doing
anything. It's just a part of mixing now. Use whatever tools give the you the best results at the
best possible workflow.
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Dirk Churlish
2 days ago
"who's making recarrds these days? wheuse making number hwun hets?" <3 17:47
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I go into proper Scottish mode when I get wound up 😂😂😂
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Ronnie Lad
1 day ago
'engineer of 15 years.. wheres your audio tests..it looked like you spent 15 years finding photos
to put in your f***ing stupid video' MY DUDE .. ACTUALLY SPRAYED MY COFFEE!! too
funnnnyyy my dude
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I kind of let myself go on this one 😅😅
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Rob Louden
2 days ago
Great video Paul! I love your presentation. Very entertaining. Cheers mate. PS ‘If it’s not
Scottish it’s crap’ -Mike Myers
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t3 wayz
1 day ago
I'm hybrid...and there isn't a mix I do without plug-ins...I like both... some plug-ins I have are a
must in the signal chain no way around it everybody will have there opinions... but the end result
is whether or not the consumer likes the way it makes them feel... cause I believe music is as
much about feel as it is about sound..🎵🎶🎶🎹
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Paul Third
1 day ago
100% 👌 if I'm not moving along with a song then I know it's not mixed right. It's about whatever
tools you can use to result in the desired end feel you want to project 😎
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Bryon Dean
2 days ago
Plugins are advancing past anything analog could do. All the top mixers use Soothe.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
I did have a section talking about soothe, Gulfoss & trackspacer and how there is no hardware
comparative. I edited it out as I thought the video was too long 🙈 haha its true though. Plugins
are getting smarter by the month and offering more options than ever before. Allowing you to
create possibilities not avaliable in the anolog domain. Combining different pre's with different
eq's and compressors, reconstructing the elements to allow almost a frankenstein unit. It's a great
time for experimentation 🤓
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KL
1 day ago
You nailed it, Paul! 🔨🥊 Also, you’re hilarious; this video had me stitches!
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I've quite a few people tell me that now haha 🤓
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KL
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  Lol. You’d be awesome company down the pub or on a night out post-Covid! 🍺
But in all seriousness, please do keep on bringing this humour to all future videos; at the end of
the day, it’s your personality which keeps bring us back! 🙏🏽
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Im a typical Scotsman on a night out. Binge drink and then dont want to go home 😂 my lips are
definitely a lot looser though and can come out with some pretty mental stuff. I'm still a nice
drunk though haha 🤓
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mentalprogram
2 days ago
glad I found u love ur videos
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thank you 🤓🤓
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tomas sofianopoulos
2 days ago
Very good video and analysis mate, keep the good work!!!
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thanks mate 🤓
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eaccin
2 days ago
Great video Paul!!
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thanks mate 🤓
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Gus Granite
6 hours ago
This one cracked me up. 😆 Hey would you ever consider doing some reverb shoot outs? I am
sure that they are more difficult to tell apart than people think.
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gb fusion
1 day ago
Bravo. I am so thankful to have emulations of classic hardware. And I never need to worry about
Fairchild's and Vari Mu's being temperamental. Also, nice Gretsch.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I try to get it in all my videos haha
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Alwin Rhomberg Monteiro

4 hours ago
So ridiculously done from the other guy! Thanks for the video!
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Kevin Bartlett
2 days ago
Loved this Paul! Your reaction: 100% "on point" and also very funny! Soothe is amazing btw,
although I've just seen that Baby Audio have released a plug in called "smooth operator" at a
really great price - looks to do something similar to soothe, but as it only came out yesterday - no
Youtube v's reviews yet... something for you maybe mate?😉
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Paul Third
2 days ago
I actually was just speaking to somebody about it haha they said it's not as good but does come at
a good time as the soothe comparison was coming soon 😜
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Kevin Bartlett
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  haha fantastic mate! Looking forward to that good sir! Thanks for creating these
videos Paul! Always great to watch!
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Paul Third
2 days ago
🤓🤓
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Riky Jacho
15 hours ago
That plugin isn't that good, not even remotely on the level of dseq, soothe or tdr nova ge
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Riky Jacho
15 hours ago (edited)
Quoting a friend who did a test on this plugin: "First of all, it's of very limited functionality - it
controls only two bandwidths. For example, TDR Nova GE controls six, not to mention that it
automatically detects them and adjusts Q factors and max. gain reduction for each bandwidth
after spectrum analysis scrutiny. None of this happens here. The left and right side 'nodes' are
just slant controls. As far as I could see 'focus' is just another name for both bandwidths
simultaneous gain control. Technically it is pretty poor, THD is very high (depending on
settings, averaging -50dB, and at maximum reduction @1kHz the total distortion gets even up to
0.3%. Shows a plethora of irregular notches in oscilloscope test. The attack/release response is
non-linear and heavily frequency dependent. It can not be compared to DSEQ, Soothe or TDR
Nova GE in any respect." Nonetheless feel free to test it out for urself and be sceptical about my
opinion.
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Kevin Bartlett
13 hours ago
 @Riky Jacho  so basically it's the audio equivalent of an Asylum Movie (they make cheap
copies of blockbuster movies - see "Ape v's Monster" which is basically a rip of "Godzilla v's
Kong" & "Rampage") 🤣🤣
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Paul Third
13 hours ago
Still getting a shootout haha ive always wanted to try out dseq anyway 🤓 I trust you but I'm now
intrigued 😂
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Riky Jacho
8 hours ago (edited)
 @Kevin Bartlett  yes basically lol!! there are better alternatives so imo I'd just stick with those
for now
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mlotmadeit
1 day ago
jeeze i never thought i'd hear the words "andrew scheps" and "fear mongering" in the same
sentence
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Paul Third
1 day ago
It's crazy 😂😂 the guy honestly picked THE worst example for every argument he could use
haha
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Rodrigo LLanca
2 days ago
Excelentes todos tus videos, saludos de Argetina!!!!
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Paul Third
1 day ago
🤓🤓🤓
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100 states
2 days ago
These are my speakers!!! (the big ones at 19:13)
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Your actual speakers?? Or like when you see somebody with your coat on 😂
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100 states
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  YT does not allow to include links. That's very old fashioned! Check your emails!
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100 states
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  I still have PMCs though.
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Aleksa Mrkela
2 days ago
Well said. That video definitely made me cringe, and I'm glad someone dismantled it in a
reasoned, sound way.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
I couldn't hold it any longer. The more I was seeing it shared the more I felt the need to challenge
it. wound me up pretty silly haha
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Peter Bond
2 days ago
a very good and well detailed critique of that silly video.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thank you 🤓
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Dany
2 days ago
Well said Paul
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thanks man 🤓
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mixPHANTOM
2 days ago
I agree with both of you. The accuracy of digital emulations has reached a "splitting hairs" era,
and regardless of the price the convenience of plugins alone makes them superior! But... and I
may just have to start my own YouTube channel for this... but, after selling most of my analogue
gear 5 years ago I'm now buying it again! The "X factor" is personal, but I am aware that I prefer
my mixes which rely heavily on analogue - with amazing digital plugz like Soothe and Gullfoss
doing what digital does best! I'm a VFX artist by day... and 99% of the time I can spot CGI - not
because it doesn't look real, but because it doesn't "feel" real. Us humans are very good at
detecting incredibly minute details - our survival depends on it! I can't often hear the difference
in digital vs analogue shootouts on isolated sounds... but I can always tell the difference between
my own mixes if I've replicated them all analogue vs all digital. Pensado and Scheps et al have
the experience to mix tracks at a higher standard with "lesser tools" so for them it's easier, more
convenient and allows them to have lives beyond sitting in front of an SSL for 14 hours a day -
who can blame them?
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Always trust your ears and skill 🙌 if you hear better results with analog then there's nothing
wrong with going back to it. I just think that stating that with modern day technology there is no
comparison to hardware.. And no middle ground or subjectiveness. Tools are tools these days.
No right or wrong answers. You like what you like and understanding your tools is the most
important 🤓
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Matt Wright
1 day ago
Hi Paul - I had never seen your channel before - now subscribed - that video was outstanding! As
Andrew Scheps has said in numerous interviews “the only thing that matters is what comes out
the speakers” - all my friends who don’t work in music don’t know (or care) what plug-ins or
hardware is in mixing - and why should they - they just love the music they like 😊👍
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
100% 🙌 I use my dad a lot as reference if I really think something sounds a certain way. I love
some of the responses you can get as its about feeling. That's all they can relate to. When he and
my wife says to me they all sound the same then I normally reflect back on it. Some times I get
surprising answers and I love when they pick blind as they can say sometimes.. Yeah that one..
Why??.. Dunno it just sounds better to me. That's when I know there is something there. It's
actually probably where the best engineers thrive. They understand how to make choices
whether that be gear, plugins or mixing decisions that impact on feel and emotion. As you said
its all about what comes out the speakers and its all about perception, balance and feel at that
point
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Matt Wright
1 day ago (edited)
 @Paul Third  I couldn't agree with you more and what a great way of checking mixes by asking
your dad and you're wife - a totally unbiased and unassuming opinion that will be interested in
only one thing - what makes the song sound best :) Interestingly, in the 1990's I recorded a radio
session for GLR as the lead guitarist in an indie band at one of the main London studios. Whilst
we were recording in the live room, Jarivis was in an adjacent studio mixing the latest Pulp
album - so all the analogue gear and Ampex tape was most defiantly there:) I have no idea what
console or signal chain we recoded and were then mixed through,  (as I was a 22 year old guitar
player) - but listening back today and comparing my most recent recordings in Luna, Luna
doesn't just stand up to those recordings - but without doubt the best sounding work I've been
involved with. I'm 100% in the box with Luna, UAD plun-in emulations, and use my valve amps
through the OX box and a Townsend labs L22 mic to record vocals / acoustic guitars etc. to try
and capture the songs as authentically as possible - without spending £500K - 1M+ on the
hardware (which like most of us - I don't have!!!). Thanks again so much for your time - I'm
looking forward to watching your past videos. I'll spread the word about you channel - you speak
a lot of sense! Take care, Matt
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Thanks so much Matt 🙏
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nichttuntun
1 day ago
:)
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100 states
2 days ago
What are these 10p plugins you are talking about in this vid? Can you please give me a link to
them?
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Paul Third
2 days ago
😂😂😂.. I thought you would be better with my accent now
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100 states
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  I recalled this name. I didn't stop the video in order not to disturb the YT algo. I
can understand every word.
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Paul Third
2 days ago (edited)
Tbf timP plugs are pretty cheap
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Laddie Ervin
2 days ago (edited)
I co-owned (co-rented) Temple Studios in Los Angeles, for a few years, with B Real from
Cypress Hill and Raymond Herrera from Fear Factory. Fleetwood Mac had recorded a record
there years before. Our in-house engineer, Jeremy Blair, had engineered some Guns and Roses
albums, among others - he was a well-regarded pro in the LA recording scene. This was back in
the day, but even then he was using about 50/50 hardware and plugs. I saw this guy's ridiculous
video the other day. It was hilarious and well worth the thumbs-down I gave it.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
That's what is annoying about youtube. All engagement is good so even dislikes helps the guy
out. That's why the video continues to circulate. However interesting though, I didn't know you
co-owned a studio. I was born in the wrong era haha 😔
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2 days ago
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weeschwee
2 days ago
I was under the impression that analog still affected phase. Am I wrong? Is that only digital?
Only digital has aliasing though, correct?
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Yeah analog still affects phase. In my aphex aural exciter it drastically shifted the phase. His
argument regarding phase is misjointed as on one hand he states that analog has phase shift in
eq's but plugins can't replicate it.. but plugins can also alter phase in the high end .. Without
giving any evidence or audio examples to the fact. Just picks whatever fits his narrative. Aliasing
is purely digital though yes 🤓
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weeschwee
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  ah, thanks for clearing that up. And your diligence in providing real examples is
very valuable and appreciated by many. Thanks!
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Tony Temple
2 days ago
The 3D sound of analog vs The flat 2D sound of digital. Hmm 🤔
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I especially appreciated the mario visuals on that one. Made way more sense rather than giving
an audio. Example...
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Teppo
1 day ago
There is a pretty famous Finnish studio owner, who says bs like this all the time. ”Analog sound
surrounds you, but digital stays in the speakers.” etc.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
As much as I hate the term wrong in nearly all cases.. Its so scientifically wrong on sooo many
levels 😂 I can work with stuff like depth, width, warmth, harsh, muddy, flat Even if he said I
feel that analog has more depth and 3d quality and comes out the speakers a little more I can get
that but surrounding you more.. Cant get that haha
Read more
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Tony Temple
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  I just wish I could figure out what it is I'm doing wrong ITB..... 🤔 Final product
sounds flat with no back, just all front.
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This Scottish Aspie

1 day ago
🤓🤓🤓
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Remember to check out my autism channel if you want to learn more about my life 🤓🤓
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Chris Anthony
1 day ago
Where do you place softube in terms of quality, I just recently purchased the model 84 and
model 72 and have been impressed as the model 84 sounds almost identical to my 106, so much
so that it is no longer my 106 haha but would you say the Chandler zener bender would be worth
the buy ?
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
I really REALLY like the Mike-e to the point I'm gutted it's out my price range. In terms of the
curvebender I did this shootout vs Acustica and waves https://youtu.be/jCu81biwNJU From what
I remember softube and acustica were pretty much on par but acustica coffee is way more bang
for buck. Coffee is the entire chandler suite so you get the curve bender, zener limiter and also
the rs124 as well as all the pre's. The high end on coffee is amazing as well and can be pushed
more. 12.5k bell on the right source is 👌 The weiss mm1 and drawmer are fantastic and again if it
wasn't for price I'd have both of them. We'll maybe not the weiss now as the tdr kotelnikov GE is
my clean comp / limiter. The softube tube tech stuff I wasn't impressed with at all. Really lacked
against acustica for me
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Chris Anthony
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  cheers mate I'll give the comparison a watch and yourself a sub, I like the mike-e
as well which is why I'm on the fence with the chandler collection it has the germanium which
sounds great, the mike-e is just on another level
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Paul Third
1 day ago
The germanium.. That's the other comp I forgot about in coffee! It's £219 just now and as a wee
trick if you sign up with control room on fb they get you 50% off (assuming they still do it)
either way you'll save a TON especially due to softubes pricing on chandler stuff. That's what
coffee gives you Coffee (15) - The Chandler Collection • EQs: (A) Chandler Limited TG12345
Curve Bender and (B) Chandler Limited Germanium Tone Control. • Compressors: (1) , (2) and
(ULTRA) are a Chandler Limited RS124. (MODE 3/LIM) is a Chandler Limited TG12413
Zener Limiter • Preamps: 31 in total. LINE: 1-24: 24 channel paths (line input to output). The
frequency response (of each preamp) is derived from 24 different channels of a transistor-based
solid-state console. The harmonic content (of each preamp) is derived from a recreation of a
celebrated vintage Mic Amplifier (valve line amplifier) used in one of the most famous recording
Studios in UK in the ‘60s. EMI TG12428? CUST A: EQ Model A's line preamp. C25:
REDD.47? "a tube microphone pre-amplifier emulation, the recreation of the original valve line
amplifiers used in one of the best Britishrecording studios in the ‘60s." E: line preamp of the
TG12413. F: line preamp of the RS124. G: Little Devil Pre Amp (doesn’t include the Feedback
control). FEED: B: EQ - Model B's line preamp emulation of D: a preamp emulation of a
Germanium based Mono Microphone Preamp/ DI 500 series unit. (The B and D emulations that
are part of the FEED bank give the user the possibility to use the FEEDBACK control/knob.)
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Chris Anthony
1 day ago
 @Paul Third Absolute legend mate,  I think you've sold me on the Acustica purchase, might
even have to splash out on the purple3 set with the money I save from avoiding Softube. forward
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
Check out the noiseash ruletec collection. That's my personal favourite vintage pultec. It's £99
just now for the bundle. Purple gives you the warm audio pultec as well which is about 90%
accurate to the real thing. Id go noiseash however purely as I only use the eqp1a and not the
midrange eq. The noiseAsh ruletec eq1a is only £29 just now and on sale 😉 you can hear it
against a real pultec here https://youtu.be/w_Xh7s0pNe8 🤓
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dj Victor Nova
1 day ago
If anyone thinks a plugin is what makes a song better or worst ....... Music is not your calling
😁😁😁
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Paul Third
22 hours ago
I agree with you that if you are sitting there thinking a plugin is going to turn a mediocre song
into a number 1 hit because it may make it sound better in some specific way then yeah you are
deluding yourself. However I still see your choice of mixing tools and how you use them as a
whole as very important in terms of how it's perceived by the listener. I'm funny in the way I see
a song and music. I see a song as an arrangement of chords & lyrics. I see music as a
performance. The song is rigid and static. Black and white. It's how you turn that static structure
into music. How you perform it and project that message. Iv always seen the performance as
coming from the performers and its the recording engineers job to capture that performance in
the most flattering way possible. the projection of the performance comes from the
producer/mixer in my eyes. When talking about mixers they only have tools and skills at their
disposal. So whilst a plugin or piece of gear can't take anything away from the quality of the
song or performance, it can enhance or detract the projection and perception of it. I agree one
singular plugin or piece of gear isn't going to make a song sound better or worse but a collection
of gear and plugins built up and used a certain way throughout a mix can alter the perception and
feel of the record so what you use and how you use it is still very important. Doesn't make the
song itself better or worse as a well written, performed, recorded and produced song is still an
amazing song but it can make the song SOUND better which to some may make the song better
as a mix that's doing the song justice and projecting it the right way can really have an impact on
how it's perceived. Butch Vigs original mix of teen spirit vs Andy Wallace's final version is a
great example. Sorry about rambling. When I get something in my head I've got to get it out haha
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Per Hoier
2 days ago (edited)
Plugins can very well emulate phase. And they do. In fact the most simple filter algorithm
intiates phase shift, similar to what it does in the analog world. Don’t know what that guy is
talking about. The only obstracles between making the ‘perfect’ analog model is processing
power and engineering skills. And both of these aspects are already at a high level and constantly
increasing. But Thanks for bringing it up, Paul. Enjoying your channel a lot. :)
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Thanks for confirming that though. The phase thing was the only thing I didn't know enough
about but had my hunches as they get pretty damn close these days haha
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jmac2050
1 day ago
People are worshipping these old analog audio because they're expensive. They are not
expensive because they're so great. There expensive because of market of the industry they were
made for. Plugins are just computer code with a GUI. They can be good,bad, or ok regardless of
price or name associated with them. Use what works. Use what u like.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
It annoys the life out me. The waves L2 is still like a grand second hand.. Stupid money. 3 and a
half grand for a vintage calrec eq.. Just scary
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andreikhm
1 day ago
Thank you. I really like your point of view and especially this - why talk about these outdated
pieces of iron that people are trying to sell for a lot of money on the reverbe - such as L2 not yet
the oldest, original Fairchild was developed in the early 50s by Rein Narma, Pultec (EQP-1) was
introduced in 1951. Forget about this metallome.
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
Just checked on ebay.. L2 going for £950-1000... Wow 😱 just wow haha who would actually
pay anywhere near that 😅
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andreikhm
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  :)
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Dirk Churlish
2 days ago
Conspiracies lul. Yes, marketing is a bit out of hand. Yes, hardware compressors sound better
than plugin compressors. But Paul, what do you think about that old Vintage King video
"Comparing Universal Audio Plug-Ins To Their Hardware Counterparts"? Did they skew it
towards the hardware to sell more merchandise? Or is it an accurate representation of the
differences? I feel like they did something weird to the Waves API-2500 to make it sound worse
than the hardware in a shootout once. I would not have known or suspected had I not tried using
my own Waves API-2500 on the dry source with a completely different result. It was better than
what Vintage King said was the Waves API-2500, but still not better than the hardware, of
course. You should sleuth these vids for content!
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G
1 day ago
Don’t feed the trolls!
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Hes already been well fed! 😂
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G
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  I think you got me into your argument with this guy. Thanks Paul....
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Paul Third
23 hours ago
I don't think he'll create a rebuttal tbh. Unless he really wants to again create controversial
content for more views but his ego must be pretty battered right now tbh haha Depends if he
chooses to Instinctively scratch back manically or lick his wounds and see where he went wrong.
Whenever I've made mistakes on youtube I've either went back and edited it or corrected the
wrongs that I made. Depends what type of person you are
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Fwuzeem
2 days ago
Paul Third is the most legit
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Paul Third
2 days ago
I try my best haha 😎
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Ed Beers
1 day ago
Simplistic arguments in this vast, diverse thing we do, are silly! When tracking "real" acoustic
instruments I could make an argument, mixing and mastering, no way!
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Paul Third
1 day ago
What do you use for tracking out of interest?
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Ed Beers
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  A lot of analog-https://youtu.be/3mogfEQeRsg
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Sound Signals
2 days ago
I got to say i agree with a lot, if not most of the points made in the video in question, not
everything but in essence most of it. But what particualry resonated with me were the points
made about the endorsements by celeb mixers and product marketing and hype around plugins,
mesmerising the masses that they too can get mixes like CLA if you just buy their products. It's
bullshit and It's all about making money, capitalism at its finest. Plugins can get very close but
they can never outshine hardware in my opinion. In fact almost every one of your videos you say
the same thing, it's close, but not the same. In most of your video shoot outs you can always spot
the hardware and you almost always prefer it. That said i also agree with almost every point that
you made as well, so...Like you say all of this is very subjective
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Magentas manley vari mu and uad pultec were identical in those shootouts (in my opinion).
Softube mike-e, timP opto 32 and Lbus2 I actually preferred over the hardware. PA HG-2MS
and pulsar 1178 I preferred on certain sources to the hardware. API and uad was that close its
subjective where I actually couldn't tell them apart. Some hardware you just canna beat.. Some
you can. Totally subjective and hit and miss. Depends on the listener and the source. Everybody
knows I disagree with the waves signature hype but in terms of the brands they are doing what
any brand would do. Getting paid for their brand. You are right though, waves know 100% what
they are doing. Kings of marketing. Nailed it to an absolute tee.. BUT in terms of the main point
of this video.. ALL analog being worth the extra 2-3, sometimes 5 or 10 grand.. Its not the case.
Just a very narrow minded video made to encite heated debates for more engagement on his
channel.. Just my opinion though Ken 😜
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Sound Signals
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  There is no doubt that the video was made to be provocative and stir debate, click
bait? probably. But look at us all hear engaging with the ideas, that's got to be a good thing. As
for more engagemnet of his channel, i doubt it, the channel look pretty abandoned to me, despite
his recent engagement.
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Sound Signals
2 days ago
Btw, Al Schmitt (rest in peace) on plugins: https://mixwiththemasters.com/video/plugins ;-)
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Paul Third
2 days ago
Yeah I thought the same when I looked at the channel. Proper abandoned but seen a comment he
pinned last week saying he was going to be making a second video and forcing the same
narrative 🙈 My waves video took a lot of stick talking about their marketing and reliance on big
name engineers but least it was constructive haha I get too wound up in this youtube world now
😂
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Paul Third
2 days ago
You tried any of his signature leapwing stuff?
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Sound Signals
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  No i haven't. Bu the Leapwing stuff is very good quality.
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Sound Signals
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  Honestly don't know why you bother with Waves videos, they are the worst
perpetrators in this business, their business model is shameless and distasteful, it makes me want
to puke.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Still got to cater for those who use waves plugins. They are dirt cheap and accessible for a lot of
people. Not really fair on them to just refuse to do waves videos. However it is the main reason I
declined the waves partner program offer as I don't feel comfortable making money off plugins
that I have bad mouthed in the past. I may be autistic with near to no empathy but I still have
some sort of moral compass 🤣 BTW... Puke... Wars my.. "geez the boke" 😂
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Sound Signals
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  'Boke' much better word lol! Waves and their users can getifkman.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I'd fkn love for an artist to say to you.. Can you get me a CLA sound?.. 'better gie the boy fae
spitting image a call cause ah don't do impressions' 😂😂
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Martin von Bargen

10 hours ago
YES NO BAWBAG YES NO BAMPOT YES NO WHOPPER This fella's like reading one of
those mad magazines that gets their news by going through celebrities' bins or getting stuck next
to the mad fella who'd give you your ticket on the bus when he was stood next to the driver all
day.
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Paul Third
9 hours ago
Kinda guy that doesn't believe in bank accounts and only pays cash. Doesn't believe in recording
with pop shields as he has a 6 grand de-esser from 1976. Only watches TV through genelecs as
TV speakers project fake audio. I could go on 😂
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Martin von Bargen

9 hours ago
 @Paul Third  Kind of fella that never used the clutch in his car and leaves those protective films
on his electrical items.

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Paul Third
8 hours ago (edited)
Switched all his plug tops from US to UK cause it sounds better and only uses cables made with
ostrich feather as it softens the signal.. Has a radiator plugged into the same power strip as his
preamp so he can add more warmth to the signal path 😂😂
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Martin von Bargen

8 hours ago
 @Paul Third  😂😂😂 The kind of fella whose da sells the Avon

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Paul Third
8 hours ago
Licks windees on Sundays
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Chris Lysiak
4 hours ago
One must be absolutely deaf not to hear a dramatic difference between analog and ITB mixes
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Dot Solenoid
1 day ago (edited)
life is always better than death. Some people see digital to be dead but they consider it to be a
replacement instead of an opportunity for innovation. So if you want to just replace the analogue
effect (like many plugin companies and old skool mixers do or want) your missing out. I never
understand why an 1176 compressor should still look like a 1967's 1176 in 2021. Just compare
UAD vs Medla productions or Fabfilter. The same design can be more accessible (think attack &
release times instead of unrelated numbers like 1-7) with a modern UI. Also, analogue hardware
is not 100% identical: my 1967's 1176 sounds and works (slightly) differently than any other
1176 in the world. So looking for the same results (or personal preference or taste) because of
the "same analogue" setup is impossible. Every mix has its own pipeline, sound, preference and
ears .. there is no golden mix formula for every sound.
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
100% 🙌🙌 The functionalities of digital can outweigh hardware. Just look at plugins like kazrog.
6 different transformer types in one place. Their analog counterparts can perhaps sound 'better'
but your not gonna have 6 units of hardware chained and set up just for pass through, and at the
touch of button. As you said the creativeness is where its at. No limits. You can set up a reverb
plate with an SSL console after it, compress it with a vari mu, then saturate it with some diode
bridge saturation, eq it with a calrec & trident and then stick it through 3 different tapes just
because.. Possibilities are endless 🤓
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Dot Solenoid
1 day ago
 @Paul Third  Its a "religion" opinion instead of scientific fact. Analogue saturation or distortion
is not linear like a painters brushstroke that's never straight. Any transformation takes time to
find the balance between what we experience & what we can control. I use kazrog iron daily, but
I could also mimic this with a lot of outboard hardware. If you're hungry, you can create grow
your own food or visit a store .... we make a choice based on our available resources. Modern
painters don't use (toxic) lead-white anymore. That doesn't prohibit artist from creating great
paintings.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Totally. That's why his compromise comment irritated me. The notion that people only use
digital because its easier and more convenient doesn't mean that its a creative and qualitative
compromise. A man that is only as good as his tools is a man that doesn't know how to use his
tools Always loved that saying haha
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Ram Spencer
2 days ago (edited)
There are high-end, multi-planum mixers and producers who work mostly entirely with plugins.
I like some hardware somewhere in the chain when possible, generally ... Some plugins really
are significantly inferior. Some are almost as good and some absolutely rival hardware. Some
hardware isn't that amazing and some plugins are better. The price of a comprehensive top end
hardware studio is insane. And someone with much better ears and better sensibilities will get a
much better sounding mix in the box, than someone without that on the best gear. This guy is
literally a complete tool. Thanks for the rant. 😊
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Paul Third
2 days ago
👍👌🙌
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Ram Spencer
1 day ago (edited)
 @Paul Third  yeah. It's not my channel so I can get away with calling him a tool. I suspect that
you quite possibly night have wanted to call him some name(s) as well, but definitely a good
idea to not admit on your own channel! Even the sound of his voice annoyed me. 😛
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Ram Spencer
1 day ago
I was being nice. Just calling him a tool.... There were many other options I thought of, that I
might have gone with! 🤓
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Paul Third
1 day ago
I think I still called him a noob and a chump at certain points 😂😂
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Nicks Corsair S1 Tips
2 days ago
there are plenty of these click bait videos out there, like Paul says use your ears get used to the
tools you have. This video doesn't go into any details its just all opinion and tin hat bollocks.
What a tube
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Paul Third
2 days ago
I seen a comment he pinned on the original video last week. He genuinely still 100% believes his
own hype.. Just as bad as the plugin companies he slates 🤣
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Levon Darratt
1 day ago
Every aspect of technology has improved over time. To assume that some guys' compressor
slapped together in the 1970ies is better than a billion dollar company like Apple or even Waves
can do is a joke. That's just sentimental thinking. Photography same thing. Sure a 1970 camera is
nice and 1999 digital might not be better. But any 2021 digital camera beats that . Same in audio.
They just slow to accept change.
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Paul Third
1 day ago
Yup. Soothe, Gulfoss, trackspacer, sonarworks, rx8, ozone, convolution plugs etc are just minute
examples of how far technology has advanced and continuing to advance. Even just think about
all the neural dsp amp sims and stuff. I can't wait to see whats in store for the rest of this decade
🤓
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NJ
1 day ago
I don't get why we are still trying to compare this stuff. A $10.000 piece of analog hardware will
of course have a higher audio fidelity than a digital recreation that costs 1/100 of that, or less.
The tiny difference is not worth $9.900 to 99.99% of the people. If you factor in that the music
and audio created with said hardware or plug-in is almost entirely aimed towards people who
neither have any idea or cares about what you used to produce the music, the difference is worth
even less. Not to mention that a lot of plug-ins are only possible in the digital realm like linear
phase EQ's, spectral processors and other AI-driven plug-ins, a lot of reverbs and delays etc.
Shure, you could put them in a box (like Weiss, TC, Eventide), but they are still digital and will
cost 100x more than the plug-in. This discussion is pretty pointless IMO.
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Paul Third
1 day ago (edited)
That's why i try to put it all to the test so we can finally all just agree that we dont NEED to
spend thousands on gear anymore. I hope that within 5 years or so the argument is completely
dead in the water and everybody uses whatever they feel works for them instead of there akways
being a right or wrong answer. Parts of me is getting at the manufacturers who only perpetuate it
by claiming that they are the closest than anybody else bla bla but mostly its just to bridge the
gap between hardware and software and give others a fair blank canvas to decide which they
prefer so they can spend their money more wisely. Hopefully there is a day when analog and
digital are just seen as production tools and it's more about what you do with them 🤓
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NJ
20 hours ago
 @Paul Third  I agree. Sadly, a lot of people don't get that the "most accurate" or "true-to-the-
original sound" etc. is just a bunch of BS sell tactics. Fortunately, we have channels like yours as
well as a lot of good info on pro audio forums etc. so it's a bit easier to decide what we should
spend our money on :)
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John Bach
2 days ago
The guy sounds like a douche. Having both hardware and loving plugins... these hardware nuts
are just trying to rationalize the money they spent. Plugins are amazing these days period. Its one
hundred percent your skill and style that will create a banging mix let alone an amazing song.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
👌🙌 'SSL desk EQ & compression, Waves H-Delay, L1, CLA-76 & SSL Channel, Sound Toys
Echo Boy, Tremolator & Crystallizer, Thermionic Culture Freebird, Bricasti M7, Lexicon 480L,
AMS DMX1580, Avid EQIII & D-Verb.' Mike crossey mixed the 1975 hybrid. That was just the
guitars. Even stuck waves in the mix there and used an SSL strip when he was already using the
real deal. Who only uses hardware these days? The guy wants subscribers.. Not clients 😂
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John Bach
2 days ago
 @Paul Third  Best part of this vid.... "THESE ENGINEERS WHO MIXED BIG TIME HITS
IN THE BOX THAT SOUND GREAT ARE WRONG.... but this one song from the foo
fighters... this engineer says plugins are boring..." OOH SNAP.
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Paul Third
2 days ago
.. "you do know Scheps mixed foo fighters as well right"... "yeah but it doesn't fit my narrative ..
So.. Yeah" This guys entire video 😂