The Blades.Technology Blog

Posts about Music, Technology, web and otherwise, and anything else that might come up.

Softube Plugin Collection Volume 5 and other VST Bundles

This post is about the value of plugin bundles of VST Effects and Instruments, specifically covering the newest bundle from Softube, makers of Console 1.  There is a video overview and reasoning for getting this bundle or not.

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Color Toolbar v2 for PreSonus Studio One

The GUI interface that PreSonus has for the Studio One product has a love-hate relationship with the user base or potential user base.  Some prefer its simplicity to the skeuomorphism of other products and others feel like it has a cartoon-like look to it that feels unprofessional and uninspiring.  Me, I like it - I thin k it is a bit minimal and functional while at the same time providing almost enough customization options to appease the part of me that wants visuals to go with the audio I'm producing.  The FREE Color Toolbar addon for Studio One doesn't really add any new visuals to the overall look of the GUI, but it definitely helps to make your tracks and channels look like you want them to quickly and easily.  Read on for more information and a video walkthrough of the plugin.

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Console 1 - American Class A (API) Channel Strip

I got a demo of the American Class A emulation for Console 1 and created a Review of it across a bunch of individual drum tracks and the drum bus. 

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Which EQ - Multiple Emulations

There are a TON of options for EQ.  This Blog continues the research into the question of "Which EQ Should I Use?" with a review of multiple emulated options

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Which EQ? PreSonus ProEQ2 Explained

An EQ is a powerful tool for sculpting audio content to sound better than it originally did and for blending multiple tracks together so that they compliment one another.

This is the first EQ in this series, the PreSonus ProEQ2 that is included in Studio One.

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Which EQ Should I Use?

EQ is a subject that can be broken down quite simply or drawn out into quite a dissertation, and in many circles, there is a lot of controversy about the answer to this Blog's question of Which EQ should I use.  Read on to find out more...

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Studio One and Faderport 8/16 Workflow with Macros and Keyboard Shortcuts

One thing I love to do is optimize my environment to work the best, fastest, and importantly, most fun way that it can.  I recently completed a series of setup changes in my workflow to get the best use of Studio One, the FaderPort 8 (in my case, though the FaderPort 16 would work the same way) by using Macros and Keyboard shortcuts.

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2464 Hits
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Studio One 5.2 - 4 Awesome New Features

PreSonus has come out with another great release to the Studio One DAW application - Version 5.2.

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2049 Hits
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Empirical Labs TrakPak for Console 1 Review and Comparison

 As you probably know by now, I'm a fan of the Softube Console 1 hardware and the associated software/VST effects.  This post is about the newest release to be added to the ecosystem.

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3127 Hits
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5 Reasons to use the PreSonus FaderPort 8 with Studio One

The FaderPort 8 by Presonus is a VERY cool hardware device that can be used to control nearly any DAW, but works extremely will with Studio One.  In my last review of this hardware, I showed it in use with Cakewalk by Bandlab, but in this go-around, I've shown how much better it is in the native Studio One mode.to the meat of these.  

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2317 Hits
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Cakewalk ProChannel VS PreSonus Fat Channel - SSL Bus Compressor

 Many of you know that I REALLY like the Softube Console 1.  I also use the Fat Channel in Studio One from time to time for specific functions.  The SSL Bus Compressor is one of those.  Cakewalk has an emulation of this in the ProChannel as well.  So I wanted to compare the two emulations.

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Cakewalk ProChannel vs. PreSonus Fat Channel

 As I continually revisit Cakewalk vs. Studio One, in this Blog Post, I review the differences and my preferences between the Cakewalk ProChannel and PreSonus Fat Channel Strips

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2302 Hits
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Three Tips to Optimize PC for DAW use

I bought a new computer.  This is the first time ever - I've always built from scratch.  But I found a good deal on a new one locally and was really over the idea of building it from parts and just wanted a working computer.  Even a well spec'd computer needs to be optimized - Especially for DAW use. 

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2638 Hits
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Cakewalk by Bandlab vs. Studio One in 2020

This post is about the differences and preferences between Cakewalk by Bandlab and Presonus Studio One 5.  Read on for basics.

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Waves - CLA Epic Review and Demonstration

 This is a quick overview demonstration and review of the Waves CLA (Chris Lorde Alge)  new plugin called EPIC

I've never used Waves plugins in the past, but this Black Friday, I had a chance to check out the new Waves EchoSphere, which led me to the purchase of the new CLA Epic plugin.

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2463 Hits
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Studio One 5.1 - Retrospective Recording

 Back in the days of a 4-track recorder, I was happy just to be able to record multiple tracks to a cassette recorder.  When DAWs came along, just expending on that simple 4-track concept was "good enough".  The new Studio One retrospective MIDI record option brings new capabilities to the forefront.

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Studio One 5.1 - Channel and Track Filtering

​The new version of Studio One is out - version 5.1.  There are a number of new features in this release, but one of the ones that initially eluded me as useful actually turns out to be a great DAW workflow enhancer.

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Presonus Studio One - Automation Quick and Easy

Automation is a Staple in any DAW application.  But for some reason, some are less intuitive than others.  Why?!?! These programs are supposed to make it easier, not harder.  In this post, I show how to use Studio One for the purpose. 

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2280 Hits
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Presonus Sphere - The First 60 Days

​When Presonus introduced the new Sphere Subscription, I was initially a little skeptical about the value it would bring and was, at the same time, hopeful that the updates that it brought would be both useful and valuable to me.  Check out what is new with the Presonus Sphere subscription.

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3033 Hits
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Fun with Delay in Studio One or any other DAW

I was playing around with the new Studio One 5 updates to the Analog Delay VST plugin and decided that a video was in order, going through some of the features and fun that can be had with ANY delay.

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2536 Hits
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