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SJM · Posts: 78

I'm on the last leg of my first major project using CEP and so far things have gone very well. All songs have been mixed, but before I burn, I'd like to add a little depth (and possibly some warmth). I've tried most of the obvious CEP effects, various reverbs, delays, widening the mix, etc. but I'm still not able to get the full sound I'm looking for. If adding studio-type depth and warmth to the mixes is beyond the scope of CEP's effects could you please recommend a directX plugin package? [maybe something in the mid-price range]
Speaking about plugins, I tried two reverb freebies off of the net; Freeverb and AnwidaDX Reverb Light. Both loaded fine and I was able to preview before applying the effects. However, when I try to apply the effects from either plugin, on a wave of any reasonable size, CEP shuts down everytime. I have a PIII 750MHZ and have optimized my OS & CEP as recommended by Syntrillium.
Thanks, SJM

Syntrillium M.D. · Location: USA Posts: 5124

Hello SJM. Well, depth and warmth have many possibilities. Depending upon the source audio, one effect may work better than another. If you're looking to just add some 'ambience', or perhaps a bit more space (ie, literally, depth) then you might try the Vocal-Natural Reverb, Nice Presence presets, for a start. (these can be found under Transform>Delay Effects>Reverb)

Other than using the actual Pan/Expander (which can really widen a track, without killing your center images) you can also play with some of the delay transforms, like Echo. Try a subtle stereo 50/100ms 75/125ms stereo delay with no regeneration. This will give you some more space as well.

As far as warmth, well, aside from adding it (in the EQ realm) often, adding a little hard limiter will warm up your track. There are also a host of plugins out there that specifically add warmth. One of them, Tube Warmth by 3rd Ear Audio, is quite good, extrememly easy to use, and it works great. Unfortunately, I just learned that they have discontinue the product! Well, here's the link anyway...

http://www.3rd-ear.com/

There are certainly other ones out there...just do a DX search and you'll find em.

---Syntrillium Support

Edited by - syntrillium support on 03/29/2001 10:16:22 AM

syneryder · Posts: 56

With regard to Freeverb and Anwidasoft DX Reverb Lite, the problem can apparently be attributed to using DirectX 8.0 drivers. Upgrading to DX8.0a may solve these problems - however I haven't yet tried this. I'm currently running DX8.0 and I'm experiencing the same problems as you are.

There's a long (and sometimes heated) post to do with these plugins in this forum. If you find a way to solve the problem, please let us know!

John D · Posts: 88

I'm using both of these reverbs with Direct-X 6.0 with no problems.

rjt · Posts: 91

You may want to look around http://www.thedirectxfiles.com/
for different types of plug ins. As Synt Support suggests "Warmth" can mean a lot of things from making the signal sound more analog to giving it depth to etc etc. There are different companies and types of plugs listed at the above web site. As plug ins are one of the few things that (mostly) aren't so expensive I can't afford them, I have a number of them. Lots of fun and the "same" effect from different companies do sound different. Some of the Ultrafunk stuff has gotten good reviews (I think about $200 for 5-7 plug in set) and a lot of people swear by the Waves stuff--but that is expensive.

I have the two free reverbs you mentioned and they work fine with DX 7. When DirectX8 first came out and lot of people said it was very buggy, I understand there is an upgrade to it that improves it tremendously.

The work of effects is great fun. Enjoy!! (Of course, we all value the great effects in Cool Edit... which can be pretty darn good).

PS if you don't have them Drowz has created some great effects just for Cool Edit (they are not directX, check them out:

http://www.audiotechcorp.com/

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada Posts: 909

To get that big, full, finished sound try a multiband compressor. It lets you play with levels and eq at the same time. There are 2 I use ... the db audioware multiband limiter is Ok, and cheap ... while the Waves C4 is a thing of beuaty and magic at a higher price point.