Precision Maximizer

[imdrecordings]

OK, I just got home from work and started the demo.
So far, I been playin around with dropping it on individual tracks.
The only thing I can say is, this thing is fk'n cool!
Or should I say Kooooooool!!!! Like a sweet tasting pack of smokes. You know are going to fill you lungs full of fiberglass, but you gotta have another one.
It's the first time I've dropped in a plugin and thought \"hmm neat, Awesome!!!\".
That's about it.
Buy'n it.
Now.....

Just for the record, I don't smoke.


Discuss.

 

[LFranco]

Dayum, I have to wait about 2 weeks to try this out, that's the one thing I don't like when plugins drop because I'm usually working on something and am too paranoid to do any sort of system change that may screw something up (and it has happened with a UAD software upgrade in the past too).

Question: did u just basically go to town with it, or did you follow the tips that are listed on the manual (input around 0db, shape around 50, etc.)?

Do you honestly feel it gave your track \"tube warmth\"?

 

[RWIL]

I looove it, and get it finally for free using the promo!!
$1 in the voucher now...

RW

 

[csl]

It's very similar to Inflator, but with a more relaxed upper midrange - spectral analysis shows a less pronounced harmonic addition to the 2-5kHz area, making it sound smoother (some might say more analogue :wink: ) than the Inflator.

I bought the Inflator a few months back, which is a little annoying as I'd rather not have to deal with more iLok plugins, but at least this way I can spare a little more DSP for the Neve stuff.

The soft-clipping limiter on the PM would be a great for individual track use though, as it sounds nice and dirty. But still I can't bring myself to shell out for that alone.

 

[bedhoe]

I was very apprehensive from the start but now....

This is just what i didn't know i needed. I think it sounds much better than the inflator... Smoother i think.

UA does it again. Geezus.

 

[Axiology]

I haven't tried it yet, but it seem's to be a combination of an Aphex Aural Exciter and a Limiter. Having messed up some of my earlier analog recordings by using an Aural Exciter on the mix buss I think I'll likely pass on this plug. The Exciter adds 3rd order harmonics I believe same as this maximizer. Though, at first it seemed to enhance the clarity of instruments in the mix, in retrospect it(Exciter) made things sound unpleasantly edgy and seems to quickly induce ear fatigue.

Andrew
http://www.axiology.ca

 

[electro77]

Is it the same type of plug as Inflator? Post Limiter Loudness effect

 

[Dnic]

Is it the same type of plug as Inflator? Post Limiter Loudness effect

I just did some comparisons. In single band mode, the two plugins are very much alike. They're defiantly the same type.

Doing the phase cancellation test only results in a difference of -40dB. This is with PM's shape at 52,1%, Mix 100%, output 0db. Inflator's effect at 100%, curve 0. ...oh yes and both limit/clip options disabled,
The limiter of the PM is not a brickwall limiter like the Inflator's one but a soft sat type that adds distortion before reaching 0db.

Three bands mode however is different, I think mostly because of different bandsplit-filter algos. The PM seems to be more precise in the bass-area to my ears.

Though the PM can be used post limiter, I think it sounds way better if you have the option to use is pre-limiter.

 

[imdrecordings]

Question: did u just basically go to town with it, or did you follow the tips that are listed on the manual (input around 0db, shape around 50, etc.)?

Do you honestly feel it gave your track "tube warmth"?

Hey Franco,

Manual??? I don't need no stinking manual.
I usually just jump right into the plug. See what comes naturally and then school myself with the manual.
My first impression was, COOL!
It does something that the other plugs don't.
It's not something I need, but it is absolutely something I can see myself using.

tube warmth

I don't know what this means anymore...

but no, I don't think it does.
That's not to say it doesn't add something pleasurable.

 

[Guest]

I haven't had a chance to check the maximizer yet as I've been out of town. How does it play with the Prec. Limiter? Should or can they be used together in the mastering chain, or should you choose one or the other depending on the sound/application you're going for?

 

[LFranco]

Manual??? I don't need no stinking manual.
I usually just jump right into the plug. See what comes naturally and...

Haha! Cool, I dig.

Kyle, based on what I know about the PL and the sound it can give you while limiting, I would think that the PM would go right before the limiter, although since I haven't used the PM yet, not sure if I would even mess with the limiter function of it at all (then again, it might sound cool with it "on" and still use the PL after it!) I'm willing to bet these two will play quite nice together.

 

[kleinholgi]

Good to hear that there is a manual out for it.

Perhaps there are some nice ideas to find, how to use the unit right.

From the start I was not that happy with it. At least the heavy 3band presets where just too much IMO, causing lots of clipping and distortion.

But I´m sure, that it can sound much better, when one is dealing with lower input levels and more careful effect parameters.


IMO it is dangerous, that people are coming up immediately with that \"WOW it sounds BIG\" statements. Then it´s all about \" Welcome to loudnessrace\".

But there was a review from Plec, where he said that the Maximizer can be used like a kind of saturation unit, by dealing with the shape knob. These kind of more subtle applications should be very nice. But I dought, that this \"Now my sound appears 15 dB louder\" approaches are really what we should aim for.

 

[LFranco]

But I dought, that this "Now my sound appears 15 dB louder" approaches are really what we should aim for.

I hear you, but it's just like any effect that gives you the option of using it lightly or heavily. an L2 for example, isn't always a bad thing. In the right hands, an L2 is very useable, but then again, someone without much experience can effectively squash the life out of a mix very easily.

One thing I've noticed from most of the members on this message board is that they're all very good engineers, and I doubt everyone is being irresponsible with the tools, it's a little offensive to assume we're all going to act like cavemen going "ME...MAKE...MORE...LOUDER"

 

[kleinholgi]

Just bought the cat.

Will experiment a little bit more with it. I think the performance will hold up as it always did with the UAD plug ins.

Nevertheless I still believe, that even the best engineers should be carefull not to overuse these tools.
I think, Depeche Mode, Muse, Snow Patrol, Madonna or Red Hot Chilli Peppers had one of the best mix&mastering engis, that money can buy ....but their latest sound is like..........you know what I mean.....

 

[Macc]

Has anyone used it 'in anger' in a mix yet? I haven't had the chance to try it yet (tomorrow hopefully!), but I am far more interested in what this can do for my mix, rather than what it will do for my master...

 

[ambrose]

i've noticed something a little strange with PM on my material. I tried PM on some mono-synth lines, and noticed that probably due to the very strong harmonic colouration it adds on what would be the more sonically useful settings, the actual pitch of the notes now can sound a little off to me (about a semitone, i'd guess - not really a transposition, but a strong harmonic colour that wasn't intended in the original harmony. uh hm).....

So, i'm not sure i'm ready for another waveshaper right now: it's taken me nearly a year to learn how to stop using inflator. Things have been much better since then...

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

It's very similar to Inflator, but with a more relaxed upper midrange - spectral analysis shows a less pronounced harmonic addition to the 2-5kHz area, making it sound smoother (some might say more analogue :wink: ) than the Inflator.

The Inflator can indeed get a bit mid-hump-y at times. When it's right, it's perfect, but I'm glad to have an alternative available.

 

[Campos]

loudness war.... :|

 

[bedhoe]

IMO it is dangerous, that people are coming up immediately with that "WOW it sounds BIG" statements. Then it´s all about " Welcome to loudnessrace".

But there was a review from Plec, where he said that the Maximizer can be used like a kind of saturation unit, by dealing with the shape knob. These kind of more subtle applications should be very nice. But I dought, that this "Now my sound appears 15 dB louder" approaches are really what we should aim for.

Unfortunately whether we like it or not there IS a loudness war going on.
I've experienced that A&R's always go for the loud stuff.

All of the selling stuff on for example beatport is never below -12rms. The biggest selling track these last couple of weeks is -6 to -7 rms or something incredibly stupid like that. We can't stop it. Especially in the electronic club music genre.

 

[TheEastGateMS]

i've noticed something a little strange with PM on my material. I tried PM on some mono-synth lines, and noticed that probably due to the very strong harmonic colouration it adds on what would be the more sonically useful settings, the actual pitch of the notes now can sound a little off to me (about a semitone, i'd guess - not really a transposition, but a strong harmonic colour that wasn't intended in the original harmony. uh hm)...

Could you post a short clip of that instrument with and without the effect? I am curious...