I can't speak for the other plugins, but I have Waves' and I love them.

I've been using their plugins for years and rarely have found anything to gripe about.

Edit>Warning: Slightly off-topic Ego trip!
I can't necessarily prove it, but I believe that I was one of the folks instrumental in getting Yamaha to license Waves for use in their digital consoles... 8-)

Good time to ask this question, and... suggest moving this topic to one of the appropriate forums on recording.org: http://recording.org/forum-c5.html

It is my professional opinion, plug-ins, are "not" pro audio gear, they are what? They may do similar, even better in some area's, or attempt to do the same things as hardware based, however, in most cases, lack what dedicated pro audio hardware based gear does exceptionally well? Yes, no?

Is this topic is in the wrong forum?

Is this topic is in the wrong forum?

Kinda, which is why I added the slightly off topic statement that I did.

plug-ins, are "not" pro audio gear.

Agree 100% - not pro audio gear, however:
Plugins are making their way into pro audio gear, that kinda puts a different spin on it, don't you think?

Soon it will be hard to differentiate between the two...

P.S. I vote to move this thread.

I'm asking about opinions for plugins.. which are indeed pro audio.. granted not hardware.

The title of this thread is digital audio, which does cover using a computer, and simulated digital plugins, in a digital environment, but if moving it makes you feel better, I'm all for it.

If anyone can help me with my original post I'd really appreciate it..
thanks-

The original post was under pro audio gear, hence the above discussion.

Looks like it has been moved since audiokid and I talked about it...

Someone will be on shortly to compare and give opinions on the plugins you are interested in, I'm sure, so hang in there! :!:

it was oops, ok then.. glad thats settled.
Help because I need to spend money I don't have!

I would go for the SSL. It's my personal taste that prefers that sound. Also because I use all three plugins endlessly, as opposed to just the compressor in the API series. (I just don't like the EQs for some reason) Also don't see where all the money goes in the URS package. Granted, they are good, but they didn't make as much an impact on me as the SSL ones did. Haven't had too much experience with the Sonalksis plugins though. I recall some sort of transient compressors or something and actually being really happy with the results. Can't say more than that.

DISCLAIMER: What I wrote above is my own personal opinion based on my own personal taste. I do not guarantee in any way that you will think the same or arrive at the same conclusions as myself.

That said, the SSL's are really worth every penny in my book. Great warm, high end sound that adds the dollar signs to your mixes. Also, they seem to be idiot proof. So no matter what you do, it can only sound "good" "better" or "really good". :)

I apologise for the massive plug, but I was honestly dissapointed with the API's. Though a combination of the API compressor and SSL Bus Comp, creates "punch" heaven for a drum bus. :D

What I wrote above is my own personal opinion based on my own personal taste.

You bring up a great point.
I have many high dollar pieces of gear, mics included, at my disposal. The singer in my little fun band (myself and a few friends) insists on singing through a Sennheiser 441! The reason? He likes it better than any other mic I've put in front of him. Not my choice, but it works for him, so...

>Tangent time! Now, really off topic.

Favorite gear, favorite mic, favorite placement, etc...
The most important thing an audio engineer must remember is that music is an art form, and all artistic expression is highly subjective - this includes the art of pushing faders and turning knobs on an EQ!

Experiment, experiment, experiment, that's what this business is all about!
EMI was very strict on their rules (this mic, this way, that mic on that instrument, all orchestras are recorded in exactly the same manner, use this preamp, low frequencies do not go past this dB range... period!), then came The Beatles, along with some very talented engineers (aka artists), who pushed the envelope (not to mention the buttons of EMI brass) and created some of the most artistic songs and mixes ever created. ...And so simplistic, a lot of them - yet they work on so many levels...

Our industry has slowly fallen away from that artistic mentality and has reverted back to the mediocre, in many cases, and on so many levels. It's very sad!

>End tangent.

Can someone else chime in with sound comparisons?

This is also why I chose the other category...people went there!