Re: Your favorite digital&analog limiter? eq? stereo exp
covenant66 said:
What is your favorite digital (plug-in) version and analog version for each of these (for mastering):
Limiting -- EQ -- Stereo Expansion -- Compression -- Reverb -- Dither
Also, does anyone find the UAD-1 Precision Limiter to be better than Waves L2?
Limiter -- Almost always analog - Several to choose from, but the one I've been using more than most (lately) is a modified Aphex Systems 722 Dominator II. Digital - UAD's Precision Limiter, no question.
EQ -- Believe it or not, probably almost a tie between analog and digital - Crane Song's Ibis EQ (analog) or UAD's Precision EQ (digital).
Stereo Expansion -- Almost never. But if I have to, I split into a M/S matrix manually (normally in digital) and go from there. Any M/S expansion type plug I've ever used is far too destructive by itself.
Compression -- Almost always analog again - Crane Song's STC-8M, Manley's Variable Mu are out in front here. I *might* use a plug as a mult now and then - UAD's LA2A is great for that. But for "everyday" use, I still haven't found a plug that I'm "feeling" like a nice analog piece.
Reverb -- Rare. Samplitude's native "room simulator" convolution thing comes in handy here and there. I have no (true) analog verbs - Digital rack units, sure. But nothing that sounds better than the Samp stuff, and nothing as tweakable as UAD's DreamVerb.
Dither -- Pow-r III is probably the "default" if I'm not being picky about it. Lavry's dither is great, Crane Song's is great, Apogee's UV22 (hardware) is great... Depends on the mood.
UAD vs. L -- I'd almost rather clip the converters than use the "L" series limiters (yes, I like the UAD limiter better). I suppose there's some "prejudice" and "bias" in that statement, but I really do like the UAD better.