What software do you want or need?

[Heaven And Hell]

I'm perfectly happy with my software instruments, but I do need some more effects and mastering tools. The problem is that I'm not sure what I really need right now.

I stopped looking for instruments once I re-bought Zebra2. My collection was complete at that point.

I sold Chromaphone, though I may buy that back again someday. I just didn't like that it was completely mono, and I wanted to be able to pan my instruments from left to right depending on what notes are being played.

I have whatever built-in instruments and effects that come with Cubase 6.5, but other than that, the only effects I have right now are Tone2's Warmverb and IK's Amplitube. I sold Uhbik when I sold Zebra the first time because I needed money for Komplete 8 when they were having their half-off sale. I may buy that back again, but I'll never get it for what I sold it for. I needed money quick, so I sold it for way under it's going rate.

What mastering tools would people recommend?

[GaryG]

I did enjoy messing with Fabfilter Twin so may pick that up at some point (great gui and sound though not something I exactly *need*)

Not committed to any one DAW, wish I could... tend to play around in EnergyXT, do more serious recording with Reaper (still at 3.7...) Recently picked up a dirt cheap copy of Studio One Artist and generally like it a lot, may upgrade to Producer if I still like it in a while. Never really got in to Ableton but then I'm more of a linear kinda guy; stack sounds up on tracks, add effects, press play... Fave ever DAW was Tracktion, hope rumours of it's rebirth prove true (with certain caveats)

If you have Komplete 8 then you have Reaktor? More than enough effects in the user library I've found.

I don't generally get as far as mastering so can't really help.

[S1gnsOfL1fe]

Well evidently I decided I needed more software last night because right before the clock stuck midnight on Cyber Monday on the west coast I couldn't resist taking advantage of 25% off my entire order at Audio Damage!!! I love their plugins and I use Automaton and Replicant a hell of alot on the percussion in my tracks. Last night I picked up Axon and Tattoo and loaded them up in Pro Tools and made complete hay out of a simple drum loop...it sounded absolutely horrible :omg: but hey, at least I saved some money on some killer new plugins!! :cool: Wooohooo!

[GaryG]

Audio Damage!!! I love their plugins and I use Automaton and Replicant a hell of alot on the percussion in my tracks. Last night I picked up Axon and Tattoo and loaded them up in Pro Tools and made complete hay out of a simple drum loop...it sounded absolutely horrible :omg:

I like their plugs too though only have effects so far (EOS, Ronin, Bigseq2)

Maybe I'm a little suspicious of plugs that can do a lot of the work for you (eg. replicant), I'm the kind of masochist who would rather chop up audio manually if I want that kind of effect. ;)

Intrigued by automaton though, I guess I see that as more of a generative thing though, let it run and grab interesting bits as and when. But then you can do that with Replicant so... talking rubbish probably. :D

Also like the idea of the sequencer in Axon, seen that idea before in hardware circuits (lunettas etc) so have messed around in synthmaker with the concept but couldn't quite nail it. One day...

[Heaven And Hell]

I'm back to wanting Zebra2 again. :doh:

I had to sell it yesterday to get money for prezzies. I'm getting Mark something he's wanted for years and years, but has no idea that I'm getting it for him. I hope he's not looking... :o

[aoVI]

I picked up Izotope's Ozone 5 and Alloy 2 on Cyber Monday as the 'Mix and Master Bundle'. I put Ozone on a mix and after a little tweaking of a preset, felt it was noticeably cleaner and more ...stable...for lack of a better word. It sounded better enough for me to want to go back through my recent release and remaster it.

I won't pretend I have great ears or anything, and often very subtle tweaks of proper compression and saturation aren't that apparent to my aging ears, but the mix sounded markedly better with about 15 minutes of working with Ozone. I haven't messed with Alloy yet, but I look forward to it.

As far as anything I need, there isn't much I really NEED, but I would like to check out some of Uhe's offerings (Diva, Zebra), as well as Omnisphere.

[S1gnsOfL1fe]

I put Ozone on a mix and after a little tweaking of a preset, felt it was noticeably cleaner and more ...stable...for lack of a better word. It sounded better enough for me to want to go back through my recent release and remaster it.

See that right there makes me want to try Ozone...if only just for a little tweak here and there!!! I suppose it's my impulsive side...wishing I could "hear that tweak" that you did...

As far as anything I need, there isn't much I really NEED, but I would like to check out some of Uhe's offerings (Diva, Zebra), as well as Omnisphere.

U-he's stuff can't be missed. I have had Zebra since the beta before 1 but I just bought Diva like recently...when I won a contest on KVR! Seriously game changing in the analog pad department...you owe it to yourself to at least check them out!!! Omnisphere is on my list for sure...but I heard Spectra has something up their sleeve coming this January. We shall see!!!

[V0RT3X]

*edit*

[robojam]

Mostly things I haven't upgraded to the most recent version yet - Live, Reason, Jamstix, etc.

[Frozen Lonesome]

I must be an anomaly here, partly because I'm a newbie to electronic music making. I am doing all my stuff in IOS apps with a taking a few things back into Garage Band. I have downloaded Reason but have not dove in yet because the learning curve seems high. I use Sunrizer, LoopyHD, Magellan and Addictive Synth a lot. However with the release of Audiobus, it has changed and improved my process. I have also got some new apps that Audiobus initially supported.

[seismic1]

Zebra2. That is top of my list for next year.

[windspace]

Zebra2. That is top of my list for next year.

+1!!

[robojam]

Zebra is on my wish list but not top of it.

I think the Ableton Live upgrade is top of my list, but recently I've started really thinking of putting AudioGL in second place.

[S1gnsOfL1fe]

Zebra2. That is top of my list for next year.

By the time you get it it'll be Zebra 3!!! It's coming...those guys are working on it! :thumbsup:

I've owned Zebra since beta. Personally, I can't wait!!! :D

[seismic1]

By the time you get it it'll be Zebra 3!!! It's coming...those guys are working on it! :thumbsup:

I've owned Zebra since beta. Personally, I can't wait!!! :D

It will probably be a couple of months before I can afford/justify it. Do you know whether Urs has set a release date yet?