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  • ArtsAcoustic Reverb

    Has anyone used the ArtsAcoustic Reverb plugin, and if so, how does it compare with Altiverb?

  • AFAIK, the ArtsAcoustic plugin is a synthetical reverb (read: based on reverberation algorithms), while AltiVerb relies on convolution (read: sampled "real" acoustics) - which makes a comparison difficult.

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Thanks for your reply. I have listened to some of the demos using the ArtsAcoustic reverb. I really need to download the trial version of AltiVerb so I can come to my own conclusion. But now that you have clarified the two techniqes involved, I am already inclined to go with the sampled technology.

  • I didn't mean to say that sampled reverb is better per se. I just tried to point out that there are fundamental differences between the two plugins. While I wouldn't want to mix modern pop/rock music without synthetical reverberation, sampled halls and rooms are my first choice when it comes to more acoustical settings with emphasis on depth and "true" space.

    HTH,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • I just saw the specs last night on the release of Logic Studio 8 and was sampling the Space Designer demos. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of reverb produced by Space Designer when compared to Altiverb's effects?

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    @musicdsign said:

    I just saw the specs last night on the release of Logic Studio 8 and was sampling the Space Designer demos. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of reverb produced by Space Designer when compared to Altiverb's effects?

    The problem is that we have expectations. Assume you are in a church and listen to a live-performance. You could have wonderful feelings even if you are sitting behind a pillar and far away of the musicians. The sound you are listening to is probably muddy - sound porridge so to say.
    Take the situation at home. You are sitting between your loudspeakers. Every noise, crackle etc. is a disturbance. If you recognize some mud > disturbance. No punch > disturbance, no depth but to much reverb > disturbance, ... So what we always try to achieve is a studio performance which should sound like a natural performance. That's a contradiction in a way.

    If you are looking for real room productions, Altiverb is a reverb which you can take as a reference. But often you will feel that the reverb sounds a bit dark or muddy...? Try to take it for reproducing bigband sounds. I'm sure you will choose IRs of sampled electronic reverbs - also with Altiverb.

    So why all this text above? As Dietz mentioned: Different situations use different reverbs. I'm sure that the Space Designer Reverb some times can be more useful than Altiverb. For some situations you will even prefer Logic's Platin-Reverb.

    Answer to your question: The Space Designer uses IRs as well. So the quality mainly depends on these IRs. Nevertheless - Altiverb can produce more natural room impressions (with all the negative properties) which not means that Space Designer is a bad reverb but perhaps you use it for other situations - and vice versa.
    >>> use more than one reverb!

    Beat Kaufmann

    - Tips & Tricks while using Samples of VSL.. see at: https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/ - Tutorial "Mixing an Orchestra": https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/mixing-an-orchestra/
  • That is a good suggestion. Now to my next question, without trying to get too far off the topic. I was looking at Logic because of the overall package. I was also considering Cubase and looking at AltiVerb to complement it. Logic seemed like a "logical" (pun intented!) choice since it included various types of reverb in the package. But I am also looking for something I can use for notation as well. I am from a Finale mindset where I like to notate my music and then assign instruments. I realize that sequencers are much more powerful than notation packages, but what sequencing package has the most robust notation capabilities? Any opinions on that?
    (Let me qualify my position: I am putting together a hardware package based on what will best run the Special Edition and some other sofware, like Symphonic Choirs. I have not chosen a PC or Mac yet. I will make that final decision when I find the best combination for the money that will suit my needs.)

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    @musicdsign said:

    ... I have not chosen a PC or Mac yet. I will make that final decision when I find the best combination for the money that will suit my needs.)

    Uuuhh (Swiss -German) I can't give you a piece of advice.
    I was very happy with the note-editor of Logic (WIN-5.51). Then I had to change to Cubase because Logic "appled". Since Cubase4 the Note-Editor is as good as I know it from Logic 5.51.
    Logic seems to come more complete than Cubase. But it even costs more than Cubase4. It's a good idea to spend the saved money for Altiverb.
    I suggest to contact Hetoreyn. He used Logic for a long time and changed now to Cubase (on MAC as well). I know that he was more than happy with Cubase
    in the first days...?...
    He will be able to tell you something about the advantages of both hosts, I'm sure.
    http://www.elvenmusic.com/contact/contact.html

    all the best
    Beat Kaufmann

    - Tips & Tricks while using Samples of VSL.. see at: https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/ - Tutorial "Mixing an Orchestra": https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/mixing-an-orchestra/
  • Thanks for the contact. I will email Hetoreyn. But one thing, did you know the price for Logic Studio 8 is $499? I was blown away when I saw that, but it's true. I just got back from the local Apple store and one of the sales reps who is a licensed Logic consultant is going to look into some of my concerns too. I'll keep you posted.

  • Ironically the biggest difference I find between Logic and Cubase .. is that Cubase is more Logical :D Certainly helps not having environment pages and mixer consoles which annoy me. Logic offers a lot of good stuff .. Space Designer, Software synths and of course EXS 24, but cubase has better built in synths (more musical), and the midi editor is better in my opinion. I have to use both systems at the moment as I still need Logic for some things, but Cubases main pull factors are .. Better Panning. If you look at the pan control they offer different options .. Dual panners .. split panners .. or combined Balance. Logic doesn't offer this .. and as someone else pointed out .. Logic's Direction mixer plug looses the ability to pan when you mono-ize sounds. Cubase also has a good mixer which I feel tends to work better than logic .. however that is just my own experience. I doubt if either sequencer is harder or easier really .. but I'm more comfortable with Cubase. And now with Vienna's Ensemble .. well what can I say except :D ((Big smile)). Looking forward to it ... Finally a mixing console designed for an orchestra. That has been my biggest gripe with any sequencer .. that they have not be designed to help you achieve depth.