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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Hi, I'm trying to add some free effects plugins from Blue Cat Audio to RB, but either they're not configured right - they offer DX and VST versions - or I don't understand how to get them recognized by RB. The manual doesn't seem to be much help. Help!
SonnyRay
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RealBand
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Install the plugins, I think they come in an installer. Pay attention to any 'extra offerings' (like free toolbar or search assistant) while installing und uncheck if necessary.
Pay attention to the folder it installs in.
In RB, open the DX FX window on, select a drop down slot and scroll to the bottom where it says 'Add VST FX'
*Note - if this is done on a MIDI track the first slot will be for VSTi synths, not FX. Use the second thru 4th slot.
In the resulting window, browse to where you installed the FX and look for the appropriate .dll file. These will be the different effect plugins (usually).
Select one and see if the effect loads up.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Thank you for the suggestion. I followed you directions with this plugin: the VST plugin is listed as: BC Triple EQ 4DX(Mono).dll. I get a message from RB that it's "not a valid VST plugin." I don't know how to proceed from this point. Any other ideas?
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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you navigated to the DX version. You need to find the .dll for the VST version.
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 110
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I reinstalled the Blue Cat Audio suite in the RB DX Settings file and tried to launch one of the effects plugins and got the same warning message as before. I must be doing something wrong, but I can't understand what step I've left out. Help again.
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Okay, I finally was able to install and bring up the Blue Cat Audio plugins one at a time instead of their entire suite in a RB VST file. I also downloaded the Classic Compressor.zip file but Win says it can't open it. I'll try that again. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it.
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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Yeah, trying to open the whole Blue Cat suite in a single FX slot would likely throw an error. Features like that are what makes many of the 'paid for' products worth the price of admission. Blue Cat is serviceable (especially for the price), as is the Classic series. I haven't checked out Blue Cat in years though. I like the Compressor and Limiter in the Classic series. Sometimes they make quick work easy. Now that you've got your feet wet, you'll likely be swimming in plugins before you know it. Many available, both free and $$ that are worth checking out. There's a list around here somewhere of some known to work with PGProducts .. ah, here - http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.p...amp;Search=trueA few posts down.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 110
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Thanks again for your help. Out of curiosity, what effects and plugins do you use on a regular basis?
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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What do you need?
Compressor? EQ? Suite?
Free or paid?
Plugins I use on a regular basis is hard to define, and probably wouldn't apply to what you might be looking for.
Many songs have a dozen plugins running, so the list can be long and varied. Are you looking for recommended freebies?
Cutting edge? Must haves?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
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I was curious what effects you veteran RB users use on your songs. My tunes fall into the classic rock, country and pop formats. I've downloaded a couple of courses on using EQ and Compression to learn how to use them, since they seem to be one of the big mixing mysteries newbies must tame and learn to control, and I've noticed that there's many versions of both effects available for sale. Of course I would love to see the list of freebies you recommend, as well as how you would rate the PG plugins.
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2011
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I've always been a great fan of the Antress range of plugins. They're all free and if you take a bit of time getting used to the settings they sound very good. Another plus is that I've never encountered any conflicts when using them. Here's a link to the full list - http://www.gersic.com/plugins/hosted/antress/index.phpI should say that I do not have any commercial interest in Antress. ROG.
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RealBand
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I found this article on line from the British publication - SOS - from Nov. 2010 about freeware plug-ins, if anyone's interested: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov10/articles/qa-1110-1.htmSonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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RealBand
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Regarding the soundonsound article, it's good to get some backing from a well respected resource like SOS. My favorite delay has been Interruptor's Bionic Delay for almost 10 years. It's nice to see that developer mentioned because I know of nobody else that uses that delay, though to me it's always had the most useful and simple interface. I've used it for so long that when I think of delay, I think of the Bionic Delay interface. Uses note values for delay times, so your host needs to be able to communicate BPM back and forth to the plugin. It's also nice to see GVST mentioned as a developer. In my opinion, use of Gcomp with the original skin is required training for anyone having questions about how dynamics processing works. The input/output curve for the settings, as well as waveforms of the input and output signals are part of the GUI. It can quickly clean up misconceptions about dynamics processing simply through knob tweaking and watching what changes on the graphics. I actually gave him a donation years ago because of how enlightening his particular take on dynamics processing was for me. Many folks that I've referred to Gvst, and particularly Gcomp have had similar experiences. If compression is still a mystery to you; no shame in that; go get Gcomp and twiddle with some different types of signals; drum patterns, program material, solo vocals or instrument tracks, etc. Gcomp is a real boon to help sort out what all the various dynamics processing parameters actually DO. Finally, Jeroen Breebaart's plugins get mentioned also, which are a great suite of plugins, particularly his psychoacoustic dynamics processor (not mentioned in the article) and his reverb, Omniverb,(also not mentioned in the article). I've actually had a few e-mail conversations with Jeroen when at my previous employer regarding binaural recording and perception (Jeroen is a world-expert in the field) and he seems a real gentleman. Also, the author says that Kjærhus's classic series aren't available from the developer but these have been bundled for download at Acoustica's Mixcraft site for a couple of years now - http://www.acoustica.com/plugins/vst-directx.htm SIR is also available on the same download page. The soundonsound list provides a great alternative set of tools to what come bundled with RB, however, you should be able to accomplish most of what you need with RB plugins - a few simply don't exist however, like the various parametric EQs, and the graphic user interfaces available on many of the plugins mentioned in the article. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
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RealBand
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Have used most of the FX mentioned with no problems and good results. Many of them were on the list I posted.
As for a starting point ..
I suggest Classic Series for sure. Nice presets and interface.
They seem to always work, and very rarely any performance issues (efficient).
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Thanks to everyone who added to this post. You helped me get my fx's up and running and you've given me lots of places to go to find more plugins. I appreciate your time and effort.
SonnyRay
Keep on Rockin'
Sonny Ray
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