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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => The Acid Test => Topic started by: Ross Hogarth on October 01, 2008, 02:57:24 PM

Title: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 01, 2008, 02:57:24 PM
http://www.ursplugins.com/ursSat.html

I have been trying to use the VST version of this for quite some time
with all the problems of the vst wrapper in pro tools ....BLECH
crashing my rig is not an option
it sounded great but VST ....not happening
so the plug went to the unused folder

recently while mixing a record
I called Bobby Nathan of URS to see if the RTAS version was ready
he immediately dropped the rtas link on my account
he said it was still in beta but please try it
well i have to say now that it has just been released to the public

this plugin is a winner
it adds harmonics and does a very unique thing
when used on a vocal it can bring out frequency's without needing eq or compression
on drums it can act as a transient designer
it is extremely versatile
there are 9 algorithms right now to choose from and each one has a very different response and curve
one very cool feature is the ability to mix or blend the wet to dry
so you can strap the plug across the channel and blend to taste
as an rtas plug i found it efficient (enough)
this plugin is well worth your time to demo and try
i do not think there is another out there right now that does what this does

check it out and let me know what you think
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: bushwick on October 01, 2008, 04:54:39 PM
So, nothing like Phoenix?
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 01, 2008, 06:46:30 PM
bushwick wrote on Wed, 01 October 2008 13:54

So, nothing like Phoenix?

not really
the phoenix does what it does but i totally think that the URS is something uniquely different
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: mcsnare on October 01, 2008, 09:39:29 PM
I bought it when it first came out, it's been my secret weapon for a while now. The new flavors only make it better.
Dave
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: wwittman on October 01, 2008, 10:35:22 PM
really nice to know.

I too ignored it because of the VST thing


Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Silvertone on October 02, 2008, 07:15:42 AM
wwittman wrote on Wed, 01 October 2008 21:35

really nice to know.

I too ignored it because of the VST thing





UA sent me all their plug-ins about a year ago with the VST wrapper and I've never had a problem with it, what gives?  Isn't a wrapper a wrapper?

On a side note... The UA's are first plug-ins I ever heard that didn't degrade the sound just putting it in the channel.  I think because they run 48bit on their own card. Anyway they were the first company to change my mind about plug-ins.

Have to check out the URS Sat Plug...

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ryan Slowey on October 02, 2008, 01:32:00 PM
I'm looking forward to trying this out. This is the exact plugin I've been looking for.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: RKrizman on October 02, 2008, 07:11:13 PM
Thanks for the heads up, Ross, about RTAS being available.  I couldn't get the wrapped version to work either.

Now after using it on one tune I'm almost ready to say this is as close to a magic bullet as you  can get regarding the whole analog/digital thing.  I'm using it to smooth and aerate a harsh vocal, add some mojo to a thin e guitar and give the whole mix a little more oomph.  It works like a charm, and is controllable with surgical accuracy.

-R
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 07, 2008, 12:43:20 PM
update
on my g5 (borrowed because Apple SUCKS, ...see old thread on that on my forum)
I cannot use the American Transformer due to lack of CPU power
the rest of the models work fine but the American transformer i guess is a cpu hog ...oh well
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Red Tape on October 08, 2008, 10:54:01 AM
Really loving the new models with version 2.0

I've been a pretty avid user since this came out, mostly running drum submixes through the MotorCity model, but also using it to add a bit of grit or outright distortion when called for.

The new models open up a whole new range of possibilies.
I'm fooling around with running whole mixes through the 15ips model at the minute, and it's really good fun.
The 1951 model is a cool little dirt box when pushed.

The CPU usage of the American model is really spectacular.
I must try it on a master for a reasonably plugin-light session.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Fibes on October 10, 2008, 10:25:08 AM
I DLd the demo yesterday to try.

I'm pretty impressed but one thing seemed to be strange when strapped across the 2 Buss- On higher settings it didn't sound like what i thought saturation should sound like, it sounded like broken code. This didn't do the same thing on merely transient material.

Eveything under 20% sounded "correct."


Anyone care to tell me what I'm hearing?

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Jørn Bonne on October 10, 2008, 11:05:48 AM
Quote:

Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier - MotorCity
This algorithm digitally recreates American tube mic pre amplifier saturation that was popular in recording studios during the 1960s Motown era. Setting the drive control higher will add desired harmonics and tube soft clipping for a much more pronounced effect.
Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier - German
This algorithm digitally recreates German tube mic pre amplifier saturation that was popular in European recording studios during early 1960s Beatles era. This type of tube pre amplifier is coveted for it's unique distortion, presence and authority in the treble ranges.

Class A Discrete Mic Pre Amplifier - British
This algorithm digitally recreates classic British console all discrete mic pre amplifier saturation. This vintage amplifier saturation was also present in the console's summing buss amplifiers. The added harmonics create the edge that is desired in both Rock and R&B music.

Class A Discrete JFet Mic Pre Amplifier - Modern
This algorithm digitally recreates modern JFet mic pre amplifier saturation. This type of saturation comes the closest of any discrete device to tube saturation. Although similar to a tube it has its own unique harmonic structure and sound.

Class A Tube Mic Pre – 1951
Digitally recreates American Tube Mic Pre amplifier saturation. The original Mic Pre were made by the same company that became famous for their Program Equalizers and were popular from the early 1950’s through the 1960s. The original Tube Mic Pres are coveted for their warm sound.

Class A Tube Mic Pre – Tape Deck
Digitally recreates Tube Mic Pre stauration included in early American Mono Analog Tape Recorders similar to those used by Elvis. The original Mic Pre amplifiers were popular from the early 1950s through the 1960s and are still popular today. Today the original Tape Machine transports are trashed only to keep the Tube Mic Pre electronics.

Tape Head Saturation – 15ips and 30ips
Digitally recreates classic Tape Machine Tape Head saturation. This type of non linear saturation particularly affects higher frequency transients and is most noticeable on drums and percussive instruments.  

Transformer Core Saturation
The Transformer American algorithm digitally recreates Vintage American transformer saturation found in high end recording consoles, tape machines and outboard gear. Try the Transformer American algorithm as a transient tamer. A great tool to fix poorly recorded clicky Bass and Snare Drums


Has anyone well versed in analog gear sussed what vintage units are being emulated here?

Thanks

JB

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Tomas Danko on October 10, 2008, 12:06:27 PM
Let's see here, I'll start with the easy brands... Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier - MotorCity
Universal Audio

Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier - German
Telefunken

Class A Discrete Mic Pre Amplifier - British
Neve

Class A Discrete JFet Mic Pre Amplifier - Modern
API

Class A Tube Mic Pre – 1951
Pultec

Class A Tube Mic Pre – Tape Deck
Ampex

J
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 10, 2008, 01:18:14 PM
close

Motorcity = MOTOWN
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Tomas Danko on October 10, 2008, 01:25:12 PM
Ross Hogarth wrote on Fri, 10 October 2008 18:18

close

Motorcity = MOTOWN


Ah yes, sorry for my mistake.

Putnam/UREI... that was Chicago of course.

So, Motown... Quad-Eight, Electrodyne or what?
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Bob Olhsson on October 10, 2008, 03:34:16 PM
I'm not sure what he thinks is Motown.

His 1953 sounds like a description of what was used by most American studios between 1953 and the first transistor stuff came out in the mid '60s.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on October 21, 2008, 05:03:19 PM
Ross Hogarth wrote on Wed, 01 October 2008 13:57

http://www.ursplugins.com/ursSat.html

this plugin is a winner it adds harmonics and does a very unique thing
when used on a vocal it can bring out frequency's without needing eq or compression
on drums it can act as a transient designer
it is extremely versatile
there are 9 algorithms right now to choose from and each one has a very different response and curve
one very cool feature is the ability to mix or blend the wet to dry
so you can strap the plug across the channel and blend to taste
as an rtas plug i found it efficient (enough)
this plugin is well worth your time to demo and try
i do not think there is another out there right now that does what this does



i have found the same thing ross.

i am new to mixing totally in the box...and have been searching for plugs that can give me the gunk that i get on a desk.

like the mcdsp analog channel....massey tape head...and the crane song phoenix...all do cool things.

this urs things does stuff nothing short of a tape, or good analog gear does.

i have been loving the plug on damn near everything.  always have it on my stereo buss of late.

REALLY like what it can do to a vocal track....love the mix control....i just dial in the amount of saturation that sounds cool...and play with the mix control until the vocal pops out in a cool way.

this thing is also insane for distortion on drums, guitars...etc.  if i want something really extreme, i will use a sans amp, my culture vulture...or even a pair of overdriven daking modules...but overall...this plug is knocking me out.

i have not had any power problems...using it rtas on a digi le rig.  mac g5 computer...but then again...i dont use alot of plugs.

last mix was 32 channels....had 14 tracks of drums all with a urs saturation on em...as well as 3 drum busses, guitar buss, bass buss, ld vocal, bup vocal buss, and the main mix buss.

its a great plug....hate to say it...and pardon the lame use of the word...but its VERY ANALOG sounding.

really.

just my 2 cents.

best,

jchristopherhughes

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 21, 2008, 07:34:56 PM
thanks

just wondering which ones you seem to gravitate to
I seem to be using the motorcity on vocals primarily
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on October 21, 2008, 08:31:53 PM
motor city and british on vocals.

been loving the 15ips tape on mix buss..a project i am mixing right now has a 70's vibe...lovin the low end bump and squash the 15 is giving me.

finally getting a bit of that low end and top end i have been missing since goin itb mostly.  

i also like the saturation that i can get out of the american trannie deal.  does some cool stuff to the top end on brite cymbals...etc.

have you used the urs eq's ?

i'm workin with waves rens and filter bank right now...have thought about the waves api pack...really like the top end on it.  have never tried the urs eqs.

best,

jchristopherhughes
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Bryson on October 21, 2008, 10:59:54 PM
Tomas Danko wrote on Fri, 10 October 2008 10:25

Ross Hogarth wrote on Fri, 10 October 2008 18:18

close

Motorcity = MOTOWN


Ah yes, sorry for my mistake.

Putnam/UREI... that was Chicago of course.

So, Motown... Quad-Eight, Electrodyne or what?


Western Electric?
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on October 23, 2008, 12:54:57 PM
ok.

american classic....

holy dsp batman !!

i hear ya ross...i have a g5 as well....about 5 instances of urs sat using that program....and my cpu is maxin.  when i first got the plug, i suppose i was not using that particular setting.  i still lean to the tape stuff...but the american transformer thing sounds really good.

damn....it sounds so good.

overall still happy with the urs overall....enough that i bought the api-type eq....it sounds really nice too.  great plugins.

hope to pick up the waves api bundle soon as well so i can "kinda" have a few 560's for drums.

cheers,

jchristopherhughes

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on October 25, 2008, 01:32:10 PM
been really loving the urs saturation on a recent mix.

the band i am mixing tracked the record at their practice spot...to a digi002...very minimal...in a fairly nice sounding room.  basic mic preamps...nothing spectacular.

what they would like is for the record to sound like flying burrito brothers or old graham parsons....or a more modern reference...like some of ryan adam's work.

in a perfect world...they would have tracked to 16tk 2" and really slammed the meters particularly on drums and vocals...they could not afford to do that.

i have made extensive use of the saturation plug on nearly every track...and the main stereo buss.    usually using the 15 ips tape setting on drums and bass...and the 30 ips on the main buss.  a bit of the british setting on some guitars....

upon first listen, they asked if i had transfered it all to 2".  just a bit of grind on every track really helped pull this project closer to the intended sound.

the difference when i bypass all the saturation plugs is incredible.

what a great plug.

best,

jchristopherhughes

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: JGauthier on October 25, 2008, 02:29:37 PM
Man, Im going to have to download the trial on this just to see what you guys are loving so much! Ive steered clear of saturation plugs as I have never been a big fan of them in the past...

And Bryson and Ross Hogarth- off topic but I was raised in Woodland Hills down the street from El Camino high school! It just always trips me out to see so many people from specifically Woodland Hills! I still remember when they made the movie "Valley Girl" and somebody went down Valley Circle Blvd and changed ALL the signs for MILES from "Valley Cir" to "Valley Girl"... ahhh memories

Sorry guys back to the topic! Smile
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on October 25, 2008, 03:03:38 PM
JGauthier wrote on Sat, 25 October 2008 13:29

Man, Im going to have to download the trial on this just to see what you guys are loving so much! Ive steered clear of saturation plugs as I have never been a big fan of them in the past...

And Bryson and Ross Hogarth- off topic but I was raised in Woodland Hills down the street from El Camino high school! It just always trips me out to see so many people from specifically Woodland Hills! I still remember when they made the movie "Valley Girl" and somebody went down Valley Circle Blvd and changed ALL the signs for MILES from "Valley Cir" to "Valley Girl"... ahhh memories

Sorry guys back to the topic! Smile


hi j,

its a cool plugin.  i like the crane song phoenix for subtle coloring, and the mcdsp analog channel when i really want some dirt....but this urs thing can do alot of the same...and more.

as a guy who still yearns for the old days of a 16 track 2", mci or trident desk and who has a complete disregard for METERS on tape machines......this thing can get some of that vibe i often miss these days.

cheers,

jchristopherhughes

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: JGauthier on October 25, 2008, 05:17:02 PM
jchristopherhughes wrote on Sat, 25 October 2008 12:03



hi j,

its a cool plugin.  i like the crane song phoenix for subtle coloring, and the mcdsp analog channel when i really want some dirt....but this urs thing can do alot of the same...and more.

as a guy who still yearns for the old days of a 16 track 2", mci or trident desk and who has a complete disregard for METERS on tape machines......this thing can get some of that vibe i often miss these days.

cheers,

jchristopherhughes




Thats exactly how I feel about tape. I miss it. I transferred a crap load of 4 track tapes from when I was young about 5 years ago just for my own archives (sadly a little too late as some of the tapes had seriously degraded) and it was wierd to actually hear a lot of things I LIKED about those terrible recordings (and they were terrible). Not that a crappy cassette is the same as 2 inch but that tape compression and color is just very very cool- EVEN on crappy cassette. Plus we just did a bunch of 2 inch transfers that I mastered afterwards and mastering tape VS digital is F'ING WRONG...So much better and EASIER. Ive been looking for something to cure that but I have yet to find anything that REALLY works most of the time.

I have not tried the Phoenix. The URS is appealing cause I really liked their API and Neve eqs- which when not compared to the originals sound good and are surprisingly usefull.

Its been a few years since I looked at saturation plugs and Ive grown quite curious again seeing posts like these and people like JJ finding them usefull ( considering he seems to have good ears and discerning tastes ).

Im moving the studio to a new location this week though so Im gonna have some BS to do before I can even try it! The carpet goes in Monday then I move the 55 gallon reef tank... Ugh... I'd much rather shoot out plug ins!
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on October 25, 2008, 07:10:43 PM
JGauthier wrote on Sat, 25 October 2008 11:29

Man, Im going to have to download the trial on this just to see what you guys are loving so much! Ive steered clear of saturation plugs as I have never been a big fan of them in the past...

And Bryson and Ross Hogarth- off topic but I was raised in Woodland Hills down the street from El Camino high school! It just always trips me out to see so many people from specifically Woodland Hills! I still remember when they made the movie "Valley Girl" and somebody went down Valley Circle Blvd and changed ALL the signs for MILES from "Valley Cir" to "Valley Girl"... ahhh memories

Sorry guys back to the topic! Smile


i live very close to el camino
actually on the same street just not next to it
it will prolly be the high school the kids go to

i grew up in nyc so as far as home,
woodland hills is where i live, where i'll live
and ny is home
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: maarvold on November 05, 2008, 06:39:37 PM
I bought the Saturation plug, really, on the strength of the opinions expressed in this forum topic.  Although I'm not 'in love', I do like it a lot and find myself using it quite a bit, at the moment anyway.  There are several different 'flavors' that seem useful, whereas with Phoenix I use 1 particular flavor 99% of the time.  It seems like this plug helps me to be happier with sounds that are too 'ticky', lacking in body or 'creaminess' or 'digital-sounding'.  Bottom line: for me it was a good investment.  
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on November 10, 2008, 01:12:51 PM
A new update has the american transformer with much less of a cpu hog and
smoother response
I totally gig this plugin
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: recall on November 16, 2008, 05:45:47 PM
I'm finding the cumulative effect of this far more useful than just using it on the mixbus.
Currently I'm just using the 30ips presets for each channel.  Doing this has a great effect.  I'm just dipping my toes into it really.  Looking forward to using the 15ips on each channel when the material warrants it.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: JGauthier on November 17, 2008, 07:40:57 AM
So I finally had some time to try the demo and it says its wrapper only for Protools?

I just stopped...

Am I missing something or is it a wrapper only app in rtas? No TDM? It was about 4 in the morning so Im definitely groggy!

Man, I think I need to reread this thread! Im sure its already been discussed!
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Greg Dixon on November 17, 2008, 05:08:12 PM
It was VST wrapper only, but the rtas version is out now, so you don't need it.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on November 17, 2008, 06:32:51 PM
recall wrote on Sun, 16 November 2008 16:45

I'm finding the cumulative effect of this far more useful than just using it on the mixbus.
Currently I'm just using the 30ips presets for each channel.  Doing this has a great effect.  I'm just dipping my toes into it really.  Looking forward to using the 15ips on each channel when the material warrants it.



i've found the same thing...though i often use the 30 ips setting on the stereo buss as well.  on a record i just mixes...i used the 30ips setting on every channel, with additional use of the motown preset on vocals....and drum rooms got VERY saturated with the german setting.

what a great plugin.  my first tool for "vibing" up in the box mixes.

great job urs !!

best,

jchristopherhughes

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: JGauthier on November 30, 2008, 08:40:31 PM
Greg Dixon wrote on Mon, 17 November 2008 14:08

It was VST wrapper only, but the rtas version is out now, so you don't need it.


Thanks! Now Ill need to try it! On the site it seemed confusing so I downloaded cranesong Phoenix instead since it gets such rave reviews.

I bought it and I don't buy many plug ins. Its great. Now I need to try the URS.

The one thing I don't like about phoenix is the top end isn't as happening as the bottom and tape does sweeten the top IMHO. Is the URS better on top?


Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jonathan jetter on December 19, 2008, 02:07:29 AM
i would love to buy this but there's no PC RTAS version and the VST wrapper is a giant useless mess in my experience.

this is the one category of plugin (saturation/distortion) where i am happy to buy as many different ones as possible.  every flavor is different.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Red Tape on December 19, 2008, 07:01:00 AM
I've had no trouble with the VST wrapper on PC.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: cameron_k on December 22, 2008, 07:54:17 PM
I have >30 VST plugins running in Pro Tools via the wrapper.  Zero problems.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: organica on January 06, 2009, 08:27:25 AM
Fibes wrote on Fri, 10 October 2008 10:25

I DLd the demo yesterday to try.

I'm pretty impressed but one thing seemed to be strange when strapped across the 2 Buss- On higher settings it didn't sound like what i thought saturation should sound like, it sounded like broken code. This didn't do the same thing on merely transient material.

Eveything under 20% sounded "correct."


Anyone care to tell me what I'm hearing?



bump ?

anything new on this report - broken code sounding issue ? really looking forward to trying the plug  soon .
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: recall on January 14, 2009, 04:18:39 PM
New version 2.5 released today which includes a new British Trafo model.  I'm looking forward to trying this one out tomorrow.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Greg Dixon on January 14, 2009, 05:26:52 PM
I just tried downloading it and they still have v2 up on the site. I'll try again latter.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: imdrecordings on January 17, 2009, 01:24:54 PM
Just bought it today.
So far I really like the American Transformer.
Using this (Post EQ) works brilliantly for the mix bus and individual tracks.  I love the way it focuses the low-end.

The Tape Machine Preamp seems to be broken.
It crashes Samplitude V10.2 when I try and use it.

Other than that, I'm happy!
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Deuce 225 on January 18, 2009, 01:44:32 PM
I'd like to hear if most people are using the URS Saturation Plug as the 1st plug in the chain or post EQ and Dynamics.  We purchased this plug yesterday and just completed our 1st mix with it and our new UAD-2 Neveana 64.  Used the 15 and 30ips on Vocals, Acoustic
Guitar and Bass. Definitely had a subtle softening impact on this on the tracks in a good way. Ross or J Christopher care to comment?

Thanks,
Tim Cochran
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: imdrecordings on January 19, 2009, 12:45:26 AM
Well, here is a song where I used some on individual tracks.
Just a quick mix of a band I play in.
Mixed it on my headphones as a test.

Live recording made at "The Groove Room" in San Rafael, California and is pretty musch straight forward rock music.
One has the URS Saturation enabled and the other disabled.
I applied the saturation just as the website/PDF manual suggests.
I applied the saturation until the instrument/voice starts to stick out a little, to your liking, in the mix. "Vibey" is truly the best word to describe what it can add.

I'm curious to see if anyone can here a big difference.

Song 1: No Saturation (16bit 256k MP3)
       http://www.esnips.com/doc/9f82df92-3e2e-4f48-97e6-16f187d723 ac/Red-Bennies-Hey-Baby-No-URS-Staturation

Song 2: With Saturation Enabled (16bit 256k MP3)
       http://www.esnips.com/doc/948b2fab-51a7-45d6-ac08-0729991753 a4/Red-Bennies-Hey-Baby-With-URS-Staturation

The trusty MySpace page has them as well..
       http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewpro file&friendID=446766728

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc250/imdrecordings/Saturationon.jpg

I have to say, I love the way this plug works on Vocals.
To me, the URS plug gives things life.
I don't think one song sounds better than the other.
One is open, smooth and some what dull.
While the other has an edge and cuts more.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Ross Hogarth on January 19, 2009, 12:55:05 PM
i have been using it primarily on the backend of the chain
but i have used it on the front
usually on the backend tho
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: maarvold on January 21, 2009, 10:56:54 AM
Although I haven't explored every option, -2.0 Input, 15 IPS Tape and 80% Saturation is my current Default on individual tracks, first in the chain (PT HD).  
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: mattrussell on January 21, 2009, 10:02:11 PM
bought this a week ago and i'm using it all over the place.  wonderful plug.

Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Kris on January 22, 2009, 09:40:41 AM
imdrecordings wrote on Mon, 19 January 2009 00:45

I'm curious to see if anyone can here a big difference.

I don't think one song sounds better than the other.
One is open, smooth and some what dull.
While the other has an edge and cuts more.


Definately a noticeable difference and I agree with your assessment.  A combination of the two mixes would rock as well!
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: charlie francis on April 12, 2009, 08:56:10 AM
After reading this thread I downloaded the demo this morning and I have to agree with the guys who are loving this plugin.

I find it increasingly hard to get excited about plugins in general but this really feels like it brings something useful to the party.

Thanks for the heads up  Smile
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: organica on April 22, 2009, 04:47:02 PM
Just started using this in the last few weeks and right away found it to be a useful enhancement to many tracks and mixes .

I'm now concerned with having lost some objectivity somehow and may in fact be using  too much too often . I'm hearing more harmonics and some mixes seem brighter in different ways than in the past generally .   I've had this happen before ( a tendency to over use )  , especially with plugins when they're new .  I too would love know more of how some of you use it and as interesting  ,  when you're NOT using it . Thanks .
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: wwittman on April 22, 2009, 10:17:26 PM
My feelings so far -

When I record something, I get the sound I want BEFORE it gets recorded.
So no saturation added later.

when I get other people's tracks, sometimes things are harsh or thin or just don't sit together well (you know, like they used 12 different preamps to record things  Twisted Evil  )
THEN I might be tempted to try saturation like the URS or Massey Tapehead in the mix.

I have NOT been happy with it on the stereo bus, where sometimes Analogue Channel works well (McDSP) but usually i use no saturation.


Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: thechrisl on May 05, 2009, 12:50:53 PM
Looks like a nice plug for us ITB guys.  Oh wait... iLok... @#(*&@(#_!
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Nizzle on May 19, 2009, 01:08:26 PM
Just thought I'd mention that the URS Satch plug KILLS on DI Wurly.

I'm just sayin'....

-t
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: scott_s on January 27, 2010, 01:38:01 PM
I am demo'ing this plug right now (I have worked with jchristopherhughes a bit and trust his ears), and I am liking it.

To get a better handle on what it is doing, I looped a sine wave and inserted it, you can hear different harmonics being introduced for the different models.

And what it does to a 20-20k sweep is interesting also....
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: jchristopherhughes on January 28, 2010, 10:04:38 AM
hi scott !!  good to see you on here.

i've been using the urs stuff for over a year now on all of my in the box mixes.  still really liking it a lot.  i find that the culminative effect of having it on most tracks and busses works for me.  whatever harmonic distortion it adds...sounds pretty cool to me.  like anything else...i just turn the knobs till it sounds good.

another plug to check out..(i think they still have a beta demo) is the sound toys decapitator.  it is hands down the coolest "distortion/dirt" plugin i have used thus far...it can be much more extreme than the urs saturation.  its scary how close i can get it to what my culture vulture does...definitely not the SAME...but CLOSE...and still COOL in its own way. really getting scary what can be done with plugs these days.

i'm consistently amazed at the stuff i can do now in the box..(that is...as long as i have nicely recorded tracks).  i've been mostly working on radar this last year with my pm2k desk and outboard, but, because of the now common budget and time restraints...do most of my mixing in cubase, pt, or samplitude...which i find all to sound a bit different from each other.

the one constant has been the urs saturation plug on most tracks, and on my busses.  i actually really like the crane song phoenix...but that only runs on TDM...really hope dave decides to make a native version of that someday.  for now, the urs saturation keeps me from wanting to throw the keyboard across the room everytime i play back a mix.

(ps...how the heck are you scott ?  hit me back sometime at email.)

peace,

jch
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: wavdoctor on March 11, 2010, 10:09:19 AM
a crowley wrote on Tue, 06 January 2009 13:27

Fibes wrote on Fri, 10 October 2008 10:25

I DLd the demo yesterday to try.

I'm pretty impressed but one thing seemed to be strange when strapped across the 2 Buss- On higher settings it didn't sound like what i thought saturation should sound like, it sounded like broken code. This didn't do the same thing on merely transient material.

Eveything under 20% sounded "correct."


Anyone care to tell me what I'm hearing?


bump ?

anything new on this report - broken code sounding issue ? really looking forward to trying the plug  soon .



I downloaded the demo and it just sounds like distortion on anything above 15-20%? Is this what its supposed to do? Im liking magneto way more right now.

Harry


Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: adoucette on May 10, 2010, 11:46:47 PM
I got this plugin today, sounds great! Definitely making the favorites list.
Title: URS Saturation Preferences
Post by: eloheim on May 29, 2010, 05:37:51 PM
Hello everyone.  I originally posted the following over on Gearslutz, but as I've subsequently discovered this thread (which it's perfect for) I thought people might get some ideas and share some of their own on the topic.  I wish I would have found this in the first place... Embarassed


I've been using URS Saturation on my mixes for a few months now and have found some definite algo preferences for certain sources, and I was wondering if anyone else has their own. I have a gain-compensated setup in Ableton Live I use to blindly compare the different saturation models on each source, and I've found a few choices that pop up over and over again. Keep in mind the music leans toward 90's-ish east-coasty hip hop.


Snare - MotorCity Pre
Hat/Cymbal - JFet Pre
Vocals - MotorCity Pre

I've also found I like the 15ips Tape better than the 30ips on pretty much everything.

As far as the transformer algo's I usually end up with the American Transformer for mid range-heavy sources (like vocals/snare) and the British Transformer on stuff with important high's/low's (like kick/bass/hat).

I really think (especially as far as the preamp models go) that the MotorCity Pre is their best model. I find myself using it the most often and in the biggest variety of situations compared to any of the others. (And it's NOT just because it's more 'gainy' than the other cause I pick it even when all the algo's are leveled to the ear!)

One more thing on how I use the different TYPES of models. If I use one of the preamp algo's I like it as the track's first plugin, whereas I tend to use the tape algo's last. The transformer ones I use on busses sometimes.

Anyone else that owns this plug have certain preferences of their own (in addition to the ones already mentioned in this thread)?
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Chromatic Paste on September 09, 2010, 10:30:59 PM
Recently I have found the URS Phat C's "Tape" saturation input stage preferable to the tape settings on the URS Saturation plug. It seems to soften transients nicely.
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Nick Sevilla on September 12, 2010, 01:38:04 PM
Bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Useful plug in.

Cheers
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: Nicky D on September 24, 2010, 04:52:11 PM
I first used the URS Sat plug a couple years ago and thought I loved it..now I don't seem to have any use for it...the better my listening environment got the more i laid off of it...airwindows seems to have more useful sat type plugs like Channel and Iron Oxide...which took a while for me to figure out how to get  working for me...15 ips and slammed isn't where that plug shines...but I tend mostly to not use saturation plugs..although that harrison mixbus clunky virtual mixer thingy had a very nice sounding saturation...they should just make that a plug
Title: Re: URS Saturation Plug
Post by: adoucette on October 05, 2010, 01:37:48 AM
I've been using this plugin alot lately, I absolutely love it. It can completely shape a track to a whole new (or old if you prefer) light and bring out some beauty in the lows and highs of the track. I generally have it on the 30ips tape setting. I'll sometimes use it in place of a compressor, say, on overheads where I only need a little bit of compression to act as more of a glue. Overuse can of course be a little much if you do it on every track - I like how clean digital is. I'll often have the drive at about 50-65% but there are instances where I have driven it 100%. The mix I'll usually keep at 100% but sometimes I will drive it 100% but bring the mix back, its a little different than driving it only a certain amount.

I really dig the "motor city preamp" mode too, adds all sorts of fun character to a track. I've used it to distort bass, crush room mics, or even "vintage" up a drum mix.

Over the mix buss I like it, but am always a bit cautious about throwing it on and dialing it a tape setting. I don't much like the idea of driving my clear mix hard to a tape saturator, so i'll put on a setting like... 55% drive, 75% mix on 30ips setting.. This gives me enough of what I love while still preserving a little of the "bounce" in the mix.

My clients ears perk up and they get huge smiles when I A/B the plugin on and off. "Magic" they say.

Killer saturation plugin and well worth the investment. I have the crane song phoenix as well as the digi tape suite. I should do an A/B comparison and post.

Get it!