Massey plug after using them awhile?

So how are you liking your Massey plugins after using them a bit? I know there's been a lot of talk like "Whoa, these are great. I'm buying them", etc. But for those who've takin the leap (a small leap at $69) how do they work for you in day to day use?

For me, I can't seem to use another compressor. The RenComp is history. I open it to bring a cure for some imagined need for variety and it's pales in comparison. The Massey is far more versatile that I thought at first. The 2 position attack and the 3 position release pretty much cover all my needs short of limiting...

...which brings me to the limiter. Awesome. The L2 killer for sure. Have they implemented a mono version yet? I use an L1 sometimes in taming paricularly horrible hacked up rhythm guitar tracks and a mono Massey would rock in this app.

The EQ is where I still need to go elsewhere usually except that, when I can, I'll stick with the Massey as it keeps me from going overboard with the sculpting and really sounds amazing. When it's not enough, I moved to the Digi III believe it or not. Waves are fading fast for me. When I can stick with the Massey EQ I do... 'cause it sounds so frickin' good! Kick up 2 or 3dB of mid and/or treble on a lead vox and yes! Magic.

That leaves Tapehead. There are the obvious apps for this. Kick, Snare, EG, etc. but there how about BG vocals. I had a stack of 10 or so vocals doubling and tripling for a big pop chorus sound so I put an instance of Tapehead on each vocal set slightly different to simulate the variablity of tracking that many vocals to tape and it sounded awesome. Bounce them down to 2 and slapped the Massey comp on that stereo track with a slow attack and just around 2 or 3 dB of reduction. Whoa!

So how about you? Are any of you guys using these with success? Any application hints, tips, or ideas?

OK... so either you're not on Pro Tools or you haven't used them. Right?

Righ on both counts. What's a Massey plug-in?

Massey is a guy that used to work for Digidesign and designed plugins for $69 each that blow the most expensive competition out of the water. There was a lot of talk when the news hit the street but I haven't heard much since.

But I... on the other hand am marveling everyday on how great these plugins are and am suprised I don't hear more about them since they've been introduced.

I am still using PT 5.1 (OS 9.2.2) although I also have PT 6.4 (OS 10.3.7). Since I am in the Dark Ages, I guess I haven't heard of it. I'll Google it and find out more about it later.

Right now, I'm using the Waves RenComp for compression most of the time, although I do have the LA-2A/1176 Bomb Factory stuff also.

I won't buy any plugs that are Pro Tools specific, because I and people I collaborate with use too many different DAW platforms. I need my plugs to keep working no matter what platform I'm currently using.

I think the author of the Massey stuff does eventually plan to port his plugs to VST, DirectX etc. but he's only one guy and that will take awhile!

Meanwhile I'm pretty happy with my Kjaerhus stuff.

OK, Lee (Knight)...I will be the first one here to make you feel not so lonely.

I like the tape head plug. it's not my favorite because I am pretty obsessed with the Tritone Digital stuff right now. But Tape head is good. And it works well on individual instruments and vox very well.

I really like the Limiter. it's very transparent and you can push it pretty hard. I think it sounds better than the L2 and L3

The Compressor is very good too. I haven't used it on a lot of stuff but I do like it and will be experimenting with it more.

I feel the same about the EQ as you. But I have been using the MCDSP Filterbank and Hydratone a lot lately. But it definitely serves it's purpose on a lot of stuff.

Have you guys n gals heard the new 64/channel strip in Sonar 6?

It was done by Kjaerhus, man interesting concept in the presets. Placement of tracks in the stereo field, including eq, panning, reverb etc. All done for you as a preset... So pick one for one guitar, one for the other, yet another for the keys and it offers a simple placement of all three so they aren't fighting over the same "space". I was just fiddling with it so far. But for me, as a writer and performer that will save a bunch of time once I tweak and save those as presets. At least while I'm Overdubbing I can use it quickly just to get all my idea's together. Oh did I also tell you it sounds awesome!

Later

Brian