Another Channel Strip thread

[strikingtwice]

So, I checked out a demo of Alloy 2. Pretty f'ing sweet. I really liked it this time around, and it seems izotope is "toning down" their interfaces for lack of better wording. I don't mean dumed down, Alloy 2 just looks cleaner than some past offerings from them, IMO, though i don't remember how i felt about the first one. Anyone checked out the demo? What are everyone's thoughts on new channel strip plugs, or are you still using the ones that you've been using?

[sndmarks]

With the new MH Channel Strip and Production Bundle I've been looking at Alloy and the market for similar packages. Anyone have any input? Specifically, any thoughts on the MH bundle vs Alloy?

[daniel.sneed]

Never had a hand on MH channel strip, but good use of Alloy for years now.
I use it mostly on some lead vocal tracks. De-esser and exciter are just fine to my ears.

[geoffg]

I don't own Alloy, but I do own MH ChannelStrip. The sad fact is that I almost never use it. It provides the basics of a channel strip, but I always end up preferring the sound of the Waves plug ins I own (specifically the renaissance eq and compressor). Also, just looking at Alloy, it seems like it offers a lot more options for analog modelled sound, tube/tape saturation, etc.. It seems like it could do anything channelstrip could do and more.

[daniel.sneed]

Yes I wrote *exciter*, but in fact it is saturation.
IMHO, this is the best Alloy feature. Extremely *tweakable* and remains subtle enough to fit sensible tracks.

[DJeff]

Actually here's something I've been wondering: as a user of Ozone 5, should I spend extra bucks to get the "pro" version (can't remember the exact name...) or get Alloy?

If I'm not mistaken, they pretty much do the same thing right?

Thanks

Ps: I know Ozone doesn't have the saturation though...

[daniel.sneed]

AFAICT, Ozone and Alloy are very different things.
Alloy is a channel-strip, while Ozone is a mastering suite.

Of course, creativity may lead to some alternative use, but there are limits around.
CPU usage is much different. Ozone is a CPU hog. Inserting many instances of Ozone in many tracks is a no-no in my actual setup.

IMHO, Ozone is at its best in a master track, while Alloy is a very good track shaping tool.

[DJeff]

Thanks for the answer Daniel,

But you can also do this with Ozone Advanced:

"Individual plug-ins for inserting any of Ozone Advanced's modules as independent plug-ins in your host: EQ, Maximizer, Dynamics, Stereo Imaging, Harmonic Exciter, and Reverb"

That's why I'm wondering if I should put $500 to upgrade for 'Advanced' or spend around $200 for Alloy? I also wonder if there's a big sonic difference between the two...

Cheers

[daniel.sneed]

Sorry Djeff, I don't have Ozone advance.
But, depending on your setup and project, my bet is you may encounter CPU limits with Ozone on many tracks, which may not happen with Alloy.
Yes, that's just guessing from my limited experience.