Updates for some stock-plugins ?

[lito]

First, I really like to work with DP !
But in my opinion some plugins, (especially the MW-plugs, EQ, Comp and some other dynamic plugs) should get a generally update.
The GUI is, for me, from the last Century and the technical performance/quality is not up to date in comparison with some third party plugins. For example, I use constantly the Farbfilter EQ on my insert, so it's a pity that MOTU don't have an equivalent plug for my workflow.
I've send a ticket to MOTU, maybe I get feedback ?

[ironchef_marc]

I do agree a slew of MOTU plug-ins could use a tune up and a face lift but the question is would you really use them then?
The only one I really use is the MW EQ.

[bayswater]

The stock answer is that everyone has hundreds of third party plugins, and there really isn’t much for MOTU to gain from spending time and money on their own plugins. You don’t come across a lot people who bought DP for the plugins.

[lito]

I do agree a slew of MOTU plug-ins could use a tune up and a face lift but the question is would you really use them then?
The only one I really use is the MW EQ.

Yes, I would use the MW EQ (and all MW plugins too )much more with an update !

[lito]

The stock answer is that everyone has hundreds of third party plugins, and there really isn’t much for MOTU to gain from spending time and money on their own plugins. You don’t come across a lot people who bought DP for the plugins.

Right, and I have third party plugins too, but especially dynamic plugins are the most used tools and for me it would be fine to have an "up to date" stock EQ or Comp for the basics in the insert, in my opinion

[mikehalloran]

The plugs could do with a serious upgrade. Some, including the MW Limiter are pretty bad. The issue for me is not what MOTU plug-ins I use (none anymore) but it’s collaboration with people who don’t own what I do. The MOTU plugs become the common denominator until I do the final mix.

On a scale of 1–10, this is a 3 for me. Frankly, I’d much rather see some minor improvements to Performer Lite so that it makes a better gateway to DP.

[stubbsonic]

I suppose one silver lining is that with DP's stock plugins, even your oldest projects will load and play correctly.

I like the more recent plugins, like Dynamic Equalizer, MW Leveler, De-Esser. The MW Equalizer is fine for my needs.

But there are a bunch of plugins that MOTU could go through and make a priorities/to-do list. For example, the delay plugin is functional, but needs higher resolution for the wet/dry mix %.

Logic, IMHO, has a nicer selection of plugins, generally; but also has some cartoonishly dated GUI issues, as well. Or have they finally addressed this?

I can understand DAW companies de-prioritizing plugins since users can find 3rd party products. But perhaps the quality and comprehensiveness of the bundled plugins is one of the more significant areas of competition amongst the different DAWs. To say nothing of bundled VI's -- which is a similar boat.

MOTU had a phase of adding a bunch of guitar pedals. At around that time, we (here) discussed them directing some focus on the staples.

[James Steele]

MOTU has (had?) a phase of adding a bunch of guitar pedals. At around that time, we were starting to talk about them directing some focus on the staples.

I remember when that happened, and personally I was a bit disappointed that they'd spent resources doing that. I could only guess that it was meant to appeal to the younger musicians in bands, etc. I don't know. But I never had much use for most of those plugs except maybe using their Boss Chorus emulation from time to time.

[EMRR]

The MW limiter is fine! Actually happy with all the MW stuff except the MW compressor which doesn't have fast enough attack for many/most jobs.

Dynamics, Everb, Plate, and Reverb are the things I've had turned off for years.

Was at someone's place looking at their Ableton setup, none of the plug-ins looked like anything traditional. Most I could figure out, but some would take awhile. I thought no one who grew up looking at this would understand anything in a traditional hardware studio!

[mikehalloran]

The MW limiter is fine!

A major source of distortion until I replaced it with any of a number of others. bx_limiter True Peak became my go-to.

[EMRR]

The MW limiter is fine!

A major source of distortion until I replaced it with any of a number of others. bx_limiter True Peak became my go-to.

You must be hitting it hard? It’s invisible at the levels i use it at, 1-3dB including solo piano which is pretty all-revealing. I’m following MFIT recommended -1dBFS ceiling, with threshold -1.5 starting, adjust to need. 1mS lookahead. Post -fader so I can lower input if needed. Never touch the input levels.

[mikehalloran]

I must be working with amateur singers who are often creating tracks by singing into their cell phones. Not hitting a limiter hard isn’t an option.

The last three years were quite a learning experience.

[EMRR]

I must be working with amateur singers who are often creating tracks by singing into their cell phones. Not hitting a limiter hard isn’t an option.

The last three years were quite a learning experience.

Hmm, yeah, I've never tried it on something like that. I haven't tried it with a longer release time, that's the first thing for cleaning up distortion, it'll go up to 2 sec, 0.25 sec is prob the best starting point, and since there's no attack control increasing the lookahead would help smooth it also. I need to try that. Might be like the MW compressor that isn't fast enough, that thing will accentuate sibilance immediately, could be great for some vocals with more speed. I suspect the Dynamic Equalizer really replaces the MW comp, it did for me at least. The MW leveler (or 1176 thing, haven't used it yet) set fast after another comp is probably more reliable. I get some female singers with pretty blown out frequency spikes (their strongest projection range) that take a combination of low ratio compression, something like the leveler, and volume automation on the spikes. It definitely gets harder to deal with if they recorded it themselves on who knows what!

DP plugs - much better sounding and functioning that what comes with many other DAWs, from what I've tried. I use enough that losing them when moving to another DAW would be high on the fear list. Agreed that if they aren't doing it for you, 3rd party is a big big world.

[rawrooo]

MOTU has (had?) a phase of adding a bunch of guitar pedals. At around that time, we were starting to talk about them directing some focus on the staples.

I remember when that happened, and personally I was a bit disappointed that they'd spent resources doing that. I could only guess that it was meant to appeal to the younger musicians in bands, etc. I don't know. But I never had much use for most of those plugs except maybe using their Boss Chorus emulation from time to time.

For me, some those guitar pedals are MOTU's best plugins. Like you mentioned, I think the Analog Chorus pedal is actually really amazing, I still use it all the time when I need that sound. The tube screamer is pretty good, I also like the simple Echo and Delay plugins.

But the EQ and dynamics are so bad. They were grainy, clunky and weird in 2003 when my ears could barely make that out, in 2023 they're unchanged and still bad. And I noticed yesterday on a new computer I'm setting up, MOTU's plugins take the longest to load too. At least going off the visual during the load screen (I suspect it's not indicative of what's really going on though - MOST LIKELY the "Wah Pedal" plugin isn't taking the longest to load on a 2022 M1 Max Mac Studio lol).

Oh, I also still use the Trim plugin lol. Even that gets weird sometimes though, so I have a folder of simple 3rd party plugins that adjust or automate better - on some computers for me the Trim plugin would get buggy and only adjust in 2db steps by the +/- buttons. For some reason, simple and smooth gain control that automates in the way I'd like is kinda tricky to find! Lately the Trim has been more behaved.

I got used to the sound of the MW Limiter, I don't use it much anymore but every once in a while I'll feel that particular tone would be useful on an individual track and I'll bust it out. "Vintage" haha

[EMRR]

Well, no….. : ). I do a lot of pretty delicate acoustic music with high end mics, and I don't find the MOTU plugs grainy or lacking in any way. I've got a lot of classic hardware here too for comparison. Different tools for different things. Of course there are always duds in the mix of anything, but not overall. The MW limiter mostly gets used on full mix or busses if things are broken out, that's what I see it as being for. I wouldn't use it on an individual source other than a stray drum transient, and usually not even then. It works on solo piano transients sometimes if they are crazy, and that's a tough nut to crack with many comp/lims.