Slate FG-X 1.1.2 update available, working on PPC/Tiger

[David Polich]

Slate finally fixed the issues with PPC/Tiger and their FG-X mastering
plug-in, so I took the plunge and bought it this morning. It's working
fine in Peak on my PPC Dual 2.3/Tiger. It's too much of a CPU hog to run
in DP on a project that has..well, more than one stereo track. Intel
Mac users will be fine.

I have to say, this is an absolutely brilliant plug-in...unlike every
other maximizer I own (including Ozone4), the drums don't get knocked
back into the mix when the output gain is cranked up. I'm able to
get a master as loud as my loudest CD reference tracks without losing
the transient detail. I'm doing a heavy industrial/pop project with
a female vocalist, and she's always complaining that the masters just
aren't loud enough. FG-X to the rescue.

The 1.1.2 update includes three sets of meters (an input VU, and output VU,
and a set of LED meters which display Peak and RMS levels simultaneously).
There is a bus compressor section before the level (limiting) section, so
you can use it as a bus compressor as well. I found that I didn't really
need the bus compressor on, but it's there if you want to add that bus
compressor "glue".

I made a mastering chain in Peak with Ozone4 on the first slot, with the
EQ, multiband comp, and exciter engaged, and then followed that with FG-X
on the second slot, and my CPU usage was about 65%. It made for a nice
combination. Slate states in the manual that RMS levels less than -7.0 from
0dbfs will likely introduce distortion, and I found that this was true.
At -7.0 RMS, the master will be insanely loud anyway.

I recommend FG-X, if you're looking for something to make your masters
the loudest masters on earth without losing transients or adding a lot of
distortion.

[mhschmieder]

Based on Dave's feedback, I am hoping to download and try the demo tonight, for an instrumental Heavy Metal piece that I MUST finish producing tonight!

In case I forgot to mention this elsewhere, I found out recently that Slate Digital is a cooperative venture with Fabrice of Eiosis. This gives me great confidence that Slate Digital will deliver great-sounding products that are well-thought out in their workflow and GUI design.

I don't know yet whether Fabrice is porting over some of his Air EQ algorithms or his E2 Transienter as part of the Slate Digital technology pool or not -- just that it was announced earlier that this is a partnership between these developers.

[Dunc]

I downloaded the latest update as well and DP is still not seeing the AU version (nor is Peak)
I can however load the VST version in Peak. (Boy what a processor hog) So it looks like even
if DP did recognize the AU, I wouldn't be able to run a full mix with it anyway.
My system is a G5 PPC x2 running 10.5.8 w/4 gigs ram.
Having said all that this FG-X plug is looking like it might be a winner

Dunc

[David Polich]

I downloaded the latest update as well and DP is still not seeing the AU version (nor is Peak)
I can however load the VST version in Peak. (Boy what a processor hog) So it looks like even
if DP did recognize the AU, I wouldn't be able to run a full mix with it anyway.
My system is a G5 PPC x2 running 10.5.8 w/4 gigs ram.
Having said all that this FG-X plug is looking like it might be a winner

Dunc

Did you try deleting your AU Info Cache and letting DP re-scan your plug-ins? It should show up after that..it shows up in DP here on my system.

As you said, not that it would matter in DP on your system - FG-X will overwhelm DP on a G5 for sure.

[Dunc]

Hi David
No I didn't delete my AU info cache. I've resigned myself to the fact it won't run in DP with my current configuration. I'm just happy I can open it in Peak and accomplish what I need to do in there.

Dunc