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DSP Cards
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Nybras
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
29
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 11:40:44
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Hi there, i was wondering if you guys could help me as i'm a little confused.
Basically i wanted to know what a DSP card actually does. Is it a card i can stick in a PCI slot, that helps to keep the CPU low? Or is it a whole load of plugins to be used but they all run on this DSP card resulting in no/low CPU usage?
Thank you! |
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Ghost Host
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
27
Posts :
512
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 12:42
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Basically DSP card is hardware peace that you plug in your PCI or FireWire bus and it's has really sweet high resolution plugins that calculate all processing without using your CPU.
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 14:36
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I'm debating.. is it worth it, for the price of a DSP card I could easily buy a quad core Intel and never worry about CPU max-out.
Are the plugins that much better than anything other software can provide?
I'm doing some very professional tracks at the moment (non-psy) and I'm happy with the results - but being a gearslut I always consider the possibilities of increasing my arsenal of sonic weapons.
What will a DSP card offer me that I simply can't get elsewhere? |
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 15:26
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A few years ago I would definitely say it's worth it because there was simply no VST that came close in quality to for example the Scope synths.
Today there is some pretty decent VST's available and CPU's have plenty of power.
But I still really would suffer without my Scope.
Finding a VST that makes a satisfactory bass and kick is hard IMO...the scope synths just sound denser in the bottom end for some reason.
Also the Scope modular with Flexor modules let you do a lot of stuff that is not possible with any other system, and for sure not in a VST environment.
If you like your synthesis Scope is just amazing value for money even if you only would get it for the modular synth.
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 19:20
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So its not just signal processors, instruments run on DSP cards as well.
Are there different manufacturers of cards, the only I one I know is UAD.
I don't suppose anyone knows what Astrix is using for his kicks? I heard he got some DSP cards and some of his recent tracks have had the most amazing round kicks I've ever heard. Whatever you might think of his music, there are some impressive sounds in there.
What are you using for your kicks on DSP Spindrift? |
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Mar 4, 2008 20:38
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UAD is very good for mixing basics like EQ, compression and reverb.
For powercore there is a few synths (3?) and a bit wider range of effects.
Scope is more open to third party developers and has endless numbers of synths, modular modules and effects available.
I would say that usually DSP cards is quite a bargain since they come with a lot of very good software included in the price, so if you think about it the cost of the hardware becomes quite low.
I use Adern KickMeToo for kick.
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http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Mar 5, 2008 11:54
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Mmm, this is what is confusing me. UAD vs Scope vs Powercore.. there are a tonne of different bundles for each category and to be honest, I'm just looking for the highest quality bread and butter essentials I can get. EQ, Compressor etc. But I don't want to be limited, I want software choice and an upgrade path.
I've heard good things about Neve plugins, they seem to run on UAD.
Although, having just investigated KickMeToo, it makes Scope incredibly appealing!
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Mar 5, 2008 14:48
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For bread and butter effects the UAD seems like the best option IMO (although I have only demoed UAD and powercore quickly).
For EQ, comp and reverb on my Scope I use the Sonic Timeworks bundle, which at least is very good compared to most VST's.
Also it doesn't have to be one or the other...I know people running both UAD and Scope in the same machine without problem.
Before you make your mind up, have a look at adern.com and check out the flexor modular modules.
Not only is the quantity amazing (over 250 modules for €225), but the quality is extremely good as well.
Combined with the modules that comes with the Scope modular I think it's safe to say that you cannot find a more powerful synthesis system.
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« .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... »
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http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Mar 5, 2008 18:59
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better to buy a better cpu  i was talking about that with a friend that own all the uad plugs ,he got as good sound quality with logic plugs so any good native ll do the trick, if you want to have a better sound do yourself a favour and buy a lunchbox and few api ,purple or audient preamp ,eq and comp it ll cost you the same but trust me i ll not sound the same in the end |
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Alex Roudos
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
411
Posted : Mar 5, 2008 19:26
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For mixing-mastering ITB the most popular DSP solutions are the UAD, Powercore, Duende and Liquid Mix.
Each of them has its loyal and enthusiastic users but overall it seems that UAD remains the king of them all.
Personally i'm using one UAD PCIe card and i have bought only 6 plugs, the ones that i thought that would make the difference for my needs.
I have tried almost every available native plug in a quest to find some alternatives against the UAD plugs since having only one card makes it impossible to use the amount of plugs needed even for small projects.
Unfortunately, i couldn't find one that would replace my go to options from UAD. Some they were really good and satisfactory but still don't give me what i get from the UAD plugs. Of course i use these until i get another 3 UAD cards or UAD2 comes out.
One thing for sure is that there will always be 2 endless debates :
1) Quad core(or more) pcs with native plugs(which get better and better) vs. DSP plugs
2) ITB mix quality vs. OTB mix quality.
Personally, i have decided to invest my time instead of my money trying to get as good as i can on mixing and mastering ITB, and i believe that the DSP plugs still sound better than the natives but i don't know for how long it's gonna be like that.
A friend told me once that the biggest mistake we make is that we believe we live, when in reality we are sleeping in the waiting room of life. |
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Mar 6, 2008 01:15
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Quote:
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On 2008-03-05 19:26, Alex Roudos wrote:
Personally, i have decided to invest my time instead of my money trying to get as good as i can on mixing and mastering ITB
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100% agree. My upgrade path has been very slow, I am steadily improving and only adding to my setup when I feel I really have gotten the best out of each stage.
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