Voxengo CRTIV Tape Bus

Slick GUI, variety of settings, great sound, competitive price.  I honestly couldn't have asked for more.  Here's a quick review.

- What I like:

All Voxengo plugins have signature GUI which is very convenient and modern-looking, plus it allows me to quickly and easily find and adjust settings on different Voxengo plugins without the need to readapt to another GUI.  I consider it a huge advantage over many other developers who simply copy hardware interface with rust and screws and all, without adapting it to "modern world".

Sound-wise it's also great and flexible, nothing to add here.

- What I'd add to this plugin:

Visual representation of tape EQs which are available in this plugin.  It can be like a floating window when you scroll between impulse modes, just to get a basic idea of what different modes do (I know it's displayed in the manual, but it would still be a nice addition, I think).

After a phase of trying other plugins, mostly analog emulations, by other makers, I once again have to commend Voxengo for the quality of their plugins.

If you want a compressor that can tame the peaks of a vocal while giving it a polished sheen, I highly recommend Deft Compressor.

For giving warmth to vocals?  Or a bass compressor that (in my opinion) works much better than most LA2A emulations?  Use Crunchessor.  I use the 2A preset to keep the levels of bass tracks consistent without sounding squeezed (something I often hear from LA2A plugins).

Deft Compressor going into Crunchessor is my preferred version of "1176 to LA2A", that is, a fast attack compressor going into a smoother attack compressor.

I still highly prefer CRTIV Tape Bus compared to other tape plugins I have if I want to keep an open high-end sound to the track.  It's really good at keeping the punch and transients on the master bus while improving the crest factor (push the record gain).

I have to say that Warmifier is great since unlike other saturation plugins, it's not easy to overdo the amount of saturation.  It's super subtle, and these days I find that using too much saturation has a blurring effect on tracks.

Sobor is just unbelievably good.  You have to try it.

Voxengo is just really good DSP - high quality digital - without the mask or crutch of trying to emulate old, classic analog gear.  There are a handful of small devs like that, and just like Voxengo I highly suggest you try them out.

I've only been using Voxengo mastering plugins for a short time, and already they have become a core inclusion in all of my new projects and in many of my old ones.

I've been able to re-release clearer, brighter, smoother versions of tracks that I thought could never be lightened-up.

My listeners have already sent me glowing feedback about the quality and spacialization of my new and re-released mixes, since having incorporated Voxengo products.

I use almost the whole array of products in different combinations in different productions with fanastic results... though it's hard not to go overboard!

While some plugins are "too subtle to be heard", there's no question they modify the /feeling/ of the music; more solid, more smooth, and more enjoyable!

I plan to purchase the remaining pieces missing from my collection in the near future.

Thanks Voxengo, for sweet sounds and sweet deals.