If it can be done this easily it is alwasy cool, often recreating a plugin can get quite involved and that just costs too much time in your nromal mixing session to do.
I use SPL Big and it brings out fine details that I wouldn't otherwise hear, especially in drum and bass in the mid-bass(On the sides, and depending on the setting also in the middle.). A tip for all Cubase users, you have to exclude SPL Big from Asio Guard in the VST plugin settings. Then the CPU usage goes down massively.
Yes, you can make it with other plugins or use other ways, but it is like the DrMS light an that is fantastic. It is MS manipulation and more important phase clean and is simpler and fast. I like it!
Same here, my comments were deleted and when i brought it plugin alliance muted me on their channel… i just told them this plugin does just MS EQ and posted a link to a video where I null it with a side EQ…. :/
You probably don’t ‘need’ about 80% of the plugins you have. I’m using it on a guitar track and it spaced it out beautifully; made it nice and big without diminishing the power of the guitar work like reverbs can do if not applied carefully. These reviews are great for finding out what’s new and cool but you have to try it for yourself to really find out if there’s and personal value in this or any other plugin.
I ran a test with the Pro-Q and the BIG was much more 3D and nicer sounding. I was hoping not but it does sound much better. The test was on vocals so maybe instrumentals it is not so much difference but it was very evident on vocals.
Hay Thankyou for posting this video as it can be helpful for people to understand the techniques applied. ❤ However for anyone watching this video and then coming to my video to say “it’s just an MS EQ” please let me explain. 😂 This plugin is for people who value workflow. It is well known amongst professionals that MS eQ is the best way to achieve a wider mix so when this launched it was clear to me that it would be MS manipulation. I acknowledge that for people who didn’t know about this MS technique you can feel like something was being hidden from you, however this plugin still sounds good, is much faster to use, and provides metering tools to keep an eye on things as-well as auto gain compensation. If your happy to load eq and manually tweak everything everytime that’s fine, but for us who HIGHLY value workflow please let us enjoy this plugin in peace 😂❤. Thankyou for taking the time to read
Used it and clocked it wasn’t doing anything I hadn’t heard… and basically used it like a mid side EQ but one that isn’t distracting… by looking at spectrograms etc. found the “stage control” fairly good but as you showed it just boosts different frequencies. If you combine with the pan and mono controls you get a result fairly quick, which is a plus… but when it came out and the mystery of the hardware I was hoping that there was something more special going on under the hood
Bloom by Oeksound might be a great option for this. It’s has a mid-side mode that does way more things under the hood and capable of the result you might be looking for. But what’s great about Bloom is it can be so many other things too. It’s a hard plugin to get your head around and it’s kinda underrated because of that.
Great video. I honestly feel that most people who don't really understand mixing/ mastering would not understand the other ways of accomplishing the same results you mentioned. The simplicity of the SPL BIG would appeal to average people who want bigness to their mixes.
I was interested when it was released, but I noticed complaints, especially how it apparently doesn’t match up very well to the hardware it’s modeled after. Your video confirms it’s not really useful to me. Thanks for saving me money!
I have both HW and SW and yes it doesn’t match up at all……. HW is ok and nice especially the focus and 3d depth. Plugin is missing that and sounds phasey and easy to get same sound with other plugins. Cheers
Sure , LOTS OF plugins can be used to do what one does. Easy and a fast work flow is sometime more important. But thanks for the video and demonstration on how it can be done both ways.
This is one of the plugins where the hardware sounds much better to me personally. Elysia Karacter as plugin sounds so good that is caused me to sell my hardwear in order to buy different things. The Spl Big 500 hardwear on the other hand does sound much more refined than the plugin
Great Video! In my studio the bass on the SPL sounds tighter and the high are less harsh. Is it possible that these are saturation curves instead of EQ? Maybe something like Spectra would sound better?
I went down the rabbithole of saturation first and I found it didnt use it or it was minimal at best. With saturation i found the lower width matches nicely but it killed the transients actually and that didnt happen on the BIG plugin. Tighter bass is very much possible - at least with th ebass switch - that only works on the mids. I think with the stage dial , besides pushing width and level, it also creates a minimal dip in the upper lows on the sides - that can explain the tighter bass sound you hear.
@@audiotoolshed We should pay you for bashing our plugins? :D I'd recommend you focus on creating real-world content instead of this 'Hey, I can replicate this filter with Pro-Q, which takes 10x the time.'... Yeah, no shit Sherlock. That's exactly why you're making these videos instead of earning a living by producing released music. :)
@yunusproch3169 ''our''? you know, a simple google search would've saved you from looking like a troll - www.discogs.com/artist/3482282-Marlon-Wolterink But thanks for the laughs ;-)
@@audiotoolshed Hi, no I meant to make stereo signal wider, not to make mono to stereo. I was hoping for more than eq boost. Some algorithmic widening.
It's good ro show. However, I have quite a lot of plugins I can recreate. But this one also, the way tou dial in, get a sound, I find it simply worth it. It's a bit like synthesizer presets. One way to go is create them yourself, I think you should know how to create these soubds, but having these presets add to workflow
Marlon had to spit on the glory of SPL BIG. Sheesh. So I like SPL BIG in tandem with the stereo modules of bx_masterdesk PRO x auto phase imbalance cancelation from Leapwing Audio's StageOne v2. Is that okay with you, dude?
This has gotta be my most-hated plugin. Sure, it amplifies unique elements from the side field. But more importantly, that method of "stereo enhancement" sounds worse than any other implementation I've heard. Just turn up the sides; use an EQ... hell, use an unlinked M/S compressor with 1-3 GR. Literally everything does it better, even by accident. When Kiive and Brainworx "Width" and "Stereo" dials blow an entire brand-new plugin out of the water, I gotta say... I'm worried for the hardware unit!!!
It really seems like Plugin Alliance are just trying to take advantage of customers that don’t know any better. Their plugin descriptions are always full of so much BS. It’s a shame because they do make some good stuff.
These "how to achieve this plugin sound by doing X and Y" videos have quickly become my favorites lately.
If it can be done this easily it is alwasy cool, often recreating a plugin can get quite involved and that just costs too much time in your nromal mixing session to do.
More of these!
Thank you. Valuable information and might save people a few Black Friday bucks.
I use SPL Big and it brings out fine details that I wouldn't otherwise hear, especially in drum and bass in the mid-bass(On the sides, and depending on the setting also in the middle.). A tip for all Cubase users, you have to exclude SPL Big from Asio Guard in the VST plugin settings. Then the CPU usage goes down massively.
Yes, you can make it with other plugins or use other ways, but it is like the DrMS light an that is fantastic. It is MS manipulation and more important phase clean and is simpler and fast. I like it!
Then it means it fits your workflow and thats totally fine! I was just amazed it was this easy to do.
Thank you for telling the truth. Other channel has deleted my comment when I mentioned about it.
Seriously? What did you mentioned in that comment - you sparked my curiosity:-)
@audiotoolshed I can't remember the exact line, but I said it's just a side high-shelf EQ. It can be nulled with FabFilter Pro-Q 3.
Well yeah that is the truth isn't it ;-)
What channel?!!! I can guess
Same here, my comments were deleted and when i brought it plugin alliance muted me on their channel… i just told them this plugin does just MS EQ and posted a link to a video where I null it with a side EQ…. :/
You probably don’t ‘need’ about 80% of the plugins you have. I’m using it on a guitar track and it spaced it out beautifully; made it nice and big without diminishing the power of the guitar work like reverbs can do if not applied carefully.
These reviews are great for finding out what’s new and cool but you have to try it for yourself to really find out if there’s and personal value in this or any other plugin.
man this is why I like your channel, you are an honest reviewer ! 🤝💯
Many thanks man.
I ran a test with the Pro-Q and the BIG was much more 3D and nicer sounding. I was hoping not but it does sound much better. The test was on vocals so maybe instrumentals it is not so much difference but it was very evident on vocals.
Hay Thankyou for posting this video as it can be helpful for people to understand the techniques applied. ❤
However for anyone watching this video and then coming to my video to say “it’s just an MS EQ” please let me explain. 😂
This plugin is for people who value workflow. It is well known amongst professionals that MS eQ is the best way to achieve a wider mix so when this launched it was clear to me that it would be MS manipulation.
I acknowledge that for people who didn’t know about this MS technique you can feel like something was being hidden from you, however this plugin still sounds good, is much faster to use, and provides metering tools to keep an eye on things as-well as auto gain compensation.
If your happy to load eq and manually tweak everything everytime that’s fine, but for us who HIGHLY value workflow please let us enjoy this plugin in peace 😂❤.
Thankyou for taking the time to read
Exactly, it's just a side high shelf basically
Thanks for this. Nice introduction to EQing the sides.
Bravo - nice to see a video which just says things how they are
Forever 29 my friend 🤘
I'm a fan of the SPL Big in small doses. That said, you make valid points. To each his own.
I really like SPL as a company. This plugin though....
Used it and clocked it wasn’t doing anything I hadn’t heard… and basically used it like a mid side EQ but one that isn’t distracting… by looking at spectrograms etc. found the “stage control” fairly good but as you showed it just boosts different frequencies. If you combine with the pan and mono controls you get a result fairly quick, which is a plus… but when it came out and the mystery of the hardware I was hoping that there was something more special going on under the hood
Bloom by Oeksound might be a great option for this. It’s has a mid-side mode that does way more things under the hood and capable of the result you might be looking for.
But what’s great about Bloom is it can be so many other things too. It’s a hard plugin to get your head around and it’s kinda underrated because of that.
As always - a very good, honest and entertaining review 🎹
Dang, that was a quick intervention.
Another gem, Marlon! Thanks!
Great video, Marlon. These one-shot devices are great for saving time for busy people, but yes probably nothing you couldn't do yourself.
Great video. I honestly feel that most people who don't really understand mixing/ mastering would not understand the other ways of accomplishing the same results you mentioned. The simplicity of the SPL BIG would appeal to average people who want bigness to their mixes.
I was interested when it was released, but I noticed complaints, especially how it apparently doesn’t match up very well to the hardware it’s modeled after. Your video confirms it’s not really useful to me. Thanks for saving me money!
I have both HW and SW and yes it doesn’t match up at all……. HW is ok and nice especially the focus and 3d depth. Plugin is missing that and sounds phasey and easy to get same sound with other plugins. Cheers
@@patrickalphenaar great to hear. I have the hardware but haven't plugged it up yet and am hoping it's worth it!!
Sure , LOTS OF plugins can be used to do what one does. Easy and a fast work flow is sometime more important. But thanks for the video and demonstration on how it can be done both ways.
And for £50 less! 🙄
This is one of the plugins where the hardware sounds much better to me personally. Elysia Karacter as plugin sounds so good that is caused me to sell my hardwear in order to buy different things. The Spl Big 500 hardwear on the other hand does sound much more refined than the plugin
very cool video! So its exactly like BX_control with added frequency knob
Great Video! In my studio the bass on the SPL sounds tighter and the high are less harsh. Is it possible that these are saturation curves instead of EQ? Maybe something like Spectra would sound better?
I went down the rabbithole of saturation first and I found it didnt use it or it was minimal at best.
With saturation i found the lower width matches nicely but it killed the transients actually and that didnt happen on the BIG plugin.
Tighter bass is very much possible - at least with th ebass switch - that only works on the mids.
I think with the stage dial , besides pushing width and level, it also creates a minimal dip in the upper lows on the sides - that can explain the tighter bass sound you hear.
Did they not want to pay you this time? It's great to hear your honest opinion. Thanks!
with the amount of videos i did/ do of plugin alliance stuff, they should pay me by now ;-)
@@audiotoolshed We should pay you for bashing our plugins? :D I'd recommend you focus on creating real-world content instead of this 'Hey, I can replicate this filter with Pro-Q, which takes 10x the time.'... Yeah, no shit Sherlock. That's exactly why you're making these videos instead of earning a living by producing released music. :)
@yunusproch3169 ''our''? you know, a simple google search would've saved you from looking like a troll -
www.discogs.com/artist/3482282-Marlon-Wolterink
But thanks for the laughs ;-)
Wait I thought it's a stereo widener plugin, it freaking boost side and that's it?
Still might use to mono the sub quite quickly, plugin seems light on cpu.
Well one of the most used methods to widen stereo is too boosts sides. This does it more focussed on certain frequencies.
Mid side doesn’t work with mono files, even if it’s on a stereo track. There’s nothing to boost.
@@audiotoolshed Hi, no I meant to make stereo signal wider, not to make mono to stereo. I was hoping for more than eq boost. Some algorithmic widening.
yeah ok. Yeah this is only sides eq boost.
great video.......
It's good ro show. However, I have quite a lot of plugins I can recreate. But this one also, the way tou dial in, get a sound, I find it simply worth it. It's a bit like synthesizer presets. One way to go is create them yourself, I think you should know how to create these soubds, but having these presets add to workflow
Or midside exiter! Ozone 5 for example exite only the sides on certain bands! Ive been doing this since ozone 5 !
Here’s what the manual says about your conclusion: “This is not M/S processing but a completely different and new way of stereo-processing.”
Its even so different you can recreate it with a simple mid side eq!
@@audiotoolshed
It's S/M, totally different 😂
Marlon had to spit on the glory of SPL BIG. Sheesh. So I like SPL BIG in tandem with the stereo modules of bx_masterdesk PRO x auto phase imbalance cancelation from Leapwing Audio's StageOne v2. Is that okay with you, dude?
Only use Leapwing Audio StageOne 2 with a mid side eq and you're done ;-) And no i'm not spitting. Sheesh.
@@audiotoolshed LoL
I trust your new beard and new name and same old reliable advice that I'll keep coming back for. Peace bro ;-) haha!
Grace Jones and Sly & Robbie do not require more bigness 😁
BOOOM! Spot on
I guess PA must learn to be more transparent... BM60 was just IR instead of analog modeling, what else will they come up with 🤨
Honestly this should be free or a bonus giveaway...or maybe $20 sale 🤷♂.
Good video, ... SideMinder Max by RJ
Yes that’s the type of video YT needs. Enough of the plugin reviews :), more myth debusting.
This has gotta be my most-hated plugin. Sure, it amplifies unique elements from the side field. But more importantly, that method of "stereo enhancement" sounds worse than any other implementation I've heard. Just turn up the sides; use an EQ... hell, use an unlinked M/S compressor with 1-3 GR. Literally everything does it better, even by accident.
When Kiive and Brainworx "Width" and "Stereo" dials blow an entire brand-new plugin out of the water, I gotta say... I'm worried for the hardware unit!!!
If you really want something else I'd suggest StageOne by Leapwing Audio. That one slams.
It really seems like Plugin Alliance are just trying to take advantage of customers that don’t know any better.
Their plugin descriptions are always full of so much BS.
It’s a shame because they do make some good stuff.
Exposed!!😆😆😆
BiG L
Thanks for the demo, Marlon.
For me, this will be a BIG no.
I have it in my subscription, I'll probably touch it a few times.
This video is going to save people a fortune! If you’re intuitive most of there’s plugins aren’t needed. Bottom line!
Plugin alliance won't like u for this..lol
Another native instruments money grab plugin.
They’ve been insufferable since native instruments took over and started implementing these terrible GUIs
@bco0t6 Agreed! The loyalty offers are a joke now. Can't even combine discounts like before.