Music with Computers 
A social-cultural revolution as well as a technical one, information technology has obviously not ignored the music world, to the extent that it is now at the heart of most Studios and Home Studios. Allowing one to work with extreme precision and flexibility, it has managed to provide equivalent software for a lot of professional audio equipment: the multitrack recorder has become a software sequencer while audio effects and instruments have changed into plug-ins.
List of user reviews
Music with Computers
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Getting Started 
- I run this program on a macbook and there are no compatibility problems so far. I have had no need for a manual with this plugin, its very very simple and easy to use. Yes, the general configuration and setup is very simple with this plugin. Its simply a virtual rack with 8 half rack units and a main control full rack. Yes, all the functions are very easily accessed. They are all right in front of you and the VKFX is a very simple, very clean interface.
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Suitability/Performance
- I run this mainly in Ableton Live 8 for use in performance situations. It does have one funny little problem. If I minimize Ableton 8 when VKFX is open, when I expand it again, the interface goes blank. I have to close it, then reopen it to get it back. That's the only problem I have noticed so far. Other than that, the plugin has never crashed or lost any presets I have made. I still give it a solid 10. It works great besides the one little bug and is a very easy plugin to use, which I love. I have been using VKFX for about 3 weeks.
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Overall Opinion
- I like a few things about this unit. First off, it sounds very good. I run my Real Rhodes Stage piano into two channels: straight into some nice boutique effects into a Twin Reverb and one going into Ableton (looping) and back out into the same Twin. When I A/B the real effects versus this plugin, I do notice a difference, but, the difference is not as big as you would think. I do notice its a little muddier on the Computer side (not in a warm way, more of a mushy way), but with a little EQ, the resemblance is pretty impressive and in a live situation, almost unnoticeable. I also really love the simplicity of the interface. For live use, using a convoluted interface can be risky. This one is easy to read and control. One other note, I love how you simply grab a 1/2 rack with your mouse and drag it some where different in the effects chain. Nothing I don't like about this guy. I paid around $200 for this plugin and its worth it for live use. The precision and quality is very good for computer based audio. I have used lots of different effects plugins and this one is high on the list. Yes, I would definitely buy this again.
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Getting Started
- Trillium Lane Labs TL Metro is a simple metronome plug-in, which comes with the TL Utilities bundle for Pro Tools. It was quick and easy to install as it only took a minute, and the interface took even quicker to figure out, as it is straight forward and easy to read. It gives you access to controlling the tempo, the type of click sound, the type of accenting (if any), a tap tempo, and an overall master volume control. I think that most users will be able to use it right off the bat without an assistance or the help of a manual.
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Suitability/Performance
- I am currently running the Trillium Lane Labs TL Metro on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run the plug-in in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that I use with a Digi 002R audio interface. When I use TL Metro, I throw it on an auxiliary channel and bus it to whoever might need to hear it or to separate track. Sometimes I'll even record it down to an audio track if I want to. I can't say that I've ever had a problem running the plug-in within my configuration, but I only use one at a time of course, which is what I'm assuming other people will be doing - I can't imagine anyone needing two instances of a metronome in one session!
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Overall Opinion
- As far as the way it sounds, the Trillium Lane Labs TL Metro will get the job done more times than not because of the good amount of control that you have over what it can do. However, most of the time I just end up using the metronome in Pro Tools as it I do find it slightly easier to set and use, even if it may not have as many parameters to work with. If you need a metronome plug-in for your DAW, I'd tell you to also check out the other plug-ins in the TL Utilities bundle as I believe that the only way to get TL Metro is if you buy it in the bundle. It is a very cheap bundle that is worth checking out as you never know when you'll need a different kind of metronome!
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Getting Started
- Digidesign's AIR (Advanced Instrument Research) DB-33 is a virtual organ that comes with Pro Tools 8. The virtual instrument is basically a digital replication of a Hammond organ. It installed when I installed Pro Tools 8, so there wasn't anything else that I had to do to get it installed. The interface of the software is quite user friendly and easy to navigate around. It isn't complicated, and has the look of a real organ. It has all of the parameters you'd expect with a real organ, containing draw bars and vibrato and chorus effects. A manual isn't necessary, but I haven't seen one so I can't say anything about it's make up.
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Suitability/Performance
- I have run the Digidesign AIR DB-33 on an Apple Quad Core desk top, running Pro Tools HD 8. I haven't had any issues at all with this software, both when using it with a MIDI controller and when using it as an effect. It doesn't seem to be the type of plug-in that takes up too much processing power, so I think that even if you have Pro Tools 8 LE, that you'll be okay with running it, granted that you have an adequate computer to run Pro Tools cleanly.
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Overall Opinion
- While I like the sound of the organ itself when using it with a MIDI controller a good deal, I end up using the Digidesign AIR DB-33 mostly for Leslie and other effects, applying them on other instrument tracks. I find that you can get some pretty awesome sounding vibrato and chorus tones on vocals, guitars, and keyboards with the DB-33. I can't really say that I'd recommend this one way or another, as it is a free piece of software that comes with Pro Tools 8, so you either have it or you don't. But if you do have it, I'd definitely encourage you to get familiar with it if you haven't already.
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Getting Started
- Trillium Lane Labs TL InTune is a simple instrument tuning plug-in that comes in the TL Utilities bundle. It isn't a voice or instrument pitch shifting tuning piece of software like Auto Tune or Melodyne, rather it is for tuning an instrument that you have plugged in to your interface or console going to Pro Tools. I didn't have any issues installing the plug-in or the bundle as a whole, as it only took a minute for the whole process to be completed. The interface does allow for a decent amount of control over your tuner, as you can tune with both the needle, which shows you how far off cents wise you are, and a tone. There aren't really any parameters beyond setting the mode and/or what pitch you want, so I don't think a manual is necessary at all.
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Suitability/Performance
- I'm currently running Trillium Lane Labs TL InTune on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run it in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R or a Digidesign Micro Box, depending on where I am. I haven't had an issues whatsoever running the plug-in within this configuration, but I've also never had it on more than one track at a time. Having said this, I don't think that too many users will be putting this on more than one track either, so as long as you have a system where you can currently run some plug-ins on without a problem, I think you'll be fine with this one.
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Overall Opinion
- It is always a good idea to have a software plug-in available like the Trillium Lane Labs TL InTune, but I must say that I only use this when I don't really have any other options. While it is pretty easy to use, the tracking isn't as good as I wish it was. It will do the job when you need it to though, especially if you're just playing a tone from it to tune. I'd recommend checking out the TL Utilities bundle to see if TL Metro and TL Master Meter (the other plug-ins in the bundle) are something you might want, as you can only get these plug-ins in the bundle...
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Characteristics
- The Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini is a compact audio interface made to run Pro Tools LE. Like all Digidesign hardware, it comes with the Pro Tools software, which of course is a major draw for getting any Digidesign audio interface. The Mbox 2 Mini has pretty basic characteristics, and none all that impressive for an audio interface, but it will get the job done for small projects and for those looking to run Pro Tools with a simple interface. The Mbox 2 Mini has only a single microphone preamplifier, a channel which also has a 1/4" TRS input as well. The pre has 48 volt phantom power and a pad, as well as a button for mic/line selection. There is also as two channel which has only a 1/4" input. There are only two 1/4" outputs for your monitors. It is a USB based interface, as it only has USB and nothing else to put this into your computer.
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Utilization
- I have run the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini on a simple Apple G4 desk top computer a few times at a friend's house. There isn't really anything to setting up or using the Mbox 2 Mini, as they have made it as easy as possible for just about anyone to use this in their home. We weren't getting any latency, but that really depends on your system. However, since you can only record up to two tracks at a time with this, I don't think that too many people will be having problems with latency or lagging issues, or any performance issues really...But again, this totally depends on the computer that you're running with it. A manual isn't necessary unless you're an absolute beginner and don't know anything about recording or home studios.
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Getting Started
- The sound of the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini in terms of the preamp, is definitely not the best by a long shot. But it doesn't sound half bad if you're just using it for simple recordings in your home as most people will be doing. It would be nice if there were two mic pres on this, but of course if you want that you can always look at the Mbox Pro or even the 002 or 003...
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Overall Opinion
- While overall this isn't my favorite interface at all, the fact that the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini comes with Pro Tools LE, really makes it worth it. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants Pro Tools and doesn't need all that much to work with, or whom doesn't want to spend too much money. As far as getting Pro Tools LE goes, the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini is just about the cheapest way you can do it...
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Getting Started
- The Eventide Omnipressor Plug-in is one found in Eventide's Anthology II bundle. I don't know if it is available on it's own, but I don't believe that it is. I didn't have anything to do with installation of the plug-in, as I don't own it and have only used it in a professional recording studio, so it was installed before I got to it. The interface of the Omnipressor Plug-in is pretty simple, and is modeled after the original hardware version of the Omnipressor. I haven't used the original Omnipressor, so going into using this plug-in I didn't have any prior knowledge of the make up of the Omnipressor. However, the parameters available on the Omnipressor Plug-in are ubiquitous for compressors, as it has knobs for threshold, attack time, release time, function, which is basically either your compression ratio or expansion, and for both attenuation limit and gain limit. It also has a series of buttons, including for input calibration (between -10 db and -20 db), bass cut/bass normal, output calibration (between +10 db and +20 db), and for choosing what you view in terms of metering. A manual isn't necessary, but could be helpful for new users.
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Suitability/Performance
- I'm not running the Eventide Omnipressor Plug-in on my own system, but at the professional studio that I used the plug-in at, it was running on a Pro Tools HD system with a Digidesign 192 I/O interface and Apogee converters. The computer that I ran it on was an Apple Mac G5 desktop. If you're running an HD system with the Omnipressor, you will most likely have no trouble running it, but it is hard to say for sure without actually running it...
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Overall Opinion
- For a plug-in, the Eventide Omnipressor Plug-in has a pretty great tone. It isn't my favorite compressor plug-in, but it does have the ability to get some sounds that you can't get from a normal compressor, which is pretty cool. It can be used both as a traditional compressor, as well as an expander, and is capable of getting sounds in between as well. Unfortunately, for those of you who might want the Omnipressor plug-in on it's own, it can only be found in the Eventide Anthology II bundle. However, I would recommend checking out the bundle anyway, as it is overall a great bundle with a ton of other plug-ins worth checking out as well...
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Getting Started
- Serato Pitch 'N Time LE is a pitch shifting and time stretching plug-in designed for Pro Tools LE. I didn't have a problem installing the plug-in at all, as the process was simple and straight forward. The interface of the software is generally user friendly, even though there is a good amount of parameters to work with. First, there is a section for inputting the bpm information, including those for inputting the time signature (meter), the number of bars and beats, the number of minutes, and the beats per minute. Below this you will set how you would like to change the tempo, with a large sliders to choose the percentage of change you'd like. You pretty much have the same thing for setting your new pitch, but there is also a section for setting the key if you'd like to modulate it. If you're new to plug-ins out this nature, I'd recommend having the manual around, but I haven't seen it so I can't say too much about it's make up.
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Suitability/Performance
- I'm running the Serato Pitch 'N Time LE plug-in on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. The version of Pro Tools LE that I run is 7.4 and I run it with a Digi 002R audio interface or a Digidesign Mbox Micro depending on where I am working from. The plug-in doesn't seem to take up too much processing power, but this isn't the type of plug-in that I use too much - I will only use one at a time within a session, and then I'll print the track and move on to the next thing. As long as you use it like this as well, which is really how it should be used, you won't have any problems in terms of performance with this plug-in.
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Overall Opinion
- Overall, Serato Pitch 'N Time LE does a great job when it comes to both pitch and time shifting. It is definitely one of smoother sounding plug-ins that I've used in both areas. However, I do like it better for time stretching rather than pitch shifting. Serato Pitch 'N Time LE won't cost you nearly as much as the Pro version, and is actually pretty reasonably priced for a powerful plug-in like this one. I'd definitely encourage those interested in time stretching and/or pitch shifting plug-ins to check out this two in one plug-in, as it is a great plug-in to have in your arsenal.
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Getting Started
- This synth works fairly well in my setup. The only issue I have is there seems to be a 1/2 second worth of latency between when you select a cell and when it actually lights up and makes a noise. I have not needed the manual as this is very similar to Logic 9's Ultrabeat. Yes, the setup is very simple and all functions can be accessed quite easily.
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Suitability/Performance
- Besides the pause in the cell selection, everything else seems to work great. It did cause Ableton 8 to crash a few times when I first started using it but it hasn't happend in the past month or so. Ableton 8 can be kinda buggy lately so I can't blame this entirely on the plugin. Well, because of the latency issue in the cell selection, I am giving this synth a 7 out of 10. Its quite annoying but not necessarily a deal breaker. I have been using this plugin for about two months.
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Overall Opinion
- What I liked most about this plugin and the reason I got it was the interface. It is very similar to Logic's Ultrabeat and I am very comfortable using that drum synth. So, I am writing more and more in Ableton 8 and wanted the Ultrabeat "feel" in that DAW. What I don't like about it is really only the latency issue. They are only a few sounds to this guy but I think the simplicity is really refreshing and better for me as opposed to hundreds of options. I paid $79 for this synth and for the most part, I am happy with it. Precision and quality of the sound it pretty good. I give it a 9 out of 10. Good electronic drum sounds and with a little tweaking, some really tasty beats. I used Ultrabeat a lot and love it. This is a good replacement when writing in ableton. Yes, I would make the same choice again.
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Getting Started
- I have had no compatibility issues with this plugin. I run it on a Macbook with Presonus interfaces and it seems to work great. I have not needed to reference the manual as it is very similar to most other virtual synths. The general configuration is fairly simple. There are a lot of options on this synth but they are almost all right in front of you and easily accessed.
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Suitability/Performance
- I run this synth in both Logic 9 and Ableton 8 and it works great. It doesn't hog much CPU power and sounds rich and full. So far the plugin has never crashed or lost any presets, very stable. The plugin functions well in my host programs and responds well to all midi messages and controls so I give it a 10 out of 10 for performance.
I have been using this synth for about 3 months.
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Overall Opinion
- What I like most about this synth is actually the thing I dislike most about it. This is primarily a synth for techno/dance musicians in my opinion. With that said, I love it when I am in the mood to write that kind of music. It is capable of making some extremely rich pads and crazy arpeggios as well as some good bass lines. When I am not writing dance music, I almost never touch this synth. The sounds lean so much to that genre that I sometimes wish I didn't get it (I write so little in that style). I paid $200 for this plugin. Its worth every penny if you primarily write in the techno/dance style. If you don't, they are far more versatile synths out there and I would suggest passing this one up. I have used many synths over the years and this is a great synth if you need a specific sound. I would not buy this again only because I don't use it that much.
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Getting Started
- Trillium Lane Labs TL Master Meter is a simple metering plug-in which allows you to view any possible over sampling that could cause distortion in your final mix. The plug-in comes in the TL Utilities bundle which also includes TL InTune, a tuner, and TL Metro, a metronome. I installed all of them at the same time, which was a simple thing to do from following the step by step instructions given. The interface of the software is detailed, as it shows you the exact point in time where you have peaking. It also tracks each and every one, so you can go back and see all the different points where it picked it up. There is metering for both your signal level output and your over sample level, side by side so you can compare them easily. A manual is definitely not necessary, as everything is simple and straight forward.
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Suitability/Performance
- Right now I'm running Trillium Lane Labs TL Master Meter on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface. I've only used Mater Meter on the master channel of sessions, which is what it is intended for, so having one instance of the plug-in certainly does not take up much processing power at all. My inclination is that just about everyone who is currently running Pro Tools will be able to run Master Meter without an issue, but it just depends on your machine.
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Overall Opinion
- The Trillium Lane Labs TL Master Meter isn't a plug-in that I use everyday, as I use it to monitor peaks and to keep the distortion to a minimum. It definitely comes in handy even though it is not the most detailed or complete metering available. I don't need it all the time either, only when I have a mix that is pretty hot and could result in clipping or distortion. Having the TL Utilities bundle is nice to have around, but it isn't a necessity. I got the bundle within a larger bundle, but I don't know if I would have gone out and gotten Master Meter and the Utilities bundle had I not done so...
