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Smartelectronix Ambience [Donationware]
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Smartelectronix Ambience [Donationware]
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«  A timeless must! »

Published on 04/03/13 at 07:59
Best value: Excellent
Simple Installation. Component to place a file in the folder and it is suitable.
Ambience is "donationware", ie a plug that works for free, but we are kindly encouraged to give what we want when we want to the developer. Depending on the environment available, the interface is decorated with a pretty "skin" (see photo) or in the form of a simple white page with the settings column and a zipper for everyone. This is the latest version I have.
Ambience going to settle complex because it has a lot of parameters. In fact, when you understand the roles, everything becomes simple.
The "Gating" allows some interesting special effects, but should remain at zero if you want a realistic reverb. "Time" is the length of the effect. "Diffusion" in principle gives a more ground in low values ​​and high values ​​in smooth, but in Ambience, this parameter is much more subtle and tenuous than in other reverbs. "Hold!" makes it possible to effect loop for a reverb infinite. Then the size of the room, and predelay "width" determines the stereo width of the effect (zero, the sound is mono.) "Quality / CPU" saves CPU resources by reducing the quality sound. On a modern computer, this setting should remain at 100%. But you can get some interesting special effects by lowering it. "Change" alters very thin sound of the room .. to be tested. The "EQ" to equalize the sound effect. "Damping" is interesting: In fact, here we can lengthen or shorten the reverb in the treble or bass, above or below the specified frequency. For a neutral, adjust settings Amount to 50%. Finally, you can adjust the volume level of the sound "dry" (if we use Ambience in insert) and that of the "wet". Note that only those entitled to the pretty "skin", it is possible to control the parameters by noon thanks to the "MIDI Learn".
As can be seen, no parameter very complicated or exotic, except maybe "Change" whose effect is just perceptible. Just need to sculpt a beautiful reverb.
In addition, 78 presets are provided that can serve as a working basis and which illustrate the vast possibilities of this plugin.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

No problem on my Mac Pro with Mac OS 10.6.8 and Digital Performer, except that the version of Ambience which I did not right the pretty interface that he knows other drafts. I have no right either to "Midi Learn". But hey, all that does not bother me much. Moreover, Ambience is long past to be very resource-intensive processors. I actually disabled it when I was working with an old G4. But our modern computers this reverb is in the standard: Its consumption is moderate and I can now easily open ten instances and probably more.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this for a very long reverberation (in fact, since its inception.) I have always been excited by the sound and the possibilities it offers. The sound is clear, warm, definitely not metal. In terms of quality, "donationware" sinks, and many, many reverbs trade. Working well and EQ "Damping", you can get a very realistic effect and it is really hard to take this reverb in default .. Strictly speaking, if you push "Room Size" completely thoroughly, the sound can become slightly industrial. But do not worry: you can still get very nice effects like "church" or "cathedral".
On the other hand, I like the effects you can create with the "Gating". And "Damping" can be the effect of a very flexible, efficient and simple. I recommend testing the different presets available and Ambience settings on a small loop of drums. In less than half an hour, you will understand how this plug-in is convenient, well organized and how it sounds!
I put 10/10 for the quality / price unbeatable (especially as it is the user who sets the price at will ..)