Digidesign Software simulators

Digidesign Eleven Free is an amp modeling piece of software the comes free with Pro Tools 8. I've have the full version of Eleven as well, and while this is limited when compared to the real version, there is still a good amount that you can do with this one. Obviously since I have the full version I don't have a need for this, but I have looked and played around with it to see what the differences might be. It has the same sort of look and interface, but lacks all of the controls, presets and layers of the full version. You don't need to do anything to install the plug-in once you've installed the Pro Tools 8 software, as during this process it installs all of the free plug-ins that come with it. The interface of the plug-in is straight forward and easy to understand without needing to have used it for all too long. On top is where you choose your amplifier and cabinet types to model after, as well as set your main parameters of input and output level and threshold and release for a gate. It then has another slew of parameters to work with that include gain, bass, middle, treble, presence, and master, as well as speed and depth for effects that the different amps might have like tremolo. I don't think that a manual is necessary with the free version, as everything you need to know is right in front of your face and is pretty self explanatory. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE Having just upgraded to Pro Tools LE 8 from 7.4, I'm now running Digidesign Eleven Free 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 on a Digi 002R audio interface. However, since I have the full version of Eleven, and had it before I upgraded to Pro Tools 8, I don't really have a need for the plug-in and haven't run it beyond just checking it out, so I can't really say how taxing it will be on your machine. If you've got a solid system capable of running plug-ins well, I don't think you will a problem with it as long as you don't go overboard when using it. OVERALL OPINION The beauty of Pro Tools 8 is not only the new interface and features, but the free plug-ins that come with it like Digidesign's Eleven Free. While not as useful to me since I already had the full version, this is something that can come in handy for those who don't have any other modeling software. The sound quality is definitely comparable to the full version, it is really just the features that are limited. If you've got Pro Tools 8 I'd definitely recommend both this and the Sans Amp plug-in that now come free for any amp modeling that you might need to do.

Installing the three plug-ins in the Digidesign Reel Tape Suite wasn't hard at all as you can install all three at the same time. It was as easy as installing any other plug-in, especially if you decide to buy it online as you can download it and have it up and running within minutes. The interface of the three plug-ins is pretty user friendly as there isn't too much going on, but there is definitely enough there to get a good amount of differing sounds. I haven't seen the manual for this plug-in suite, so I can't say how helpful it would be, but they are easy enough to install and figure out on your own that I don't think that one is necessary. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE No matter which of the three plug-in that I am running with the Digidesign Reel Tape Suite, they always seems to run pretty smoothly. I've had them all up at the same time without issues as well, but it really depends on what type of system you are running them on. I am running these plugs on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I usually run them in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface, but I have also run them on a Pro Tools HD system. While they of course run a bit better on the HD system, they run fine on the LE system as long as I don't go to crazy with them. OVERALL OPINION The Digidesign Reel Tape Suite is a really powerful set of plug-ins. Within the suite comes the following plug-ins: a reel tape delay, a reel tape flanger, and a reel tape saturation. My favorite is probably the reel tape delay as I find this to be the most useful for what I am trying to do and has the most realistic sound. I like the other ones a lot as well, but I don't use flanging too often and while the reel tape saturation does a good job, I don't tend to use it all that often. This is a reasonably priced plug-in suite and if you are looking for a trio of plug-ins with a surprisingly warm sound, the Digidesign Reel Tape Suite is worth checking out.

Installing Digidesign Eleven was a breeze as I had no problems or compatibility issues at all. It was just as easy as any plug-in I've ever installed and I had it running fairly quickly overall. The interface of the software is pretty easy to follow and it shouldn't take too long for you to understand what everything does, as it only took me a couple of days to figure everything out. The manual for this software is pretty thorough but isn't a necessary thing to have while trying to learn the software as it is easy enough on its own to figure out and to use. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE I am currently running Digidesign Eleven on a Mac Book Pro lap top that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run Pro Tools LE 7.4 with a Digi 002 rack version audio interface and the software has run smoothly and stably since I installed it with this set up. I've also used the software on a Pro Tools HD system and it seems no matter which set up I'm using that I'm able run it efficiently and without problems. OVERALL OPINION I've been using Digidesign Eleven for less than a year but in that short time I've used the software quite a bit and have become pretty attached to it. The interface, like most of Digidesign's software, is very user friendly and while it provides a ton of different amp modeling options, nothing is too hard to understand or figure out. The price of the software isn't all that expensive considering all of the amp modeling capabilities that you are acquiring. While there are other types of amp modeling software that is comparable to this one, Digidesign Eleven is a great choice for all of your amp modeling needs.