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tarrtime « Rock 'n Roll Guitar Processing »
Published on 12/02/12 at 18:07The CLA Guitars plug-in is designed to process recorded guitar tracks inside a DAW. Waves installation is simple. Once you get the program up and running, it is simple to figure out the controls of the software.
The basic processing functions are all available with this plug-in (eq, compressor, reverb, delay, chorus). The dial that selects the 'drive' adds a predefined eq curve based on CLA's preference. 'Bypass' seems to have a flat eq curve. If you turn 'Re-amplify' to 'On', the plug-in adds amplifier simulation processing. When this is selected, the dial that selects the 'drive' changes between different amp sims that have different amounts of distortion.
Obviously the plug-in was intended to be used for guitar, although you could use the reverb or compressor for other instruments.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Compared to other amp simulator software (Guitar Rig 5, Amplitube, Pro Farm 2, Eleven, Waves GTR), the amp simulation in CLA Guitars sounds equally realistic. The disadvantage is this software is you can't control any settings of the amp sim like overdrive for each amp. You really just have a choice between low-, mid-, and high-gain. Where this software excels compared to the previously mentioned amp sim software is the post effects after the amp sim. In my opinion, the other software focus on the amp sim and the other effects are just an after-thought. The secret to a professional sounding guitar track is both a good amp sound, but also a lot of post-processing.
I would assume that the eq curves in CLA Guitars are specifically chosen with the corresponding amp sim. For this reason, I don't mind the fact that the plug-in doesn't give me the options to change a lot of detailed eq settings like frequency, bandwidth, etc. The compressors are not subtle and add a lot to the guitar sound.
I rarely use the reverb in any of the CLA Signature plug-ins. However, I still think they sound good. My preference is to have a reverb bus track that I send all the instruments to.
The 'pitch' or chorus effects are another way that this plug-in can make your guitar tracks sound rock 'n roll. This effect definitely adds a lot to the tone of a guitar track when it is part of a mix. This effect really makes your guitar sound thick and full.
OVERALL OPINION
Some people won't like that there aren't more controls for tweaking. Honestly though, I have plenty of other plug-ins if I want to tweak. I don't really need another one to do the same thing. What I like about this plug-in is that I can throw it on a track and it makes things sound better.
Generally I will use other amp sims instead of the 're-amp' feature of this plug-in. I have a POD HD 500 for amp sims. But, I will always throw this plug-in for post processing. Compared to the other Signature Guitar plug-ins (Kramer, Maserati, JJP), this one is the most dramatic and the most rock 'n roll.
The basic processing functions are all available with this plug-in (eq, compressor, reverb, delay, chorus). The dial that selects the 'drive' adds a predefined eq curve based on CLA's preference. 'Bypass' seems to have a flat eq curve. If you turn 'Re-amplify' to 'On', the plug-in adds amplifier simulation processing. When this is selected, the dial that selects the 'drive' changes between different amp sims that have different amounts of distortion.
Obviously the plug-in was intended to be used for guitar, although you could use the reverb or compressor for other instruments.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Compared to other amp simulator software (Guitar Rig 5, Amplitube, Pro Farm 2, Eleven, Waves GTR), the amp simulation in CLA Guitars sounds equally realistic. The disadvantage is this software is you can't control any settings of the amp sim like overdrive for each amp. You really just have a choice between low-, mid-, and high-gain. Where this software excels compared to the previously mentioned amp sim software is the post effects after the amp sim. In my opinion, the other software focus on the amp sim and the other effects are just an after-thought. The secret to a professional sounding guitar track is both a good amp sound, but also a lot of post-processing.
I would assume that the eq curves in CLA Guitars are specifically chosen with the corresponding amp sim. For this reason, I don't mind the fact that the plug-in doesn't give me the options to change a lot of detailed eq settings like frequency, bandwidth, etc. The compressors are not subtle and add a lot to the guitar sound.
I rarely use the reverb in any of the CLA Signature plug-ins. However, I still think they sound good. My preference is to have a reverb bus track that I send all the instruments to.
The 'pitch' or chorus effects are another way that this plug-in can make your guitar tracks sound rock 'n roll. This effect definitely adds a lot to the tone of a guitar track when it is part of a mix. This effect really makes your guitar sound thick and full.
OVERALL OPINION
Some people won't like that there aren't more controls for tweaking. Honestly though, I have plenty of other plug-ins if I want to tweak. I don't really need another one to do the same thing. What I like about this plug-in is that I can throw it on a track and it makes things sound better.
Generally I will use other amp sims instead of the 're-amp' feature of this plug-in. I have a POD HD 500 for amp sims. But, I will always throw this plug-in for post processing. Compared to the other Signature Guitar plug-ins (Kramer, Maserati, JJP), this one is the most dramatic and the most rock 'n roll.