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Hatsubai « Cool strings mastering plugin »
Published on 07/04/11 at 15:23Jack Joseph Puig is one of the more famous music engineers/producers out there. Just like all his other plugins, this plugin is designed around how he mixes different instruments. JJP Keys and Strings takes a unique EQ/compression approach to mastering different parts. It's basically an all-in-one little utility to help make the parts stand out a bit more. The plugin features knobs for highs, lows, comp, and sensitivity, four different toggle buttons to select between synth, high strings, low strings and piano, sliders that adjust main, space, doubler, presence, girth and master.
The plugin itself is pretty different in that it combines these various little EQs and compressors into one plugin that you move independently depending on what you want increased or decreased. I never read the manual, so I can't comment on that aspect. However, the plugin is very simple to use, and I don't see anybody really needing one with something like this. Simply tweak the sliders until you get the sound you're looking for.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Waves is the master when it comes to things like compatibility and stability. First of all, this plugin is rock solid. I've never experienced any slow downs, crashes or instability when using this plugin inside of Logic Pro. It never takes up too much processing power, and that's a good thing considering that there could be multiple instances of this plugin being used on different busses. The one problem I do have, however, is that this plugin is a 32 bit plugin. While I understand it's a touch old, I'd like to see this rewritten in 64 bit. With 32 bit plugins, you usually have to run some sort of bridge/wrapper application to allow you to use them in a 64 bit environment. I find that it's a bit of a pain dealing with that, and I'm hoping they'll update it later on. I've been using the Mercury bundle for about half a year or so, and it's been awesome so far.
OVERALL OPINION
This plugin has helped me out a few times when I was mixing different string and orchestra parts inside a mix before. It's a fun plugin to use to get a good sound without much effort. That said, I sometimes question these plugins as they lack the versatility that a bunch of other plugins stacked on top of each other have. I like them for getting a good mix without a lot of work, but I always find that if I use a few plugins and take the time to adjust them properly, I can get a better mix. It all depends on how you want to approach it, I guess.
The plugin itself is pretty different in that it combines these various little EQs and compressors into one plugin that you move independently depending on what you want increased or decreased. I never read the manual, so I can't comment on that aspect. However, the plugin is very simple to use, and I don't see anybody really needing one with something like this. Simply tweak the sliders until you get the sound you're looking for.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Waves is the master when it comes to things like compatibility and stability. First of all, this plugin is rock solid. I've never experienced any slow downs, crashes or instability when using this plugin inside of Logic Pro. It never takes up too much processing power, and that's a good thing considering that there could be multiple instances of this plugin being used on different busses. The one problem I do have, however, is that this plugin is a 32 bit plugin. While I understand it's a touch old, I'd like to see this rewritten in 64 bit. With 32 bit plugins, you usually have to run some sort of bridge/wrapper application to allow you to use them in a 64 bit environment. I find that it's a bit of a pain dealing with that, and I'm hoping they'll update it later on. I've been using the Mercury bundle for about half a year or so, and it's been awesome so far.
OVERALL OPINION
This plugin has helped me out a few times when I was mixing different string and orchestra parts inside a mix before. It's a fun plugin to use to get a good sound without much effort. That said, I sometimes question these plugins as they lack the versatility that a bunch of other plugins stacked on top of each other have. I like them for getting a good mix without a lot of work, but I always find that if I use a few plugins and take the time to adjust them properly, I can get a better mix. It all depends on how you want to approach it, I guess.