Waves MPX Master Tape

This is yet another Eddie Kramer product that Waves has released. This time, they made a plugin based off of the famous Ampex 350/351. For those that don't know, this was a very famous master tape device that was used for some saturation and other cool effects on the master bus and even individual tracks at times. The device is a bit complex, so I'll break down what everything does:

Speed - this selects the tape speed that you want
Monitor - there are various monitoring modes you can select with this
Bias - adjusts the overall bias of the sound. This is mostly used for fine tuning everything.
VU Meter - simply displays the meter
VU Calibration - this sets the overall limit of what you're going for
Delay Time - this is probably the coolest feature as you can add some real neat delays to enhance the quality of the mix or add a totally unique sound
Delay Tape - this simply selects different modes for the delay
Feedback - this controls the amount of the delay signal
Lowpass - just as it says, it's a lowpass filter
Record level - this is simply the input level
Link I/O - links the record and playback levels
Playback level - controls the total output
Flux - this emulates some of those more bizarre sounds that would occur with the real units
Wow & Flutter - controls different modulations
Noise - you can actually add noise with this for that more vintage feel

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Waves plugins are pretty well known for being the industry standard plugins out there, and for good reason. First of all, the plugins are cross platform. That means that both PC and Mac guys can use them. Given that I'm a Mac guy, that's a huge plus for me. The plugins themselves are very stable. I've never experienced a crash directly related to inserting a Waves plugin into any audio or MIDI bus in Logic. I've never read the manual, so I can't really comment on that. However, most of these plugins are fairly intuitive when it comes to their usage. While the names may be a touch convoluted if you don't know what they're modeling, you can get a good idea as to what they do if you just mess around. It doesn't take up much memory when in use, even with the 32 bit bridge application in Logic, and I've been using these for quite awhile now.


OVERALL OPINION

This works great on the master bus for that more vintage kinda feel, but I find it works especially nice for guitar lead tracks. You can get some really killer effects by placing this on the guitar bus, adding in some delay, cranking the wow & flutter knob and going for it. Definitely try it out!

Trouble-free installation, software stable.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Low fuel consumption, but given the quality that would have been the last straw.

OVERALL OPINION

This plugin is ugly as all the "emulation is really" grossière.La saturation is awful, and compression + as coarse.
I switched to Ampex ATR Universal audio right out and comparison has no place with the MPX. Top with the Studer A800.

I will never understand the infatuation with waves plugins in general. With the exception of some relatively correct.
More than disappointed.

Easy to install, run the installer Waves and follow what is happening on the screen. Requires an iLok key.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

MacBook Pro 2.33GHz Core2Duo 2006 and MacPro Quad 2.66GHz Xeon 2009. Mac OS 10.6.8 - Logic 9.1.4 and Live 8.2.2

No worries perf in both cases, the plug is not too greedy

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost a month

DUY DAD Tape I have for over two years, the Nomad Factory last few months and tried the UAD Studer A800.

The most: we can add more or less heat in sound subtly or outright most striking. Depending on the settings, I really feel like lying on my trail a real band.
It also possible to thoroughly saturate the sound through the plug for a good side "analog" and well crazy.
Playing with the "Feedback" can be made into a rhythm loop riquiqui something crazy, not to mention the many parameters that allow all delusions.
And finally, its price to USD 99.00 promotion for the Waves plug and a pro in general, it is honest.

Cons: can sometimes sound a bit too "vintage" for my taste, making electro. (But that's what wanted to Waves, plug it simulates the behavior of Ampex 350 & 351, which are vintage machines).

As mentioned, making electro, this plug does not work for everything in my case, well, almost not at all. It took me several days to make it sound like I wanted, and I am delighted. Level simulation, I find it significantly above what I could try or hear (except for the Studer A800 DSU is a wonderful, expensive, but fantastic, it said in another register).

In short, to USD 99.00 for me, there is no hesitation, give c "*" Lles on bass, percussion, on the buss and / or mix a whole (full video on YouTube). I would do what no other choice.