Ableton Forum

Being relatively new to production and having only ever used Ableton, I'm slowly beginning to realise that Ableton's effects aren't the best out there. So far I think that the Flanger,Filter and Reverb are quite below standard. Having never tried another equalizer, I was wondering what people think about EQ8 and whether there is another standard equalizer out there that the pros prefer to use?

I agree. Ableton effects are not quite a reflection of the software's greatness. I really wish they would concentrate more on that like reverb for example, this is the worst and most uncommon and uncomfortable reverb plug I've ever used, It's really hard to make it sound proper. The delays are ok for me and fun to play around with as well as the phaser and the auto filter. I really like that they improved with the new Compressor because honestly I have to say that the old one was the most piece of shit compressor I've ever got my hands on. EQ 8 is not perfect, but it's so much better. At least now you can play with frequencies in between hands on but as soon as you try out additional vst or plugs, logic or pro tools eq's you always tend to get a much better job done with easier settings.

So yeah that's it. I'm with you on this I guess is my main frame of refference here.

Though Ableton's effects aren't the best, it's still possible to get a good sound out of them. As with most effects, once i learned the theory behind the effects and how they worked, it was much easier to get a good sound out of it. The best thing about Ableton effects is that they give you the parameters you need in a really simple to use interface. Unlike Logic, where everything looks like spaceship from a different planet. That being said, I don't see much of a difference using say Logic's Channel EQ, Pro Tools 7-Band EQ, and Abe's EQ8. The standard EQs get the job done. Most third party plugs tend to have certain features or a certain modeled sound. You just usually want a variable freq and a variable Q, which Ableton gives. I also like Ableton's EQ8 because it lets you change the curves of the bands more than Logic does, i think. So yeah. no need to spend money on another EQ unless you're looking for an SSL or Neve modeling plug that colors your sound.

EQ8 is sick!
Reverb takes a bit of grafting but ultimately needs and update
Auto filter is ace but could do with being as tight as the eq8

other eqs i use
Sonalskis
Sonnox

both very surgical.

eggnchips wrote:Being relatively new to production and having only ever used Ableton, I'm slowly beginning to realise that Ableton's effects aren't the best out there.... Having never tried another equalizer,

Seriously? You've never used anything else, yet you think EQ8 is sub-standard? what is your standard, then?

learn to use EQ8 well. Professional EQs wont make up for lack of skill

the best thing about Live´s reverb is the freeze though.
great fun to map up to a button and map the on/off button of the device on the same button. ohyeah.

someone made a pretty nice stereo reverb here on the boards somewhere. quite cpu intensive, but it sounded quite good.

I'm thinking completely the opposite. I'm on the Live bandwagon since May and I'm starting to appreciate its effects more and more. I was a Cubase user before and spent a lot of money on ultra expensive high-end plugins like Flux Epure EQ (which I'm trying to sell right now). I can honestly say that I get pretty similar results with EQ8. When I open an "older" project and listen to the results, I could never tell which channel has EQ8 and which one Epure inserted. It simply doesn't matter, if you know your EQ and try to avoid extreme settings... I agree that Reverb's algorithm leaves a lot to be desired, but it's still a cool effect. It doesn't sound natural or anything, but if used wisely combined with other "real" reverbs, it can give your mix a sweet contrast...

laird wrote:

eggnchips wrote:Being relatively new to production and having only ever used Ableton, I'm slowly beginning to realise that Ableton's effects aren't the best out there.... Having never tried another equalizer,

Seriously? You've never used anything else, yet you think EQ8 is sub-standard? what is your standard, then?

learn to use EQ8 well. Professional EQs wont make up for lack of skill

Where have I said that EQ is sub-standard? I was only ASKING if it is sub-standard.

EQ8 is a decent eq overall. For precise eq, it may lack somewhat. For example, I find it a little hard to make proper low cuts with it as the curve becomes a little strange.

A big plus for EQ8 is the ability to treat mono and stereo frequencies separately.

EQ8 is good IMO - they improved it a lot over time - I have Waves Gold bundle and barelyuse it now because I'm pretty happy with Live's EQ and the Compressor in Live 7 is outstanding, worth the upgrade price on its own - in fact worth more if you consider the competition and their prices

Live's reverb is quite an esoteric reverb, maybe not great in a conventional sense, but actually capable of creating some great sounds if you are not expecting it to replace a high-end reverb

totally agree with other points in this thread - it's far more about learning to use them properly