Sonimus is a brand that develops products at attractive prices, which fall into the category of “analog in the box” plugins.
Today I will explore the whole bundle, trying to analyze the single product without being too obsessive in the description, going to highlight: strengths, weaknesses and my classic personal considerations.
I present them to you individually.
SonEQ: the free “analog style” equalizer
Let's talk about a plugin that condenses the characteristics, from the point of view of the equalization curves, of some famous analog equalizers.
Looking at the image, the presence of the controls immediately catches the eye BOOST e ATTENTION, which can typically be found on equalizers of the type Pultec style, which we discussed in the previous one article.
There are also 2 filters (high pass and low pass, smooth) plus two other bands, which allow us to sculpt the overall timbre of the track quite precisely.
There is also a saturation stage (DRIVE) which at the same time gives harmonics (warmth) to the audio signal, and also makes the sound thicker, as the low frequencies are boosted.
Helping us with the control of INPUT we can also get a noticeable saturation, giving aggression to the track.
This plugin has a very low CPU consumption and is zero latency, I would say that we absolutely cannot complain.
The equalizer is musical, the saturation is smooth, so I can say that the sound is generally convincing; let's also remember that this plugin is free.
SonEQ Pro: the solution for the most demanding
This version offers additional controls that allow us to better refine the overall sound
There is an additional band for midrange control, and it is possible to adjust the low frequencies in a more precise way, that is not jerky, and if desired, I can also choose the bell instead of the low-shelf filter.
High frequencies can also be handled in CUT, combining (or not) high-shelf and low pass, using the appropriate click knob.
This version also has low CPU consumption and is zero latency.
It should be noted that the HIGH MID band has a different sound than the LOW MID band (with the same frequencies) as the width of the bell is different, that is to say: the former is wider, and generally offers a smoother sound, than the second.
You do not see this equalizer as a copy of the free version, with the addition of various controls, also because the sound is different (certainly on the low side) at the same frequency chosen.
At a low cost you can take home a professional product, which I gladly added to my collection, which does its duty when you need to give a certain character to audio material.
Price: dollars 59
Sweetone: another distinctive equalizer
Also in this case we are talking about a plugin able to sculpt the general timbre, in a faster way than the previous one, as it consists of very few controls.
There is a low pass filter, a high pass (both with variable slope) and the control that I consider fundamental, that is tons.
Basically, with a simple turn of the knob I can sculpt the overall sound, for example, if I work in the mode TILUX I perform the classic "tilt" equalization, that is: clockwise the timbre will tend to unbalance towards the high frequencies, moving back the low ones, and vice versa.
In mode LOUD I can perform a "loudness" equalization, moving back the averages (clockwise) or highlighting them (anticlockwise) at the expense of low and high.
Working in mode NORMAL interventions will be stricter while in mode SWEET they will be sweeter, or if you like, smoother.
In the mode BLOW I can make a slightly resonant high pass filter, maybe to give more character.
There is also a (very gentle) saturation stage called PREAMP transformer saturation (can be disabled) useful for adding further coloring to the audio signal.
This plugin also has very low CPU consumption and latency is zero.
The general line of the sound is very convincing, and as far as I'm concerned, this equalizer has also been added to the collection, since it can be useful to give further character to the track, or to equalize the material very quickly, without doing too many calculations. audio.
It does not look bad at all when compared with the main competitor, with a higher cost, indeed I must say that it defends itself very well, therefore, at a low cost you take home a professional equalizer without a shadow of a doubt.
Price: $ 32
StonEQ 4k: a classic revisited by Sonimus
From the name we can immediately understand that it is a plugin inspired by the equalizer present on the 4000 SSL console, in particular the E.
It combines the features of the models brown and black knob, therefore, we are talking about a hybrid equalizer that does not refer in detail to a particular model.
There is also a saturation stage (DRV) thanks to which it is possible to obtain an average warm sound, up to a more marked saturation, perhaps with the help of an additive equalization.
It is a somewhat more flexible equalizer than the previous ones, and obviously has a different character, which should not be too surprising, considering that we are talking about the emulation of a hardware that has a story of its own, as well as a real and own industry standard.
For further information on the history of the two models mentioned earlier, I refer you to my previous article.
This plugin has very low CPU consumption and latency is practically zero.
It is an absolutely valid equalizer, perfect for mixing tracks in a critical (certainly not surgical) way and giving an “analog” touch, plus the price (for a change) is democratic, so I feel I can recommend it.
Price: $ 59
Burnley 73: another classic
We are facing the emulation of the very famous Snow 1073 (preamp + equalizer) which certainly needs no introduction.
The preamp section (which can be disabled) works both in MIC mode (gain up to 60 dB) and in LINE mode (gain up to 40 dB).
In the mode MIC, the harmonics involved can be evident and the timbre changes as the gain increases, in a nutshell: as I turn up the gain the highs and mid-highs are cut, while low and medium-low are emphasized.
In the mode LINE, the harmonics involved are less marked and the timbre remains more or less “flat” with a slight attenuation of the highs, as the gain increases.
The saturation of this plugin is different than that of the others mentioned earlier, that is, not really "warm" and more scratchy.
As on the original hardware, the equalizer consists of a high low filter plus 3 bands, and everything can be safely turned off.
Again, low CPU consumption and zero latency.
Burnley 73 it is excellent for giving character, perhaps to RAW tracks with a too “flat” sound at the start or simply it can be used as a classic “analog style” equalizer.
As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the most convincing emulations of 1073 I've ever heard, with a very interesting quality / price ratio compared to other competitors.
Price: $ 59
Satson & Britson: An approach to the characteristic sound of two classic consoles
These plugins emulate the character of two very famous analog banks, as regards the channel, the bus, and the general workflow, using a system that is not too difficult to understand.
SATSON extension
This model is inspired by the bench SSL 4000G, and consists of two plugins: satson channel and satson buss.
The first should be loaded on the single tracks, the second on the buses (imagine virtual VCA groups) including the master.
They both have a VU meter, clearly visible and calibratable (by default 0VU = - 18dBFS) according to your personal taste.
The channel version consists of a low pass and high pass filter, the gain control, and other functions that you can find in the secondary menu, by clicking on the left on the writing.
By activating the mode FAT: the harmonics involved become more evident, and the general sound becomes more "fat".
Helping me with the GAIN and activating the function FAT:, OUTPUT COMPENSATION e SUPER GAINS (the latter two are found in the secondary menu) I can saturate the channel in an evident way, thus emphasizing the typical color of this console.
In practice, this plugin can be used (also) as a sort of saturator, with a decidedly “warm” tone.
I can associate (or not) a certain number of channels to a VCA group, using satson buss, setting it to the group I prefer (I have 8 available).
Loading an instance on the master track (associating it with any group) and activating the function GROUPING, I can control all VCA groups (see image above) in one interface.
Satson knocked it also has two crosstalk algorithms (very nice and can be disabled) and having no gain control, it is hardly saturated in an evident way, even if a lot depends on how the associated channels are set.
These two plugins can be used, at the same time, to monitor gain staging, using an “old school” approach, as we still have VU meters in play.
Price: $ 39
BRITSON
This model is inspired by the counter Snow 8014, and consists (also in this case) of two plugins: britson channel and britson buss.
As for the operating principle, the speeches made previously for Satson apply.
From the point of view of timbre, as well as of saturation, the sound is more scratchy and punch than the previous model.
The crosstalk algorithms are also different, and therefore, the sound of the britson buss version.
The CPU consumption of these plugins is very low and the latency is zero, so you can load quite a number of instances without destroying your session.
Satson and Britson can certainly be an added value that can improve the sound of our mixes, giving it that color that is often appreciated.
The price of each console is affordable, therefore, I would say that it is an investment that can be made easily.
Price: $ 39
TuCo: the valve compressor (Vari-Mu) all-rounder
Let's talk about a plugin that brings together the features of some compressors Vari-Mu, in a compact interface, and in a simple but effective way.
This compressor works in 4 different modes, which are able to satisfy a fair range of needs in real working situations.
It can also work in the modes: Mono, Dual Mono, Vintage Stereo, Modern Stereo.
This certainly makes the plugin versatile, and sets it up to work with stereo sources, without necessarily being bound to a single mode, which could happen with other compressors.
Note the presence of a hipass sidechain, which allows us to be able to exclude a certain range of low frequencies from the internal detection of the compressor, the control MIX, to easily carry out parallel compressions, which can work before or after the output control.
There is also control DRIVE (post output) thanks to which it is possible to give a certain aggressiveness to the track, imagining to saturate the part relating to the virtual valves, or we can use it as an output soft clipper.
Also by clicking on the control AMOUNT you can activate the mode auto makeup gain.
Generally this compressor offers “fat-warm” sounds that go well with bass, vocals and drums, even if nothing prevents you from experimenting on other sources.
CPU consumption is very low and latency is zero (we shouldn't be surprised anymore by now).
At a lower price than the previous ones, we have a product for which the game is still worth the candle, as the sound is certainly convincing at 360 °, moreover you will add to your collection a characteristic and easy-to-use compressor.
In the future I would like to have a more flexible AMOUNT control, so that I can easily overload the compressor should I feel the need.
Price: $ 74
Satson CS: the "all in one" solution
This time we are dealing with a modular channel strip, which offers 3 plugins in a single virtual rack (scalable).
From the interface we can immediately recognize SATSON CS GAIN STAGING, based on the technology of the plugin analyzed previously, and the equalizer, inspired (obviously) by the technology of StoneEQ 4K (without DRV control).
Many of you will surely have recognized the emulation of the classic SSL G bus compressor, in this case called SATSON COMPRESSOR, which we'll cover shortly.
I can also manage the order of the modules as I want, and duplicate the instances, taking into account the fact that numerically the virtual rack does not have unlimited slots (maximum 8).
Compared to competitors that we can find on the market on average, the compressor offers the possibility of being able to work also in mode dual-mono, a sidechain hi pass filter, and a continuously adjustable ATTACK control, so not jerky, which rhymes with versatility. There is also the classic MIX control, useful for doing parallel compressions "on the fly".
As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the emulations of theSSL G bus compressor most musical I've ever heard; the sound is average snap/punch, without sacrificing density.
It works very well on drums, mixbus (without exaggerating), bass and other sources as well, after all “experimenting costs nothing“.
In the future I would like to have a non-jerky release control, as well as the ratio control, so that I can enjoy greater versatility.
Working with oversampling disabled (you can enable it by going to the menu at the top right) each module has a low CPU consumption and zero latency (it should be noted that by default the oversampling is 2X).
In all other cases we will have a higher consumption and a non-zero latency, which however should not scare you and / or surprise you that much.
This plugin can be useful for those who want to enter the Satson world, preferring an "all in one" solution without doing too many calculations, certainly investing a large budget, but taking into account that we are still talking about 3 plugins in 1.
Price: $ 149
Conclusions
As usual, let's move on to the final part of the article, trying to give a final judgment in a lucid and exhaustive way.
- The whole bundle (currently) costs $ 300, an honest figure I would say, thanks to which you can secure a set of professional plugins.
- You don't necessarily have to spend a lot to have reliable instruments, able to bring the sound to convincing levels, and in fact Sonimus confirms this theory of mine.
- All the plugins satisfied me overall, and I found them useful in many situations, during my tests.
- Also keep in mind that the company often launches interesting offers, lowering the prices of some products in a not indifferent way, for a limited period of time.
If you are looking for plugins that add character to the sound, that are reliable, with low CPU consumption and zero latency, without wanting to spend a lot of money, then Sonimus is definitely the brand for you.
Please note that it is also possible to download the demo version of almost all products, except for Sweetone, Sonimus and Satson.
For the moment the review ends here, see you next time.
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