Lexi PCM vs. Aether - Blind test

[kdm]

I posted this on VI, but thought I would here as well. This is a quick comparison between Lexicon's PCM Native plugin and Aether 1.5. I used Lexi's Concert Hall preset, and matched it with Aether. There is a 3rd sample to balance the test. No gotchas here to embarrass anyone - just listen and post what you think, and which you think is which. These aren't perfectly matched, so you might here some differences in bloom, etc - just ran out of time to get too perfect with parameter matching since interdependence of ERs and LRs is a rather complex part of the equation.

Reverb 2A (http://www.box.net/shared/3nmkylraek)

Reverb 2B (http://www.box.net/shared/z4ar6xg7sx)

Reverb 2C (http://www.box.net/shared/ag3g8cgg87)

I started this out of my own curiosity more than anything.

[LEX]

Well., 1 and 2 seem the same.

in 3 the tail is a bit grainy and there seems to be a slight lack of body.

My guess is that 1 and 2 are the Lexi.

LEX

[Animus]

There's a bug in the Lex Concert Hall that might render this test unfair.

[kdm]

What kind of bug? This isn't the only algo I tried - just the only one I've posted comparisons for.

[Animus]

What kind of bug? This isn't the only algo I tried - just the only one I've posted comparisons for.


Another use posted comparison between the Concert Hall and another reverb, complaing about this weird warbling sound in the tail modulation. Sure enough, sounded pretty bad. I believe someone confirmed this was a bug that was to be fixed.

[LEX]

Another use posted comparison between the Concert Hall and another reverb, complaing about this weird warbling sound in the tail modulation. Sure enough, sounded pretty bad. I believe someone confirmed this was a bug that was to be fixed.

That's what I heard in Version C. The Grainy, narrow and lack of bottom, deepth and warmth.

LEX

[kdm]

Another use posted comparison between the Concert Hall and another reverb, complaing about this weird warbling sound in the tail modulation. Sure enough, sounded pretty bad. I believe someone confirmed this was a bug that was to be fixed.

So in other words, Concert Hall is useless.

Fair enough - here are two vocal samples using the standard Hall:

Vocal Hall 3A (http://www.box.net/shared/qiezl9btsc)

Vocal Hall 3B (http://www.box.net/shared/s0ytbger5o)

Let me know what you think. (Vocal sample is from Tonehammer's Francesca library)

[Animus]

I never use the Concert Hall so I never bother investigated. RandomHall and Vintage Plate and LexRoom is where I live. :-)

And I am not listening to these AB tests. I am totally happy with the Lex Bundle and will not let tomfoolery bugger me! :)

[kdm]

I never use the Concert Hall so I never bother investigated. RandomHall and Vintage Plate and LexRoom is where I live. :-)

And I am not listening to these AB tests. I am totally happy with the Lex Bundle and will not let tomfoolery bugger me! :)

Oh come on Stacy - be a good sport and listen for sake of technical investigation. :-)
Seriously, you don't have to guess which is which - I am just interested in your opinion, preference, etc. There is no "gotcha" here, or attempt to diminish either plugin - it's just an interesting comparison. I can tell you right now that both have strengths and weaknesses.

[Animus]

I like A better, seems smoother on this particular vocal. B sounds good too, seems thicker/denser but the modulation on the tail is not as smooth.

[ROCKINROG]

I liked A. B was more dense but the tail seems unnatural.

[Animus]

Here's the thread about the Concert hall bug. http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/469785-lexicon-pcm-bundle-chorus-concerthall.html

[Sam]

For my money I liked A better, B had a bit of a honk in the tail coming on - like i could hear a honk after the predelay kicked - A seemed to transition nicely into the tail....could have easily been an EQ thing though

The modulation the tail of A was nicer to my ears too - a little more scattered/chorus and less cyclic or something....

[Andrew J]

Both a bit too ringy for me - but A was less unpalatable :)

[Sam]

Both a bit too ringy for me - but A was less unpalatable :)

Then you are like me, a lex plate 'light' guy ;)

I love the PCM native a LOT! Retired my 224 for now :) much less noisy in the CR these new fangled plugz! And my 224 spaces are inthere to boot ;)

[kdm]

For my money I liked A better, B had a bit of a honk in the tail coming on - like i could hear a honk after the predelay kicked - A seemed to transition nicely into the tail....could have easily been an EQ thing though

The modulation the tail of A was nicer to my ears too - a little more scattered/chorus and less cyclic or something....

Here's the key: For the vocal test, A is the PCM and B is Aether.

It's all in the settings on Aether. Just didn't have enough time to match them perfectly, but it is possible. I got them much closer yesterday by matching parameters 1:1 instead of just going by ear, though the mid "bloom" in the LR in Aether happens earlier and decays more quickly, where with the PCM it decays into the mod swirl more evenly - mainly and EQ envelope issue. The EQs are different enough that you have to play with the interaction of input EQ, ER and LR to get it sounding like the PCM.

PCM is easier to get a great sound quickly - not sure why that difference exists, as to some degree they sound like the same algos, though modulation on both, to me is nothing to write home about - just a touch is enough. I also had much less mod on Aether in the posted example, and the lows/mids decayed much too quickly, leaving a rather stark, dry tail.

But, here is the biggest different between the two (at least the demo for Aether, as that is what I'm using here): PCM's cpu usuage is way less than Aether. Aether uses 20% in 1x oversampling - 40% in 4x (Aether has multiple realtime, and offline quality modes so you can adjust cpu usage - very cool). PCM uses about 1% cpu per instance, and is very stable on cpu usage so you can load up far more than a proper mix would ever need. ;-)

All said, I like the PCMs better for that reason. Aether is only $250, so it wins on base price, but per instance, the LexPCM is the better value imho. Soundwise - you can get either to sound great (or bad). LexPCM also gets points for Left/Right delay options for reflections.

Andrew - as far as ringing - I noticed that too and it bugs me - need to spend some time with both sometime down the road to see if it can be minimized without going overboard on EQ with that hall, or without defaulting to a plate (sometimes you just need a hall).

[Animus]

Good to know I chose right and this justifying my purchase. Swinnnng!

[kdm]

Good to know I chose right and thus justifying my purchase. Swinnnng!

Lol. You really need justification? ;-)

[Animus]

:) No, just joshing. I am very happy with the Lex plugs.

[Animus]

man, I just got a demo of the new Relab LX480. I think it sounds awesome. Sounds like a 480l to me.

[kdm]

What's the price? Demo link available yet?

[Animus]

What's the price? Demo link available yet?


No price released yet. You can request a demo from Tony Belmont at plugindiscounts.com. Only the RandomHall is in the demo.