CoreFX vs EssentialFX vs Third Party.

Former user wrote on 12/8/2021, 2:29 AM

Sound Forge Pro Audio Suite 15 comes with CoreFX and EssentialFX. Magix seems to be marketing CoreFX aggressively while EssentialFX is not pushed as much. Apparently, the dev behind digital fish phones is also behind EssentialFX, which is why I am interested/excited about it. People still use Digital Fish Phones as it has high years of high praise from users. There is one AcidPro user video who said EssentialFX compression is not great for music production, but I use it for voice over/audio-for video and like it. Can anyone comment on the CoreFX and EssentialFX product families? How would you put them against third party plugins (such as Tokyo Dawn)? From my experience, these (Core/EssentialFX) plugins seem great along with the on-board SoundForgePro plugins. I got some impressive results. Maybe an EQ like what Samplitude now has is missing in SFP, but I use the DDMF Pro Q ones and Spline. I won't touch the iZotope elements as I was advised by pro's that they are sub par for the kind of stuff I am doing. I cannot afford iZoptope advanced stuff so I prefer to leave them out of the conversation.

Comments

SP. wrote on 12/8/2021, 8:18 AM

@Former user

Apparently, the dev behind digital fish phones is also behind EssentialFX

Yes, he was. He developed the Magix plugins until he left and went to u-He which are also loved by many.

CoreFX is mostly completely made from scratch by Magix' new plugin team. The name is just confusing. The customer sees "Core" and "Essential" and has no idea what is the difference. But I would guess that EssentialFX is dead and will no be longer developed.

If the plugins work fine for you, you don't need to buy something new. I only get a new plugin if it saves me a lot of time compared to the plugins I have. The quality of most plugins is often the same. The listeners don't care which compressor was used.

Maybe an EQ like what Samplitude now has is missing in SFP

The new version of SF ACL 4 already got the new EQ. It is very likely it will be integrated into the next version of SF.

rraud wrote on 12/8/2021, 10:07 AM

Digital Fish Phones Spitfish is still my go-to de-esser and I have used the Blockfish optical limiter here and there.

Otherwise, I do care for either the Core and EssentialFX. The UI and the (lack of) 'sound' does not float my boat.. Sorry Magix.

 

Former user wrote on 12/8/2021, 1:15 PM

@rraud It is interesting the free, 32 bit versions of the Fishphones plugins are not as good as the 'paid' versions. What plugins do you consider to meet your standards, apart from the iZotope elements ones?

rraud wrote on 12/8/2021, 6:01 PM

My 'standards' are subjective, and what 'works' for me in terms of the 'sound' and the UI. Everyone has their own favorites.
I'm a old school engineer who initially worked with analog gear in the 1970s - 80s NYC studios if that says anything. My first 'encounter' with 'digital' audio gear was using a Lexicon PrimeTime which was a rack mount digital delay, I still prefer tape based echo and analog levelers.

Former user wrote on 12/8/2021, 10:49 PM

@SP. Thanks for the information on the plugins. The Magix plugins names, Core and EssentialFX certainly do leave a lot to be desired. They seem generic and unexciting. Even 'Magix plugins suite' seems better. While the Digital Fish Phones fellow, S. Eversmeier, has left, the code base is still there and I imagine someone else can continue it. But the background behind Essential FX was what drew me to it. As for what does and does not sound good to me, my ears are still untrained relative to most who use the product. I know what to listen for now a bit better, but others with better experience know what to listen for and distinguish wheat from chaff. I will work with what I have until I know how to listen for something better, but sometimes the more experienced can give newbs a nudge in the right direction. I have it in for iZotope a bit because they are so pricey and 'the standard' and love to see upstarts. A dethroning of iZotope and (Protools) would be most satisfying.

Former user wrote on 12/12/2021, 1:27 AM

@rraud What are your thoughts on WizardFX, also included in assorted Magix suites?

rraud wrote on 12/12/2021, 10:00 AM

I do not have the Wizard suite, but based on other one-size-fits-all plug-ins (like Waves audio one-knob suite), I do not expect to be blown away
I was always impressed by the sound of the half-rack space dbx 163 "over easy" compressor though, which became many an engineer's go-to compressor for stringed bass instruments. The dbx 160 was a fav for drums. The legacy Direct X Wave Hammer plug-in is usually my go-to drum bus comp/limiter to get that 'slamming' sound on DAW music projects.

btw, take into consideration I am an opinionated SOB.

Former user wrote on 12/12/2021, 4:25 PM

Opinions that are valued, nonetheless. Pity these plugins are not reviewed apart from Studio Marco Primeau, de French Canadien. I will use these plugins on projects to see how they work, but the Acon Digital mastering suite may be next if they fall short. Maybe the Magix are good enough for my needs.