Voxengo Voxformer - User Testimonials
I've been eyeing Voxformer for a while and finally decided to buy it. After using it on two mixes, I believe it is THE ideal channel strip for a digital setup.
Here's why:
1. The EQ comes with 5 bands so you have less decision fatigue, and you can bandpass preview the spectrum using ctrl/cmd+click to really determine where you want to add/subtract energy. There is also no cramping in the higher frequencies when using peaking filters.
2. The compressor crossover function allows for easy management of the dynamics of certain instruments' low end and high end/midrange, separately.
3. The presence function can really make the vocals sit just right, either by increasing the high end or (and I didn't know this was possible) by making it warmer.
4. The preview/delta solo available for the de-esser (and the other functions have it too).
5. It has a gate. It works.
6. Voxengo presets in general work out of the box, and if not they're a really good starting point.
7. The saturation sounds amazing.
8. Super low CPU usage! Most of the popular channel strips (BX consoles, Waves SSL EV2, etc) aren't nearly as CPU efficient.
9. THE fastest workflow. Faster than individual EQs and compressors on tracks, and faster than "analog modeled" channel strips, even without using presets.
Would heartily recommend this. I was surprised at being able to reach -8 LUFS in the mixing stage without any limiting, with the widest, clearest sound I've been able to get so far. I attribute that purely to the workflow and ease of use of Voxformer.
I'm using this on Linux (kxStudio 16.04 64bit) via the WinVST adaptor. Finally a way to run VSTs in a very stable way. Well, not all VSTs, but all from Voxengo that I use so far.
The Voxformer turned out to be my bread & butter workhorse. On pretty much all vocals I mix, I use the Voxformer compressor and de-esser. Since I do mostly live recordings, I got plenty of not-so-optimal SM58 and alike mics, which may also benefit from the Presence function in Voxformer.
I also use it on bass and drums sometimes, depending on my needs. Overall, I must say now that I found a way to run Voxengo plugins on Linux reliably, the Voxformer is the best vocal channel you can get for the price.
Voxengo Analogflux Suite,
Voxengo VariSaturator,
Voxengo Voxformer,
Voxengo Soniformer:
Having bought voxformer I slapped it on a vocal track of my current project. And it worked out fine. Funny thing is that from now on my mouse pointer kind of automatically moves to voxformer when vocal tracks are involved in ANY project. As soon as voxformer is inserted on slot 1 I sort of I relax, twiddle the EQ, turn on the one-knob compressor and - like magic - most of the work is done ... fast and efficient. Having a good starting point on the vocals I can concentrate creative part of mixing. Meanwhile voxformer starts sneaking into my guitar tracks, etc.
Thanks for such a great tool!
I have had a 'bedroom studio' for the last few years and when it came time to look for mixing and mastering tools outside of Logic's own I did a lot of research into the different brands on the market. Voxengo's was a name consistently associated with high praise. Having bought numerous plug-ins from you I attest to the robustness, usability, elegance and effectiveness of the Voxengo tools and the audible improvements they made to my music. The price, when looking at that of the competition, seems pretty cheap.
I use Crunchessor (powerful all-purpose compressor), Drumformer (great results) and Voxformer, Varisaturator, GlissEQ and HarmoniEQ and the smaller ones, like StereoTouch (so good), Warmifier (very subtle when used correctly) and LF Max Punch (instantly rewarding). When I master I always use CurveEQ (brilliant design), Soniformer and Elephant.
As an amateur, it's hard for me to appreciate just how good these plug-ins are, because I've not tried a lot of the comparable tools from other companies, but as Voxengo always does the job in the way I want, I've no desire to look for any replacements. When I used Elephant, I knew I wouldn't need another limiter; it doesn't add any colour to the mix and it's incredibly powerful. The entire mix is simply elevated, louder, with no apparent negatives. The only one I have no idea how to use is Soniformer, but the presets are really solid, so I don't feel the need to investigate further.
The saturation, EQ and compressors in Voxformer helped me fully realise what my voice could be. I had no idea my vocals could sound so full and warm until I used it, and now my singing has matured to match that sound so well that I don't even need to dump loads of effects anymore, just any quick preset on the Voxformer and there you go: thicker, sunnier, glowing.
I'm so stoked I came across this site, and I will definitely get the Polysquasher in the sale this summer.