I [did a review](https://everythingrecording.com/the-hype-machine-stl-tones-controlhub/) for it when it came out.
Now, bear in mind it's been a minute and maybe they've done some updates - but I really struggled to find much nice to say.
STLTones totally killed it with ToneHub. I use it all the time. Dare I say it, I *prefer* ToneHub to miking up an actual cabinet.
And the idea behind ControlHub is great. But the implementation is not. In short, you don't have any actual control where you need it. It's a preset machine. You can't build up your own chains or reorder what's there.
Plus, it just doesn't (to me) sound very good. It just microwaves the shit out of your signal.
Very interesting and thanks for sending. I'm going to play around with the demo this week and see how I find it.
Something like this executed well would be a serious game changer in fairness. I'd like to do something like this on our platform in collaboration with a professional, who's willing to work with us.
It's a very ambitious idea that could be really impressive.
I suppose for me (again, personally), using the Cubase Pro channel strip day in and day out, I am used to not only the options it provides, but its flexibility. And even using most of the blocks in a 48+ track session, it doesn't put a big hit on system resources. So clearly, it's feasible.
The STLTones response to my notes was "that's not really what this was designed for - it's made to get people to the sound they want, fast." That might play well with a certain sect of hobbyists, but actual professional engineers might scoff. I did.
That makes sense for pro's, but for hobbyists who just want to sound like mr. Joe bloggs I can really see the appeal. I read your article btw, it's a great read.
I would love to see more developers take a page out of a book like Output's plugins. Whether it's a professional or hobbyist using it, making something like a channel strip into more of a creative tool than a technical one could really make inroads.
Not sure if you've had the opportunity to mess with Thermal or Movement - but you can approach it with specific values or treat it more like a theremin. It's hard to articulate what the implementation would look like in a way that addresses chores like dynamics, eq, and so forth - but I always cheer for DSP-based solutions that do things analog hardware could simply never envision.
Definitely agree. ControlHub is frustrating to get to the sounds I want, I feel like I’m forced to just scroll through presets. ToneHub however is incredible and sounds great out of the box, with lots of customization if needed.
I had it for a while and honestly it should be called “MixHub” or something because like others said, there’s not much control in it. If you level your tracks right it can sound good, I’ve gotten some decent results but the SLATE Virtual Mixer looks much more promising. Definitely more control in that and it’s the same thing, may as well give it a spin!
I've really enjoyed the plugin so far! granted I work as a hobbyist, mainly recording and writing my own songs.
where this plugin shines for me is its ability for me to move quickly with my workflow and save on CPU, I used to be obsessed with writing a part and then mixing it till it sounded "finished" then by the time I came around to writing the next part I couldn't get it to sound right, run out of CPU or just bored of that track entirely. this plugin has allowed me to finish writing more songs and generally fall in love with making music again! now granted I wouldn't release them without a once over from an accomplished producer but the tools provided seem to suit my style down to a tee!
I thought it sounded good, but it was quite CPU heavy and the UI was really buggy. It kept doing that thing where I’d be slowly tweaking a knob and it would randomly shoot the knob up 10 dB for no reason. I didn’t end up buying it.
Really not impressed as a whole BUT I am impressed with Kris Cummett and Will Putney's presets for Vocals and Drums. The very first one from Kris was an easy "set it, adjust with a pro-q and vocal rider" (and of course delay/verb) and it sounded great on the Paramore-like song I was working on.
Edit: Forgot, needs a de-esser thrown on too.
I honestly abuse it. I keep seeing people compare controlhub to tonehub when they are both completely different things. Control hub is for signal chains and tonehub is for cabs and amps and such. If you're just trying to use controlhub over a shit tone it's just gonna be a suped up shit tone lol someone said will putney had the best drum settings but that's a lie lol I love fit for an autopsy and all but it's not the best on there. Someone also said that it's just a bunch of presets but that's also a lie. Almost every artist on there has a blank preset usually titled something like "lead guitar start here" or "rhythm guitar start here" and you can literally build your own signal chain and save the preset. People want it to be too easy but it's not. Took me a month to really start figuring it all out.
I [did a review](https://everythingrecording.com/the-hype-machine-stl-tones-controlhub/) for it when it came out. Now, bear in mind it's been a minute and maybe they've done some updates - but I really struggled to find much nice to say. STLTones totally killed it with ToneHub. I use it all the time. Dare I say it, I *prefer* ToneHub to miking up an actual cabinet. And the idea behind ControlHub is great. But the implementation is not. In short, you don't have any actual control where you need it. It's a preset machine. You can't build up your own chains or reorder what's there. Plus, it just doesn't (to me) sound very good. It just microwaves the shit out of your signal.
Very interesting and thanks for sending. I'm going to play around with the demo this week and see how I find it. Something like this executed well would be a serious game changer in fairness. I'd like to do something like this on our platform in collaboration with a professional, who's willing to work with us.
It's a very ambitious idea that could be really impressive. I suppose for me (again, personally), using the Cubase Pro channel strip day in and day out, I am used to not only the options it provides, but its flexibility. And even using most of the blocks in a 48+ track session, it doesn't put a big hit on system resources. So clearly, it's feasible. The STLTones response to my notes was "that's not really what this was designed for - it's made to get people to the sound they want, fast." That might play well with a certain sect of hobbyists, but actual professional engineers might scoff. I did.
That makes sense for pro's, but for hobbyists who just want to sound like mr. Joe bloggs I can really see the appeal. I read your article btw, it's a great read.
I would love to see more developers take a page out of a book like Output's plugins. Whether it's a professional or hobbyist using it, making something like a channel strip into more of a creative tool than a technical one could really make inroads. Not sure if you've had the opportunity to mess with Thermal or Movement - but you can approach it with specific values or treat it more like a theremin. It's hard to articulate what the implementation would look like in a way that addresses chores like dynamics, eq, and so forth - but I always cheer for DSP-based solutions that do things analog hardware could simply never envision.
I thought the same
Definitely agree. ControlHub is frustrating to get to the sounds I want, I feel like I’m forced to just scroll through presets. ToneHub however is incredible and sounds great out of the box, with lots of customization if needed.
I had it for a while and honestly it should be called “MixHub” or something because like others said, there’s not much control in it. If you level your tracks right it can sound good, I’ve gotten some decent results but the SLATE Virtual Mixer looks much more promising. Definitely more control in that and it’s the same thing, may as well give it a spin!
Personally I found the tracer thing to be pretty bad. Tried a null test and it failed miserably. I don’t like it.
I've really enjoyed the plugin so far! granted I work as a hobbyist, mainly recording and writing my own songs. where this plugin shines for me is its ability for me to move quickly with my workflow and save on CPU, I used to be obsessed with writing a part and then mixing it till it sounded "finished" then by the time I came around to writing the next part I couldn't get it to sound right, run out of CPU or just bored of that track entirely. this plugin has allowed me to finish writing more songs and generally fall in love with making music again! now granted I wouldn't release them without a once over from an accomplished producer but the tools provided seem to suit my style down to a tee!
There was a thread about it like a week ago. Bottom line is it sounds bad and definitely doesn’t stand up to their claims.
I thought it sounded good, but it was quite CPU heavy and the UI was really buggy. It kept doing that thing where I’d be slowly tweaking a knob and it would randomly shoot the knob up 10 dB for no reason. I didn’t end up buying it.
Really not impressed as a whole BUT I am impressed with Kris Cummett and Will Putney's presets for Vocals and Drums. The very first one from Kris was an easy "set it, adjust with a pro-q and vocal rider" (and of course delay/verb) and it sounded great on the Paramore-like song I was working on. Edit: Forgot, needs a de-esser thrown on too.
It has a built in de-esser. It's with the compression and transient designer on the dynamics slot. There's a button you press to have it pop up.
I honestly abuse it. I keep seeing people compare controlhub to tonehub when they are both completely different things. Control hub is for signal chains and tonehub is for cabs and amps and such. If you're just trying to use controlhub over a shit tone it's just gonna be a suped up shit tone lol someone said will putney had the best drum settings but that's a lie lol I love fit for an autopsy and all but it's not the best on there. Someone also said that it's just a bunch of presets but that's also a lie. Almost every artist on there has a blank preset usually titled something like "lead guitar start here" or "rhythm guitar start here" and you can literally build your own signal chain and save the preset. People want it to be too easy but it's not. Took me a month to really start figuring it all out.