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The best Soundation can do is hard code third party plugins into the software, which is not ideal because it takes a long time to fully implement and also eliminates some element of choice for producers (narrowing the endless amounts of plugins out there to use, to a select few), but it is definitely a step up from not having any third-party support whatsoever. However, Soundation being a web-based DAW means that third-party plugin support would be very hard to implement. It is not fair to judge a DAWs capability solely based on its stock plugins. Soundation is nearly flawless and would be completely flawless if users could use it as a vessel for tools obtained from elsewhere.
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Over the years Soundation has become increasingly more professional and powerful as a DAW, but what would really drive the nail into its legitimacy as a music production tool would be third-party plugin support.
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Soundation’s team has embraced this analogy by offering premium packages to schools and learning programs related to music production. In many cases, Soundation is considered a learning tool by its experienced users and can be described with the analogy of riding a bike with training wheels. This is the reason why many talented artists within the community eventually move on from Soundation to more “mature” DAWs like FL studio and Abelton. Not to say that it cannot be done, as is evident by multiple Cryptic Coast releases, but it is definitely more difficult to do in comparison to other DAWs. The overall gripe that is holding Soundation back is the overall difficulty that persists when one is trying to create a professional sounding finished product.
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These features are things that the Soundation community has been wanting for years, but the developers have yet to deliver. Things like a sampler, real sidechaining capabilities (as opposed to the mock sidechaining tool known as the ‘fakie’), higher resolution exporting abilities, and much more. For example, there are many features that Soundation would benefit from implementing that would increase the professionalism and creative capabilities of the software. It works incredibly well and sports 4 analyzer modes of the frequency spectrum.ĭespite the studio’s overall positive attributes, it is not immune to certain criticisms. One of which is the Parametric EQ, which is an 8-band equalizer that is available to premium users. However, the studio has spawned some notable features that are very powerful, especially for a web-based DAW. Most of the tools serve as the basic building blocks for production (most DAWs would include similar instruments and effects as stock plugins to provide the user with the bare necessities), such as a standard GM-2, essential effects (reverb, compression, delay, etc) and a synthesizer that is literally named ‘Simple Synth’ with four oscillators and standard attack/decay/sustain/release variability. Some being better than others, these appliances provide a music maker with all the necessary ingredients to put a decent sounding track together. Soundation’s tools, instruments/synthesizers, and effects are relatively good quality. It is surprisingly powerful for a web-based DAW and is the reason a lot of people have gotten into music production, including many signed Cryptic Coast artists (artists that have released with the label, artists scheduled for release, and artists that are supported by Cryptic Coast in general) and followers. Over the years, it has amassed almost 4 million registered accounts and a thriving community. It was created in 2009 for the purposes of giving anyone with an internet connection the ability to make music online. Soundation is a web-based, digital audio workstation.
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