4.0/Integrated 7.1 with WAVE MAXXAudio Pro/Wireless 3165 driver. Hirensbootcd152 with ghost32. With all of the EQs, compressors I have from Waves, IK, and the ones. Of the cheap or free, just because they allow a larger number to participate. O Fixed bug: In Waves SoundShifter, AudioSuite processing of fragmented regions is now distortion-free. Renaissance Maxx Bundle v 6r5 May 1, 2009 MacOS X UB Download Demo Download Update.
The Waves Gold Bundle includes 35 plugs, StudioOne Pro gives you 33. Each has an assortment of compressors, eq's, delays, an amp simulator, a convolution and non-convolution reverb, etc. I own both, and tend to use the Waves plugs more often, but only because I owned and used them long before switching to StudioOne and understand how they work. Spending $200.00 to duplicate plugs that are included in your DAW doesn't make too much sense to me, and I don't believe you'll see a noticeable improvement in the sound of your mixes. Waves (and other companies) make other plugs that are significantly different than what are included in StudioOne, and my advice would be to consider some of those if you're not getting everything you need with the stock plugs. That said, many people produce extraordinary mixes using nothing but the included effects. I try and keep my 3rd party purchases to plugs that I do not have in S1 (aside from a good deal on a bundle).
Otherwise I can see myself spending too much money. That being said, I do have duplicates in terms of functionality. For utility plugs, I tend to use S1 native. There are some compressors (Nomad Factory) that I prefer. Some Waves reverbs I prefer in certain situations, things like that.
When I find myself in a rut, I may switch up what I normally use in the hopes to spark some sort of creativity, but I think that is more of a placebo than anything else. My personal opinion on waves plugins is that some are simply not worth buying. Their EQ's are just as good as S1's. There really is not much difference.
The only Waves EQs which I think are unique from the the one's in S1 are the PuigTec EQP-1A + MEQ-5 EQ(I love using it on Hi hats.), and the renaissance EQs. Compressor wise I simply can't do without the API 2500. It's amazing! If you want some quick work plugins try the CLA plugins.
Something unique is the convolution reverb too, however it hogs up so many resources that it's not worth using(atleast for me). I only use 3rd party plugins. That allows me to change DAWs and take all the tools that I'm familiar with wherever I go. It also allows me to port previous sessions if need be. I don't have to worry about whether the Studio One eq is going to sound like the next DAW's eq.
I know the Waves API 550a is going to sound the same regardless of which DAW I use. The only S1 plug I use is the MixTool. Please don't take any of that as me saying that S1 plugs aren't every bit as good, but Presonus and all DAW creators should be at least aware that there are many people like me who don't rely on the DAW's plugs/fx at all. I use S1 for it's tools/workflow, not it's plugs/fx. I also tend to use mostly 3rd party plugins but, again, its because I already owned them and was used to them when I ported over from Cubase, (which I still use occasionally for its MIDI capabilities).
And, as stated above, when switching between DAWS it's good to be able to use the same plugins you've come to know and rely on. That being said.as has also been pointed out.S1's plugins are quite good and there are some guys that use nothing else. My advice would be to try them and, if they suit your needs, take that $200 and buy a nice piece of hardware! Thanks for all the advice so far.
Still figuring this out, I think I'm close My overall impression from comments here and also on another audio board are: - Some think some in the gold bundle are very good, are used all the time, even have features not in stock plugs. Which sounds exciting to me!