I had the Soundgrid Mobile Server to test for the last 2 years and it was awesome, really helped getting plugins with 1ms latency for real life applications. The idea was to get the whole plugin chain to emulate a proper studio but mobile, so we can play live with awesome sound, going way beyond a normal mixing desk does. Im talking really punch, pointy, defined acoustic drums, awesome reverb on vocals (not some tinny shitty reverb), guitar and bass defined etc
Already with the mobile server I was able to make a big improvement for a full band sound but... I had to compromise with my plugin choices, it was OK for live sound for a 3-4 piece rock band, 20 x Scheps73, simple compressors and a maximum few abbey road plates. But that was it and I had to really think about what went there and it was a compromise every time and it was frustrating because I knew there was even more sound hidden in the Soundgrid Universe so I got the Extreme Server
--- Fast forward till now ---
In realtime, on a full band with 32 channels + busses for groups, I run the Scheps Omni, NLS, Kramer tapes and Abbey Road reverbs or plates going on on everything where its needed like group busses. The Extreme Server is maxed out like the Mobile server was and f--k me, this rig sounds crazy good. Now I am getting a recording quality live sound through my SQ5 single channels and mix-busses, which basically are almost ready to print. I don't even need to do any editing on my track before I bounce the raw versions of tracks and they sound fantastic already, ready for mastering.
My plan was to set up the Soundgrid Plugins, so I do as little as possible on Logic Pro and have all the processing done in real time, committed to my sound like you would in a real analog studio. For live that works fantastic, sound is just huge and defined. For studio I must admit, I use the WA273 and WA-2A on each track I do which are NOT drums. Real analog gear is just better than plugins in a controlled environment. But thats not live and for the drums, even in studio, I am fine with the SoundGrid because its cheaper and easier.
I am sooooo happy with this Extreme Server, I have this pinpoint control of my setup, I have the emulated tube amps etc. I am still buzzing with excitement and been recording since I got it non-stop. I never ever had my drums sounds as good in a live take as they do now and Im still learning what more I can do, with the ability to emulate a expensive studio hardware setup for drums (which would cost 10's of thousands eur's, be a shitload of setup work, power consumption, and cables)
Yes it makes a bit of fan noise when running but look. You install it on your rig, in my case a mac-mini with soungrid loaded and the SoundGrid directly to the Mac-Min via the built in LAN. It turns on when you turn your rig on, you don't do anything. Your plugins just load up and you are good to go.
One small point, you have to get your LAN and Switch settings, your SSD formatting has to be right, your WiFi turned off and internet via separate LAN driver or it will cause SoundGrid to have errors, you have to have enough RAM to run your Logic or whatever so the SoundGrid Server has a perfect access. Once this is all set up correct, its just a beast!
Bring your whole studio with you when you play live! What more can you possibly need?
